American yachtsman makes waves over marine regulations

AFTER 40 days at sea a lone American yachtsman was told he couldn’t berth in a West Cork harbour because Department of Marine regulations forbid it.

The junior minister at the Department said in the Dáil he was unaware of any restrictions, but his Department’s website clearly indicates the harbour isn’t suitable for pleasure craft.

At a meeting of Cork County Council yesterday, the Government was accused of trying to scupper marine tourism in the West Cork region and the local authority is to write to the junior minister demanding immediate clarification.

Cllr Noel Harrington (FG) said he was shocked at the attitude adopted to the visiting American who sailed into Castletownbere harbour last Friday week.

He said he didn’t blame the local department official who told the American he couldn’t moor overnight, because it appeared to be a direct order from the Department.

“He (the American) was given 60 minutes to get any stuff he wanted. It’s one of the safest harbours we have. It just defies logic,” Cllr Harrington said.

The shocked councillor got local FG deputy Jim O’Keeffe to question the junior minister in the Dáil. He replied that he wasn’t aware of any restrictions.

But Cllr Harrington delved further and looked up the Department’s own website, which contradicted that assertion.

“They (the Government) have overseen the demise of the fishing industry in West Cork and now they want to see the decline of the tourist industry as well,” Cllr Harrington said.

His party colleague, Cllr Kevin Murphy, who is a member of Kinsale Harbour Commissioners said he was ‘most disturbed’ by what he had heard.

Ironically, the county council is carrying out a survey into marine activities in the region with the aim of boosting tourism.