Pontoons Are the Quay

19th May 2010

PONTOONS ARE THE QUAY

One of these will be installed at Albert Quay in July.

Good news from the Port of Cork. They're going to build a 100 metre pontoon for the arrival of the Clipper fleet in July.

At a cost of €90,000 the pontoon will be a permanent fixture on Albert Quay which is an under estimated boost for tourism as well as harbour business and recreation.

We've got the second largest natural harbour in the world on our doorstep and it is steeped in history but how many Corkonians have ever been in a boat and taken a tour of it? Its an industry waiting to blossom.

Almost every major town on the west coast of France and on the south coast of England has marina facilities for yachters and boaters.

This is the equivalent of making parking space available for cars in those towns and it brings a large volume of tourist trade with it.

And it should be noted that yachties are rarely short of a few bob so they'll purchase a bit more than just a bag of chips and a pint of Beamish before they head back for Roches Point.

Cork is coming

The news of the pontoon, along with the recent opening of the Sailing Academy of Ireland at the National Maritime College in Haulbowline and the ever strengthening boating and fishing activity in the harbour, Cork finally seems to be embracing its monstrous maritime advantage - something other Irish cities would love to have and something we need to ramp up quickly.