Displaying items by tag: Ugent call

27th January 2023

Urgent Calls to Remove At Risk Capsized Former Aran Islands Ferry from Dublin Dry-Dock

There have been calls to "urgently remove" a capsized former Galway-Aran Islands passenger and freight ferry that was left to rot in a Dublin dry-dock reports Dublin Live.

As Afloat reported earlier the veteran vessel had taken in water ingress during the recent cold snap.

The historic Naomh Eanna, which was withdrawn from the CIÉ operated Galway Docks-Aran Islands route 37 years ago, has been deemed a "risk" by an expert. The ship built in 1958 at the Liffey Dockyard, has languished for decades in the Grand Canal Basin and then moved to a nearby Georgian-era dry dock followed by acampaign to save the heritage deemed ship from scrapping almost a decade ago.

The ship of rivetted hull construction was the main mode of transport to the Aran Islands before being taken out of commission in 1988 and returned to the capital initially Afloat adds to Alexandra Basin, where the Liffey Dockyard was located. According to Inland Waterways Association of Ireland spokesman Reg MaCabe, the ship is an eyesore and needs to be "dealt with as a matter of urgency".

Speaking to RTE News he said: "I think at this stage, the prospect for renovating the ship is extremely limited...I would say any reasonable person would say it's time for it to be removed." The vessel in 2015 was for €1 bought by Sam Field-Corbett of the Irish Ship and Barge Fabrication (ISBF) which was also responsible for restoring the Liffey Dockyard built Cill Airne, which had a long career within Cork Harbour before its current Dublin based restaurant and bar venue roles.

In 2018 there were plans by Mr Field-Corbett to convert Naomh Eanna in a €6.6 million project of a five-star luxury hotel complete with a glazed restaurant on the boat deck, however the plan fell through (likewise to bring ship back to Galway). He said a salvage company had visited the ship in an attempt to shore up the vessel and limit damage to the dry-dock.

He added that the ship may have been scuppered by vandals.

The Naomh Eanna is berthed in one of two dry-docks within lands leased by the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) who said the ISBF remains solely responsible for the ship and its maintenance.

Published in Historic Boats

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Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro.

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race.

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind.

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

It starts in June or July from a French port.
The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
Since 1990, all boats are of one design.