New report on island ferry services completed
A report on future improvements of ferry services to two of Donegal's largest islands, Arranmore and Tory, has been presented to the government.
The report on the Small Ferries Project was undertaken to establish the best way to design, build and procure a replacement fleet of small ferries to deliver lifeline ferry services for island and other geographically remote communities off Irish and Scottish coastlines.
Three Irish islands, including Arranmore, Tory, along Rathlin off the north Antrim coast, along with five Scottish routes, formed the basis for this study. With many of the vessels in service on these routes approaching or exceeding their target replacement age of 25 years, the issue of procuring new vessels and improving harbour infrastructure is key to ensuring that communities have access to lifeline ferry services which are reliable, convenient and affordable.
While eight routes were examined during the course of the project, it is anticipated the project’s findings could potentially have wider reach and benefit for other routes in the three regions.
A reception was held at the National Gallery of Ireland to mark completion of the project, which saw the Department for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs collaborate with the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland and Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited in Scotland to examine ideas for a common design and procurement strategy for small ferries.
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Weather for Donegal
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South east
