LATEST NEWS:
The Granuaile & Commissioners of Irish Lights have a new head office
An Uachtaráin Mary McAleese officially opened the Commissioners of Irish Lights 21st century new headquarters at a gala gathering at the new CIL building on Harbour Road, Dun Laoghaire.
The new office use the power of the environment reduce energy consumption and minimise the impact of the new development on the surrounding environmental area. The new buildings depend upon the adjacent sea water for both heating and cooling the office.
Advances in technology have enabled solar powering of many offshore lighthouses, thus assisting Commissioners of Irish Lights in reducing its carbon footprint. Indeed, the new building mirrors the trend in lighthouse design where the reduced power requirement of modern lights and electronic systems
For over two hundred years the Commissioners of Irish Lights have been at the forefront of innovation and endeavour. Lighthouse Keepers and Lightshipmen were the backbone and life-blood of the Service until advancing technology enabled aids to navigation to be automated and have a special status in the history of Irish Lights.
The lives of Lighthouse Keepers were transformed by the introduction of the helicopter, but automation and central monitoring finally ended their role in Irish Lights when in March 1997 the Baily was the last lighthouse to be automated.
The office is a 21st century structure using the most modern technologies to provide aids to navigation to the marine industry and also providing a link to the various historic structures nearby, themselves prominent landmark buildings. The new headquarters reflects and express the marine environment and the particular nature of the Commissioners of Irish Lights activities.
The Commissioners of Irish Lights are the General Lighthouse Authority for all of Ireland, its adjacent seas and islands. CIL's Vision Statement is to deliver a reliable, efficient and cost effective aides to Navigation service for the benefit and safety of all Mariners.
Arklow Shipping Launch their future
Future The Arklow Future was proudly launched in January off the coast of Bilbao in Northern Spain. The Arklow Future will be manned for unlimited trading however her main purpose will be for trading within Northern Europe/North Africa range. The Arklow Future is yet another successful step in Arklow Shipping’ new building programme.
Built in the Astilleros de Murueta Shipyard, Her overall length is set at 89.95m with a displacement of 5941dt and a dwt of 4480, her hold capacity for dry bulk reaches 6,074m3.
Established since 1966 Arklow Shipping has become a leader within Europe in the dry bulk trade, with management teams based in Arklow and Rotterdam. Arklow Shipping currently operates a fleet of 37 ships in sizes ranging from 3,000 – 13,000 tonnes.
Throughout the years the company has built up a fleet of modern singledeck, box hold and container fitted vessels ideally suited for the carriage of project cargoes, grain, generals and bulk commodities including those classified under IMO regulations. Arklow Shipping has a long term relationship with many of Europe's multinational trading groups and is continually updating and enlarging it fleet to meet customer requirements.
Arklow Shipping is considered to be one of the stalwarts of the Irish Shipping community and has three ships on Follow the Fleet.
Irish Ferries Launch Oscar Wilde
Some 400 people representing Irish tourism, travel, shipping and freight sectors were guests of Irish Ferries on board their new EUR50million Ireland/France cruise ferry Oscar Wilde when it visited Dublin Port on Tuesday, 29th January 2008
Welcomed by the company’s managing director Eamonn Rothwell, the 31,914 tonnes vessel arrived in Dublin for a naming ceremony ahead of the commencement of its 2008 sailing schedule. The naming was performed by Mrs. Ann Reilly, wife of the company’s operations director, John Reilly.
Built in Turku, Finland in 1987, the Oscar Wilde was previously owned by Norwegian ferry operator Color Line for whom it operated on the Baltic Sea between Oslo and Kiel.
Replacing the vessel Normandy, it can carry up to 1,458 passengers and 580 cars – an increase of 160 cars. With almost twice the vehicle lane parking space (1,220m versus 645m), freight capacity has also increased from 43 to 62 units.
Larger, faster and more luxurious than the vessel it replaces, it has a speed of 21.5 knots, cutting one hour off previous sailing times to France. On board features include two 55-seat cinemas, restaurants, shopping, hair and beauty salon and a walking tour of that portrays the link with Oscar Wilde.
It is the sixth vessel purchased by Irish Ferries for their Ireland/France routes since services began in June 1973. Others were St. Patrick (1973 - 1982), St. Killian (1978 - 1982), St. Killian ll (1982 - 1997), St. Patrick ll (1982 - 1998) and Normandy (1998 - 2007).
Speaking at the event, Irish Ferries' Managing Director Eamonn Rothwell said “This is a very proud occasion for all of us at Irish Ferries. We are confident that our customers will react favourably to the major improvements in quality and capacity which the ‘Oscar Wilde’ brings to our Ireland / France service. The combination of this lovely vessel and our highly competitive fares and freight rates will make Irish Ferries a very attractive option for those seeking the most direct sea link between Ireland and Europe.”
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