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Displaying items by tag: Irish Institute of Master Mariners

‘Bravo Zulu’ to the young competitors from Arklow, Malahide, Ringsend, Greystones and Howth Sea Scouts who participated in the annual Master Mariner competition last weekend, hosted at Dublin Port and sponsored by the Irish Institute of Master Mariners.

A huge syllabus covered nautical skills from meteorology to boat maintenance to passage planning at a level often regarded as akin to a second mate’s ticket.

Competitors are examined by professional mariners and yachtsmen to showcase their skills as well as an opportunity to learn tips from the experts.

Getting to grips with the intricacies of knotsGetting to grips with the intricacies of knots

The examiner team this year featured members from the RNLI, Naval Reserve, Irish Sailing instructors, a professional shipwright, ocean yacht-masters, experienced sea-kayakers and special guest Linda Hughes from Met Éireann.

Linda joined the examining team for the day to assess the competitors meteorology skills and also provided a very informative talk about Met Éireann’s weather forecasting methods and tools.

The examiners praised all competitors who entered, commenting on the impressive level of nautical skills shown.

The syllabus for the annual Master Mariner competition covers a lot of groundThe syllabus for the annual Master Mariner competition covers a lot of ground

By the end of the day there were only single-digit points between the top candidates so an absolute credit to their skills and time put into their seamanship training.

Congratulations to Dan Clohessy from Malahide who was crowned Venture Scout Master Mariner, and to Jordan Killen from Malahide who was crowned Rover Scout Master Mariner.

Published in Dublin Port

The Irish Institute of Master Mariners and the Irish Chamber of Shipping's annual Marine Ball is to be held this week on Saturday, 16th November in the Grand Hotel, Malahide, Co. Dublin.

This year's Marine Ball Black Tie evening will provide a great social event to catch up with old friends and also an opportunity to make new friends while networking. A drinks reception begins at 1900hrs followed by music and fine dining with wine sponsored by Martek.

To book tickets for the 2019 Marine Ball click here and for further information email: [email protected]

The Irish Institute of Master Mariners (see IIMM's website) is a non-political organisation promoting safe, efficient & professional maritime operations globally.

The Institute membership consists of seafarers who are professionally qualified ship navigation officers up to and including the rank of Master Mariner, the globally recognised professional qualification required to command large seagoing vessels in international waters.

Published in Ports & Shipping

#MaritimeBall - From around the country over 160 people were treated to some top class hospitality as the Irish Institute of Master Mariners and the Irish Chamber of Shipping held the Marine Ball in the Arklow Bay Hotel, writes The Wickow People. 

It's four years since the ball was last held in Arklow and Mary O'Neill, vice president of the Irish Chamber of Shipping, said it is one of the biggest events of the year. 'Arklow has always had a strong connection with the mariners, so it was great to honour the town,' said Mary.

There was several guest of honours at the event, including Commodore Hugh Tully from the Irish Navy; Conor Mowlds, director of the National Maritime College of Ireland; Liam Lacey, director of the Irish Maritime Development Office; and Michael Kingston, Global Maritime Lawyer of the Year 2016.

Speaking at the event, Cllr Tommy Annesley, cathaoirleach of the Arklow Municipal District, congratulated everyone for their hard work and said that it was 'great to see the local Maritime of Ireland branch to get together with the national organisation.'

As previously reported on Afloat last week, Arklow Shipping's newbuild Arklow Clan, a short-sea trader made a brief anchorage call offshore of the shipowners homeport.

Afloat's shipping correspondent, Jehan Ashmore will have more to report on the maritime heritage of the Co. Wicklow town that has strongly shaped the nation's merchant shipping fleet past and present.   

Another key date in the Irish merchant marine calendar is tomorrow's (19 Nov.) annual National Commemoration for Irish Seafarers, which takes place at the memorial monument on City Quay, Dublin from 12 noon.  

Published in Arklow Shipping

#PolarCode - A London based Irish lawyer has been to the forefront of a ground-breaking safety forum for ships in the Polar regions.

Former Lloyds Maritime Lawyer of the Year Michael Kingston from Goleen reports the Southern Star has been integral to drawing up the new Polar Code, which protects the two Polar regions – the Arctic and the Antarctic – from maritime risks. It came into force in January.

Mr Kingston became interested in maritime law years after his own father tragically died in the Whiddy Oil disaster in 1979 when the Betelgeuse tanker exploded in Bantry Bay, Co. Cork.

The Polar Code requires ship owners to have in place contingency plans for all aspects of marine operations including safety of navigation, pollution incidents, ship structure requirements, and search and rescue plans.

In parallel, Lloyd’s and Lloyd’s Register have been actively involved in an industry-led, bottom-up approach to help create standards that will mitigate risk and support those underwriters writing marine risk in polar waters.

Kingston has worked with all eight Arctic states, and many other organisations, including the environmental NGOs, to establish a new forum which should prevent operators from ignoring the requirements of the Polar Code.

Kingston liaises closely with the Irish Institute of Master Mariners and is working on Ireland becoming an observing member of the Arctic Council.

As a result, the Irish Institute of Master Mariners, as well as the National Maritime College of Ireland and the Commissioner of Irish Lights, will attend a key dinner at Trinity House in London on June 5th.

For more on the story click here.

Published in Ports & Shipping

#ForumGalaDinner - The Irish Institute of Master Mariners (IIMM) has posted details on their website of their members Annual Marine Ball which will be replaced this year instead by a Gala Dinner to be held at Cork City Hall on Friday 26th September.

The change of the annual event is to facilitate the Gala Dinner in conjunction with the previously reported inaugural Irish Maritime Forum held on the same day in Cork City Hall in which the IIMM is supporting.

Members tickets for the Gala Dinner cost €65 per person and can be purchased by registering online through the IIMM's website HERE and by ticking the box for Gala Dinner. Accommodation can also be booked through the website at registration and for accommodation there is a choice of the Clarion or Gresham Metropole Hotels.

The theme of the forum hosted by the Port of Cork Company is 'Developing the Dynamic Future for Ireland's Maritime Sector' which is to  focus on exploring the future of the maritime sector within Ireland.  Also to be examined more closely are the challenges and opportunities faced by many within the sector.

In addition to a welcoming address by an Irish Government Minister, there will be lunch and a partner's programme organised. Delegates interested in attending the Irish Maritime Forum 2014 (and exhibition) are asked to register by visiting: www.irishmaritimeforum.ie

 

Published in Ports & Shipping

Royal Irish Yacht Club - Frequently Asked Questions

The Royal Irish Yacht Club is situated in a central location in Dun Laoghaire Harbour with excellent access and visiting sailors can be sure of a special welcome. The clubhouse is located in the prime middle ground of the harbour in front of the town marina and it is Dun Laoghaire's oldest yacht club. 

What's a brief history of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The yacht club was founded in 1831, with the Marquess of Anglesey, who commanded the cavalry at the Battle of Waterloo being its first Commodore. 

John Skipton Mulvany designed the clubhouse, which still retains a number of original architectural features since being opened in 1851.

It was granted an ensign by the Admiralty of a white ensign with the Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of Ireland beneath the Union Jack in canton.

Many prominent names feature among the past members of the Club. The first Duke of Wellington was elected in 1833, followed by other illustrious men including the eccentric Admiral Sir Charles Napier, Sir Dominic Corrigan the distinguished physician, Sir Thomas Lipton, novelist, George A. Birmingham, yachtsman and author, Conor O'Brien, and famous naval historian and author, Patrick O Brian. 

In the club's constitution, it was unique among yacht clubs in that it required yacht owners to provide the club's commodore with information about the coast and any deep-sea fisheries they encountered on all of their voyages.

In 1846, the club was granted permission to use the Royal prefix by Queen Victoria. The club built a new clubhouse in 1851. Despite the Republic of Ireland breaking away from the United Kingdom, the Royal Irish Yacht Club elected to retain its Royal title.

In 1848, a yachting trophy called "Her Majesty's Plate" was established by Queen Victoria to be contested at Kingstown where the Royal Irish Yacht Club is based. The Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland at the time, George Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon suggested it should be contested by the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club in an annual regatta, a suggestion that was approved by both clubs with the Royal St. George hosting the first competitive regatta.

The RIYC celebrated its 185th Anniversary in 2016 with the staging of several special events in addition to being well represented afloat, both nationally and internationally. It was the year the club was also awarded Irish Yacht Club of the Year as Afloat's W M Nixon details here.

The building is now a listed structure and retains to this day all its original architectural features combined with state of the art facilities for sailors both ashore and afloat.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's emblem?

The Club's emblem shows a harp with the figure of Nice, the Greek winged goddess of victory, surmounted by a crown. This emblem has remained unchanged since the foundation of the Club; a symbol of continuity and respect for the history and tradition of the Royal Irish Yacht Club.

What is the Royal Irish Yacht Club's ensign?

The RIYC's original white ensign was granted by Royal Warrant in 1831. Though the Royal Irish Yacht Club later changed the ensign to remove the St George's Cross and replace the Union Jack with the tricolour of the Republic of Ireland, the original ensign may still be used by British members of the Royal Irish Yacht Club

Who is the Commodore of the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

The current Commodore is Jerry Dowling, and the Vice-Commodore is Tim Carpenter.

The RIYC Flag Officers are: 

What reciprocal club arrangements does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have?  

As one of Ireland's leading club's, the Royal Irish Yacht Club has significant reciprocal arrangements with yacht clubs across Ireland and the UK, Europe, USA and Canada and the rest of the World. If you are visiting from another Club, please have with a letter of introduction from your Club or introduce yourself to the Club Secretary or to a member of management staff, who will show you the Club's facilities.

What car parking does the Royal Irish Yacht Club have at its Dun Laoghaire clubhouse?

The RIYC has car parking outside of its clubhouse for the use of its members. Paid public car parking is available next door to the club at the marina car park. There is also paid parking on offer within the harbour area at the Coatl Harbour (a 5-minute walk) and at an underground car park adjacent to the Royal St. George Yacht Club (a 3-minute walk). Look for parking signs. Clamping is in operation in the harbour area.

What facilities does the Royal Irish Yacht Clubhouse offer? 

The Royal Irish Yacht Club offers a relaxed, warm and welcoming atmosphere in one of the best situated and appointed clubhouses in these islands. Its prestige in yachting circles is high and its annual regatta remains one of the most attractive events in the sailing calendar. It offers both casual and formal dining with an extensive wine list and full bar facilities. The Club caters for parties, informal events, educational seminars, themed dinners and all occasions. The RIYC has a number of venues within the Club each of which provides a different ambience to match particular needs.

What are the Royal Irish Yacht Club's Boathouse facilities?

The RIYC boathouse team run the launch service to the club's swinging moorings, provide lifting for dry-sailed boats, lift and scrub boats, as well as maintaining the fabric of the deck, pontoon infrastructure, and swinging moorings. They also maintain the club crane, the only such mobile crane of the Dun Laoghaire Yacht Clubs.

What facilities are offered for junior sailing at the Royal Irish Yacht Club?

One of the missions of the Royal Irish Yacht Club is to promote sailing as a passion for life by encouraging children and young adults to learn how to sail through its summer courses and class-specific training throughout the year. 

RIYC has an active junior section. Its summer sailing courses are very popular and the club regularly has over 50 children attending courses in any week. The aim is for those children to develop lifelong friendships through sailing with other children in the club, and across the other clubs in the bay.
 
Many RIYC children go on to compete for the club at regional and national championships and some have gone on to represent Ireland at international competitions and the Olympic Regatta itself.
 
In supporting its young sailors and the wider sailing community, the RIYC regularly hosts junior sailing events including national and regional championships in classes such as the Optmist, Feva and 29er.
 
Competition is not everything though and as the club website states:  "Many of our junior sailors have gone on the become sailing instructors and enjoy teaching both in Ireland and abroad.  Ultimately, we take most pleasure from the number of junior sailors who become adult sailors and enjoy a lifetime of sailing with the club".