THIS ISLAND NATION RADIO PROGRAMME – Tom MacSweeney’s Weekly Maritime Blog - July 14
The main maritime development this week is the decision by the European Court of Justice that the Marine Casualty Investigation Board is not independent of Government, due to the presence of two civil servants on its board. These are the Secretary-General of the Department of Transport and the Chief Marine Surveyor. International maritime lawyer Michael Kingston, whose father Tim, died in the Whiddy island Betelgeuse explosion 41 years ago, has called for an “immediate public inquiry” into the MCIB. Earlier this year he submitted documentation to Garda Headquarters seeking a Garda investigation into it. After the European Court finding he wrote to Taoiseach Mícheál Martin and the new Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Eamon Ryan, calling for a Dáil statement. The new Department of Climate Action, Communications and Transport said it was “examining the judgement” and “seeking legal advice to address the court findings.” The latest development, as I write this week’s blog is that the European Court decision is to be raised in the Dáil tonight (Tuesday) with Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport by Deputies Donnchadh ó Laoghaire, Darren O'Rourke and Pat Buckley. It is has been chosen as a ‘Topical Issue’ by the Ceann Comhairle for discussion. This is an issue to be watched.
WIDENING APPRECIATION OF THE MARITIME SECTOR --- Ireland’s National Aquarium is involved in a series of projects to widen appreciation and understanding of the maritime sector. Dr. Nóirín Burke, Director of Education at Galway Atlantiquaria, says “there are very few people who are not interested in the marine area.” The Aquarium has announced that it is partnering in the global Virtual Island Summit to take place online from 7-13 September this year. “Island communities in Ireland can connect with an estimated 10,000 other islanders across the world,” says Dr.Burke. She discusses the importance of increasing maritime awareness on the WEEKENDER MARINE TIMES PODCAST
THE OCEAN IS RESPONSIBLE --- For the water cycle, which affects our weather and climate. Check out ‘A Changing Ocean Climate’ on the Marine Institute’s website.
IS THE UK ON A ROAD TO NOWHERE? At the MARINE TIMES, where I am Deputy Editor, we have introduced the WEEKENDER which is published online at marinetimes.ie on Saturday mornings. This provides weekly coverage between the monthly printed editions of the paper. With increasing concern about the outcome of the Brexit negotiations and the impact upon the Irish industry should current access to UK waters be restricted, we have looked back in the current WEEKENDER at the views of former British Prime Ministers on the EU. It is worth reading the comments quoted in the WEEKENDER from former PM Tony Blair which concluded that “Britain’s proper place is at the centre of Europe as a leading partner in European development” and not to be part of the EU would be “sending Britain down a road to nowhere.”
CRUISING THE IRISH RHINE ---“If you want to fall head over ears in love with Ireland at the very first sight of her charms take, as we did, the steamer from Cappoquin to Youghal and float down the Vale of the Blackwater. The shores of this Irish Rhine are so lovely that the sail on a sunny day is one of unequalled charm.” Those words were written in 1901 by Kate Douglas Wiggin, in a publication called ‘Penelope’s Irish Experiences’. There are forgotten delights on Irish waterways of which the River Blackwater is one. It flows through Kerry, Waterford and Cork, rising in the Mullaghareirk Mountains, flowing an easterly direction through Mallow, Fermoy, Lismore, Cappoquin and into the Celtic Sea at Youghal. Before ever modern cruise ships sailed the world, this river provided a rail/river cruising attraction. The Cork & Youghal Railway company offered “rail and river cruises” for six shillings and sixpence which included train to Youghal, joining a ‘steamer’ for the river cruise to Cappoquin and returning by train via Mallow to Cork. In the 19th century small coasters used get as far as Lismore by going up the Blackwater to Cappoquin then using a canal for the last two miles. Much has been lost by not preserving navigation on Irish waterways.
MARINE INSTITUTE CHAIRMAN BECOMES RNLI CHAIRMAN ---The Chairman of the Marine Institute, John Killeen, has been appointed Chairman of Lifeboats Ireland. A Galway noted engineer and businessman he is a sailing enthusiast and a Freeman of Galway City.
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