12 August 2018
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Patrick Gerard Murphy has today (12 noon) opened the new pontoon in Schull Harbour with an official blessing taking place during Schull Regatta.
Schull harbour is exceptionally busy during the summer with a large number of marine leisure craft vying for very limited pier space, given that this is also an active fishing harbour.
Patrick Gerard Murphy Mayor of Cork County cutting the ribbon at the official opening of the new pontoon in Schull. Photo: Tom Newman
The new pontoon will relieve some of that pressure, providing sailors and other leisure users of small craft with a place for short-term berthing. The new pontoon installation also includes a pathway and bridge along with a gangway which will provide enhanced public access to the water.
The pontoon is designed for short-term berthing of small marine leisure craft. Costing just under €600,000, the project was funded by Cork County Council with grant aid from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Town & Village Renewal Scheme.
Contractors for the project were Inland & Coastal Marina Systems Ltd., Banagher, Co Offaly, who manufactured the pontoon & gangway units and L&M Keating Ltd., main Civil Contractor for the Installation Contract. Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers, Cobh, Co. Cork undertook the design and all associated elements for the project.
Cork County Chief Executive, Mr. Tim Lucey.
Picture. John Allen
Speaking at the launch Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey highlighted how the new pontoon will benefit all users of the harbour, “Cork is Ireland’s Maritime Haven and our investment in Schull is a further reflection on how importantly we view our marine resources, both commercial and leisure. We are committed to the further enhancement of our facilities from Eyeries to Youghal. The new pontoon will be an enormous benefit, not only to the local economy but to the entire Mizen Peninsula and I am confident that Schull pontoon will be a wonderful addition to all users of the harbour.”
Mayor Murphy also highlighted the expected benefits of the new pontoon, in particular its advantage to leisure users, “We have an incredible coastline here and one that is ideally suited to marine leisure activities. By providing infrastructure such as this new pontoon we are enabling both leisure and commercial users to enjoy this harbour and ultimately see growth in both important sectors.”
During the official ceremony, a wreath was laid to commemorate those who lost their lives at sea and the boats in the harbour were also blessed.
