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Displaying items by tag: Marine Pilots

14th October 2023

Safety and Standards Discussed by Marine Pilots at Galway Conference

Overall standards of pilotage in Europe remain “very high” but standards seem to be dropping in some ports, the Association of Marine Pilots Ireland (AMPI) conference heard.

Capt John Conlon of Arklow Shipping made the point at the recent AMPI conference in Galway which was held on the theme of “the importance of regulation and best practice”.

Capt Conlon, who is marine superintendent and designated person ashore for Arklow Shipping, provided an overview of the company’s ongoing new build projects and discussed accidents involving its ships while under pilotage.

Keynote speaker Capt Captain Brian Sheridan gave some insights on how some regulations have failed to deliver their intended purposes. He also detailed the Port of Galway's plans for developing new but necessary infrastructure.

He said the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) had “engaged in a very meaningful way” with the Port of Galway’s deepwater plans, and “brought in-depth ecological knowledge in navigating the complex subjects of the marine environment”.

European Maritime Pilots Association (EMPA) Secretary General Aileen Van Raemdonck provided a comprehensive overview of that organisation’s successful advocacy efforts for European pilots.

She shared valuable insights into the intricate organisation of pilotage across various EU nations, shedding light on how European legislation impacts all pilots in the region.

Maritime lawyer Donal Keaney spoke about “what to expect when the unexpected happens”, and his presentation looked into the legal aspects of what happens when there is a marine casualty.

Keaney has over 25 years of experience in the shipping sector, ten of which have been spent in a legal environment.

Dutch pilot Arie Palmers discussed the prevalence of improperly rigged pilot transfer arrangements, and the training Dutch pilots receive should they fall into the water during a transfer.

Palmers is regarded as having exceptional knowledge of regulations and recommendations on use of pilot ladders and all aspects of pilot transfer arrangements.

Former seafarer Andy Nattrass who works for Swedish company Trelleborg spoke about portable pilot units. He also spoke about their potential errors and how satellite signals may be “spoofed or jammed”.

The conference opening address was delivered by Independent senator Gerard Craughwell, who advised the AMPI on the importance of clear and regular communication in achieving its objectives within the “intricate and nuanced” Irish political landscape.

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3rd October 2023

European Marine Pilots Attend Conference in Galway

What to expect when “the unexpected” happens and other issues facing marine pilots will be discussed at the Association of Marine Pilots in Ireland (AMPI) conference in Galway today.

“The Importance of Regulation and Best Practice” is the theme, and speakers include maritime lawyer Donal Keaney and Aileen Van Raemdonck, secretary general of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA).

Aileen Van Raemdonck, secretary general of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA)Aileen Van Raemdonck, secretary general of the European Maritime Pilots’ Association (EMPA)

Port of Galway harbourmaster Capt Brian Sheridan, Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell, and AMPI chairman Padraig Condon will open the conference at the Maldron Hotel, Sandy Road, Galway.

John Conlon, a master mariner and marine superintendent and security officer for Arklow ShippingJohn Conlon, a master mariner and marine superintendent and security officer for Arklow Shipping

Also speaking will be John Conlon, a master mariner and marine superintendent and security officer for Arklow Shipping; maritime pilot Arie Palmers from the Netherlands; and Andy Nattrass, navigation and piloting sales manager for Swedish company Trelleborg.

AMPI Secretary Patrick Galvin will give the closing address.

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Dublin Bay

Dublin Bay on the east coast of Ireland stretches over seven kilometres, from Howth Head on its northern tip to Dalkey Island in the south. It's a place most Dubliners simply take for granted, and one of the capital's least visited places. But there's more going on out there than you'd imagine.

The biggest boating centre is at Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the Bay's south shore that is home to over 1,500 pleasure craft, four waterfront yacht clubs and Ireland's largest marina.

The bay is rather shallow with many sandbanks and rocky outcrops, and was notorious in the past for shipwrecks, especially when the wind was from the east. Until modern times, many ships and their passengers were lost along the treacherous coastline from Howth to Dun Laoghaire, less than a kilometre from shore.

The Bay is a C-shaped inlet of the Irish Sea and is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and 7 km in length to its apex at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south. North Bull Island is situated in the northwest part of the bay, where one of two major inshore sandbanks lie, and features a 5 km long sandy beach, Dollymount Strand, fronting an internationally recognised wildfowl reserve. Many of the rivers of Dublin reach the Irish Sea at Dublin Bay: the River Liffey, with the River Dodder flow received less than 1 km inland, River Tolka, and various smaller rivers and streams.

Dublin Bay FAQs

There are approximately ten beaches and bathing spots around Dublin Bay: Dollymount Strand; Forty Foot Bathing Place; Half Moon bathing spot; Merrion Strand; Bull Wall; Sandycove Beach; Sandymount Strand; Seapoint; Shelley Banks; Sutton, Burrow Beach

There are slipways on the north side of Dublin Bay at Clontarf, Sutton and on the southside at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, and in Dalkey at Coliemore and Bulloch Harbours.

Dublin Bay is administered by a number of Government Departments, three local authorities and several statutory agencies. Dublin Port Company is in charge of navigation on the Bay.

Dublin Bay is approximately 70 sq kilometres or 7,000 hectares. The Bay is about 10 kilometres wide along its north-south base, and seven km in length east-west to its peak at the centre of the city of Dublin; stretching from Howth Head in the north to Dalkey Point in the south.

Dun Laoghaire Harbour on the southside of the Bay has an East and West Pier, each one kilometre long; this is one of the largest human-made harbours in the world. There also piers or walls at the entrance to the River Liffey at Dublin city known as the Great North and South Walls. Other harbours on the Bay include Bulloch Harbour and Coliemore Harbours both at Dalkey.

There are two marinas on Dublin Bay. Ireland's largest marina with over 800 berths is on the southern shore at Dun Laoghaire Harbour. The other is at Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club on the River Liffey close to Dublin City.

Car and passenger Ferries operate from Dublin Port to the UK, Isle of Man and France. A passenger ferry operates from Dun Laoghaire Harbour to Howth as well as providing tourist voyages around the bay.

Dublin Bay has two Islands. Bull Island at Clontarf and Dalkey Island on the southern shore of the Bay.

The River Liffey flows through Dublin city and into the Bay. Its tributaries include the River Dodder, the River Poddle and the River Camac.

Dollymount, Burrow and Seapoint beaches

Approximately 1,500 boats from small dinghies to motorboats to ocean-going yachts. The vast majority, over 1,000, are moored at Dun Laoghaire Harbour which is Ireland's boating capital.

In 1981, UNESCO recognised the importance of Dublin Bay by designating North Bull Island as a Biosphere because of its rare and internationally important habitats and species of wildlife. To support sustainable development, UNESCO’s concept of a Biosphere has evolved to include not just areas of ecological value but also the areas around them and the communities that live and work within these areas. There have since been additional international and national designations, covering much of Dublin Bay, to ensure the protection of its water quality and biodiversity. To fulfil these broader management aims for the ecosystem, the Biosphere was expanded in 2015. The Biosphere now covers Dublin Bay, reflecting its significant environmental, economic, cultural and tourism importance, and extends to over 300km² to include the bay, the shore and nearby residential areas.

On the Southside at Dun Laoghaire, there is the National Yacht Club, Royal St. George Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club as well as Dublin Bay Sailing Club. In the city centre, there is Poolbeg Yacht and Boat Club. On the Northside of Dublin, there is Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club and Sutton Dinghy Club. While not on Dublin Bay, Howth Yacht Club is the major north Dublin Sailing centre.

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