VESSELS TO SOUND THEIR HORNS TO MARK INTERNATIONAL WORKERS DAY

Port of Cork invites mariners to salute cross community effort during Covid-19 crisis

The Port of Cork has invited vessels across Cork Harbour to sound their horns at the stroke of midday next Friday, May 1st, to officially mark International Worker’s Day.

The initiative aims to salute the approximately 1.6 million seafarers globally who continue their efforts to supply food, fuel, goods and vital medical supplies during the Covid-19 crisis. Equally, the Port wishes to acknowledge the role of all workers in our community who are going above and beyond in the delivery of services on land, as well as at sea.

All vessels currently in Cork Harbour have been asked to participate, and an invitation has been extended to other ports around Ireland to join in.

Port of Cork Harbour Master, Captain Paul O’Regan, says; “Shipping has been vital to the stability in the supply chain during the recent pandemic. Covid-19 has meant that we have had to adjust how we work, while not changing the reasons why we work. This small effort by mariners salutes the efforts of those who are spending time away from their families, either at sea or on the medical frontline on shore. We really hope that this gesture will go some way towards acknowledging their sacrifice on what is International Worker’s Day”.

People living around the Harbour have been invited to participate by filming the effort and posting the videos to social media using #HeroesAtSeaShoutout #HeroesAtSea #Covid-19 and #Keepingtheshowontheroad.

Port of Cork continues to operate during the Covid-19 crisis with daily deliveries to its facilities in Ringaskiddy, Whitegate and Tivoli. The Port recently welcomed the inaugural freight-only Ro-Ro service from Zeebrugge, operated by CLdN.