East Cork naval personnel 'will be left high and dry' if commuter boat service is cut

PDForra conference hears fears about future of Cobh-Haulbowline launch serving garrison staff who live in East Cork

Run by civilians contracted to the Department of Defence since 1923, the garrison launch boat service brings personnel from Cobh to the naval base on Haulbowline. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Naval personnel could be left ‘high and dry’ if a launch which runs from Cobh to their base at Haulbowline is taken out of service.

Fears have been expressed by delegates attending the PDForra conference in Killarney, Co Kerry, that the garrison launch boat service, which is run by civilians contracted to the Department of Defence, is about to be axed.

The service has been in operation since 1923 ferrying personnel living in the East Cork region across the harbour onto the base and transferring those living on it over to Cobh.

The launch’s operating hours have been reduced over the years and concerns have been raised that the service is about to be reduced even further or even discontinued altogether.

In recent months, timetables have been cut back and weekend services have at times been cancelled.

PDForra is to call on the Department of Defence and military management to ensure the full operation of the launch service is maintained seven days per week.

Delegates said the department needs to ensure it is properly funded and sufficiently staffed, and that all safety regulations are met by regular maintenance and inspections.

They also want a new timetable that meets the needs of both serving personnel travelling to and from Cobh to Haulbowline and those living on the base.

The service significantly cuts travelling times for many personnel who live in Cobh and other East Cork towns who would otherwise have to drive through the Jack Lynch Tunnel and on to Carrigaline and Ringaskiddy to reach the base.

If axed, it could add one hour to a round trip to the base.

“Many personnel chose to live in the Cobh area because of this free, reliable access to their workplace,” one delegate said. “It has shaped their housing decisions, family routines, and their long-term commitment to a career in the Naval Service.”

She added that the launch is far more environmentally-friendly than car use and if it’s discontinued it will cost personnel more in travelling expenses.

In addition, there are currently 281 personnel living on the base.

“The service enables them to shop, bank, visit family and friends and socialise, things most of us take for granted. Without it, life becomes isolated and rigid for some and that has a direct effect on wellbeing and retention,” the delegate added.

The conference was told that the loss of the service would make Haulbowline “less attractive to live on” and therefore less attractive to potential recruits.