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Marine Federation Participates in Failte Ireland Boating Tourism Research Work

July 18, 2014 / No Comments

The Irish Marine Federation was privileged to be asked to take part in research undertaken by Failte Ireland this month on sailing and boating tourism in Irish coastal waters. The IMF was the only association present that represents marine businesses in Ireland. With the extensive knowledge base of its various members, the IMF was able to contribute some very useful and appropriate information.

The Irish Marine Federation fully supports all efforts by State Agencies to market Ireland as a marine tourism destination and is pleased to offer whatever assistance it can in undertaking these studies. We look forward to seeing the results of this work in due course and hope this research will contribute back to the coastal communities that our members are located in.

€500K Sports Capital Grants for Sailing & Boating Clubs

July 10, 2014 / No Comments

Two of Ireland’s biggest yacht clubs shared top awards in a €500,000 payout to 16 Irish Sailing Clubs in the Government’s Sports Capital Programme announced last week. The full list of beneficiaries is here.

Dublin’s Howth Yacht Club and National Yacht Club both got €77,000 in the Governments main vehicle for supporting the development of sports facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.

The Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring announced grants of €40.5 million for 880 sports projects across the country last week, sailing getting a small share in the divvy up. The Sports Capital Programme is the Government’s main vehicle to distribute funds. The facilities being funded range from small-scale equipment grants, to regionally significant centres of sporting excellence.

Irish Maritime Administration Launch ‘Sea Change’ Safety Strategy

June 25, 2014 / No Comments

The Irish Maritime Administration, the Government’s new wing to deal with maritime affairs, invites submissions from all interested parties on the new Maritime Safety Strategy, Sea Change – Building a New Maritime Safety Culture, which is currently being developed.

The new Maritime Safety Strategy will focus on building a culture of safety and will target the main causes of casualties in the maritime sector. It will cover all types of craft being used for any purpose on Irish coastal or inland waters, including recreational craft, fishing vessels, passenger vessels and cargo vessels.

The public consultation document, which provides an outline of the key issues, is available on the Department’s website or by telephoning 01-6783454.

Written submissions should sent by email to maritimesafetystrategy@dttas.ie or by post to the address below by Friday 29th August 2014 at the latest to Maritime Safety Strategy Consultation, Maritime Services Division, Irish Maritime Administration (IMA), Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2

Please note that submissions received will not be responded to on an individual basis, but they will be taken into consideration by the IMA in the preparation of the new Maritime Safety Strategy. Copies of all submissions received will also be published in full on the Department’s website.

Irish Marine Federation Attends Ocean Wealth Launch

June 20, 2014 / No Comments

At the Ocean Wealth conference were Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine with Dr Peter Heffernan, CEO, Marine Institute, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, TD, Miguel Margues, PricewaterhouseCopper and John Killeen, Chairman, Marine Institute. Photo: Jason Clarke Photography

At the first launch of the Ocean Wealth strategy this week, Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine outlined the significant progress made to date in implementing the Government’s 2012 Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth: An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland.

The Government plan has been assisted by the Irish Marine Federation. IMF Board member Brian O’Sullivan from Tralee, County Kerry contributed to the marine tourism aspect of the strategy. The Dublin Castle launch of the initiative was attended by IMF board members Paal Janson and Bernard Gallagher from Dun Laoghaire marina in County Dublin and Greystones marina in County Wicklow respectively.

The Minister said “today’s event brings together some of the most important figures in the Marine sector, and places it firmly in the spotlight as an industry with a significant economic and social contribution to make. It provides us with an opportunity to take stock of what has been achieved since Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth was published and to consider how to meet future opportunities and challenges”.

Minister Coveney said that “I have spoken today about the many initiatives which have flowed directly or indirectly from HOOW. Integrating our marine policy is leading to significant results already but this is not a short term strategy. The target of doubling the percentage of GDP contributed by marine sector is an ambitious one but is more than achievable. Reaching those targets will depend on public and private sectors working collectively to make our ambitions for the sector a reality. We must be bold and radical in our ambitions for the sector and open to a range of new ideas”.

Read more on the Ocean Wealth conference on Afloat.ie

Dublin Bay Signs Aim to Improve Response of Emergency Services

May 29, 2014 / No Comments

Pictured are (left to right) Pat Ward, Dublin Port Company's Head of Corporate Services Lord Mayor of Dublin, Oisín Quinn. Paul Cooper, Deputy Officer in Charge, Irish Coast Guard - Howth Station

The first phase of a safety sign roll out in Dublin Bay has just been launched. This phase involves 31 signs located along the north Dublin coastline at Ring Buoys and Bathing Shelters. Each sign will have its location displayed; this aims to improve the efficiency of the response of the emergency services when they receive an urgent call for help. A problem often encounter by the Coast Guard is knowing where the exact location of an emergency is, if a casualty is in the water or on a beach directing a lifeboat, helicopter or ground crew to a scene needs to be done without delay. The project is a joint initiative between Dublin Port Company, the Irish Coast Guard and Dublin City Council and is hoped will save time and lives in rescues on the Dublin Bay coastline. More here from Afloat.ie

Legenderry Maritime Festival Ready to Welcome Clipper Round The World Race

May 26, 2014 / No Comments

Richie Fearon, former Clipper Skipper prepares to welcome the Clipper fleet to Derry

25 Days to Go!.. Richard Fearon of Lough Swilly Yacht Club is getting excited about the homecoming of the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race during the Legenderry Maritime Festival in Derry from 21-29 June. Richie himself skippered one of the Clipper Yachts in the 2009-10, 40,000 mile race.

The fleet of twelve 70ft Clipper ocean racers will arrive beneath the Foyle Bridge from Saturday 21st June for the week-long festival in Derry~Londonderry, before setting off on their final race leg from Greencastle Co Donegal on Sunday 29th June, along with a stunning display from the RAF Red Arrows. Richard is pictured with Anna Dalton and Meghann McKeever.

Legenderry Maritime Festival website here