Tall Ship for IrelandReference Group Report

Contents

Pages 1-51. Executive Summary2. Background3. New Organization4. Review of Tall Ships Events5. The Role of Sail Training at Tall Ships Events.6. Primary Issues for Sail Training.7. Event Benefits to Host Cities:8. Cross-community Participation:9. Tall Ship Event Statistics.10. The Irish Situation11. Establishing a New Sail Training Vessel for Ireland:12. Some Questions13. The Vessel, Vessel Management, Sail Training Organisations:14. Options and Interim Options15. Comments/Suggestions arising from Conference:16. Participants17. Apologies

Pages 6-8Next Step• TheVision• ThePlan• SummaryofProject• ScopeofPlan• Reporting• SourceofFunding• Administration• SeedFundtomakeit Happen

(L to R) Seamus McLoughlin Dublin Port, Enda Connellan, Dublin Tallships, Des Whelan, Waterford Tallships; Lord Glentoran, Dr Gerard O’Hare, Belfast Tallships; Ted Crosbie, Cork Tallships; and Enda O’Coineen, Lets Do It Global

Introduction

AREFERENCEgroupwasformedbringingtogetherIslandof Ireland Tourism interests, Ports, Youth Organizations, Defense, Educational Bodies, Commercial Shipping and Marine Research. Effectively, these are the ‘Stakeholders’ representing government, various agencies, and institutions with an interest in a Tall Ship for Ireland and the benefits it will bring on a long-term basis.

The first meeting took place in Newry in November 2010 (kindly hosted by Parker Green); the second – a conference designed as an open forum for all interested parties - took place in Dublin in March 26th (kindly hosted by Dublin Port). The final one was hosted by Belfast Harbour in May 2011. This report covers the outcome of these meetings and the planned next step forward.

FacilitatedbyMichaelCounahanandassistedbyBronaghCappa,CianGallagherandAnnaLynch.FundedprivatelythroughLetsDoItGlobal,anot-for-profitgroup,undertheChairmanshipofLordGlentoranwithDrGerardO’Hare,EndaO’CoineenandDavidBeattiewithOcean Youth Trust Ireland, a registered charity

1) Executive Summary

ATallShipforIrelandprojectwillbeviableon the basis of defined and quantified benefits which shall accrue to the stakeholdergroupsthusjustifyinginter-governmental/national/taxpayer funding.

Properlystructured,theprojectwouldalso attract philanthropic support and private funding based on commercial activity.

This structure should include an academic involvement, port involvement, and youth and tourism involvement - effectively the ocean-going arm of existing shore-based organisations.

There currently exists a substantial collectivegoodwilltowardthisprojectonan all-island basis. The opportunity to act upon this goodwill should not be missed.

The next step is to build an organisational structure and create a long-term, viable, self-renewing plan with seed-funding to get this moving.

2) Background

Asgard II, a Brigantine, based in the Republic of Ireland was lost. It had been operated by a Board (Coiste An Asgard) under the Department of Defence.

The annual budget was in the region of 900,000 euros – taking between 800 and 1,000 trainees p.a. Approximately 85% of the funding came from the National Lotteryandthebalanceinberthfees.

TheLordRank,a60footketch,basedinBelfast was lost. It operated under the Ocean Youth Trust Ireland charity.

The annual budget was approx 300,000 euros p.a. It took between 600 – 800 youth toseaannually.Fundscamefromprivatedonors, youth groups, Belfast Harbour, Belfast City Council, Youth Council of NI, ASTO and a range of sources,

After the loss of the Rank The Ocean Youth Trust stayed in existence with a focus on running its small boat fleet and placing young people on other craft. There is also a large voluntary based network.

TheinsurancefundsfromtheLordRankwere ring-fenced and the board decided to support the Tall Ship for Ireland initiative.

The Coiste An Asgard Board was disbanded The Government kept the insurance funds.

3) New Umbrella Organization

To fill a void which Asgard had filled, Sail Training Ireland, has been formed to represent Irish sail training internationally with Sail Training International and pull together the different stakeholders.

This organization includes representation from the Ocean Youth Trust and former Asgard Directors.

This group is participating in and fully supportstheTallshipforIrelandProjectwhich has a focus on acquiring a new vessel and are participating in the reference group

Proceedings 24th March Dublin Port

Conference Chair: RobinDixon,LordGlentoran

Event Welcome: Admiral of Dublin Port, LordMayor,Cllr.GerryBreen

Moderator: Mr.MichaelCounahan,CHL

Events Chairmen: Ted Crosbie, Cork 1991Dr. Gerard O’Hare, Belfast 2009Mr. Des Whelan, Waterford 2010Mr. Enda Connellan, Dublin 2012

A cross-section of participants at Dublin Port

“Properly structured the project would attract a broad base of support”

4) Review of Belfast, Dublin, Waterford, Cork, Tall Ships Race Events

Central to the very successful Talls Ships races visiting Ireland are youth training and development. Both Asgard IIandtheLordRank’sparticipationininternational events were instrumental in attracting the Tall Ships race to Ireland.

Reports:

Belfast 2009: Speaker: Dr. Gerard O’Hare

• GreatTourismandSailTraining success. • 460applicantsfortheTrans-Atlantic legs.• EconomicestimateforBelfast- £16-20 million.• Strongviewtorepeateventin2015.

Dublin 2012: Speaker: Enda Connellan

• 2012–firsttimeheldinDublin since 1998.• Highlightsimportantpartnership between Dublin Port and the city.• Participation/visitornumbers between 250k - 1 million based on previous event.• Eventmustbeprofitable– requires strong corporate buy-in.

Waterford 2011: Speaker: Des Whelan

• Aimedtobeaneventforboth trainees and visitors equally.• Strongcommitmentofcommittees working together.• Requiredreturnoninvestmentfor Waterford City – tourism, business development.• WITworkingwithschoolstofoster an introduction to sailing.

Event Issues Considered:• Visitorboatspaceandparticipation at events.• Abilitytogetaboardships/vessels and interact.• Incorporationofeventexperience into an industry capture/association space.• Multi-generationalinvolvement• Personalrelationships,skills development, and life-long bond experience.• OverallpositivereactiontoTall Ships interaction.

5) The Role of Sail Training & Tall Ships Events

Without an Irish sail training vessel, it will become increasingly difficult to attract Tall Ships events – likewise the Island of Ireland becomes ‘sidelined’ andjusta‘spectator’toevents.

• Significantnumbersinvolvedon a cross-border level:• Circa2,000participantsinSail Training – Asgard & OYTI.• Notescalableaspecttosailtraining experience in Ireland.

6) Primary Issues for Sail Training

• Funding–lackofavailablefunding, limited access to youth training funds. • Awareness–lackofsailing association on schools’ curricula or link with academic organisations.

7). Event Benefits to Host Cities

• TallShipeventsturnhostcitiesinto fully-fledged European cities, • Theyemphasizeglobalconnectivity of cities through experience of ships as physical symbols of international travel and transport. • Opportunitytocreate ambassadorial roles within events –c/fAsgard’svisittoAustralia,Lord Rank’s activities during VOR, etc.

8). Cross-community Participation

• Thelargenumberoforganisations participating in the Conference is a good indicator:• Dept.Defence,Tourism,Education, Youth Training, Port Authorities, • HarbourBoards,Local Council, International Sail Training Organisations, etc.• Significantbenefitsforthemaritime, food, entertainment, and craft sectors and skills groups at events.• Createopportunitiestoexplore the “pleasure of sailing”, e.g. through flotilla gatherings, or parade of sails participation, either on the water or dockside. C/f James Stevens, ASTO

Jimmy Tyrrell, Arklow, contribution to the discussion

9). Tall Ship international Event Statistics

Sail Training International general annual events yield the following figures: • 15ports/harbours/cities• 11milliondocksidevisitors• 11,000sailtrainees• 3,000journalists• 20,000workingvolunteers

10) The Irish Situation – Republic & Northern Ireland

• Sept,2009–AsgardIIsinksoff FranceinBayofBiscay–CoisteAn Asgard• June,2010–LordRanksinksoff Antrim Coast – Ocean Youth Trust

Progression:• SailTrainingIrelandAssociation umbrella association established:• TallShipForIrelandReference GroupandNewProjectunder umbrella of STI.

11) Having a Tall Ship/Sail Training vessel

Enhances a Port/City’s opportunity

• ThefundamentalsofTallShips movement are youth sail training and development.• TohostaTallShipevent/maritime festival e.g. Waterford – Dunbrody FamineShipreplica;Dublin– Jeannie Johnson Museum Experience • Hostportsmustcontinuetosupport sail training after an event.• Activities:sailing,marinas, maritime cultural development, port development, city and port integration, youth sailing programmes, watersports initiatives..• Eventorganisationfunding/tallship boat funding• TallShipseventsarenon-profit making for Councils/organisers.• Growthisdirectedatthelocal economy.• Sailtrainingshouldreceivespin-off funding, esp. from events.• Boatfundingcaninitiallybediverse – sustainability a regular challenge.• Meanstoquantifybenefitsoftall ship/sail training on young people:

12) Some Questions

• Howtosellbenefitstogovernment/ support networks.• Researchintoeducationalbenefits– e.g. Paul Bishop, STI• Furtherresearchrequiredatlocal/ governmental level e.g. Anna

Gethings, • Marinesectoraseconomicarmof Nation e.g. Dr. Colin Brown, NUIG• Working,learning,beingeducated at sea e.g. Ted Crosbie• Continuedyouthparticipatione.g. LDIGSchools,NicolaHampson

13) The Vessel - Boat types & Questions:

• TallShip/yacht,23morlonger• Brigantine/schooner/barque/other• Needfor‘personality‘andtobe representative.• Wood/steelhull?• Tobuyortobuild?

14) Interim Options and Vessel Management Possibilities

• Vesselexamples:Cypraea,Mystic, Stad Amsterdam, others...an existing vessel could be purchased/ used in the interim period.• Vesselregistrationandregulation compliance?MSOetc.• Tobuild–e.g.60ft.woodenketch in Cork, Gerry McMahon.• Maintainingboatbuildingskillsas part of overall sail training programme.• Note:AsgardIIbuiltoveraperiod of 3 financial years.

• State,corporate/commercial,trust fund involvement.• Dept.ofDefenceandRoyalNavyin jointproject?• GlobalTallShipTrustexamples,e.g. Sail Training International links• Collegeorschoolashome• Corporatebuy-intovesselas long-term source of funding

Ben Craig of OYTI reporting on a survey undertaken with 60 young people supported

by Youth Council NI to obtain their views.

15) Selection of Comments/Suggestions arising from Conference:

“In addition to sail training for the public, she could be used by the Navy, merchant navy, research, universities, Met Office, trade missions, safety courses.”

Jimmy Tyrrell, Asgard II

“Capital funding needs to come from as many different organisations as possible, eg. Fáilte Ireland, Northern Ireland Youth Council, Dept. of Defence, etc...”

Sean Lemass, SDL Expo

“Needs to be a good link with schools all over Ireland, not just coastal or city schools.”

Colette Goode, Asgard II Sailor

“Whatever we do, the vessel must have style and personality”

Dermot Kennedy, Baltimore Sailing School

“Set up an All-Island Working Group to take responsibility for sail training In Ireland. Keep the processs transparent through informed sharing.”

Sean Cullen, Geological Survey Ireland

“Without State “support” and recognition of what this Conference is trying to achieve, I am fearful of whether the concept can, or will, go further than that – a concept!”

Gillian Mills, Inshore Ireland

“It would need to be a ship which can cross the Atlantic as well as voyage through Europe and beyond.”

Síle Mongey, Asgard II Sailor

“The youth presentation and community should be listened to!”

Anna Gethings, AG Education Group

“Tall Ships have potential to catalyse an interest in all aspects of Irish marine life – marine science and technology, marine cultural heritage, and marine economy.”

Dr. Colin Brown, NUI Galway

On naming a vessel - “Spirit of Ireland”

Sean Lemass

16) List of Organisations represented:

Ocean Youth TrustAG Group Educational ServicesAK IlenArklow Marine ServicesAsgardLodgeAssociation of Sail Training OrganisationsBaltimore Sailing SchoolBelfast Harbour Commission

Belfast Tall ShipsCHLCork Tall ShipsCruising Association of IrelandDepartment of DefenceDublin Bay Old Gaffers AssociationDublin Port AuthorityDublin Tall ShipsFáilteIrelandGalway Harbour CommissionGeological Survey of IrelandHowth Yacht ClubInshore IrelandIrish Water Safety AuthorityLetsdoitGlobalLordMayor’sOffice,AdmiralofDublinPortMarine InstituteMaritime InstituteMcAllister MarineNaval ServicesNorthern Ireland Sports & Environment MinistryNUI GalwayPoolbegSailTrainingLtd.PYBCRaglan CapitalRYA Northern IrelandRyan Institute GalwaySail Training InternationalSail Training Ireland Youth DevelopmentScouting Ireland – Sea ScoutsSouth East SailingUISCEWaterford Tall ShipsWest Cork SailingYouth Council of Northern Ireland

17) Apologies:

Atlantic PhilanthropiesDunLaoghaireMarinaEastWallWatersports/DiflinProjectIrish Marina Operators AssociationIrishMarineFederationIrish Sailing AssociationJunior Achievement IrelandKinsale Harbour BoardMarine Survey OfficeTourism IrelandNorthern Irealnd Tourist BoardDublin Docklands Development AuthorityPort of CorkWaterford Co. CouncilWexford Co. CouncilSligo Harbour Commission

And while not complete, the above represents a broad cross-section of Stakeholders.

As concluded in the Executive Summary, there is a clear consensus and support from all interested parties to go to the next stage as soon as possible.

Next Step Forward

Based on the deliberations of the Tall Ship for Ireland Reference Group - bringing together the Stakeholders it is proposedtojointlymoveforwardwithaproject.

Theprojectwillbetheacquisitionandoperation of a purpose-built Tall Ship which will provide sail-training and related services for the Island of Ireland, both North and South. The Ship will fill the void left by the sinking of both the AsgardllandtheLordRank.

It is also very clear, from the success of Tallships in Belfast in 2010 and now Waterford in 2011 and hopefully Dublin 2012 that none of this would have happened without the Asgard and the LordRank.Thecoreoftheseeventsareabout youth and sail training – so there is a strong economic logic to the Tall ShipforIrelandproject.

Simply put, without an Irish Tallship to attract events in the future will be very difficult. The same is true for the very successful Volvo Ocean Race event in Galway – without Ireland committing to a team involvement there would be no event in Ireland.

There is agreement that our maritime future as an island is not about Ireland just“SittingontheQuayside”itisabout being out there on the ocean and “Doing It”.

The challenge going forward is to link up those who benefit and those who pay and to build a sound business case and World Class organisation model

Positive Responese

Theprojectconcepthasbeengreetedwith enthusiasm by a large range of organisations involved in sail training, education, youth work, tourism, marine research and port management.

Followingthreemeetings,NorthandSouth and a successful and well-attended open workshop, a Steering Group / Advisory Board has been formedtoadvancetheprojectwiththe Ocean Youth Trust and under the umbrellaofLetsDoItGlobal-anot-for-profit foundation - which has a focus on youth, the maritime, marine related enterprise and the Diaspora.

Rather than seek to acquire an existing second-hand vessel, it has been decided to focus on a new ‘ fit-for-purpose’ new vessel. While more challenging, the conclusion is that this approach would produce a safer vessel, fully compliant and which would be more productive

and cost-efficient to run. It will also serve long term needs rather than a short term solution.

Consultant – Preparation of Vision and Detailed Plan

The Steering Group will engage the services of a professional consultant with the necessary experience and expertise to assist them in their work.

The Consultant’s role will be:

• TodevelopaVisionfortheproject and draw up a practical operational Business Plan, with a view to guiding the successful implementation of this project.

• In preparing this plan, the Consultant will draw on the work of the original Reference Group, the volunteer based Steering Group and all of the Stakeholders identified under theumbrellaofLetsDoItGlobal. It is envisaged that technical inputs with regard to Ship specifications etc. will be made available by members of these groups.

Kalanne O’Leary addresses the group.

“ The Challenge is to link those who benefit and those who pay - and in Ireland a large number of stakeholders benefit”

Summary of Project Concept

TheFlagshipvesselwouldpromoteTourism,theprincipalports,MarineIndustry,SeaFood,NauticalEducationand,most importantly, youth development by taking those to sea who might not normally get the opportunity.

The vessel should be distinctive, have personality, be safe and cost-efficient to operate, and be built to World Class Standards.

Probably built of steel, she would probably be in the 135 – 150 foot category.

Key inputs to the plan should come from

• Master Mariners • Naval Architects• Youth groups as users• Department of Marine/MCA• All relevant Stakeholders in Tourism, Marine Industry and Education,

Scope of the Plan

The scope of the Plan should encompass the following:

• VisionfortheProject,anddefinitionofitsobjectives• Identify the range of uses and roles appropriate for the proposed Ship• Identifykeystakeholdersandtheirobjectivesforthe Ship• Define the most suitable vessel in consultation with stakeholders• Identify, in consultation with stakeholders, a naval architect to create the vision• Review the market environment for the range of uses proposed for the Ship, highlighting those that willcontributetotheviabilityoftheproject.• Consult with international partners to incorporate best practice in design and operations. Consider how the international community could be used to add weighttotheprojecttoensuregovernmentbacking on both sides of the border.• Propose suitable arrangements for the management andorganisationoftheproject,inboththe construction and operating phases.• Makeapreliminaryassessmentoftheproject development costs and of the potential annual operating costs and revenues.• Identify potential sources of capital funding and operational subsidy.• Make an assessment of the other economic benefits oftheprojectforthedifferentstakeholdergroups, including Youth, Tourism, Education, Ports, Trade, ForeignAffairs,Marine&Environmentalresearch.• Set out an action plan for the advancement of the project.

“ There is agreement that our maritime future is not just about sitting on the quayside being a spectator - we need our own ship”

Reporting

The Consultant will report to the Steering Group fortheproject.ThemembersoftheSteeringGroup will facilitate the Consultant’s work in sourcing necessary inputs and identifying people and organisations to be consulted.

The Draft Business Plan and vision should be completed by November, 2011 and presented to the Stakeholders to go to the next step and seek funding.

All Stakeholder organisations will be consulted, the group who participated in the Reference Group and Dublin Port Workshop will be included.

Input

Input to this plan and ideas will be welcome from all sources – directly it TallshipforIreland@gmail.com

Source of Funding

Without funding the professional creation of this vision and plan cannot move forward,

A seed fund will be raised from the Stakeholders and Philanthrophic sources both to build the plan and then to start the implementation.

Application of Funding

In addition to Capital funding to be raised toward the cost of a new vessel, there will be operational funding required to send young people on the ocean and build the organisation/fund raising network which will ultimately continue to support the vessel.

Administration & Organization

InitiallytheprojectistobeadministeredbyLetsDoItGlobalwhowouldformanIrishandGlobal ‘ Club’ and fund-raising network and Ocean Youth Trust Ireland would run the youth placement and training side. OYTI is a registered Charity.

Contributions to the Seed Fund should be sent to:

“ She should be distinctive, have personality, be safe, cost-efficient and be built and run to World Class Standards”

“The flagship vessel would promote tourism, ports, marine industry, food, education, research and most importantly youth development.”

Contact Details:

Tallshipforireland@gmail.com(ROI) + 353879909284(NI). + 447518526108 45-47 Ravenhill Road BikeDock

Global Centre, Enterprise Park, Docks, Galway.

Bank account:

AIBSort Code: 93-72-23Account Number: 48587582SWIFT:AIBKIE2DIBAN: IE48 AIBK 9372 2348 5875 82