New leisure vessel
for Dingle

This month sees the delivery of a state-of-the-art eco tourism and marine leisure craft by Mooney Boats in Killybegs for Dingle’s Paul Flannery. The BLUEFINN 40 had attracted much interest from around the coast when it was first introduced to the public last year as a follow up to the smaller version of the same design. Although originally intended as a workboat design, marine leisure & tourism vessel owners were quick to spot the potential of this impressive design for their ventures which often include diversified operations such as sight seeing/dolphin watching, charter angling, diving and marine survey work.

Also well known in commercial fishing circles, Paul Flannery has opted for this McCaig Watson / Mooney Boats vessel to be able to offer passengers maximum safety, stability and comfort when enjoying trips around Dingle Harbour’s breathtaking sights. Using his experience in the tourism industry to create a vessel which will meet all his needs and offer exceptional passenger comfort Paul Flannery worked with designer Marine Design International and Mooney Boats and the exciting result will be a fine addition to the Dingle tourism scene. Sarah Ellie is the third vessel to join Dingle Bay Charter and is a sturdy, capable vessel for safe and efficient use in the demanding conditions off Ireland’s coasts. Designed to Lloyds Special Service Craft Rules ensures the vessel is safe and solid for planning cruising speeds even in adverse weather conditions.

The new Sarah Ellie (Class: DCMNR P5, MCA Cat1 Offshore) has an overall length of 11.91m, beam of 4.19m and draught of 1.10m. WIth a gross tonnage of 14.83 GT, the vessel has a light displacement of         10.5 tonnes and when fully laden with the 12 passengers aboard with her P5 licence, has a displacement of 12.5 tonnes. Construction included supporting the hull with integral engine supports, internal bulkheads, deck, focsle, wheelhouse, bulwarks, constructed in aluminium with longitudinal framing system, designed to Lloyd’s Special Service Craft regulations. To meet the specific demands of eco tourism and passenger carrying in comfort, the wheel house of Sarah Ellie was extended by some 2m to allow for an external seating area and a combined WC/angling equipment storage locker.

The vessel is powered by a Caterpillar C9, 429 kW (575 BHP) main engine operating at 2,500 RPM in conjunction with a Twindisc V-drive gearbox. Twin integrated tanks with a total capacity of 1,760 litres, constructed of aluminium and fitted with inspection covers, filler cap, vent pipe and crossover pipe is also fitted. The wet exhaust system with reinforced rubber hose, water lock and transom fitting are all plumbed into engine, with an exhaust bore size of 8”. A Sidepower electric bow thruster will enable the vessel to be manoeuvred with ease and a 24V electric capstan on the starboard side is fitted for anchor handling.

The cooling system including seacock with strainer fitted to hull and reinforced rubber hose is fitted to main engine with overboard discharge through exhaust. Two 24-volt electric trim tabs are installed and air vents to the engine room are fitted on port and starboard quarters inside transom with 12” 24 volt suction feeding turbo. On board water systems include a Jabsco deckwash with clutch belt driven 24 volt, 3 Rule 2000 bilge pumps 3; 88 lt fresh water Vetus tank; 2 Titan Whale Gusher hand pumps for bilge/fire; a 24-volt Flojet fresh water pump and a 24-volt electric toilet.

Sarah Ellie is fitted to a high standard and her wheelhouse installation compliments the overall impressive specification. Barry Electronics supplied and installed a compact range of electronics which included a

Furuno M1623 radar, Furuno FCV600 echo sounder, Furuno GP7000 plotter, ICOM M421 Class D DSC radio, BEL Emergency Power Supply

Simrad AP35 autopilot & rudder indicator (J3000 System), GME Float Free EPIRB, GME waterproof radio, Echomax radar reflector and an

ICOM M1 Euro handheld VHF. Below the wheelhouse, the forward cabin area has been slightly modified to meet the vessel’s day to day operation. Bunks have been removed and the area houses a comfortable cabin with upholstered benches, table, shelves and a galley area consisting of lockers, stove, sink, gas detector.

Trails

Perfect conditions prevailed for the launch of the Sarah Ellie in Killybegs, with the Bluefinn 40 showing off her flowing lines and distinctive paint scheme in the spring sunshine.

There is seating accommodation below deck forward, this area is also fitted with a fully functional galley for hot snacks & drinks fitted with microwave, gas hob, electric kettle and sink so passengers can get warm and relax. There is also a toilet below deck. On the main deck there is a second heads and sheltered seating aft of the wheelhouse and further open seats on the aft deck with rod storage. Access doors have been fitted on the bulwark both port and starboard for safe passenger access at the quay. Another door has been fitted at the stern to allow easy of access down to the purpose built diving platform at the stern.

Operations

The Dingle tourist boat industry is well established and the Bluefinn 40 was designed to operate in these conditions and offer the most rewarding experience to her passengers. Sarah Ellie will spend most of her time angling but is available for sightseeing and is fitted with a dive platform and ladder to give her versatility, essential for a successful operator. Paul Flannery says he was pleased to have a vessel supplied by an Irish company and Mooney Boats had proved an excellent partner during his commercial fishing days and this project had been completed with similar ease. The Irish Skipper wishes Paul, Rosie and family every success with their new vessel.

MDI and Mooney Boats Ltd are currently busy with the build of two further commercial builds, a 13m fishfarm support vessel and a 22m multi roll workboat (see Irish Skipper, June ‘08). There are however thoughts of a Class 6 version of the Bluefinn 40` & 12m aluminium potting catamaran. Mooney Boats would welcome contact with anyone interesting in developing these concepts. For further information contact Simon Cormack, Marine Design International Ltd 0044 (0) 141 3535499