An investment of €600,000 will give the public greater access to the water in Schull
A new pontoon was officially opened by the County Mayor, Patrick Gerard Murphy, in Schull this morning during the village’s annual regatta.
Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey, also attended the event – which saw locals and visitors line the pontoon and a flotilla of small boats gather on the water – and he described how the new €600,000 facility would benefit all users of the harbour, including fishermen and marine leisure craft users.
The new pontoon, which was funded by Cork County Council with the support of grant aid from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as well as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, features a pathway, a bridge and a gangway that provide enhanced public access to the water.
The contractor for the project – which is designed for short-term berthing of small vessels – was Inland & Coastal Marina Systems Ltd, who manufactured the pontoon and gangway units.
L&M Keating Ltd was the main civil contractor for the installation of the pontoon, whilst Cronin Millar Consulting Engineers did designed the project.
Mr Lucey, who described the Cork coastline, as ‘a maritime haven’ said the Council’s investment in Schull is ‘a further reflection on how importantly we view our marine resources’ and assured those present of the Council’s commitment to the further enhancement of all of the region’s coastal facilities from Youghal to Eyeries.
The Council’s CEO said: ‘The new pontoon will be an enormous benefit, not only to the local economy but to the entire Mizen Peninsula.’
During the ceremony, a wreath was laid to commemorate those who lost their lives at sea and the boats in the harbour were also blessed.
