Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company

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).