Beaufort Research receives SFI funding

An artists impression of the Beaufort Laboratory due to be built as part of the IMERC campus in Ringaskiddy

As part of the largest ever state/industry co-funded research investment in Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland announced that it is to fund the €29million MAREI bid led by the Beaufort Laboratory. The project will accelerate the development of the marine renewable energy sector in Ireland. This will give Ireland's maritime economy a huge boost and will be a great start for Beaufort Research. The Beaufort project will include 30 industry partners working with UCC, NUIG, UL, UCD, CIT, and NUIM. There will be upwards of 70 new research positions created. UCCs Beaufort Laboratory on the IMERC campus will be the focal point for the management of the six year programme. UCCs Tony Lewis and Alistair Borthwick will oversee the implementation of the science plan. The plan will make progress across a range of technical challenges including device development, deployment, composite materials, marine robotics, maritime spatial planning. Multinationals such as Intel and Shell will work alongside SMEs across the marine renewable energy supply chain. The project aims to stimulate 2,000 jobs by 2020, attract new foreign direct investment, and spawn new start up companies. It includes targets for technology transfer, business development and outreach activities. This helps to deliver the IMERC vision of a research and commercial cluster of world standing to impact on the maritime and energy markets of tomorrow. Related links for this article  Beaufort Research website IMERC website

NMCI expands into Asia

The NMCI is set to expand into Asia © NMCI

The NMCI’s commercial wing, NMCI services, is set to expand it’s training and consultancy services into Asia and the Middle East, including the UAE, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Gulf region. The NMCI, located in Ringaskiddy County Cork, provides training and education for the merchant marine and non-military needs of the Irish Naval Service. The NMCI added 10 new full-time research posts in the past 12 months which demonstrates a significant growth in R&D according to Dr. Brendan Murphy, president of the CIT. Speaking at a conferring ceremony for over 70 graduates at the NMCI, Dr. Murphy said "This growth in R&D has warranted the establishment and branding of the NMCI’s own research centre, something which will take place in the very near future." Related links for this article  NMCI website

Two major maritime conferences are to be hosted in Cork this Spring

The European Commission is organising workshops with the Atlantic member states to ensure awareness of the Atlantic Forum and EU funding processes

Two major maritime conferences are to be hosted in Cork this Spring. To coincide with Irelands presidency of the EU, UCC will host a conference on behalf of the European Commission between 4th-5th March 2013. The Commission is organising workshops with the Atlantic member states to ensure awareness of the Atlantic Forum and EU funding processes to feed the Atlantic Action Plan and to assist stakeholders in coming forward with well-prepared projects. The conference will focus on research and innovation and overview of the Action Plan. Further details to be posted shortly. The second conference entitled ‘Space Innovation Powering Blue Growth’ is a conference on Space, Innovation and Growth in the Maritime Sector and will be held in the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy between 18th- 19th April. The conference will gather policy makers, scientists, maritime operators and EO application specialists. Participation will be free of charge and limited to 120 people.

Over One Thousand Euro Raised for Solar Power in Malawi Hospital

Mike Brunicardi of IMERC hands over EUR1,000 to the Solar Team

-IMERC Fundraiser in The Monkstown Inn for Solar Without Frontiers - On Tuesday 5th February, over €1,000 was raised by IMERC at a table quiz in aid of Solar Without Frontiers, a charitable foundation committed to introducing solar technologies in developing countries to save lives. The money will be used to fund a solar installation at the Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi. The event was the result of a joint effort headed by Lieutenant Mike Brunicardi of the Irish Maritime and Energy Research Cluster (IMERC) based in Ringaskiddy, and Solar Without Frontiers. IMERC is a joint initiative of the Cork Institute of Technology, the Irish Naval Service and University College cork whose vision is to promote Ireland as a world-renowned research and development location. The quiz was a resounding success with sixteen teams and over eighty people filling The Monkstown Inn, Monkstown, Co. Cork. The success of the night saw a grand total of €1,011 being raised. The prize for the winning team was €100 cash and many others won generously sponsored spot prizes . Many thanks to The Monkstown Inn for their hospitality and for donating a spot prize, The Monk Fish and Chips who provided finger food, Barry Collins Super Value of Carrigaline who donated a generous hamper, Leisureworld Bishopstown who provided two free passes, Murray & Associates Naval Architects who contributed towards the event, and numerous individuals who donated spot prizes. The money raised on the night will go towards covering the travel costs for Solar Without Frontiers volunteers, who later this month shall travel to Malawi to install a solar power system at the Mulanje Mission Hospital. The cost of this travel is €4,000 and volunteers shall be taking unpaid leave in order to travel as well as providing their services for free. One of the volunteers, John Walsh, an energy engineer with Cork City Council said, “The first priority is provision of lights and power to the paediatric ward and maternity department. Once the installation is complete the Mulanje Mission Hospital will no longer suffer daily blackouts and we will have directly assisted in reduction of the infant mortality rate.” Lt Mike Brunicardi added, “It is a huge honour for IMERC to assist Solar Without Frontiers with such an important and beneficial project. Ireland has a lot of engineering and scientific expertise in the renewable energy industry and it is heartening to see it being deployed where it is sorely needed.” IMERC and Solar Without Frontiers extend a final thank you to all the people who made the event a resounding success. Lives will be saved as a direct result of the contributions made by everybody involved. The medical team at Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawai extended congratulations to the partnership. This solar installation project will help to save lives by providing a secure power supply to frontline services at the hospital. Should you wish to donate to the worthy cause, please visit the Solar Without Frontiers website and click on ‘Donate Online’. Click on the link below for information on IMERC or contact Cormac Mc Garry & Ciarán McCarthy – Email: admin@imerc.ie. Related links for this article  Solar Frontiers Website IMERC Website

Captain Pat Farnan Retires As Port Of Cork Harbour Master And Deputy Chief Executive

[From the Port Of Cork] 

Port of Cork announces the retirement of Harbour Master and Deputy Chief Executive, Captain Pat Farnan after 33 years with the company.

The Harbour Master is primarily responsible for the safety of all vessels within the port and advises the Board of the Port Company on all nautical matters. In the case of the Port of Cork, he is also responsible for the management of all aspects of port operations, including pilotage, towage and crane operations. 

Prior to joining the Port of Cork, Captain Farnan enjoyed a sea-going career with Irish Shipping Ltd, joining as a cadet and subsequently serving in all ranks on a wide variety of vessels, trading worldwide. He left Irish Shipping in 1980 to join the Port, having served as master for two years.

Captain Farnan has also served as Harbour Master of Bantry Bay since 2002. 

Captain Farnan lives in Cobh with his wife Carmel and this year celebrates 40 years of marriage. He has two sons, Keith based in Dublin and Patrick based in Cork. 

Commenting on his retirement, Captain Farnan said “It has been a privilege to have been the 12th person to hold the position of Harbour Master since 1820. 

“I joined the then Harbour Commissioners in 1980 at a particularly fortuitous time as the Port was about to enter an exciting phase of its development with the construction of new facilities at Ringaskiddy. This facilitated the expansion of the Port and in the intervening years the deepwater facilities at Ringaskiddy allowed the Port to accommodate large Panamax vessels and more recently a deep sea container service. Now it is established as one of the leading Ports in the country. 

“Among the many highlights for me during my time at the Port of Cork was the return of cruise liners to Cork with the berthing of the QE2 at Ringaskiddy in 1990 and the development of the cruise facilities in Cobh to meet the challenge of the ever increasing size of cruise liner culminating in the berthing of the “Independence of the Seas” and “Queen Mary 2” two of largest cruise ships. The Tall Ships visit in 1991, which was the first time the event was ever hosted in Ireland, was also a great personal highlight of my career. 

“One of the major strengths of the Port is the combined efforts of every individual who make the day-to-day running of the Port possible, at all levels and the high level of morale that was maintained over the years. I was fortunate in having a great team supporting me in operations.” 

Deputy Harbour Master, Captain Paul O’Regan will assume responsibility as Acting Harbour Master and Captain Pat Murphy will be the Acting Deputy Harbour Master. Both will bring their many years of experience and expertise to continue the efficient operations of the Port. 

Brendan Keating, Chief Executive of the Port of Cork concluded “Pat has given outstanding service to the Port of Cork and he retires today with our very best wishes.” 

Related links for this article 

Port Of Cork News Article