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Displaying items by tag: Wind Farm Assembly

At the Cork Dockyard facility at Rushbrooke, Cork Harbour is where redevelopment plans to service planned offshore wind projects have taken a step forward.

The plan to support offshore windfarm projects is proposed by the Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) which is to redevelop the site as a port infrastructure hub for use by developers of offshore renewable energy (ORE) projects. DSG, the largest port service solutions provider in Ireland with offices in seven ports, has labelled the project, the Cork Dockyard Rejuvenation Project (CDR)

As the Irish Examiner reports, DSG has in recent days issued its tender documents to seek a public relations firm to deliver a strategy for the public consultation process at the site of the former Cork Verolme Dockyard (V.C.D.) shipyard. The current marine engineering facility of Cork Dockyard, carries out ship-repair, survey / dry-dockings including use by the Naval Service.

As the project is large-scale, the ORE falls into the category of a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) and as such the application for planning permission lies with An Bord Pleanála.

Approximately 15 hectares is the dockyard site which comprises a graving dry-dock for ship-repair and the adjoining redundant shipyard which was the largest in the Republic. The origins of the shipyard can be traced to its establishment in 1853 and for many decades was considered one of the most significant elements of the harbour's industrial infrastructure.

During the shipyard’s peak, more than 1,100 were employed at the Rushbrooke site as Afloat highlights is where major vessels including those for Irish Shipping Ltd, B+I Line, Sealink/British Rail and the Naval Service including flagship L.E. Eithne were built and launched.

The V.C.D. shipyard however closed in 1984 with the last vessel built, L.E.Eithne for the Navy, noting this ship would also become historically significant, as the last ever ship to be built in the Republic.

More than a decade after the closure of Ireland’s only shipbuilding yard, the site was acquired by DSG in 1995.

Further reading here on the plans for the ORE facility, which will not interfer with the dockyard's ship-repair infrastructure.

Published in Cork Harbour

About Electric outboard engines

The direct-drive component in electric outboard engines means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power.

Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance free, highly efficient and economic to run.

As a result, electric boat engines are becoming more popular on Irish waters as the world transitions from fossil fuels to green energy.

To date, popular electric engine sizes have been trolling engines typically used by fishermen on lakes.

These marine engines are available in models that can be used in fresh water and sea water, for your boat or kayak.

Electric motors are Ideal for fishermen because they are quiet and create little in the way of disturbance 

Popular electric trolling models range from 30lb thrust to 55lb thrust in a range of shaft lengths.

But use is becoming broader now in 2021 and electric outboard engines are being used on small runabouts and RIBS where electric outboard engine sizes are getting bigger.

Outboard electric engines are economical and environmentally friendly. Battery technology is also improving at a rapid rate meaning they are becoming smaller and lighter and run for longer.

Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail are also options meaning the electric outboard now has a home on the stern on small yachts and dayboats too.

As far back as 2014, Torqeedo owner Jack O'Keefe from Cork Harbour told Afloat readers of his sailing adventures in a Drascombe Coaster dinghy and how after swapping from a petrol version the rewards from his new electric outboard engine are less noise, no smells, more stowage, better sailing performance and a motor that can be started by a small child. But it's still not silent, there's a whine he says here 

Popular brands in Ireland are Torqeedo, ePropulsion, Pulsar and Minn Kota but there are more arriving all the time as the technology advances