dún laoghaire harbour company

Dún Laoghaire

Harbour

Ferry Terminal - first step of
Development Plan.

Message from
the Minister

The redevelopment of St. Michael's Pier and proposed centralisation of ferry services there is the first step in implementing the comprehensive blueprint for the Harbour drawn up by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board. The Plan included proposals for improvement and modernisation of ferry and recreational facilities and the general amenity of the Harbour.

The new ferry complex proposal shows a number of variations by comparison with the initial proposals in the Harbour Development Plan. The principle difference is a significant reduction in the landfill area required.

The ferry terminal development will facilitate recreational and sailing use of the Harbour, inter alia, through the planned release of the Carlisle Pier from ferry used by end 1997. It is also designed to place Dún Laoghaire at the leading edge of Ireland's car and passenger tourism business from the UK.

Work commenced at the beginning of August 1994 and the main elements of the terminal will be completed by the Summer of 1995.

The development is designed to accommodate the Highspeed Sea Service (HSS) vessel due to be introduced to the Dún Laoghaire-Holyhead route by Stena Sealink in May 1995. The HSS introduces a new thinking to the achievement of economies of scale and increased capacity in ferry operation by means of increased frequency of sailing rather than by the introduction of increasingly larger vessels. The distinct advantage of employing such a vessel is that it minimises the impact of passenger throughout by providing frequent high speed moderate capacity settings.

The Board believes that the project contributes a new high level of civic design commensurate with the architecture of the Harbour.

The scheme is the product of an extensive public consultation process - a continuation of the process indicated in preparing the Development Plan for the Harbour.

The new ferry terminal is the first step in the implementation of the full Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour, which was first presented in 1991. The Plan aims to maximise use of the Harbour's resources and traditions for Dún Laoghaire, the surrounding region and the nation at large, while at the same time accommodating a variety of users. It provides a blueprint for balanced development in the Harbour; for amenity, sailing and recreation, alongside the ferry development.

The final scheme endorses the hard work of the many people involved in putting together a very comprehensive and farsighted plan to realise all of the potential of the harbour area.

The terminal is the lynchpin of a major investment programme in new ferries and port development on both sides of the Irish Sea. This investment is being matched by major modernisation at the port of Holyhead to accommodate the HSS and to provide facilities to be used by B&I.

The introduction of the new Highspeed Sea Service ferry will be a "world first" for Ireland and Dún Laoghaire. In a real way it will reduce the impact of Ireland's location at the edge of the European Union. The resulting increase in competition on the Irish Sea, as well as the increase in the numbers of tourists, should mean extra jobs throughout the country and bring particular benefits to Dún Laoghaire and the surrounding area.

The ferry development is only one part, admittedly a big part of the Development Plan. I have asked the Department and the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board to expedite planning of modern sailing facilities as soon as possible. The Harbour Board has commenced work already on such planning and the Department is evaluating site investigation reports which it commissioned with a view to such development.

The new development will also open up new walks and amenities for the many citizens and visitors to Dún Laoghaire. The intention of the plan is to translate the aspirations for ferry passengers, sailors and strollers into reality.

David Andrews
Minister for Defence and the Marine

Message from the Chairman

The decision to proceed with the ferry terminal project marks the start of a new era in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The benefits accruing from this development to the citizens of Dún Laoghaire Rathdown and Ireland as a whole are significant. It must be in this context that the development of the ferry service, which has been operated from Dún Laoghaire Harbour since the middle of the last century, be considered.

This scheme provides the cornerstone for the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Plan sculpted over the last three years by the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board with the citizens of the area.

The Development Plan provides for a balanced development of ferry, recreational and amenity use of the Harbour. This first phase which involves modernising the Ferry Terminal to accommodate the ferry traffic of the future is an essential step in this direction.

As everyone in the community who played such an important role throughout the consultative process knows - this new ferry terminal and other initiatives of the Development Plan will place the Harbour with its close links to Dún Laoghaire, Dublin's suburbs and Wicklow to the forefront in city based ferry port development.

We have seen the impact the existing fast ferries have brought to Dún Laoghaire through one day visits or short breaks. Tourists are visiting, enjoying the facilities and spending their money in the town. I believe we can look forward to continued and improved success in the future supported by this development.

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board has convened a special working group to advance the recreational and amenity aspects of the Development Plan.

I wish to thank all the people in Dún Laoghaire who over the past few years have openly voiced their views on the development. In contributing to the debate they have, in fact, produced a community created Harbour Development Plan.

Philip Lynch
Chairman, Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board

1. A new two storey building and the refurbishment of the existing St Michael's Terminal building with the addition of a third storey in part to cater for arrivals/departures areas. tourist office accommodation and facilities.
2. Significant hard and soft landscaping in the area of development.
3. A new public plaza adjacent to the terminal building creating a new civic focus uniting the activities of the Harbour and the town.
4. Vehicle check-in complex in the form of a Porte Cochere, a motorists facilities building, customs inspection building and terminal security screen on the perimeter.

1. The renewal and the extension of the vehicle marshalling area to include an 'in terminal' traffic control system. Sufficient area is provided within the complex to hold all incoming and outgoing vehicles - thus minimising congestion on the Harbour or other roads.
2. A ferry Linkspan and bankseat together with elevated passenger walkways.
3. Royal St. George Yacht Club
4. Carlisle Pier,
5. The reclaimation of approximately 1.5 ha of the land to the west of St. Michael's Peir with sand excavated from the bed of the Harbour. This is half of what was orginally proposed in the Harbour Development Plan in 1992.
6. A public promenade on the edge of the reclaimed area giving increased waterfront access and improved viewing of the Harbour in general and shipping in particular.
7. Two new controlled public car parking areas and amendments to the road layout to improve pedestrian and vehicle movement.

Carlisle Leisure and Amenity Pier

The development of the Carlisle Pier for leisure/amenity uses is an integral part of the Harbour Development Plan, and is identified as one of its medium term

objectives. Those plans for the Carlisle Pier are contingent on the transfer of its existing ferry operations to the new extended ferry terminal proposed for St. Michael's Pier.

Once the new facilities have proven themselves all ferry related activity will be centred on St. Michael's Pier. In this context it is envisaged to retain the Carlisle Pier for two winter periods subsequent to the introduction of the HSS at the new terminal.

On this basis the causeway in front of the Royal St. George Yacht Club will be decommissioned by the end of 1997 and the present operations at the Carlisle Pier will be discontinued. Subsequently the Carlisle Pier building will be re-assigned to leisure/amenity uses, subject to the demand for such uses.

Sea Lynx boosts passenger numbers

Stena Sealink Line in July 1993 commenced their 'Sea Lynx' service between Dún Laoghaire and Holyhead. Significant growth in traffic occurred in 1993 without significant impact on the Harbour or the immediate environs.

The introduction of Sea Lynx II in June 1994, another world first for Dún Laoghaire, improves the capacity of this service, further securing the Harbour's position as the premier passenger sea port in Ireland.

Kingston Hotel - servicing day trippers from the UK

The Dún Laoghaire Kingston Hotel, has linked to a Welsh Travel operator, Crosville Cymru in Gwynedd, to promote the tourist attractions of Dún Laoghaire, and Dublin city and county in key UK cities convenient to Holyhead, offering a number of day trip and short break opportunities.

"As a direct result of the four sailings per day on the new Sea Lynx, we've created a special tourism product" explained Hotel Sales and Marketing Manager, Paul O'Farrell.

"In March of this year the monthly number of passengers brought in on the fast ferry alone exceeded 2,500, many of whom came on day or 2-3 day shopping and touring trips. In that month we employed 5 extra part time staff. Imagine if this type of increase in foot passengers, simply because the faster ferries are now in place, was to be maintained for the majority of the year. I would be in a position to increase employment for up to 10 people either full or part-time", he told the Bulletin.

A special package is offered to the UK traveller to Dún Laoghaire that includes a meal, music in the bar at the Kingston Hotel and a sightseeing or shopping trip. The Crosville Cymru brochure places a Stg£20 price tag on the trip.

"We're delighted with this package and so far the people that have availed of it seem very pleased with the value, the choice and the entertainment. We need more of this type of package, and we need to develop aspects of these packages more to Dún Laoghaire's advantage", said Mr. O'Farrell.

Ferry plans good for business

In a recent statement the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said that the Chamber believes this development will benefit Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County and the Tourism Industry nationally. "We believe it is appropriate that the Harbour should be the first development to receive full approval and sincerely hope that it will break the logiam of objections that have held up progress in Dún Laoghaire over the years".

"This development poses many challenges which we must meet. How well do we look after our visitors, whether they are long or short stay or merely passing through? What steps are we taking to capture that business? How well to we market our area? Do we respond to the needs of the tourist in an adequate fashion?"

"In the final analysis we hope that the redevelopment of the Harbour will prove to be the springboard for all the others and that the Dún Laoghaire hare will once again be a place where the tourist will visit for more than short stay breaks."

Special Finance Board to raise funding for development

The Dún Laoghaire Harbour Act, 1994, passed by the Oireachtas in June, created the Dún Laoghaire Harbour (Finance) Board. The Finance Board is responsible for setting up a Dún Laoghaire Harbour Development Fund to allow the development project to be financed on a commercial basis outside the Exchequer. The Board will raise funding to cover the cost of the development works.

The cost of the project will be recovered from Stena Sealink through increased Harbour dues and will be submitted for EU funding. The European Commission has already undertaken an assessment of the project.

The new Finance Board, chaired by Mr. Philip Lynch, Chairman of the Interim Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, comprises; Mr. Thomas Carroll, Assistant Secretary, Department of the Marine; Mr. Tadhg O'Donoghue, Partner Craig Gardner, Price Waterhouse; Mr. Morgan Sheehy, Assistant Principal, Department of Finance; and Dr. Michael Somers, Chief Executive, National Treasury Management Agency.

This Act is quite separate from the legislation which will create the new Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company. This is not likely to be presented to the Oireachtas until after the Summer recess.

The Act also confirmed the Minister's powers to proceed with the construction of the new terminal once planning permission was obtained. The provision was to avert any possible appeal that the planning permission was invalid because the Minister had not been required by law to obtain permission in the first place.

Harbour Board recreational committee established

Dún Laoghaire Harbour's potential as an International Yachting Centre can be achieved in harmony with a successful ferry service. The Development Plan for the Harbour demonstrates that an expanded ferry terminal would complement rather than inhibit leisure development.

It is now possible to review and advance detailed plans for the development of recreational and amenity facilities in the west of the Harbour. This was identified in the west of the Harbour. This was identified in the Development Plan as being possible in tandem with the development of the ferry complex and it is opportune and appropriate to plan this now.

The Harbour Board has recently established a sub-committee to consider the advancement of the development of recreational facilities in the context of the ferry terminal development and the Harbour Development Plan.

The sub-committee has embarked on a programme of consultation and is meeting with all

yacht clubs, other Harbour users, proposers of marina facilities, the local authority and other agencies with a view to advancing the development of facilities.

In this way we can achieve a high quality environment and a balanced development of the Harbour's commercial and public services, marine-related industrial activities, recreation and tourism potential.

The sub-committee chaired by Seamus O'Scollain, includes Aine Elliott, Derek Jago and Ted Magee, has outlined a strategy to advance the development of recreational facilities including recommendations for action. Their task is to identify real possibilities for the development of the Harbour and how these might best be brought forward.

Certain important information is required to progress plans including a study of the wave regime in the Harbour, a comprehensive site investigation and costing for the options for development. These studies are well advanced.

Cruise Business

The Harbour management have recently invited the participation of local commercial interests in a venture to attract visiting cruise liners and sail training vessels to Dún Laoghaire Harbour. We see the arrival of such visitors to the Harbour as offering tremendous potential for Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Dublin and Wicklow.

The Harbour is also participating in Board Failte led initiatives involving a co-operative approach by Irish Ports to attract cruise business to Ireland in addition to our own efforts. We have already embarked on an advertising campaign and approached sail training associations and identified cruise operators admonishing the virtues of visiting Dún Laoghaire Harbour.

Commercial Opportunity

The Harbour management will shortly be seeking proposals from those interested in taking franchise options in the new Ferry Terminal Building. There is 376m2 of space to accommodate all of the usual services in a busy passenger precinct, including tourist information, restaurant, bureau-de-change, car hire, newsagent etc. There is a terrific opportunity, previously unavailable, to capitalise on the growing number of passengers using the ferryport.

High Speed Service (HSS)

Ferry Terminal Works

The time frame for the installation of the new terminal facilities is determined by the need to meet the proposed 1 May, 1995 start up date for the HSS. Construction started in August, 1994.

It is to be expected that during the main construction works there will be considerable upheaval of facilities and services around the 'site' on St. Michael's Wharf between the Royal Irish Yacht Club and the Royal St. George Yacht Club. Security and safety on and around the site are of paramount importance.

The Harbour Master will issue Notices to Mariners as appropriate.

Queries will be handled by the Ascon Site Office on St. Michael's Wharf and relevant contact names and phone numbers are posted locally.

The world's biggest high speed ferry has been chartered to Stena Sealink Line by Stena AB and will enter service on the company's Dún Laoghaire - Holyhead service in May 1995.

"Our forecasts for future freight through Dún Laoghaire Harbour, show a slight decrease in volume", says Helen Gallivan, Business Co-ordinator Ireland, Stena Sealink Line. "Employment of this state-of-the-art passenger vessel, however, will contribute to a sustainable growth in passenger and car traffic carried by Stena Sealink Line.

Construction

In June 1994 the hulls were floated round to an external building dock - known as a graving dock - and the yard then started building the superstructure. On completion in September the superstructure and hulls will be joined.

From mid-September the interior of the HSS will start to be fitted out and the craft will be launched in November.

Sea trials are planned for January and February in the Baltic Sea and the ship is due to arrive in the Irish Sea in Spring 1995.

How It Works

The HSS hull is constructed of aluminium and propelled by water jets from power provided from four gas turbines - two in each hull. The four water jets drive the craft replacing conventional propellers and rudders. The turbines are the same kind as those used in large, modern aircraft and steering is achieved by altering the orientation and output of the water jets, providing very manoeuvrable and responsive handling characteristics.

Performance

While the Stena HSS is 124 metres long and 40 metres wide, 5 metres shorter and 19 metres wider than the Stena Hibernia currently operating from Dún Laoghaire, it is some five times larger than the biggest high speed ferry in service today. It can carry 1,500 passengers, 375 cars or alternatively up to 50 freight units and 100 cars.

The craft's unique, patented hull design allows it to cruise at around 40 knots in wave heights of 9 metres while maintaining excellent ride comfort - well capable to enduring all Irish Sea conditions.

Officers of the Marine Survey Office of the Department of the Marine are closely supervising the building and testing of the new HSS vessel as are their Swedish and UK counterparts, to ensure that the vessel meets the exacting certification standards specified by the international codes.

Top team lead development works

The team is led by P H McCarthy & Partners, an established Irish consulting engineering practice, based in Dúndrum, with a proven track record in the planning, design and construction supervision of large civil engineering projects. The firm was responsible for the sewerage scheme connection from the West Pier pumping station and also installed the Harbour Sewerage scheme completed last year.

Posford Duvivier, an internationally renowned consultancy organisation, brings to the team their extensive and proven worldwide experience in the areas of maritime related consultancy. They have successfully completed a large number of ferry terminal projects incorporating ro-ro facilities.

Burke-Kennedy Doyle and Partners Architects are among the most prestigious architectural practices in Ireland. They have extensive experience of civic architecture and projects involving large people and vehicle movements. The practice has won more than 20 major

competitions and awards including the European Shopping Centre of the Year Award for the Square in Tallaght in 1992.

Ascon Ltd. is the largest civil engineering contractor in Ireland and through its subsidiary Rohcon Ltd. has also strong civic building experience. While mainly operating in Ireland having previously carried out major marine projects in Bellview in Waterford and Ringaskiddy in Cork, Ascon is also working in the UK and Germany. The company was one of the first contractors in Ireland to be registered to ISO 9002.

Copies of the Development Plan for Dún Laoghaire Harbour and further copies of this Bulletin can be obtained from:

Mr. Frank Sheridan,
Secretary,
Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board,
Harbour Lodge,
Crofton Road,
Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
Ph: 280 1311,
Fax: 280 9607.

SUMMER SUNDAYS

Baywatch Café opened

The Minister for Defence and the Marine officially opened the new Baywatch Café, in the refurbished Carlisle Pier Terminal building in May last.

"When I first visited the Harbour as Minister for the Marine I instructed the Harbour Manager to undertake an extensive redecoration programme on the Carlisle Pier to include a café facility. It was a very difficult task to convert this dated building to a modern catering establishment but has been accomplished admirably", said Mr. Andrews.

We expect over 1.5 million passengers to pass through Dún Laoghaire Harbour this year. This new enterprise is an important and essential aspect of the service for passengers using the ferry and for the countless other visitors to the Harbour. It is an excellent example of how the various functions of the Harbour can complement one another - an example which we will no doubt witness again and again throughout the execution of the Development Plan for the Harbour.

The Baywatch Café is a convenience restaurant providing fast service and popular hot and cold dishes in a bright and friendly atmosphere.

Mr. Ricky Hooper, Manager Director of Hilpers Catering, who also operates a number of other restaurants, including restaurants on UCD campus, is delighted at winning the franchise to operate the Baywatch Café.

"Since we've established ourselves here in the past few months, we are delighted with the response from passengers and particularly from people visiting the Harbour for pleasure and walks. At the weekend many families drop in for a light lunch".

The Baywatch Café is open seven days a week and can cater for up to 150 people. The new café employs 4 people full time and an additional 3 people on a part-time basis.

First "Harbour Summer Sundays" series - a great success

The weather stayed fine for many of the Sundays since May, when the first ever Dún Laoghaire Harbour Summer Sundays series commenced. Thousands of Dubliners visited the Harbour during May, June and July as the entertainment and leisure activities continued.

"Our programme attracted a great and enthusiastic response and proved that Dún Laoghaire Harbour is one of Dublin's major public amenities", Frank Sheridan, Secretary of the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Board, told BULLETIN.

One of the highlights of the three month Sunday series was Dún Laoghaire Harbour Regatta. An excellent day's competitive sailing was enjoyed. Visitors to the Harbour were in awe at the fabulous sailing spectacle as yachts and sailing and pleasure craft from clubs in Dublin Bay converged on the Harbour finish line. There was a greater entry and more classes than have raced before in the four years of the competition.

The owners of the following craft will receive their specially commissioned Dublin Crystal awards at the Dublin Bay Sailing

Club prize giving: J Beam. Cocolola, Utopia, Sylph, Paddington, Boomerang, Growltiger, Ghrazel, Fenestra, Glendun, Shannagh and Malindi. Winners in dinghy classes were Water Wag No. 4, Old Gold, Punch and Judy, No 69513, Dubious, No Regrets and Lady Kate.

One major feature was the visiting naval vessels from France and Germany in addition to the Irish Navy flagship the LE Eithne which were from time to time open to the public.

"We are indebted to the many harbour users, groups and sponsors which have organised events over the Summer and I am sure any visitor who came to the Harbour will appreciate their efforts", said Mr. David Andrews, TD, Minister for Defence and the Marine.

"We are especially indebted to the local media, both radio and print, for their support and coverage throughout the series. I believe their reporting captured the mood of the visitors very well and shows how much appreciation there is for the Harbour as an amenity", said Mr. Sheridan.