Galway Bay FM News Archives
Another lift of ‘jinxed’ ferries to be attempted Thursday
Date Published: 18-Apr-2011
By CIARAN TIERNEY
Another attempt will be made to load the two ill-fated former Aran islands ferries onto a Danish cargo ship on Thursday following yet more drama at Galway Harbour over the weekend.
The arrest of the Thor Gitta on Thursday, preventing it from leaving the harbour, was followed by another failed attempt to load the Clann na nOileain and Clan Eagle 1 ferries onto the ship on Saturday afternoon.
An attempt to lift the Clan Eagle 1 onto the deck of the Thor Gitta was suspended shortly after 2pm on Saturday. The ferry was lowered back down into the water after an alarm sounded on one of the ship’s 60 metre high cranes.
Technicians were assigned to examine the cranes and the ship’s captain decided to halt the operation even though mariners and divers had been working since dawn to fit slings around and under the two ferries.
A fourth attempt to load the ferries onto the ship was postponed yesterday.It is understood the ship’s captain has requested stronger straps for the cable, despite sourcing new straps from the Netherlands last week.
“The attempted lift will now take place on Thursday and I think they are getting new straps in to load the boats,” said the CEO of the Galway Harbour Company, Eamon Bradshaw, yesterday.
The Admiralty order, resulting in the arrest of the ship, was lifted on Saturday afternoon and the Thor Gitta is now free to sail out of the harbour – once it can hoist the two ferries on board.
Last Thursday week, three men were injured when one of the ferries plunged into the docks from a height of about 12 metres (40 feet) after a cable snapped on one of the cargo ship’s cranes.
That accident occurred a week after another huge cargo ship, the German registered Pantanal, ran aground on rocks near Rossaveal after it was also deployed to the West of Ireland in order to pick up the two ferries.
Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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