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Hello and welcome aboard Seascapes your maritime programme on this week’s edition we have our monthly report from the Islands with Olwen Gill; Kieran Devaney has the tale of the Norwegian Barque “The Narayana” off the coast of Sligo and a seafaring festival in Rosses Point ;And the latest from the Inland Waterways with Colin Becker ...first on Seascapes to Summer Cove in Kinsale near Charles Fort where avid sailor and former engineer Bobby Nash runs a growing global business producing beautifully hand crafted nautical charts , he told Seascapes about the work involved and how he developed the charts which originally featured lit beacons ......
Bobby Nash of Latitude Kinsale – you can see more detail and photographs as above or on the Latitude Kinsale website which is www.latitudekinsale.com .

The newest sailors to join the Providence Resources Irish Olympic Sailors line up, Ger Owens and Scott Flanigan have won the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Medemblik, Holland in the 470 class. This is a great result for the duo in their first regatta since their Olympic qualification earlier this month in Barcelona. The boys sailed consistently throughout the three days of competition, winning four of their nine fleet races.
Also competing at the regatta was Annalise Murphy who finished 9th overall and the Irish Paralympic Sailors John Twomey, Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costello in the Sonar class who finished 6th overall.Photo above by Sander van der Borch.

Last week on Seascapes we asked you to tell us the location of Roancarrigmore – well its at the Eastern entrance to the harbour at Castletownbere – you can read more in the latest addition of BEAM which is The Journal of the Irish Lighthouse Service and copies of the latest issue courtesy of The Commissioners of Irish Lights are on their way to our winners who are;-
John Sullivan , Bere Island
Mary Harrington , Sandymount , Dublin
Dermot Phelan ,
The Tall Ships are due in Dublin in August on the weekend of 23rd to the 26th August -

Yachting journalist and Seascapes listener Betty Armstrong has been in touch about the news that the 100 year old Ain Mara to race again on 15th June .......
The 36 ft yawl Ain Mara celebrates her 100th birthday this year and her owner, Dickie Gomes plans to take part in Royal Ulster’s 50th Anniversary Ailsa Craig race in June.
Built in 1912 at Ringsend in Dublin, Ain Mara was originally a Gaff yawl constructed of pitch pine on oak and in 1930 was converted to Bermuda rig. She was bought by the Gomes family in 1965.
On board with owner and skipper Dickie and his wife Deirdre will be brothers James and Winkie Nixon and Denis Fusco. They will, no doubt, be trying to repeat Ain Mara’s Class 2 wins of 1970 and 1973.
Other entries already received are the more modern Spindrift owned by Richard and Pauline Donnan, the Taylor/Furney Partnership’s Blue Squirrel who won in 2005 and Tony Weston’s Mandolin Wind.
The Ailsa Craig takes the fleet overnight round the famous rock at the mouth of the Clyde and back to Bangor. The race starts on the evening of June 15th and many of the original competitors, several of whom are now in their 80s, are expected to compete. The first winner of the prestigious trophy, Darty Glover, hopes to return from Australia and John Taylor is travelling from New Zealand.
This special event, and indeed the other three races in the offshore series, will be sponsored by Hamilton Shipping. Gordon Hamilton, Managing Director of the company, is delighted to be once again associated with racing at Royal Ulster: “Given the importance of Belfast Lough to our business, we like to support Royal Ulster Yacht Club, particularly whenever the club has worked so hard over many years to maintain offshore yacht racing in Northern Ireland. We hope the history attached to this year’s Ailsa Craig Race will make things a little special for all competitors.'
One of Ireland’s longest established sailing events, Howth Yacht Club’s Lambay Race – being run for the 116th time this year on Saturday 9th June – will be sponsored by Independent Trustee Company, one of the largest providers of self-administered pension structures in the country. The ITC Lambay Race is expected to attract over 150 entries across 12 classes and Regatta Chairman James Markey is confident that another large fleet will contest the club’s annual regatta.
DON’T DROWN THIS JUNE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
With good weather forecast to continue over the Bank Holiday weekend, Lifesavers Ireland (The Royal Life Saving Society) is concerned that drowning tragedies will increase unless people heed warnings to swim only at properly supervised swimming pools and beaches. This weekend is traditionally a peak time for drownings, and Government figures show that on average thirteen people drown each month in Ireland.
David Browne, Lifesavers’ Public Relations Officer, said: “We are now at the time of year when drownings start to rise. Bank holiday weekends in particular are when drownings peak. It is vital that people understand that water in this country remains extremely cold, even in very hot weather, and there are strong currents and hidden hazards, which can pull you down.
“Most of the victims are swimmers who overestimate their capabilities. They often die within a couple of minutes of entering the water and quite close to shore.
“The June Bank Holiday is also when many water-sports and boating enthusiasts take to the water. By taking a few basic safety measures and wearing lifejackets, they can ensure a safe day on the water”.
Lifesavers has produced a four point Water Safety Code
Spot the Dangers – Water can be dangerous, be aware of currents, deep water and the cold.
Take Safety Advice – Ask lifeguards or local people with specific knowledge about the area
Don’t Go in Alone – Always swim with someone else, and on a supervised beach
Learn How to Help – Why not take lifesaving lessons at your local pool.

Inland Fisheries Ireland Respond to Invasive Species Alert on the Grand Canal
On Wednesday 23th May Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) was informed by Waterways Ireland of a reported sighting of the highly invasive Asian clam (Corbicula fluminea) in the Grand Canal near Pollagh in Co .Offaly. The Asian clam was first reported in Ireland in the lower River Barrow in 2010 and has already caused serious ecological problems for the infested sections of this important river. Because of the obvious threat posed for biodiversity and navigation by this non-native species, scientists from the Invasive Species Section in Swords immediately implemented IFI’s Rapid Reaction Protocol and put in place plans to intensively survey the Grand Canal in the vicinity of the reported sighting.
On Thursday 24th May a detailed boating survey of the Grand Canal in the vicinity of Pollagh was conducted by IFI scientific staff. The survey covered the entire section of canal between the 31st and 32nd Locks (approximately 15. 5 km in length) and corresponded to the location from which the clam was originally reported. Hundreds of individual sites within this canal section were examined in detail for the presence of Asian clams. Canal substrate from the margins and from the mid-channel area was collected and thoroughly examined to determine if adult or juvenile clams were present. No Asian clam specimens or shells were recorded by the IFI team during this survey operation.
Inland Fisheries Ireland would request all canal users to be aware of the possible presence of this invidious freshwater invader and to immedialtly report any sightings to info@fisheriesireland.info or ring IFI’s emergency telephone number on 1890 34 74 24 (1890 FISH 24).

The Irish Coast Guard today issued advice to the public (and to holidaymakers) in advance of the June bank holiday weekend. The weather forecast for this weekend is for relatively dry weather with maximum temperatures at least a few degrees above normal for early June. Bank holiday Monday is forecast for a dry day for much of the country with southern counties likely to enjoy some pleasant warm sunshine.
Many people like to enjoy the outdoors during good weather and in particular during bank holiday weekends. Every summer, the Coast Guard responds to thousands of requests for assistance to those in difficulty while on the water, on cliff paths and coastal walks, enjoying water sports, engaged in coastal activities, hill walking and so on. For specific advice and information on any water and coastal activity, visit www.safetyonthewater.ie
This year, the Coast Guard wishes to build on their very successful 2011 summer safety campaign to ensure that the public stay safe when enjoying the outdoors during summer 2012.
Speaking today, Manager of the Irish Coast Guard Declan Geoghegan said: “This summer, we began our safety awareness campaign in May, which is aimed at holidaymakers, and members of the public who are planning water sports, enjoying cliff walks or engaging in coastal activities throughout Ireland. We are also targeting walkers and climbers.”
Throughout the summer (as at other times of the year), Coast Guard Units throughout the Ireland will patrol our rivers, lakes, waterways and coastlines issuing safety advice and information to holidaymakers and tourists.

The following are general safety tips and advice to help enjoy the water and coastal activities in your area this weekend and this summer;
Swimming
Only swim at beaches and waterways that have Lifeguards on duty and pay attention to the safety flags. Ask the Lifeguard for advice about safety and water conditions and adhere to their instructions. Avoid using inflatable toys, such as lilos and rubber rings, on the water.
Cliff Walking.
There is safety in numbers, so never be alone if possible. Let somebody know when and where you are going and what time you will be back. Stay well away from the cliff edge, both top and bottom. Don’t attempt to rescue people or pets if they fall over the edge. If assistance is required dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.
Water Sports and Coastal Activities.
Before going to sea check local weather conditions and tides in the area. Wear correctly maintained and fitting lifejackets that are suitable for the activity. Lifejackets are of no use unless they are worn. Ensure your craft is fit for purpose. Always advise someone as to where you are going and the time of your intended return.
Do not overload the craft. If you are in difficulty or see someone in difficulty and requiring assistance dial 999/112 and ask for Coast Guard.