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Youth development, education and cultural charity, the Atlantic Youth Trust has made a direct appeal to An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD and Minister Simon Harris TD, to restore the € 950,000 from the National Lottery to support operational costs of a new tall ship. for Ireland. The charity has appealed against the program’s clear commitment for the government to develop the wealth, sustainability and environment of Ireland’s oceans.
As Afloat reported earlier, the group say they have identified a ship to replace the lost Asgard II. The ship, according to the trust, will act as the new “lighthouse” to introduce the young people of the island of Ireland to navigation and careers. In addition, it will have a key role to play in the fields of research, innovation, tourism promotion and providing an outlet for support to vulnerable young people.
President of the Atlantic Youth Trust, Enda O’Coineen
President of the Atlantic Youth Trust and former director of Coiste an Asgard, Enda O’Coineen was introduced to the ocean and adventure on the original Asgard. He advocates for how this opportunity has changed the course of his life and is joined by a high level group of youth workers, business people and academics behind the project. Commenting Mr O’Coineen, said: ‘With a large base of research-driven support, we have long championed the need to replace the lost Irish training ship, the Asgard II, in a dynamic and new way. creative.
“It would be a strategically important decision to ensure we are well positioned to maintain our island’s rich maritime heritage, skills and knowledge. This will be vital in connecting future generations to the ocean and adventure that would never normally get the chance. As we emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic, the urgency to support projects like this has never been greater as we seek to address the growing mental health challenges facing our young people. “
In seeking a solution to this, the Atlantic Youth Trust identified a 164ft Tradewind schooner located in Sweden, which is an ideal replacement for providing young people with maritime development and sailing training.
The 164-foot Tradewind schooner lying in Sweden
The ship is to be renamed Grace O’Malley, after the so-called Mayo ‘Pirate Queen’. Built of steel in a modern structure and with the elegant lines of a 19th century tall ship, it is considered suitable for high safety specifications.
Mr O’Coineen added: “In our recent 2022 pre-budget submission to An Taoiseach’s office and other government departments, we called for the reinstatement of an annual government grant to help cover the day-to-day operational costs of a new ship.
This funding was previously channeled through the National Lottery. Given the strong training and education mission planned for the new ship, we believe it is relevant that government funding, if restored, be directed by the Ministry of Higher and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, under the direction of Minister Simon Harris.
“To support our pre-budget submission, we have also included a full business proposal outlining how the purchase of the identified successor vessel will be funded from private and philanthropic sources. This can only happen if the state commits to reinstating the old Asgard II National Lottery funds to support the operating budget of the new vessel. We believe that restoring these funds would go a long way in supporting a clear commitment made in both the Agenda for Government and the Ocean Wealth Strategy to develop the wealth, sustainability and environment of the world’s oceans. Ireland, integrated through the National Marine Co-Ordination Group. “
In addition, the Atlantic Youth Trust is seeking a one-time government start-up grant of € 880,000 to support refit costs, ensuring the vessel is fit for use with disabled access as well as the creation of a organization to manage vessel operations. This start-up budget would represent about 20 percent of the insurance funds withheld by the state when the Asgard II was lost.
The Director of the National Maritime College of Ireland and member of the Advisory Board of the Atlantic Youth Trust, Cormac Gebruer, said: “Having a tall ship in Ireland reassigned to introduce our younger generations to the sea would be a very important and strategic development for middle School. There is enormous potential to use this initiative for research purposes related to human behavior and marine sciences, which would complement the work we are doing here at the College.
“The Atlantic Youth Trust has been an exemplary resource in leading a world-class solution for integrated sea-based youth development across Ireland, with a focus on research and partnering with other colleges, such as NUI Galway. We at the National Maritime College of Ireland fully support efforts to secure a suitable replacement training vessel for tall ships following the loss of the Asgard II. “
As Afloat reported when the Asgard sank off the coast of France in 2008.
Co-founder of Sailing into Wellness and member of the advisory board of the Atlantic Youth Trust, James Lyons said: as Grace O’Malley. Built with submarine steel to the highest specification and modeled after a classic wooden tall ship, she will make an ideal tall ship for Ireland with a few small modifications.
Once the Irish government has committed to reinstate Asgard II funding, further financial support for the project will then be sought from the Northern Ireland executive, with the initiative being marked as a North-South undertaking. It is expected that the ship will serve as a fantastic promotional platform for tourism, business, culture and the navy across the island of Ireland.
President of Tall Ships Belfast 2009 and 2015 and member of the advisory board of the Atlantic Youth Trust, Dr Gerard O’Hare said: It is also possible to seek the support of the Northern Irish executive once the project has started and operational. This could include partial financing of the initial development planned for early 2022 in Belfast. “
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