We see Wilson Flex ll loading out scrap metal at Wicklow port for Liverpool on Monday 9th March.The photo was taken through a gap in trees on the Greenhill Road.
9.3.2026
Wilson Flex II seen at Wicklow port from Warrenpoint on Saturday 7th March, to load out a cargo of scrap metal. The multi-purpose ship was built in China in 2022 and is on long term charter to Wilson Shipping in partnership with Arkon Shipping. It’s one of five in a series known as the Hanse Eco class, with a single hold and accommodation and wheelhouse at the bow.
Wilson Flex ll is equipped for carrying varied, bulky goods and project cargo and can travel with or without hatch covers. The coaster is registered in Madeira and flies the Portuguese flag. Over the years only a handful of similar designed ships have visited Wicklow port, so it makes a nice addition to the Wicklow Maritime archive.
7.3.2026
The ILV Granuaile arriving off Wicklow Port on Saturday 28 February to carry out maintenance on the out-fall buoy. The buoy was lifted out of the water onto the deck of Granuaile, where the crew were able to carry out maintenance. It was lifted into the water a short time later. The buoy is a navigation mark positioned approximately one mile northeast of the Wicklow shore to mark a sewage outfall pipeline.
ILV Granuaile is operated by the Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) to maintain safety and navigation infrastructure around the Irish Coast. She has been in service since 2000 and is always a welcome sight in the bay.
28.2.2026
After weeks of continuous bad weather and wet conditions along the Wicklow coast, it made a pleasant change on Saturday morning to finally see the sun shining as RDJ Ijsselstroom departed on the tide with a cargo of recyclable metals for Liverpool, framed against the backdrop of the snowcapped Wicklow mountains.
14.2.2026
RDJ Ijsselstroom loads out a cargo of scrap metal at the Packet pier on Thursday afternoon 12th February, after arriving from Waterford earlier the same morning. The coaster was built as the Accum in 2010 is operated by C – Shipping, which is based in the Netherlands, this is her first visit to Wicklow.
12.2.2026
For the past two weekends James Joyce has covered the weekend Irish Ferries Dublin to Cherbourg run, it’s seen from the top of the Greenhill Road heading north off Wicklow port at lunchtime on Sunday 18th. The regular ferry W.B. Yeats was filling in on the Dublin – Holyhead route at the time while Ulysses took its turn for drydocking in Belfast.
18.1.2026
Plenty of walkers turned out on the North pier (locally referred to as the ‘New Pier’) to watch the arrival of Wilson Cadiz (ex Dutch Sun) from Sheerness this morning with a part cargo of package timber.
18.1.2026
The Wexford beam trawler Bridget Carmel arrived over the weekend and went alongside the East pier to carry out some repair work. It has been quite a while since the last visit, and it was nice to see her return.
17.1.2026
The Cypriot flagged Larissa B (Ex Crown Mary) arriving in the rain from Hamina via Dundee Sunday 15th to discharge a part cargo of packaged timber.
15.2.2026
Wilson Brugge arrives from Foynes on the 4th January to load out a cargo of scrap metal at the Packet pier. The coaster last called to Wicklow in 2017 to load a similar cargo.
4.1.2026
Dun Laoghaire lifeboat RNLB Anna Livia (14-05w) was an unexpected but welcome caller to the port on Saturday 3rd. She is seen returning to station after assisting a vessel off the Wicklow coast. The Trent-class All-weather lifeboat has been on station at Dun Laoghaire since 1995.
3.1.2026
It’s noon at the East pier, Wicklow port on New Year’s Day, and we see the crew and families of Wicklow RNLI prepare for their Annual Service of Remembrance. Local clergy on the pier recited prayers and flowers are blessed, before being launched into the bay as a tribute to all past crew and local sailors from the town, and the many who have volunteered with the RNLI over the years. It’s a lovely ceremony and has been taking place in Wicklow since the early 1980s.
The ceremony dates back to 1982 and the aftermath of a tragic event. The crew at Wicklow RNLI wanted to lay flowers at sea to remember the crew of the Penlee lifeboat. Who had launched a few days before Christmas 1981 to assist the crew of a coaster, drifting towards rocks as a storm crossed the Cornish coast. The small coaster was called Union Star on its maiden voyage from IJmuiden to Arklow with a cargo of fertiliser.
Sadly, the crew of the lifeboat and all on the ship were lost that night, despite repeated heroic attempts by the lifeboat crew to rescue everyone. The BBC made an excellent documentary about the tragedy, and the Pilot of ‘Rescue 80’ a Sea King helicopter gives a very good account of the heroism of the lifeboat crew. The Skipper of the coaster also had his family onboard, and your heart would go out to him, as he did everything possible to get them to safety. The documentary is available on YouTube and just type in Penlee lifeboat to find it.
This year’s ceremony also remembered the late Tom Byrne, who was a Launch Authority with Wicklow RNLI. Many would also have known him as a Radio officer with the Irish Coast Guard. Tom started his sea-going career as a ‘Sparks’ or Ships Radio Officer and for many years travelled the world. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, would describe him as a true gentleman. RIP Tom
1.1.2026
First caller of 2026
Scot Leader was the first caller of 2026 at Wicklow port, arriving on New Year’s Day from Varberg, following calls at Warrenpoint and Belfast. A part cargo of packaged timber was discharged at the Packet pier and she departed the next day for Kilroot.
1.1.2026
Alpha Marine vessel spends Christmas at Wicklow port
Early on Christmas Eve morning, the multi-purpose workboat AMS Retriever arrived to spend Christmas Day at Wicklow port. The vessel is operated by the locally based company Alpha Marine, and as far as I am aware this was its first call at Wicklow.
According to the Alpha Marine website, the vessel is equipped is available to charter for dredge assist, towage, survey, anchor, and buoy handling. AMS Retriever has a bollard pull of 16.2 tonnes and is equipped with a powerful crane and winches. The 2309 type was built in 2022 by Damen at Hardinxveld in the Netherlands as HST Hazel, for the UK operator HST Marine. It was acquired by Alpha Marine in 2023 and replaced a smaller work vessel of the same name.
24.12.2025
Former BIM ‘Fifty footer’ visits Wicklow
The pleasure craft Ros Beithe (D44) seen at the North Quay on Thursday 24 January after arriving from Howth to shelter, while Storm Éowyn crossed the Country. The former fishing vessel was built at a Dingle BIM yard in 1964. She departed a few days later to resume passage south to Baltimore, County Cork.
24.1.2025
The Latvian flagged Ceg Galaxy loads round timber for the Mersey on Wednesday afternoon at Wicklow port.
22.1.2025
First Commercial caller of 2025 at Wicklow Port
Larissa B seen at the Packet pier shortly after arriving from the Baltic via New Holland on the 10th January, to discharge a part cargo of packaged timber.
10.1.2025