Seascapes News Summary - 12th May 2005

ASGARD AT THE OLD HEAD OF KINSALE IN SALUTE TO THOSE WHO DIED ON THE LUSITANIA

COURTMACSHERRY LIFEBOAT CREW AT LUSITANIA COMMEMORATION

COURTMACSHERRY LIFEBOAT OFF OLD HEAD

MICHAEL HURLEY RINGING THE COURTMACSHERRY LIFEBOAT BELL

OLD HEAD COMMEMORATION SPECTATORS

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TOM MACSWEENEY'S MARITIME MONITOR

REMEMBERING THE LUSITANIA
The bell chimed out, its sharp sound a contrast to the stillness as the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat rolled in the gentle swell. Then three wreaths were tossed onto the water and began to float slowly away. Lifeboat Mechanic Michael Hurley put aside the bell he had been ringing and gazed across the sunlit water towards the Old Head of Kinsale, shimmering in the distance: "We were out here one year with the Merchant Navy Association from Barry Dock in Wales, all strong men who had seen and experienced a lot at sea themselves and lost companions and relations during the Second World War and they all had tears in their eyes, imagining what it must have been like for those aboard the Lusitania ... the sudden hitting of a torpedo, then passengers who had been at their lunch onboard, now fighting for their lives in the water out here. It's one of the biggest graveyards off the Irish coast. Imagine that where we are now, there were hundreds of people fighting for their lives. It's a place that could be creepy. It must have been an awful sight. When the bow hit the bottom, the stern was sticking up out of the water. Imagine that and the screams and cries of the people struggling to live, others dying...."

I was with the crew of the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat last Saturday afternoon for the 90th commemoration of the Lusitania sinking on May 7, 1915 and Michael Hurley described the moment well. A man-made disaster, a tragedy in which 1,198 people died, caused by the bitterness of war when a German submarine torpedoed the liner. Whatever about the political machinations of the time or what caused a second explosion aboard the liner, this was a terrible tragedy and, as I looked out across the sunlit waters 15 miles south of Courtmacsherry, on a day when the weather was similar to that of the sinking, I shared Michael Hurley's feeling and began to imagine just what it must have been like for those struggling in the water and about man's inhumanity to man....

The people of the Old Head, of Kinsale and the surrounding area, also organised an impressive ceremony on shore and, under the Old Head the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat was joined by the national sail training vessel, ASGARD, in a salute to those who died. 

REMEMBERING THE LUSITANIA
The bell chimed out, its sharp sound a contrast to the stillness as the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat rolled in the gentle swell. Then three wreaths were tossed onto the water and began to float slowly away. Lifeboat Mechanic Michael Hurley put aside the bell he had been ringing and gazed across the sunlit water towards the Old Head of Kinsale, shimmering in the distance: "We were out here one year with the Merchant Navy Association from Barry Dock in Wales, all strong men who had seen and experienced a lot at sea themselves and lost companions and relations during the Second World War and they all had tears in their eyes, imagining what it must have been like for those aboard the Lusitania ... the sudden hitting of a torpedo, then passengers who had been at their lunch onboard, now fighting for their lives in the water out here. It's one of the biggest graveyards off the Irish coast. Imagine that where we are now, there were hundreds of people fighting for their lives. It's a place that could be creepy. It must have been an awful sight. When the bow hit the bottom, the stern was sticking up out of the water. Imagine that and the screams and cries of the people struggling to live, others dying...."

I was with the crew of the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat last Saturday afternoon for the 90th commemoration of the Lusitania sinking on May 7, 1915 and Michael Hurley described the moment well. A man-made disaster, a tragedy in which 1,198 people died, caused by the bitterness of war when a German submarine torpedoed the liner. Whatever about the political machinations of the time or what caused a second explosion aboard the liner, this was a terrible tragedy and, as I looked out across the sunlit waters 15 miles south of Courtmacsherry, on a day when the weather was similar to that of the sinking, I shared Michael Hurley's feeling and began to imagine just what it must have been like for those struggling in the water and about man's inhumanity to man....

The people of the Old Head, of Kinsale and the surrounding area, also organised an impressive ceremony on shore and, under the Old Head the Courtmacsherry Lifeboat was joined by the national sail training vessel, ASGARD, in a salute to those who died.

YOUR HELP SOUGHT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ATLANTIC
Now a reminder, is there some listener out there who will help our Irish/American fishermen friend on the Great Lakes who is looking for help to get the plans to build a leath-bád or a gleoiteóg to replace his boat that was destroyed by a fire set by vandals. There must be someone who can help. Come on then, please help this listener on the other side of the Atlantic.

GUINNESS BARGES
CLICK on this link to hear the second in our series of four reports about the GUINNESS BARGES that sailed the Liffey, carrying the "black stuff" as it was described by Dubliners, from the brewery at St.James's Gate to docksides near the Custom House for export, vessels that were part of the rich maritime heritage of Dublin, though not one has been preserved for history in the capital. This week TIM MAGENNIS tells what happened when one barge had an accident and barrels of Guinness drifted down the river - and continue to listen to his series for the next two weeks on SEASCAPES.

THIS WEEK'S MARINE NOTICES 
 - "Purely TIMBER and TRADITION" .. That's the way organiser Nigel Towse describes the BALTIMORE WOODEN BOATS FESTIVAL which will be held in the West Cork port from May 27 to 29, with a Fresh Seafood Experience for visitors on Sunday, May 29 ... A great event ...
 - THE COMMISSIONERS OF IRISH LIGHTS give notice that the fog signals on the BARRELS BUOY and the SOUTH LONG BUOY, both on the South East Coast are discontinued
 - The first weekend whale-watching course this year will be held on TORY ISLAND from May 20-22. More information on phone 086 8545450 or Email to: simon.berrow@iwdg.ie
 - And a reminder that entries are sought for the OCEAN TO CITY RACE in Cork Harbour on June 4. Details on the website: www.oceantocity.com

FISHING ACCIDENT REPORT AND WARNING ABOUT ALCOHOL
The MARINE CASUALTY INVESTIGATION BOARD has published the result of its investigation into the collision between two Irish fishing vessels - the Kingfisher and the Tach Gwel off Hook Head in April of 2000. The Kingfisher, a 35-footer, was owned and crewed by Nicholas and Simon McCarthy. Nicholas was the Skipper. The Tach Gwel, a 58-footer, was owned and skippered  by Michael Hayes and had a crew of two, Liam Ronayne and Patrick Kelly. The MCIB has concluded that the collision occurred because of poor watch keeping on board the Tach Gwel and that adequate watch keeping arrangements were not being maintained. Kingfisher was engaged in fishing operations at the time. The report also urges the Maritime Safety Directorate to lead and encourage those within the fishing industry to initiate a campaign highlighting the dangers to the crews of fishing vessels attempting to proceed to sea under the affects of fatigue and/or alcohol and it calls for the implementation of the 1996 report of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review. There were no apparent physical injuries sustained by either crew in the collision

FERRY PROTEST
The INTERNATIONAL SEAFARERS' FEDERATION held a protest outside the offices of the SWANSEA CORK ferry company this afternoon. They were disputing wages and conditions on board the company's ship, claims which are denied by the company.

LISTENERS
Listeners are very good at keeping SEASCAPES informed of maritime developments and, after our story a few weeks ago on the solar-powered ferry in Sydney Harbour, Australia, another has been located by a listeners. This is the SOLEMAR, the first solar-powered boat in Spain, to be used for tourist excursions, which will operate at a speed of 6.2 knots. It's claimed that it will save one million litres of fuel and prevent 7,000 tones of carbon dioxide emissions during its 25-year life expectancy.

ISLANDS REPORT
CLICK on this link to hear our regular report from the Islands Federation, Cómhdháil Oileán na hÉireann, which is based on Inisheer in the Aran Islands.

RIVER SUIR
CLICK on this link to hear a man from Clonmel who is helping to revive those great River Suir cots about which we heard a few weeks back on SEASCAPES. Shay Hurley loves the river, but has concerns about its future.

ANGLING
CLICK on this link to hear the latest angling news from Paul Bourke of the CENTRAL FISHERIES BOARD.

YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME
Your comments on matters raised in this week's programme, or on any maritime matters are welcome on the SEASCAPES 24-hour line 1850 715 170 - at a local call charge from anywhere in Ireland or by Email to: seascapes@rte.ie

SEASCAPES ON TELEVISION
There is a SEASCAPES teletext service on AERTEL on RTE1 Television at page 388.