Port of Livorno Pilots attend NMCI Simulation Training

Pilots from Port of Livorno at the NMCI, Ringaskiddy

The National Maritime College of Ireland was delighted to welcome pilots from Port of Livorno to the college on May 28th for a week. The pilots attended a Pilot Refresher Simulation course and Bridge Resource Management for Pilots in the NMCI's full mission 360 degree simulator. There was also an opportunity for the pilots to see some of the local sights Cork has to offer, including Cork Ports Ops office. The NMCI are certainly very much looking forward to many more visits from the pilots in the near future. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=197

Port of Cork Names New Pilot Boat “Fáilte”

Emer O Mahony helping to name the new pilot boat, Failte

On Thursday, 9 August the Port of Cork officially named a new pilot boat at the Port of Cork City Marina. Built by Safehaven Marine, “Failte” will be replacing the “Sonia” which was named after Sonia O’Sullivan and has served the Port gallantly for the past fourteen years. Dermot O’Mahoney, Chairman of the Port of Cork said “An Irish welcome is synonymous with the Port of Cork and reflects our attitude to all vessels that call to our harbour so it is fitting that we are christening our new pilot boat “Failte” today”. Captain Pat Farnan, Harbour Master and Deputy Chief Executive of the Port of Cork continued “Our pilots and launch crew provide a service that is second to none. Their skill and seamanship has seen some of the world’s largest vessels such as the “Queen Mary 2” and the “Independence of the Seas” navigated safely in and out of our Port and I have no doubt “Failte” will serve the Port well for many years to come. The launches are required to operate in all weather conditions, 365 days a year and must be built to a very high standard to make this possible.” Safehaven Marine is a local Cork based company, employing 25 staff in Little Island and Youghal. Since the company was founded in 2008, they have supplied pilot boats to countries across the globe from Scandinavia to the Middle East and are now one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of GRP pilot boat. Safehaven Marine, Managing Director Frank Kowalski commented “We are delighted to once again be supplying the Port of Cork’s new pilot vessel, “Failte” having also built their last new pilot boat, the “Gleann Mór” six years ago. It is extra special for us to be working with our local Port in delivering this vessel, which is a proud example of our high level design and engineering.” The pilot launches undertake in excess of 3,000 services per annum to vessels of all types including cruise ships and cargo vessels. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=196

Two triathlon events in Cork Harbour in August and September

Entries are now open for Cork Triathlon and the Crosshaven Challenge

There are two grueling events in Cork Harbour this summer for those who enjoy a physical challenge! The Cork Triathlon, Escape form Spike Island, takes place on 25th August and the 10th Crosshaven Challenge takes place on Saturday 1st September. Cork Triathlon - Escape from Spike Island, 25th August 2012 Entries are now open for Cork Triathlon – Escape from Spike Island. Save €10 with an Early bird entry. Sprint €45 (early bird €35) Olympic €52 (early bird€42) Olympic:1500m swim from Spike island into the heart of Cobh town, Cycle around the Great island on a 20km loop twice and finish with a 10km run on the sea front. Sprint: 750m swim, Cycle around the Great island on a 20km loop and finish with a 5km run on the sea front. To get an real flavour of the swim from Spike Island, see the following youTube video by Vanessa Daws.  The 10th Crosshaven Challenge The 10th Crosshaven Challenge will take place on Saturday 1st September 2012, starting at 5.00PM. The triathlon provides a grueling challenge including a 500-metre swim, a 10KM cycle and a 5KM run. Individual entry is €50. A team of three, where one member of the team competes in each of the three disciplines, can enter for €150. The money raised will be used to aid the development of community facilities in Crosshaven, and a day of fun and entertainment is guaranteed. See the links below for more information. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=193

What’s on in Cobh for the rest of 2012

There's plenty to do in Cobh throughout the year!!

For an excellent guide to what’s happening in the Cobh region check out the attached booklet, Cobh: What’s On & Where 2012- A guide to quality services, attractions and establishments in Cobh, East Cork & on Great Island. Still to come this year are major events like the Titanic 100 Cobh Peoples Regatta (17th-19th August), 46th International Sea Angling Festival (3rd-7th September), and the Cobh Blues Experience (21st-23rd September). Plenty to do in Cobh throughout the year!! http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=194

NMCI Sponsors Sailors On The Tall Ships Races 2012 to Dublin

© Maxwell Photography 2012. Photo includes; Mary Weir, Dublin City Council, Grainne Lynch, National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), Orla Kelly, Tall Ships Trainee sponsored by NMCI, Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Clare Byrne, Ryan Hawes, Tall Ships Trainee sponsored by NMCI, Kalanne O'Leary, Chair of Trainee Recruitment Group Tall Ships 2012 & Michael Byrne, Sail Training Ireland.

The National Maritime College of Ireland is enabling two lucky people to join The Tall Ships Races 2012 on 12th August in A Coruña, Galicia, Spain and sail all the way to Dublin. This support, enabled by the Maritime Learning Network 'MarLeaNet', an EU project – a network of maritime training centres in Portugal, Spain, France and Ireland, was announced today at the Mansion House in Dublin. Launched by Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Clare Byrne, The Tall Ships Races 2012 - Dublin trainee programme enables over 50 Irish 18-25 year old trainees to experience life and work on board 6 magnificent Tall Ships. The first trainee, Ryan Hawes turns 23 later this week and will join the ship Kapitan Borchardt, a Polish vessel just under 34m in length and built in 1918. Our second trainee, 18-year-old Patrol Leader and Watch Leader in Dollymount Sea Scouts, Orla Kelly, will join the Johanna Lucretia, a 27m vessel with a UK flag. The National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), located in Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in the second largest natural harbour in the world. A constituent college of Cork Institute of Technology, the NMCI is a state of the art facility that provides training and education for the Merchant Marine and the Irish Naval Service. “The NMCI provides training to the seafarers of tomorrow in its specialist facility, which includes survival training facilities, fire fighting / damage control training, confined space training, jetty and lifeboat facilities”, says Grainne Lynch, Project Manager of the MarLeaNet project in the NMCI. “The MarLeaNet project allows the NMCI to work with other training centres all along the route of the Tall Ships Race in, France, Portugal and Spain.” The NMCI also provides specialist simulation equipment for teaching navigation, communications, engineering-machinery operations and vessel traffic systems. Lynch adds, “The Tall Ships Races 2012 - Dublin give trainees a fantastic opportunity to experience life at sea and to be part of a team for a unforgettable experience. For those that relish the challenge of the sea and want to turn it into a career, there is only one place to go – to the National Maritime College of Ireland.” Do come to the National Maritime College of Ireland Open Day on Tuesday 23 October 2012, 10.00am - 3.00pm. For Group Bookings contact +353 21 4970607 or visit the NMCI website linked below. http://www.corkharbour.ie/pages/newsDisplay.php?id=195