Schull Pier upgrade enters final phase with pontoon due this month

A new pontoon is set to be installed in late October following the completion of safety, CCTV and harbour improvement works at the busy West Cork pier

Boats in the early morning sun at the pier in Schull, West Cork. File picture Dan Linehan

A new pontoon for Schull Pier is due to be installed later this month following the completion of a series of safety and harbour improvement works.

Cork County Council's acting county engineer, Brendan Meagher, told councillors the replacement pontoon is currently being fabricated and is scheduled for installation during the week beginning October 26.

The €125,483 project, funded through the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Local Authority Marine Infrastructure Scheme, includes a replacement pontoon, additional fendering, new CCTV, signage, and a health-and-safety access barrier.

Fendering acts as a buffer to slow ships down and prevent damage to the ship or dock when mooring.

Mr Meagher said the fendering, barrier, line marking, CCTV, and signage elements of the project have already been completed.

Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin welcomed the works, saying the new line markings and fenders had made a huge difference at the harbour.

She also called on the council to consider seeking funding for landing derricks at working piers in West Cork. 

Ms Cronin said fishermen in Schull and Cunnamore had highlighted the need for the equipment, which could assist with the handling of fish, gear, and other materials, while also helping people with mobility issues travelling to and from the islands.

Ms Cronin said Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) had previously offered full funding for such equipment and that there were successful examples at piers in Kerry.

"If BIM were to roll out this funding again, with the permission and support of Cork County Council, we'd be ready to make the applications," she said.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme