Dry Bag

Sealine Dry Bags

I bought a See Bag 10 (dry bag) from Viking Marine, Dún Laoghaire for €22.00.

Its capacity 10l and it weight is 280g. I hope that it will keep my stuff dry!

The address on the package is Middleton, County Cork, Ireland. By the way, the railway from Glounthaune to Midleton will be restored soon.

Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased Course Attendance Certificate (Sail)

The Yachtmaster Coastal Shorebased Course page on the Irish Sailing Association site gives details of courses run by various providers in Ireland.

VHF Radio Operators’ Certificate

Cobra Marine MR F75 EU+ VHF Radio

A Cobra Marine MR F75 EU VHF Radio was fitted to the yacht that we purchased.

According to the user manual the radio includes the following features:

• 1 or 25 watt power (for near or distant calling).
• Instant access to channel 16 for emergency situations.
• Waterproof – Meets JIS7 standards; Submersible for 30 minutes in one meter deep water.
• Tri-Watch Monitors three (3) channels at once — Channel 16, and two (2) user selected channels.
• Digital Selective Calling (Class D DSC) allows sending a distress message at the touch of a button as well as specific station to station calls.

In order to use a VHF radio in Ireland you must have an operator’s license or a Certificate of Competency from the Department of Transport. This can take various forms:

• The most basic is “The Restricted Certificate in Radiotelephony (VHF only),” which is achieved by passing Module 1 of the SRC (Short Range Certificate) exam. This certificate entitles you to use a standard voice only ( not DSC, see below) VHF. This is what many boats are currently fitted with.
• Should your boat have a digital calling radio (DSC) and be capable of using the safety equipment under the new GMDSS, then you will be required to complete both Module 1 and Module 2 of the SRC, thereby acquiring the full Radio Operators Short Range Certificate.

While ComReg is is usually in charge of radio licencing, ships radio licensing is the responsibility of the Department of Transport. There is a list of course providers on the Department of Transport Web site.

Donegal trip

Flew up to Donegal for a few days… saw Mount Errigal, visited Glenveigh Castle, the County Donegal Railway at Fintown, the flax museum, Glebe House…

Donegal railway at Fintown

Mount Errigal, Donegal

Glenveigh Castle

Donegal railway at Fintown

Glebe House

Ards Friary

Flax and Corn Mill

Boarding the ATR at Dublin Airport