Where next?

So here we are, the Asgard II seems to be lost to a watery grave at the minute, much to my dismay. I would like nothing better than to see her where she belongs, on the sea not under it. But I'm afraid Mr. O'Dea never even pretended to look like he cared when she sank, it's a sad truth. A maritime nation willing to let our sail training disappear before our very eyes without intervening.

The question I want to know the answer to is why isn't the Jeanie Johnston being used, even just to fill a gap? She is Irish, she is wooden, she can sail, she proved her worth sailing across the Atlantic and back, no mean feat. And yes she cost enough money, why not put her to use. I'm not saying use her as a permanent replacement. She and Asgard II are two different kettle of fish, having sailed on both I'm justified to say that. Both have different qualities and values. In my eyes the two are incomparable. That my seem strange, they are after all sail training ships, yes but my experiences on both differ drastically. Asgard II having a more confined space, you eat where you sleep, privacy next to none, showers a possible maybe a generally younger group of trainees whom more then likely decided on a whim or recommendation from a friend to give it a go. Where as Jeanie is slightly more comfortable, two berth cabins, numerous heads, showers and other little luxuries. The Asgard II was solely government owned so her berths could be subsidised,as they should be, sail training is of huge benefit to the youth of the nation. on the other hand, Jeanie was purchased by a semi-state body and then tendered out for private charter, this having an effect on how they were run. Both needed to make an income but Jeanie more so, so her famine museum is utilised in ports during open ship to bring in a small revenue, she is also hired out for corporate events and parties on board and completes day sail programmes form different ports, not to mention her actual sail training overnight voyages, which shows her versatility and capabilities. Trying obtain a profit from a sail training ship doesn't happen over night, it's a long drawn out process, maintenance being the main output, so she has been used in every way she can to make money, she is after all a business.People seem to look down on this, that she should be sailing more, yes she should but the truth is she still needs to earn money for her keep and if that involves open ship then in the eyes of an investor there is no question, after all nobody likes losing money. But at the end of the day they both have the same purpose, to teach sailing to those brave enough to venture on board.

Standing aboard the Jeanie Johnston one day I heard a Dublin man quip "That's the Asgard, I own that ship, I pay my taxes" It's statements like this that get us nowhere. Do you own that bus stop sign or lay claim to one of the litter bins lining the streets, a brick that was used to build a wall? The thought is ridiculous. Yes tax payers money was used to build both ships, but we should be proud of them and show them off, not try and belittle their standing in society (this incident being only one of many) If statements like that are going to be made surely they should aimed at politicians who have squandered money on themselves, Bertie for instance.

It seems to be us, the Irish nation, who have some sort of problem with the Jeanie, everywhere she goes she receives great welcome and applause, people line the quay walls, queues form to get on board, everyone is interested. At a festival in Liverpool, Jeanie had the most visits for open ship out of everyone, this including Dar Mlodziezy, at 110.6 m long the flagship of Poland's Merchant Marine Academy, this shows the draw the Jeanie has. She has friends world wide. We seem to think ( and yes I am generalising here, I know there are a lot of people who care deeply for Jeanie) that because she went over budget, what project doesn't and took longer than anticipated to build, again what project doesn't that she isn't worth her keep. She is a fine ship built by those with talent, namely the O'Regan brothers. Possibly some things/people should have been done differently, I wasn't there, who am I to comment. But the end result being we have a fine Irish wooden sail training vessel who is now tied up along Custom House Quay ready and willing to go to sea, why not make it happen. Put her where sea belongs, sailing, while we hope that some kind of miracle will raise Asgard II form her watery grave. It makes sense. Maybe then people will realise how great she really is.

Open your eyes and see what's in front of you. Don't be blinded by bureaucracy, and politics. Do what's right, what we as a maritime nation need. Our spirits have been uplifted by our domination in sports recently, Grand Slam winners in rugby and a world super bantam weight boxing champion, why not go one step further and put Irish sail training back on the map. We are after all a maritime nation. Could you imagine us hosting the Tall Ships Race, one of the pinnacles in sail training in 2011 without an Irish entry? I was aboard Asgard II in 2005 when she led Jeanie and Dunbrody out of Waterford harbour and I can safely say I have never felt prouder in my life to be Irish and to be standing on deck of one of the Irish tall ships as we saluted the Jeanie and Dunbrody and they likewise, an immense unforgettable experience. To think there may not even be one of these fine ships leading the fleet out is a joke. How embarrassing for an island nation. Surely the solution is simple?

CMulrooney