President's Speech Marine Ball 2018

Maryborough Hotel, 10th of November 2018

Deputy Lord Mayor Mary Shields, Simon Coveney, TD, An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs & Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Commodore Michael Malone, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Service (Ireland), Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our Annual Marine Ball.

As the Institute celebrates 50 years it is a privilege for me to recognise the contributions of our volunteer members throughout the year. I am struck by their willingness to sacrifice their valuable time and effort to further the values of the Institute and Irish Ship Masters. In particular, I thank the National Secretary, Capt. Kim Mulcahy for all her hard work and great consul throughout the year. Unfortunately, both Deputy President, Capt. Dermot Gray and Treasurer Capt. Trevor Crowley cannot be with us as they are on the high seas. They have worked tirelessly throughout the year and I can’t thank them enough for their support. I thank the members of the General Council who continue the work of the Institute as do the Cork Branch and I am grateful for their service throughout the year.

Special mention must go to Capt. Bill Kavanagh, for attending the Confederation of European Ship Master Associations (CESMA) Annual General Assembly in Montenegro and Capt. Bernard Toft for attending the International Federation of Ship Masters Associations’ (IFSMA) Special Meeting in London for giving up their valuable time representing the interests of the Institute internationally.

Irish Ship Masters face significant challenges and we will work hard to highlight these with the Government, IFSMA and CESMA. The Institute attended the Marine Spatial Consultation held in Cork in October and it is very clear that commercial shipping is low down on the priorities of the Government. It is therefore incumbent on us to ensure that a coherent submission outlining the importance of shipping to the economic and social fabric of Ireland is clear.

The sulphur cap in 2020 will place significant upward pressure on costs for ship operators and will place further pressure on Ship Masters to be ever fuel conscious. It also brings the increased risk of criminalisation as experienced by the Master of the P&O Cruise ship ‘Azura’. He is currently on trial in France for carrying high sulphur fuel. As the drive to reduce emissions increases it may lead to vessels being underpowered in severe weather as smaller engines are more fuel efficient and Ship Masters are rightly concerned with proposals that Force 7 (near gale) will be the design criteria for the next generation of shipping. The Institute will work with all parties to ensure safety remains paramount while still protecting the environment.

With the environment firmly in our sights, the Institute continues to support Michael Kingston’s efforts for Ireland to become an Observer Member of the Arctic Council. This will significantly boost Ireland’s green credentials and international respect but more importantly, as an honest broker, Ireland can drive the agenda to better protect the Arctic regions and support climate change initiatives leading from the front. Climate change matters to us all but in particular to seafarers; as storms become ever more frequent and more violent it is the sailor on the high seas who feels the fury first.

With this, the importance of highly qualified seafarers should not be underestimated. They add value to investment through experience and training; a fact not lost on the British Government. Brexit has forced an honest evaluation of risks to the UK economy and they have responded by doubling their training budget for seafarers to €30m a year. Brexit also demonstrates how interlinked both our countries are; some of our Irish members hold United Kingdom Certification which in the event of a No Deal Brexit scenario could cause significant issues and the Institute will continue to closely monitor the situation.

The Institute recognises the value of Irish seafarers and we proudly sponsor the annual Don Curtis Award for best first year student, which this year went to Kate Van Heerden. We wish her the very best in her chosen career. We need more bright and dynamic young people like her to maintain the fine tradition of Irish Seafaring. We continue to support Sail Training for young adults in Ireland through sponsorship of Sail Training Ireland.

On behalf of the Institute, my sincerest congratulations to Cormac Gebruers, Associate Member of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners, on his recent appointment as Head of College, National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI). I have no doubt that he will continue the excellent work of the NMCI and its world class staff in maintaining the fine reputation Irish seafarers are held in by the international maritime community. 

I ask now that we all pause for a moment to reflect on family, friends and colleagues no longer with us. In the last year we have lost three members; Capt. Christopher Davies late of the Dept of Trade Tourism and Sport, Capt. Peter O’ Mahony and Capt. Neville Mullaly. We should also remember that tomorrow is Remembrance Sunday and it is fitting that we remember the sacrifice of Irish seafarers and civilians lost at sea in both World Wars. The sinking of the RMS Lusitania with the loss of 1198 lives and the RMS Leinster, with the loss of over 564 lives, brought the horror of war to our shores in WW1. In WW2 our founding member, Captain Desmond Fortune was Master of the Wexford Steamship Co. "Kerlogue" when it was bombed by two warplanes. He was badly wounded in the legs and never went to sea again. I ask that you remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that their country may survive and for those wounded who carried their suffering far after the wars ended and to those who came home and were never the same again……1 minute for reflection

The Institute continues to go from strength to strength as we welcome 14 new members in the last 12 months. They are the future of the Institute and I look forward to listening to their views and providing fresh vision so that we continue to keep pace with modern seafaring.

I wish to thank all the staff of the Maryborough Hotel, including Mary Bernard, for their excellent work in making our Marine Ball a night to remember.

Thank you to Martek Limited for sponsoring the outstanding wine tonight.

Therefore, I think it is quite fitting that I now ask you to stand and raise a glass to toast the President of Ireland ‘An T-Uachtaráin’.

Finally to my beautiful wife thank you for all your support, guidance and patience. You can enjoy your night now I’ve almost finished!

On behalf of the Institute I wish you all a very enjoyable dinner and evening.

ENDS