Dingle
August 10, 2023
HM 240 Only in Ireland!
It took me a few days to secure a meeting with Captain Nigel Collins. On entering his office he gestured to a seat away from his desk..... "So Mark, what is it you want to see me about?". I explained about my charity challenge and the book I was writing about HMs. "Oh" he said, "I thought you wanted to bash me on the head with a bible!" He thought I was from the Seafarers' Mission...!
Having cleared that up we got on well, Nigel telling me what a brilliant place Dingle is, what a fine harbour he runs, how he had even installed traffic barriers up on the quayside which, although stopping all the locals having free parking has lead to an immaculately clean and orderly working area. . Nigel is a stickler for the rules and explained to me that any waste off a boat is classed as "Contaminated" and has to be disposed of properly, costing Euro 1,600 per skip. In fact the place feels more like an airport than a harbour and other HMs visit to see how Nigel has achieved it.
As if on cue while we were chatting, and to Nigel's horror, he saw a taxi reverse into one of his newly installed bollards... the window was opened, a sharp bollocking ensued and number plate taken.
In passing he asked where I was going next. I told him I was off to Castletownbere and that I had had an email from Martin the HM telling me his harbour was "the most scenic harbour on the planet". At that Nigel turned away from me, tapped out a few words on his computer, and then resumed our conversation. A minute later his mobile rang. "What do you mean I am a liar?" the voice said. "Well Martin" said Nigel.... "You are a liar because I have the most scenic harbour on the planet!!". That type of banter would only happen in Ireland!
Later that day I had to visit the local GP, Dr Conor Brosnan. After a quick diagnosis of my asthma, conversation turned to what I was up to. "Oh yes, the Harbour Master, I was only having a BBQ with Nigel last night on the beach, he is a great friend." He then started telling me about his interest in local maritime history, smuggling, Spanish Armada sea captains and local naval battles. He even printed out an article he had written for the local history club. I had now been with him for a good 25 minutes and I knew there was a long queue in the waiting room. I said to him "I must let you get on". "Oh don't worry Mark, I am busy, but not THAT busy." That phrase summed up Ireland for me and it is why loved sailing in Ireland so much.
My notebook has more great stories from Nigel, witnessing knife fights, his stalker, him nearly killing Fungie the dolphin and more. But those will all have to wait for the book!
It took me a few days to secure a meeting with Captain Nigel Collins. On entering his office he gestured to a seat away from his desk..... "So Mark, what is it you want to see me about?". I explained about my charity challenge and the book I was writing about HMs. "Oh" he said, "I thought you wanted to bash me on the head with a bible!" He thought I was from the Seafarers' Mission...!
Having cleared that up we got on well, Nigel telling me what a brilliant place Dingle is, what a fine harbour he runs, how he had even installed traffic barriers up on the quayside which, although stopping all the locals having free parking has lead to an immaculately clean and orderly working area. . Nigel is a stickler for the rules and explained to me that any waste off a boat is classed as "Contaminated" and has to be disposed of properly, costing Euro 1,600 per skip. In fact the place feels more like an airport than a harbour and other HMs visit to see how Nigel has achieved it.
As if on cue while we were chatting, and to Nigel's horror, he saw a taxi reverse into one of his newly installed bollards... the window was opened, a sharp bollocking ensued and number plate taken.
In passing he asked where I was going next. I told him I was off to Castletownbere and that I had had an email from Martin the HM telling me his harbour was "the most scenic harbour on the planet". At that Nigel turned away from me, tapped out a few words on his computer, and then resumed our conversation. A minute later his mobile rang. "What do you mean I am a liar?" the voice said. "Well Martin" said Nigel.... "You are a liar because I have the most scenic harbour on the planet!!". That type of banter would only happen in Ireland!
Later that day I had to visit the local GP, Dr Conor Brosnan. After a quick diagnosis of my asthma, conversation turned to what I was up to. "Oh yes, the Harbour Master, I was only having a BBQ with Nigel last night on the beach, he is a great friend." He then started telling me about his interest in local maritime history, smuggling, Spanish Armada sea captains and local naval battles. He even printed out an article he had written for the local history club. I had now been with him for a good 25 minutes and I knew there was a long queue in the waiting room. I said to him "I must let you get on". "Oh don't worry Mark, I am busy, but not THAT busy." That phrase summed up Ireland for me and it is why loved sailing in Ireland so much.
My notebook has more great stories from Nigel, witnessing knife fights, his stalker, him nearly killing Fungie the dolphin and more. But those will all have to wait for the book!