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Policy
The purpose of the PortWatch group is to monitor the operations in Cork Harbour of all shipping, storage and cargo-handling. We are specifically concentrating on the impact/risk of such activities on the Environment and the quality of life in the surrounding communities.

Brief
Having observed the operation at various sites around the Harbour for the last 30 years, we are not assured that the port operations are run in a manner that respects the environment or the inhabitants of neighbouring communities.

UPDATE 2022

There are several new updates to be recorded here as work in Portwatch never ceases.

  1. The efforts by all concerned to have the MV Meluisse, which created excessive noise levels has been successful and this vessel was replaced.
  2. The Environment Dept, of the Co Council are anxious to hear about complaints re noise disturbances dust emissions and they should be contacted at Environ@ cork coco.ie
  3. Port of Cork Co are obliged to have installed a number of noise meters as part of the planning conditions on the container facility. Portwatch will shortly be requesting a meeting with both Port of cork co and the cork coco to review the findings.
  4. Portwatch made a significant objection to the POC new development at Marino Point based upon several important facts. We recommended the use of new technologies for offloading and listed the failings by the PoC
  5. Portwatch sought information and details on the new replacement facility by R H Hall with emphasis on the dust mitigation measures, firefighting and monitoring systems. You all may recall the terrible fire that occurred in December 2020. Better technology is being installed but we need to seek a meeting with RH Hall and the POC.
  6. There is still no evidence of the emergency plan from POC
  7. There are significant difficulties with Doyle’s shipping in passage west and the dockyard just opposite Monkstown. This will require residents to consistently complain about noise and dust emissions to the County Council.
  8. Doyle’s are now proposing to manufacture/assemble very large wind turbines in their yard. If so we must have noise level restrictions and noise monitoring in place. Together with dust controls and mitigation.
  9. The new container facility is now completed and already POC are planning significant and major expansion of the port. You can view these plans on Port of Cork website.
  10. These plans are extensive and frightening in scale and will seriously affect all the harbour villages of Ringaskiddy, Monkstown, Passagewest, Cobh, Marino point and Currabinny/Crosshaven.
  11. There has been no proper consultation with any of the harbour communities and PortWatch has responded directly to the PoC and 12 County Councillors and 6 TD’s /

Previously :

#1 There is now more awareness of the harbour environment by both the residents and the operators in the harbour Port of Cork.

#2 After several meetings with Port of Cork and the Co Council we can say that there is now a major change in the attitude to the concerns of the harbour residents. There is a willingness to listen and resolve problems (albeit slowly). PoC have now employed a full time Environmental manager after a lot of questioning.

#3 After pressure from Portwatch there is now a 24-hour manned phone number which can be used by all to register and lodge complaints and a follow up is promised by PoC

 

The details for this are:

The number is 021 4625353

This new dedicated number will ensure that any complainant will have their complaint logged.

Once the call is answered please give your name, phone number, email, eircode and the complaint details

#4 Efforts have been made to reduce noise levels for the cargo unloading in the Ro/Ro area with the use of rubber mats, improved road surfaces, additional noise barriers; and the use of swishing alarms on vehicles instead of the usual beep/beep alarm/.

#5 The noise bucket Container vessel Independent Pursuit is barred from entering the port and the vessel has been replaced.

#6 More efforts are in hand to reduce or replace the mv Meluisse which generate excessive noise at 5 am every Thursday and Sunday. This is a serious problem and we need to get this sorted.

#7 Noise monitoring is to take place on this, ship over the next few weeks.

#8 However; we have a long way to go yet, to get matters resolved and dust emissions

The PoC use “bucket and shovel” techniques to unload bulk materials. This generates dust. We are pushing for better technology and different methods to unload which are available and they generate less dust emissions.

#9 Dust monitors have been installed in passage West just outside the docks as this has been a source of health concerns for the near neighbours.

#10 We need more people to act; as the new container facility in Ringaskiddy is nearing completion. This will undoubtedly generate a lot of noise and dust.

We must be aware of the Port of Corks’ and the Co Councils’ responsibility to ensure that the planning conditions are strictly adhered to.

#11 Over the long term the PoC intend to develop further with more bulk cargo unloading. When/if this happens; we will have to insist on more efficient/green offloading techniques to limit dust emissions.

#12 It is time for everyone to complain when it is necessary. PoC and the CoCo have told us repeatedly “if no one complains there are no problems”

This is a passive and laid-back approach to a port operation.

#13 The Co Co have been rather poor in their responses to us – in particular, in the follow up to our complaints,

  • no information fortcoming on an Emergency Plan;
  • no information on the fire at RH Hall,
  • no information on the replacement facility.
  • no information on how they propose to monitor noise etc in the new container facility and
  • how will they ensure that the planning conditions are adhered to?

 We have a long way to go but as you can see some progress has been made and we need to continue all our efforts to make sure we have a great harbour that we can live in peacefully and quietly without noise and dust and traffic.

In a Nutshell…
– There is nothing that will compensate for any incident that will affect the health or wellbeing of any family member of our Harbour community; our aim is to eliminate the possibility of any such event.
– There is justifiable concern that the interests of the harbour communities have been ignored in many aspects of port operators and CCC plans and this needs to change!

We see you. We hear you.