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Displaying items by tag: Royal Cork Yacht Club

Michael McCann’s Etchells ‘Don’t Dilly Dally’ topped the RCYC cruisers Thursday evening June league in Spinnaker IRC Division on a total of six points, having had a first, second and third placing in three of the four races. Padraig Byrne’s 1720, ‘Zing’, placed second on eight points, and Frank Doyle’s J112,’ Cara’, was third on twelve.

Under ECHO handicap, ‘Cara’ topped the June racing with 5 points, Ria Lyden’s X332 ‘Ellida’ and Padraig Byrne tied in second on ten points. In Whitesails IRC racing, the McJenkins Family topped the league in their S&S 34.’Morning After,’ on six points.

Pat Vaughan’s ‘Aramis,’ a Contessa 33, was second on nine and Kieran O’Brien’s MG335, ‘Magnet,’ third on ten.

Batt O’Leary’s Jeanneau 36i, ‘Sweet Dreams,’ was first in Whitesail ECHO handicap on six points, with Paul O’Shea’s ‘Elegance,’ a Sun Odyssey 36i, second on seven and Aramis third on eight. The Friday evening whitesail league had five races, which were sailed under the club’s own handicap system. Two yachts finished at the top on 14 points – ‘22’ (Danny Rock) and ‘Phaeton’ (Clive Doherty). ‘22’ had one first, so was placed first. Ronan Twomey’s Rosmarina was third on 16 points.

Published in Royal Cork YC
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The Royal Cork Yacht Club cancelled its regular Thursday night league racing this week and called members to a meeting instead to discuss an incident between some boats in the racing fleet on the previous week’s Thursday and a tanker entering the harbour.

The Admiral of the RCYC at Crosshaven, Kieran O’Connell, said the action decided upon by the Executive Committee of the club was taken to ensure that the message of safety in racing was clearly understood by all involved and that Skippers of yachts must realise that they are ultimately responsible for their decisions during racing.

 Admiral of the RCYC at Crosshaven, Kieran O’Connell Admiral of the RCYC at Crosshaven, Kieran O’Connell Photo: Bob Bateman

There was a big turn-out at the meeting which heard from Cork Harbour Master, Capt. Paul O’Regan and Cork Pilot Tony Mulcahy, who was on the tanker, how tugs accompanying the vessel were used to assist it in reducing speed after several warning sounds made by the tanker when it neared the fleet, which was spread across the shipping channel were not responded to.

A photo from a social media feed posted on Facebook dated May 19th showing yachts and an accompanying ship and tug in Cork Harbour A photo from a social media post dated May 19th showing yachts, a ship and an accompanying tug in Cork Harbour Photo: via Facebook

A new system for race control is being agreed by the club with the Port of Cork.

Admiral of the RCYC, Kieran O’Connell, is my Podcast guest this week discussing the incident and the lessons to be learned from it for racing crews and skippers.

Listen to the Podcast below.

Published in Tom MacSweeney
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The Cruiser Friday Evening May League racing winners at the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) under (IHS) the club’s In House Handicap series were: 1 – Big Mc, Celine McGrath; 2 – Kerensa, Eugene O’:Loughlin; 3 – Orion, Liam O’Keeffe.

RCYC Offshore Coastal Series

The first Offshore Coastal Series for cruisers at the RCYC raced on Sunday, was won in Spinnaker Class, under both IRC and ECHO handicaps, by Jelly Baby, Jones family; 2 – Alpaca, Paul and Deirdre Tingle; 3, Luas, Sean Hanley. White Sails IRC and ECHO winner, Ellida – Ria Lyden; 2, Magnet, Kieran O’Brien; 3, LabousGwen, Darren O’Keeffe.

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This Saturday (June 3), the annual Coolmore Race for Junior Crews of the Royal Cork Yacht Club (RCYC) will provide a great sight down the riverside from Carrigaline to Crosshaven.

The Coolmore Cup is an annual event which attracts a lot of support and will begin with a race briefing for crews at the club’s dinghy centre in Crosshaven at 1545.

This year’s race is being organised by Jim Hughes, who says he wants as many boats on the water as possible. ”If it floats, get it out! The club runs this fun race for its junior and youth sailors, but we would love to see families and friends together on the water. We want to see Mums and Dads (as crews), and we want to encourage the youths to take the helm. It is not all about who comes first; there will be a mix of prizes, from the best turned-out boat, the best-dressed crew, to the youngest helm to mention a few.”

High Tide will be at 1745 hours, and First Gun will be timed accordingly.

Club Admiral Kieran O’Connell and Rear Admiral of Dinghies Maurice Collins will start this year’s race in “an innovative way” - to be outlined at the pre-race briefing!

Published in Royal Cork YC

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney gave the Government's input on the 'Future of Sailing and the Blue Economy' at Royal Cork Yacht Club's annual corporate lunch last Friday.

Working on the theme 'Working together to make it sustainable for all', Coveney addressed a sellout audience at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour.

The Royal Cork Corporate lunch was a sell-out in Crosshaven Photo: Bob BatemanThe Royal Cork Corporate Lunch was a sell-out in Crosshaven Photo: Bob Bateman

The lunch was the first since the inaugural event in 2019 of the oldest yacht club in the world due to the Covid pandemic.

Flag Officers and guests at Royal Cork's Corporate lunch Photo: Bob Bateman Flag Officers and guests at Royal Cork's Corporate lunch Photo: Bob Bateman 

Royal Cork Admiral, Kieran O’Connell, said, “It was a fantastic opportunity for our corporate partners and members to connect with each other". 

Eoin Gunn AIB Daragh Conolly RCYc and Denis Byrne chair of Marina and Facilities Committee Photo: Bob BatemanEoin Gunn of AIB with Daragh Connolly of RCYC and SCORA and Denis Byrne, Chair of RCYC's Marina and Facilities Committee Photo: Bob Bateman

Pat Horgan of AIB and James Fegan of John Paul Construction Photo: Bob BatemanPat Horgan of AIB and James Fegan of John Paul Construction Photo: Bob Bateman

Guests included local Councillors Audrey Buckley and Paul Murtagh. The Chief Commercial Officer of the Port of Cork, Conor Mowlds, was also part of the speaker panel, along with Royal Cork's Cian O'Brien and south coast sailing club representatives and members of the Irish Sailing Association.

Cllr Audrey Buckley and Annamarie Fegan, the Vice Admiral of Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob BatemanCllr Audrey Buckley and Annamarie Fegan, the Vice Admiral of Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo: Bob Bateman

Guests at the Royal Cork AIB Corporate lunch Photo: Bob BatemanGuests at the Royal Cork AIB Corporate lunch Photo: Bob Bateman

In a busy year for the Munster Club, RCYC looks forward to a busy season staging both the Topper World Championships and the Quarter Ton Cup in July.

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The 1720 Zing leads Royal Cork Yacht Club's May League (SPIN 1 IRC) in Cork Harbour. 

In an eight-boat fleet, the local sportsboat finished ahead of Michael McCann's Etchells 22, Don't Dilly Dally.

Third was the Jones Family's J122, Jelly Baby.

The nine boat White Sail division saw Ian Hickey's Granada 38 Cavatina win from Kieran O'Brien's MG335, Magnet. Third was the Dehler 34 Big Mc (McGrath Family).

Results below

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Royal Cork Yacht Club's Alana Twomey and Chris Bateman have a one-point lead after four races sailed at the Irish 29er Southerns Championships in Cork Harbour.

Royal Cork skiff sailors also hold second and third places overnight in the 11-boat fleet.

A race start at the Irish 29er Southerns Championships in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob BatemanA race start at the Irish 29er Southerns Championships in Cork Harbour Photo: Bob Bateman

Ben O'Shaughnessy and Ethan Spain (National Yacht Club) are second, and Rian Collins and James Dwyer lie third on ten points. 

The event is sponsored by Waterman Kelly Consulting Engineers.

Four more races will be sailed back to back on Sunday to complete the championships at Crosshaven.

 

29er Southern Championships at Royal Cork Yacht Club Photo Gallery By Bob Bateman

Published in 29er

Royal Cork yachts raised over €5,000 for charity in a 'Darkness into Light Sail' at Cork Harbour this morning.

Admiral Kieran O’Connell led a 37-boat club flotilla to the mouth of the Harbour at Roches Point, where he hosted a pennant at daylight (5.55 am). 

The special charity event was organised by RCYC's Rear Admiral Cruising, Mike Ryder. 

Royal Cork Yacht Club Darkness into Light Flotilla Photo Gallery by Bob Bateman

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Royal Cork’s Harry Durcan and Grattan Roberts were part of the J122 El Ocaso that were declared overall winners of Antigua Sailing Week.

Racing onboard Chris Body’s J122 El Ocaso, they led CSA 2 by a slim margin of a single point going into the last day.

The crew were awarded the Lord Nelson Trophy as the overall Antigua Week 2023 winner.

Chris Body’s J122 El Ocaso crew that includes Grattan Roberts and Harry Durcan from Royal Cork Photo: Paul WyethChris Body’s J122 El Ocaso crew that includes Grattan Roberts and Harry Durcan from Royal Cork Photo: Paul Wyeth

Louay Habib caught up with them after racing on the final day, first Durcan, then Roberts in the audio below.

 
El Ocaso, GBR 4860, winners of the Lord Nelson Trophy 2023, at Antigua Sailing Week Photo: Paul WyethEl Ocaso, GBR 4860, winners of the Lord Nelson Trophy 2023, at Antigua Sailing Week Photo: Paul Wyeth
 
 
Published in Royal Cork YC

Colman Garvey’s KH+P Nolde, with a team from the Royal Cork Yacht Club scored a perfect 12 race wins at Antigua Sailing Week to dominate the Bareboat 2 Division overall.

Garvey's crew include Roy Darrer (grinder), Ger Coakley (main trimmer), Paul O’Regan (strategist) and Kieran Kelleher (tactician).

The final day of racing at Antigua Sailing Week was held in the strongest wind of the regatta, with solid south easterly trade winds gusting up to 18 knots.

Second was Alexander Pfeiffer’s KH+P Nevis, and third was Thomas Sparrer’s KH+P Anguilla.

“It’s been a hard week, especially living with these guys for the last six days!” commented Coleman Garvey. “This is a great regatta, good fun, with close racing every day. We first came here in 2013 as a once-in-a-lifetime regatta, and this is our sixth! This is only our second class win, so that shows you how hard it is.”

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Page 7 of 68

Port of Cork Information

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of only two Irish ports which service the requirements of all six shipping modes i.e., Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise. Due to its favourable location on the south coast of Ireland and its modern deep-water facilities, the Port of Cork is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services.

The Port of Cork is investing €80 million in a container terminal development in Ringaskiddy. The Cork Container Terminal will initially offer a 360-metre quay with 13-metre depth alongside and will enable larger ships to berth in the port. The development also includes the construction of a 13.5-hectare terminal and associated buildings as well as two ship to shore gantry cranes and container handling equipment.

The development of new container handling facilities at Ringaskiddy was identified in the Port of Cork’s Strategic Development Plan in 2010. It will accommodate current and future container shipping which can be serviced by modern and efficient cargo handling equipment with innovative terminal operating and vehicle booking systems. The Port of Cork anticipates that Cork Container Terminal will be operational in 2020.

The Port of Cork is the key seaport in the south of Ireland and is one of just two Irish ports which service the requirements of all shipping modes.

The Port of Cork also controls Bantry Bay Port Company and employs 150 people across all locations.

A European Designated Core Port and a Tier 1 Port of National Significance, Port of Cork’s reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround as well as the company’s investment in future growth, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain.

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades, most recently with the construction of the new €80m Cork Container Terminal in Ringaskiddy which will facilitate the natural progression of the move from a river port to a deepwater port in order to future proof the Port
of Cork. This state-of-the-art terminal which will open in 2020 will be capable of berthing the largest container ships currently calling to Ireland.

The Port of Cork Company is a commercial semi-state company responsible for the commercial running of the harbour as well as responsibility for navigation and berthage in the port.  The Port is the main port serving the South of Ireland, County Cork and Cork City. 

Types of Shipping Using Port of Cork

The Port offers all six shipping modes from Lift-on Lift-off, Roll-on Roll-off, Liquid Bulk, Dry Bulk, Break Bulk and Cruise liner traffic.

Port of Cork Growth

The port has made impressive strides in recent decades. Since 2000, the Port of Cork has invested €72 million in improving Port infrastructure and facilities. Due to its favourable location and its modern deepwater facilities, the Port is ideally positioned for additional European trading as well as for yet unexploited direct deep-sea shipping services. A well-developed road infrastructure eases the flow of traffic from and to the port. The Port of Cork’s growing reputation for quality service, including prompt and efficient vessel turnaround, ensures its position as a vital link in the global supply chain. The Port of Cork Company turnover in 2018 amounted to €35.4 million, an increase of €3.9 million from €31.5 million in 2017. The combined traffic of both the Ports of Cork and Bantry increased to 10.66 million tonnes in 2018 up from 10.3 million tonnes in 2017.

History of Port of Cork

Famous at the last port of call of the Titanic, these medieval navigation and port facilities of the city and harbour were historically managed by the Cork Harbour Commissioners. Founded in 1814, the Cork Harbour Commissioners moved to the Custom House in 1904.  Following the implementation of the 1996 Harbours Act, by March 1997 all assets of the Commissioners were transferred to the Port of Cork Company.

Commercial Traffic at Port of Cork

Vessels up to 90,000 tonnes deadweight (DWT) are capable of coming through entrance to Cork Harbour. As the shipping channels get shallower the farther inland one travels, access becomes constricted, and only vessels up to 60,000 DWT can sail above Cobh. The Port of Cork provides pilotage and towage facilities for vessels entering Cork Harbour. All vessels accessing the quays in Cork City must be piloted and all vessels exceeding 130 metres in length must be piloted once they pass within 2.5 nautical miles (4.6 km) of the harbour entrance.

Berthing Facilities in Cork Harbour

The Port of Cork has berthing facilities at Cork City, Tivoli, Cobh and Ringaskiddy. The facilities in Cork City are primarily used for grain and oil transport. Tivoli provides container handling, facilities for oil, livestock and ore and a roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) ramp. Prior to the opening of Ringaskiddy Ferry Port, car ferries sailed from here; now, the Ro-Ro ramp is used by companies importing cars into Ireland. In addition to the ferry terminal, Ringaskiddy has a deep water port.

Port of Cork Development Plans

2020 will be a significant year for the Port of Cork as it prepares to complete and open the €86 million Cork Container Terminal development in Ringaskiddy.

Once operational the new terminal will enable the port to handle up to 450,000 TEU per annum. Port of Cork already possess significant natural depth in Cork harbour, and the work in Ringaskiddy Port will enable the Port of Cork to accommodate vessels of 5500 to 6000 TEU, which will provide a great deal of additional potential for increasing container traffic.

It follows a previous plan hatched in 2006 as the port operated at full capacity the Port drew up plans for a new container facility at Ringaskiddy. This was the subject of major objections and after an Oral Planning Hearing was held in 2008 the Irish planning board Bord Pleanala rejected the plan due to inadequate rail and road links at the location.  

Further notable sustainability projects also include:

  • The Port of Cork have invested in 2 x STS cranes – Type single lift, Model P (148) L, (WS) Super. These cranes contain the most modern and energy-efficient control and monitoring systems currently available on the market and include an LED floodlight system equipped with software to facilitate remote diagnostics, a Crane Management System (CMS) and an energy chain supply on both cranes replacing the previous preferred festoon cabling installation.
  • The Port of Cork has installed High Mast Lighting Voltage Control Units at its two main cargo handling locations – Tivoli Industrial & Dock Estate and Ringaskiddy Deep-water & Ferry Terminals. This investment has led to more efficient energy use and reduced risk of light pollution. The lights can also be controlled remotely.
  • The Port of Cork’s largest electrical consumer at Tivoli Container Terminal is the handling and storage of refrigerated containers. Local data loggers were used to assess energy consumption. This provided timely intervention regarding Power Factor Correction Bank efficiency on our STS (Ship to Shore) Cranes and Substations, allowing for reduced mains demand and reducing wattless energy losses along with excess charges. The information gathered has helped us to design and build a reefer storage facility with energy management and remote monitoring included.

Bantry Port

In 2017 Bantry Bay Port Company completed a significant investment of €8.5 million in the Bantry Inner Harbour development. The development consisted of a leisure marina, widening of the town pier, dredging of the inner harbour and creation of a foreshore amenity space.

Port of Cork Cruise Liner Traffic

2019 was a record cruise season for the Port of Cork with 100 cruise liners visiting. In total over 243,000 passengers and crew visited the region with many passengers visiting Cork for the first time.

Also in 2019, the Port of Cork's Cruise line berth in Cobh was recognised as one of the best cruise destinations in the world, winning in the Top-Rated British Isles & Western Europe Cruise Destination category. 

There has been an increase in cruise ship visits to Cork Harbour in the early 21st century, with 53 such ships visiting the port in 2011, increasing to approximately 100 cruise ship visits by 2019.

These cruise ships berth at the Port of Cork's deepwater quay in Cobh, which is Ireland's only dedicated berth for cruise ships.

Passenger Ferries

Operating since the late 1970s, Brittany Ferries runs a ferry service to Roscoff in France. This operates between April and November from the Ro-Ro facilities at Ringaskiddy. Previous ferry services ran to Swansea in Wales and Santander in Spain. The former, the Swansea Cork ferry, ran initially between 1987 and 2006 and also briefly between 2010 and 2012.

The latter, a Brittany Ferries Cork–Santander service, started in 2018 but was cancelled in early 2020.

Marine Leisure

The Port of Cork has a strategy that aims to promote the harbour also as a leisure amenity. Cork’s superb natural harbour is a great place to enjoy all types of marine leisure pursuits. With lots of sailing and rowing clubs dotted throughout the harbour, excellent fishing and picturesque harbour-side paths for walking, running or cycling, there is something for everyone to enjoy in and around Cork harbour. The Port is actively involved with the promotion of Cork Harbour's annual Festival. The oldest sailing club in the world, founded in 1720, is the Royal Cork Yacht Club is located at Crosshaven in the harbour, proof positive, says the Port, that the people of Cork, and its visitors, have been enjoying this vast natural leisure resource for centuries. 

Port of Cork Executives

  • Chairman: John Mullins
  • Chief Executive: Brendan Keating
  • Secretary/Chief Finance Officer: Donal Crowley
  • Harbour Master and Chief Operations Officer: Capt. Paul O'Regan
  • Port Engineering Manager: Henry Kingston
  • Chief Commercial Officer: Conor Mowlds
  • Head of Human Resources: Peter O'Shaughnessy