The new edition of the MARITIME IRELAND RADIO SHOW – Programme No.9 in the series – has, as always, a great selection of stories.Would you have known that Admiral Nelson was. possibly, misjudged by those who blew up his statue – because he actually suppored an Irish revolutionary? Captain Bligh of the Mutiny on the Bounty also gets a favourable mention …… So, a wide and varied programme which features a lot about the importance of researching Irish waters.

THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE RESEARCH
The initials ‘RV’ before the name of a ship indicates that she is a Research Vessel. Not as big as a ship, but a very important part of Ireland’s maritime research work is the 15-metre RV Keary. Emblazoned with its ‘SURVEY’ declaration in large letters atop its bridge the RV Keary makes an impressive picture. Built in 2009 in Cape Town she is an aluminium catamaran which can get in closer to rocks than where many boat owners would want to go. It is all for the purpose of research in one of the largest seabed surveys in the world which has been carried out in Ireland’s offshore waters and coastal sea areas.

Also on the programme – why those who bombed and destroyed Nelson’s Pillar in O’Connell Street, Dublin, did a disservice to the British Admiral who had actually defended an Irish revolutionary who tried to kill the King of England.
The programme also hears about changes in the lifeboat service.