Urgent Call Out: Mayo Needs You!

by Ship Watcher Tue Aug 12, 2008 21:56

The article below from the Donegal People's Press of 15th July 2008 is interesting - a huge economic boost to Killybegs - "like having a full Burlington hotel on your doorstep"

Such ships have to be supplied with food, provisions and fuel - perhaps a boycott might be in order (not too far from the home of the boycott of course).....

Solitaire draws the crowds in Killybegs

By Staff reporter
The largest ship of its kind, the 'Solitaire' has just arrived in Killybegs and is proving a major attraction to the port as hundreds of visitors flock to the town on a daily basis to get a glimpse of this spectacular visitor.
The ‘Solitaire’ is the largest pipe laying vessel in the world with a span of 425 m which includes a 65m long pipe laying ramp. Three times larger than the local boat the ‘Atlantic Dawn’ the ‘Solitaire’ has a crew of 420 which constantly rotates. TheADVERTISEMENTvessel has been joined by another boat which is carrying out 4,000 tonnes of pipes which have been in situ in Killybegs for the last number of years. The ship in the past has managed to lay 9km of pipes in a single day and has an overall daily running cost of €1 million.

The arrival of such a large vessel to Killybegs has proved an economic boost to the town which has been badly hit by the rising fuel costs and the reduction in fish quotas. Apart from the increasing numbers of visitors to the town, many local services are being used to meet the needs of such a large operation on its doorstep. “It’s like having a full Burlington Hotel on your doorstep for the best part of a week. In a tourism season that is not the greatest, this is a great boost to the town,” one local person said.

The arrival of the “Solitaire” in Killybegs is not being received with the same enthusiasm elsewhere, however. It has caused extreme concern amongst the Shell to Sea campaigners in Mayo. With the vessel already loading the gigantic pipes, the indications are that pipe laying off the Mayo coast is imminent.

Last Updated: 14 July 2008 12:37 PM
Source: Donegal People's Press
Location: Donegal

by Mayo Roots Wed Aug 13, 2008 15:20

People in this country are such suckers. Donegal and Ireland in general would be alot better off with a proper share of the vast oil and gas reserves off our west coast rather than suppling Shells scab labour with slice pans and toilet roll for a year or two!

by Coilín ÓhAiseadha Wed Aug 13, 2008 17:03

"economic boost to the town which has been badly hit by the rising fuel costs and the reduction in fish quotas."

Funny you should mention that.

Recent statistics published in Magill magazine and confirmed to me by a knowledgeable source in the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation indicate that the EU has given Ireland financial aid worth EUR39 billion over the period of our membership, while fishing vessels from other EU countries have taken fish worth EUR 180 billion from Irish waters in the same period.

While Irish fishing boats have individual quotas, and Irish skippers have been criminalised with severe penalties for over-fishing, the Spanish fishing fleet has a collective quota, so it is impossible to catch an individual Spanish vessel over-fishing.

As Geraldine Kennedy would say: "Are we out of our minds?"

by Pete Summers Wed Aug 13, 2008 17:46

"Shell to sea" should now go to sea themselves by recruiting a couple of ribs and blocking the pipelaying ship at sea.

Greenpeace1

by Media Thu Aug 14, 2008 13:17

The article in the Donegal newspaper would appear to be a press release from someone connected with Shell or the project. I have been involved in the media and this is what it appears to be, particuarly the quote from 'one local person'.

I think we need to hold the media to account for this 'reporting'.

The Editor, Michael Daly, is at michael.daly@donegaldemocrat.com

Perhaps people should query the source of this article and the quote?

by Chrissie Fri Aug 15, 2008 21:20

Come & support the people who've been struggling for all our rights for so long. The Constitution & the law are for the people & the land - don't let a corrupt administration tear them up.

by observer Wed Aug 20, 2008 13:49

While working on Africa Europe issues it was a shock to realise that big fishing vessels from Ireland and Donegal showed no compunction in using their superior machinery to fish off Senegal in West Africa. The problem of human greed is a threat to the vulnerable and the very poor be it safety or food or trade. Marine communities are the most exposed every way.