dún laoghaire harbour company

Dún Laoghaire

Harbour

New Minister wants Carlisle Pier upgraded

In the course of his visit to the Harbour the Minister for the Marine, Mr. David Andrews TD, instructed the Harbour Manager to undertake an extensive redecoration programme of the interior of the buildings on the Carlisle Pier. Work is underway and due for completion by the summer.

In association with improvements to passenger facilities being undertaken applications have been invited from suitable qualified individuals or organisations interested in operating a Café facility on the Carlisle Pier.

Over 370,000 foot passengers used the Carlisle Pier in 1992. In addition 93,000 approx. foot passengers used the nearby St. Michael's Pier and a further 680,000 travelled by car (assembling at and departing from St. Michael's Wharf.).

The Carlisle Pier is situated close to the East Pier, a very popular promenade. The café location is level and opposite to the footpath on Queens Road another popular walk leading to the seafront.

The Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour provides for the relocation of all ferry activities to St. Michael's Pier and the release of the Carlisle Pier for leisure/amenity use. Arrangements are in train for development to begin but it will be three years at least before the facilities on Carlisle Pier are vacated

ANDREWS SUPPORTS HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT

The newly appointed Minister for the Marine, Dún Laoghaire TD, Mr. David Andrews toured the Dún Laoghaire Harbour are in mid-January. In his first visit as Minister for the Marine, Mr. Andrews inspected the range of facilities available at Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which is owned and operated by the Department of the Marine.

Referring to the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire, Mr. Andrews said the Plan represented a coordinated and balanced programme for the future development of the Harbour.

"This plan, which has been fully endorsed by the Goverment, is the blueprint for the development of Dún Laoghaire Harbour into the 21st century", he said.

Traffic Management Plan

"Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board and the Borough Corporation are currently completing a Traffic Management Survey", says Mr. Frank Sheridan, Secretary, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board.

"This Survey on Traffic Management, a key element in the Baord's Development plan, is aimed at improving traffic movement, parking, pedestrian safety and general environmental conditions in the Borough and paying specific regard to the needs of the Harbour", he told the bulletin.

The survey, part funded by the Harbour Authority, is being conducted by McCarthy & Partners and when completed will facilitate advancement of the development Plan to the detailed design and planning stage.

The Minister was pleased to note that two projects assisted by EC Structural Funds were already well advanced in the harbour;

• The contract for the site of the new sewerage scheme at a cost of £400,000 is due for completion in early March.
  
  
• The contract for the site investigation work has been placed and work will begin immediately.

Mr. Andrews said that the completion of the sewerage scheme project would greatly improve the water quality in Dublin Bay for all port users. He said that he saw the site investigation work as essential to enable the Government and the Harbour Board to assess the cost of developing facilities at Dún Laoghaire for the demands of the next century.

While in Dún Laoghaire the Minister also visited the BIM headquarters where he met management and staff. Mr. Andrews also met the Cathaoirleach of the Borough's Corporation, the Chairman and members of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, the Chairman of the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Area Committee, Mr. Eamon Gilmore TD, and the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Area Manager, Mr. Kevin O'Sullivan, local TD's and Councillors, Stena Sealink, representative of the RNLI, sailing interests in the Harbour and users of the Marine Activity Centre.

Mr. Andrews welcomed the development plans of both Dún Laoghaire Harbour and Dublin Port and said that he would assist the development of both ports and of the other commercial ports, through the introduction of new harbour legislation. The Minister intends to put on the statute books as quickly as possible the harbours legislation recommended by the report of the Review Group on Commercial Harbours.

"This new legislation will see our key ports into the 21st Century with appropriate structures in place which will give our commercial seaports the flexibility they need for efficiency, competitiveness and commercial success", said Mr. Andrews.

Professor Dermot McAleese, Chairman of Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board Responds to Proposals that the Ferry Operation in Dún Laoghaire Harbour be Closed Down

"We believe that there is an important role for both ports in their respective specialist services. I am referring to Dún Laoghaire specialising in passenger and high value express freight traffic while Dublin Port accommodates heavy commercial freight traffic to which its operation is most suited," said the Chairman.

"There is tremendous popular support for the retention and upgrading of the ferry service in Dún Laoghaire as evidenced by the response to the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan", he said.

Professor McAleese went on to emphasise that Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a highly profitable and efficient operation and historically has been of major economic importance to Dún Laoghaire Borough. The revenues from the ferry operation provide an essential underpinning to the achievement of the objectives of the Development Plan for the Harbour. The maintenance and improvement of the amenity aspects of the Harbour's piers will continue to be cross subsidised by the commercial operations within the Harbour.

Caption: Minister for the Marine, Mr David Andrews TD and Prof. McAleese (Chairman: Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board)

Customer preference is a most important consideration in the provision of facilities. The current operator and anchor tenant on the Central Corridor, Stena Sealink Line, and the travelling public have expressed a clear preference for travelling through Dún Laoghaire. Dún Laoghaire handled 57% more cars and coaches in 1991 than Dublin Port.

Professor McAleese said that in effect the Dún Laoghaire Harbour proposals cannot be compared with those for Dublin Port on a like for like basis. The proposals put forward by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board for the development of Dún Laoghaire and Dublin ports are not mutually exclusive. The Board is not interested in a massive expansion of facilities but merely ensuring that each port would specialise in accommodating the traffic for which it is most suited.

In addition he said that the Dublin Port argument about superferries is not valid as it does not address the prospect of smaller faster ferries being introduced - a trend developing on other routes very close to the Central Corridor.

"The development proposed for Dún Laoghaire Harbour has been endorsed by Government and is an integral part of the Minister for the Marine's policy for the development of Dublin Bay. I warmly welcome the Minister's commitment to the Harbour and the commencement of site investigations. This is a first step towards the redevelopment of Dún Laoghaire Harbour", said Professor McAleese.

The 1993 Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta, which re-introduces many exciting and popular features and spectacular events will be held on the last weekend of May, Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th this year.

Many of the events which proved so popular in the past will be repeated including the return of the popular 'Treasure Hunt'.

For a number of years the Department of the Marine has organised a series of events as part of our efforts to enhance the public amenity value of Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

"Last year, in an effort to avail of more clement

weather and also to introduce variety in the summer calendar, we changed the emphasis and arranged a Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta with a difference for the June Bank Holiday weekend. We concentrated primarily on water-based activities but included many other highlights which proved popular during Harbour Week in the past", said Mr. Tom Vaughan, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Manager.

"Everyone was invited to come and take a different look at the Harbour and visit the specific exhibition 'Dún Laoghaire Harbour, our heritage supporting our future', on St. Michael's Pier", he said. " We hope to repeat the winning formula in 1993", he added.

Caption: On Sunday afternoon the ever popular Garda Band under the baton of Inspector King, generously entertained the many visitors to a lively selection of very popular numbers. All in all, an entertaining musical feast

The Allegro Jazz Band gigged at the East Pier Bandstand on Saturday courtesy of Dún Laoghaire Corporation.

'Dún Laoghaire Harbour, Our Heritage supporting our future'

A number of exhibitions of art, maritime heritage, community and film were staged during the festival. Included on exhibition was a pictorial profile by Dún Laoghaire Heritage Society entitled "Maritime Dún Laoghaire Borough - Heritage to Explore". In addition the students of Dún Laoghaire College of Art and Design mounted an exhibition of proposals for artworks in the Harbour, entitled "Art in the Harbour".

"Dún Laoghaire Harbour Focus with Access Community Network" saw ACN present a number of programmes on the subject of Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Mr. Dermot Casey, the winner of a competition, won a weeks sail training aboard the STV "Pride of Galway".

"A journey through the Harbour" was the title of a short film made by Dún Laoghaire Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1978.

The Art Competition, sponsored by the Department of the Marine for local schools and youth groups, centred on the theme "Dún Laoghaire Regatta". All entries were exhibited on the East Pier on Sunday afternoon. These works also formed a special exhibition during Dún Laoghaire Arts Week in September.

Both Primary and Junior prizes, amounting to £200 worth of school art supplies, were won by the Dominican Convent Primary School, Dún Laoghaire under the guidance of Sr. Frances. A special award of £50 worth of school art supplies was made to Dún Laoghaire Community College.

A new and popular addition to the events of the weekend was the opportunity of a free sailing experience for all comers, beginners and 1st timers courtesy of Irish National Sailing School and Balally Sailing School. Participant's names were entered into a free draw and Ms. Gillian Geraghty of Newbridge Co. Kildare won one weeks free sailing lessons courtesy of the Irish National Sailing School.

An historical tour of the Harbour Waterfront hosted by Dr. John de Courcy Ireland took place on board the 'MV Ingot'. This event proved so

Caption: MV Ingot

popular that ACN, in association with Vincent McCann, owner of the 'MV Ingot' subsequently produced a special video featuring Dr. John de Courcy Ireland.

SHIP'S GALORE

TAKE A DIFFERENT LOOK AT DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR

The Department of the Marine's research vessel 'The Lough Beltra' was a significant attraction and was open to the public on the Carlisle Pier all day Saturday. She had called to the Harbour prior to embarking on her next marine research voyage.

The sail training vessel 'The Pride of Galway' visited the Harbour and was open to the public on the Carlisle Pier on Saturday.

Saturday at the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta saw all keel boat races finish alongside the bandstand on the East Pier.

Live commentary was provided by Dublin Bay Sailing club from the Bandstand which proved to be an excellent vantage point from which to view the finish line of this spectacular event.

A the end of a spectacular day, the following won prizes:

Photo Competition
"a special moment in the Harbour"

When visiting Dún Laoghaire Harbour over the Regatta Weekend visitors were invited to bring along their camera and to capture "a special moment in the Harbour" on film for the Photo Competition.

Mr. Darren Kinsella's "Fishermen's Blues" and Mr. Mark Healy's "Air and Sea Rescue in Dún Laoghaire Harbour" both won £50 travel vouchers for the Stena Sealink Line. Mr. J. Costigan's

"Walking the Dogs", Ms. Naomi Sheehan's "A Hoosh for the Hickeys" were awarded runner-up prizes of family day return trips to Holyhead.

Site
Investigation
Begins

A special programme to ascertain and confirms they type of material layered under on the Harbour seabed is expected to begin shortly.

The purpose of the project is to investigate the seabed geology of Dún Laoghaire Harbour aimed at estimating dredging conditions and evaluating dredging conditions and evaluating geotechnical properties of the sub-soils for preliminary foundation designs within the existing Harbour walls.

The project consists of sinking approximately 133 explanatory holes in the Harbour. The work consists of putting down a series of shell and auger boreholes, rotary drilled boreholes, vibrocores and carrying out in-situ testing including rock coring both over water and on land, together with soil sampling and laboratory testing.

Passenger numbers continue to grow.

Commenting on Stena Sealink Line's commitment to Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Gareth Cooper, Managing Director of Stena Sealink Line said that the Company regards Dún Laoghaire Harbour as one of the most important and attractive tourist gateways to Ireland.

"From the point of view of marketing, passengers satisfaction, and ease of operation, Dún Laoghaire Harbour is ideally strategically positioned and the proposed development will allow us to offer facilities and conditions that match those on board our vessels. Our passenger and motorist numbers through the Harbour are continuing to grow substantially and we are committed to the long term growth and development of Dún Laoghaire", he said. In 1992 Stena Sealink Line moved nearly 1.2 million passengers and over 200,000 cars through the port with obvious benefits to hotels, guesthouses and businesses in the area.

Caption: Gary Cooper Managing Director Stena Sealink Line

He concluded, "It is vital in the competitive market in which we operate that ease of access and terminal facilities should be upgraded to the standards our customers expect".

The detailed information regarding the soil and bedrock conditions present and the relevant geotechnical parameters are necessary for the design of the marine and land based facilities to be installed under the Development Plan.When publishing the Development Plan for the Harbour the Minister for the Marine authorised the advancement of the Plan to the next stage, that is to proceed with the necessary site investigation work, cost benefit analyses and other studies needed to justify the proposed expenditure set out in the

Plan and investigate the sources and costs of funding the development.

The proposed site investigations will allow the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board to accurately cost and determine the practicalities involved with the design and execution of a number of proposals in the Development Plan.

"This is simply a survey process of the seabed. No construction or development can take place until the site information is obtained and detailed designs have been prepared

and approved", said Professor Dermot McAleese, Chairman of the Harbour Board.. "It does, however, signal an important commitment to the Development Plan", he said.

A similar activity was undertaken in the Harbour only once before when work on St. Michael's Pier was being planned, in the early sixties. A Hydrographic survey of Dún Laoghaire Harbour was carried out by Hydrographic Surveys Ltd., Crosshaven, Co. Cork in January 1992.

REVIEW GROUP AND HARBOUR BOARD'S PROPOSALS IN HARMONY ON FUTURE OF DÚN LAOGHAIRE HARBOUR

Dún Laoghaire Harbour should be managed by a state company, according to the Report of the Review Group on Commercial Harbours and Pilotage Policy and Legislation, published by the former Minister for the Marine, Dr. Michael Woods, TD.

The Report recommends that to facilitate commercialisation, State companies should be set up to manage twelve Irish ports, including Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which is in agreement with the recommendations of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board.

The structure proposed by the Review Group will form the basis of the new legislation establishing the new port companies. Minister Andrews intends to present the proposals on the legislation to Government as a matter of priority.

Professor Dermot McAleese, Chairman of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board recently extended the Board's support for the Minister's efforts to obtain Government approval for the initiative.

The main recommendations of the Review Group are consistent with those contained in the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour prepared by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board and published in April, 1992 by the Minister for the Marine.

The Harbour Board had recommended that the management and development of the Harbour should be entrusted to an Authority, which should act as a commercial Semi-State development agency, with the power to borrow or attract funds to implement its development plan.

Dublin Bay
Approach

'The Board supports the Review Group's recommendations that Dún Laoghaire Harbour should remain separate from Dublin Port in order to promote competition', says Professor McAleese. 'This recommendation is in line with the Harbour Board's view. The Board has emphasised the case for independent development of facilities at Dún Laoghaire and Dublin Port

which should, in the national interest, be based on a "Dublin Bay approach", said the Chairman.

The Review Group recommends that the location of investment for passenger and/or freight facilities should be determined by commercial considerations. To avoid unnecessary duplication of facilities there should be a level of co-ordination between the ports of Dublin Port accommodates heavy commercial freight traffic to which its operation is most suited.

Dún Laoghaire Harbour is a specialist port in passenger handling while Dublin Port is a multi modal port in which passenger traffic is included alongside other dock land traffic. It is in the interest of national strategic planning to exploit the natural advantages of both parts.

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Constables ensure the orderly operation of the Harbour by enforcement of the Harbour Bye-Laws. This entails gate and security duties at the ferry terminal complex, traffic duties on Harbour roads, day and night patrols on Harbour piers, office duties and water patrols aboard the Harbour launch.

The Department recently took delivery of a 20'6" Simon Lee class boat with inbuilt buoyancy as a replacement launch for Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The launch is dedicated to the memory of Captain William Hutchison the first Harbour Master of Kingstown/Dún Laoghaire and called the 'William Hutchison'.

The constables predecessors wore stove pipe hats and frock coats and communication with ships would have been chiefly carried out by flag signals. The present day Harbour Constables wear a distinctive naval type uniform and are in direct radio contact with their colleagues on duty and with the communication centre which operates ship/shore radio, personal UHF radio sets, telephone and fax.

Sea Scouts have been active in Dún Laoghaire Harbour since the 1930's although the present Dún Laoghaire Harbour Sea Scout Group, which is affiliated to the Scout Association of Ireland, was only established in 1967. The Group operates from its own Den just behind the West Pier which was built on a site provided by Dún Laoghaire Corporation.

Membership of the Group is open to all who are willing to participate fully in the programme of activities provided.

At present the group membership amounts to 130 people including 20 cubs between the ages of 8 and 11 years, 75 scouts and rangers from 12 year olds to 18 year olds and 10 ventures who are under 20 years of age. In addition there are 15 adult leaders.

The Group has a number of rowing boats, sailing boats, dinghies and canoes, a range of training equipment and camping gear. Most of this equipment, together with the construction of the Den, has been financed by fund raising activities and welcome support from Dún Laoghaire Corporation and VEC.

The aim of the group is to facilitate the development of young people by providing an enjoyable programme of training and adventurous outdoor activities.

The primary focus of the group's activities is water based although normal scout activities (eg hiking, camping, pioneering etc) are catered for. The water based activities are rowing including East Coast Skiff rowing; sailing in dinghies and BP 18's, canoeing including long distance racing, white water slalom and surf canoeing; canoeing, rowing and sailing journeys on inland waterways and coastal off-shore cruising.

In addition the group training programmes including first aid, artificial resuscitation, map and compass work, ropework, navigation, VHF radio, marine mechanics and general seamanship. Scouts and Rangers follow a progressive training scheme leading to proficiency certification by outside agencies including the Irish Yachting Association, the Irish Canoe Union, and Irish Red Cross etc.

During the Summer the water based activities include; a two week Summer Camp under canvas on the inland waterways; a week long camp on the Lightship Albatross in Dún Laoghaire Harbour with the emphasis on coastal sailing journeys in BP 18's; rowing/sailing and canoeing trips by patrols of Scouts and Rangers on the inland waterways as well as coastal and off-shore cruises for older Scouts and Rangers; and participation in a range of competitions including canoe long distance races, East Coast Skiff races etc.

In the Winter the Group offers a white water canoeing programme.

A summary has been prepared as a guideline to the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour prepared by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board.

A scale model depicting the proposals of the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour is on show at the offices of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Chamber of Commerce in the Dún Laoghaire Shopping Centre.

A copy of the Development Plan can be obtained from Mr. Frank Sheridan, Secretary, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, Harbour Lodge, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. Phone 2801311, Fax 2809607, Telex 91798. (Please include £1.50 to cover postage and packing).