Accidents last night

Wompa1

Anyone hear anything about the fire in Newcastle last night. There hasn't been much reported on it bar the short story on galwaynews. I didn't see anything regarding the crash that happened by the bridge on Lough Atalia last night. At one point last night they had access to the bridge in Newcastle restricted and access to Salthill from Lough Atalia restricted.

Looked like a big yacht was on a tralier but it was too high and wham bam...saw a train using the rail above it while they were working on getting the yacht free so it must not have been too bad

Madame Razz

They moved Green Dragon last night....

It wasn't her was it:eek:

Wompa1

All I could see was BWIN written on the back. A good few Gardai and guys in high viz jackets running around. Maybe I jumped to an assumption...I guessed with the loads of people there and the gardai blocking it off that it was stuck...wouldn't it be funny if it did get damaged though?

Madame Razz

Wompa1 wrote: »

All I could see was BWIN written on the back. A good few Gardai and guys in high viz jackets running around. Maybe I jumped to an assumption...I guessed with the loads of people there and the gardai blocking it off that it was stuck...wouldn't it be funny if it did get damaged though?

That was Green Dragon then. Bloody hell:eek:, wouldn't you think somebody would have thought of that bridge height BEFORE they moved it.

Murphy's law was alive and well in Galway last night it seems:rolleyes:

I think it's an awful pity if it did get damaged tbh, it did bring the best thing that happened to Galway in a long time here(Volvo race), and managed to sail around the World(ish), it would be a shame if after all that it met it's fate on the Lough Atalia rail bridge.

Xiney

Wompa1

It didn't look too badly damaged from where I was...probably took it slow going under...pretty bad decision to risk the bridge!!

Madame Razz

Oh well, that's something I guess.

I still can't believe nobody thought of the bridge height.

/facepalm

SeanPuddin

Regarding the fire in Newcastle it seemed to be just a chimney fire. There was lots of smoke billowing from the roof tiles, but I'm sure the two fire engines sorted it out fairly quickly...

Wompa1

SeanPuddin wrote: »

Regarding the fire in Newcastle it seemed to be just a chimney fire. There was lots of smoke billowing from the roof tiles, but I'm sure the two fire engines sorted it out fairly quickly...

Are you sure? Galwaynews say that nobody was believed to be in either of the houses...and it seemed to happen sometime around 9-9:30...it would be a bit strange if it was a chimney fire at that hour and the occupants gone out after putting down a fire?

quietobserver

Was coming down by Thermo King last night at 9:20 and the Green dragon was being brought down from the lights, it had come across from the tuam road and was being brought into the Industrial Estate where Nortel is.

THere was a fire brigade attending something on the moycullen side of the lights on qcential bridge, didnt have time to look. Then over at the tesco shopping centre i heard and saw two ambulances heading over towards the direction of the fire brigade.

Wompa1

quietobserver wrote: »

Was coming down by Thermo King last night at 9:20 and the Green dragon was being brought down from the lights, it had come across from the tuam road and was being brought into the Industrial Estate where Nortel is.

THere was a fire brigade attending something on the moycullen side of the lights on qcential bridge, didnt have time to look. Then over at the tesco shopping centre i heard and saw two ambulances heading over towards the direction of the fire brigade.

I just checked the time I took the picture on my phone and it says 22:18 for the yacht...I'm not saying it was the Green Dragon...my picture is a blur by the way so I can't post it...I had chinese food under my arm and couldn't have been arsed to try and get a proper picture. The bit under/in the bridge had BWIN on it...the sail bit was on a seperate trailer which was Lough Atalia side of the bridge and seemed intact

Madame Razz

Green Dragon deffo has Bwin on the stern. Was the yacht being pulled by a big Massey tractor? The mast was on a seperate truck and trailer. They were both in Salthill til well after 7pm.

LadyMayBelle

Did they actually try to go under the bridge....oh my.

Wompa1

Madame Razz wrote: »

Green Dragon deffo has Bwin on the stern. Was the yacht being pulled by a big Massey tractor? The mast was on a seperate truck and trailer. They were both in Salthill til well after 7pm.

Don't recall a tractor but the mast was definately on a seperate trailer which seemed to have gone past the bridge no problem. The actual ship seemed stuck...two guys in High Viz Jackets were up on top of it and looked like they were trying to get something to come off. I'm suprised nobody else has commented on it...If I knew it was The Green Dragon I might have went for a better look.

JohnCleary

Hold on there now lads, ye're totally jumping to conclusions.

If a load is over a certain size in this country (infact any country) it requires Police (Garda) escort; it's the law.

On top of that, with a big load, you're generally gonna have your own crew anyway. In going through Lough Atalia bridge, it would make sense for the Green Dragon to have people up on top with walkie-talkies to communicate on the status ie. all clear, or getting tight

The reason for the road being closed would be again because of the width of the object.

I'm not saying that there wasn't a big smash up, but this kinda muck talk is how rumours start.

Madame Razz

It was a pretty tall load tho; if there wasn't a smash up I can safely say getting it under the bridge was most certainly tricky.

JohnCleary

Madame Razz wrote: »

It was a pretty tall load tho; if there wasn't a smash up I can safely say getting it under the bridge was most certainly tricky.

With the keel removed, a Volvo 70 would be well capable of passing under Lough Atalia bridge. Green dragon may have looked tall with the mast and keel on her while sitting on a stand, but the hull itself is not that big

Madame Razz

John, with respect, I saw it on the trailer last night, it was a tall load. I know how big the hull is or isn't on a Volvo 70. You aren't the only one on here with maritime experience ya know

I took a pic of it on the trailer it was on last night; I'll post it up when I get a chance.

dmcg90

Wompa1 wrote: »

Are you sure? Galwaynews say that nobody was believed to be in either of the houses...and it seemed to happen sometime around 9-9:30...it would be a bit strange if it was a chimney fire at that hour and the occupants gone out after putting down a fire?

Heard in college that it was ''apparently'' a faulty switch box / electrics.

Madame Razz

Was that the house second opposite Topaz on the St Anthonys side? The front door was fecked, there was a hole in the roof, and the students looked to be moving out today; or is student accomodation *that* bad nowadays :pac:

dmcg90

Madame Razz wrote: »

Was that the house second opposite Topaz on the St Anthonys side?

Twas

Madame Razz

Looked pretty fecked today tbh...

JohnCleary

Madame Razz wrote: »

Was that the house second opposite Topaz on the St Anthonys side? The front door was fecked, there was a hole in the roof, and the students looked to be moving out today; or is student accomodation *that* bad nowadays :pac:

Yeah, house on the corner, owned by a well known family chemist in a previous life. Doesn't look bad at all tbh, lights on in the house earlier and didn't look too manky

JohnCleary

Madame Razz wrote: »

John, with respect, I saw it on the trailer last night, it was a tall load. I know how big the hull is or isn't on a Volvo 70. You aren't the only one on here with maritime experience ya know

I'll hold my hands up, I don't know much about those boat's with sticks and flappy things I'd be more of a gas guzzler tbh

Anyhow, current rumour is that the hull DID get stuck under the bridge. It was going from Salthill to the rear of the Harbour Hotel area, taking the long route (from Salthill via Quinc bridge, along Lough Atalia from the Dub Road side, then onto rear or Harbour where she got stuck under the bridge) - "Weird route" I thought.... "Oh but they couldn't manovoure (sp?) it in through town" - "Hmm, but didn't they get it to Salthill from the Docks in the first place through Spanish Arch" says I. I got a puzzled response... feckin rumours, who knows!!

Madame Razz

^^^^I actually couldn't figure that bit out either. Maybe they moved it using a different set up this time; who knows

That house in Newcastle does have a rather significant hole in the roof tho!

forumfiend

JohnCleary wrote: »

IIt was going from Salthill to the rear of the Harbour Hotel area, taking the long route (from Salthill via Quinc bridge, along Lough Atalia from the Dub Road side, then onto rear or Harbour where she got stuck under the bridge)

Em, it's a boat innit? why couldn't they put it in the water in Salthill and tow it to the docks

JohnCleary

forumfiend wrote: »

Em, it's a boat innit? why couldn't they put it in the water in Salthill and tow it to the docks

'Tis a boat indeed

Nowhere to launch it at Salthill though (too shallow of water around that area) not to mention the fact they'd have to re-install the keel etc.

Head The Wall

JohnCleary wrote: »

Hold on there now lads, ye're totally jumping to conclusions.

If a load is over a certain size in this country (infact any country) it requires Police (Garda) escort; it's the law.

Correct, the law also states that they should have a roadworthy vehicle for carrying an abnormal load. So 1) they didn't have a permit to move the load or 2) They had a permit which was issued by someone illegally as there is no way you would get a permit for a tractor and home made trailer with no brakes.

Either way there was guards there condoning this flagrant breach of the law on numerous counts. Also if they did have a permit for this they would have been instructed to move it very late at night/early morning to minimise disruption to traffic. That obviously didn't happen either

Madame Razz wrote: »

I took a pic of it on the trailer it was on last night; I'll post it up when I get a chance.

Please do, it'll be good to see modern Ireland moving a €5,000,000 load on a tractor and homemade trailer

Here is how they move it elsewhere and also remember the puma boat on the actual dock for the climbing challenge that was driven onto the docks but sailed out of it.

JohnCleary wrote: »

I'll hold my hands up, I don't know much about those boat's with sticks and flappy things I'd be more of a gas guzzler tbh

Anyhow, current rumour is that the hull DID get stuck under the bridge. It was going from Salthill to the rear of the Harbour Hotel area, taking the long route (from Salthill via Quinc bridge, along Lough Atalia from the Dub Road side, then onto rear or Harbour where she got stuck under the bridge) - "Weird route" I thought.... "Oh but they couldn't manovoure (sp?) it in through town" - "Hmm, but didn't they get it to Salthill from the Docks in the first place through Spanish Arch" says I. I got a puzzled response... feckin rumours, who knows!!

When they were moving it from the docks they had to cut a load of the street furniture down to get it out. When the Puma boat was brought in they came the same way without cutting down anything. When you are using the proper equipment this isn't necessary

If there was anybody there that had a clue what they were at they wouldn't have got stuck under the bridge. They were all obviously unable to operate a measuring tape.

Stick up those pictures anyway, I'm sure the City council, Garda office and Department of Transport will be delighted to see a total disregard for the law in this land.

Head The Wall

Head The Wall wrote: »

Correct, the law also states that they should have a roadworthy vehicle for carrying an abnormal load. So 1) they didn't have a permit to move the load or 2) They had a permit which was issued by someone illegally as there is no way you would get a permit for a tractor and home made trailer with no brakes.

Either way there was guards there condoning this flagrant breach of the law on numerous counts. Also if they did have a permit for this they would have been instructed to move it very late at night/early morning to minimise disruption to traffic. That obviously didn't happen either

How do you know it was a homemade trailer with no brakes and a big tractor would be just as good as a truck for pulling the boat!!

I hate all the rubbish about permits and flouting the law. Do it and say nothing is the best option imo. But dont get stuck under a bridge.

If you say the trailer my friends yacht was on when I moved it with the tractor for them a few months back you would have had a heart attack !!

AdamantApproach

What is a home made trailer? All modern trailers have braking valves. Certainly anything capable of holding a load that size would have massive braking power. I'd imagine that a tractor and low loader trailer would be the best option for moving something like this.

Madame Razz

It wasn't a bad looking trailer in fairness. I've seen a lot more ramshackle boat trailers over the years tbh, a LOT more.

And it was a pretty big Massey; albeit a 1986 model, I'd say it had more than enough torque to do the task at hand.

That said I was a bit surprised, given that it was the Green Dragon, that she wasn't on a trailer and truck.

I'll post the pics later if that's ok to do so???

Head The Wall

Adalynn Slimy Leper wrote: »

How do you know it was a homemade trailer with no brakes and a big tractor would be just as good as a truck for pulling the boat!!

I hate all the rubbish about permits and flouting the law. Do it and say nothing is the best option imo. But dont get stuck under a bridge.

If you say the trailer my friends yacht was on when I moved it with the tractor for them a few months back you would have had a heart attack !!

I have eyes, I was there when they were moving it out to Salthill. It was a homemade trailer with no brakes so it wasn't road worthy. I'm sure the boat you moved wasn't 70 foot long and 18 foot wide. Big difference

AdamantApproach wrote: »

What is a home made trailer? All modern trailers have braking valves. Certainly anything capable of holding a load that size would have massive braking power. I'd imagine that a tractor and low loader trailer would be the best option for moving something like this.

You don't know what you are talking about. Do you think there isn't specialised equipment for this kind of work. If there was proper equipment used for this load they wouldn't have got caught in the bridge because they wouldn't have to take that route to get to where they were going.

A proper trailer for a load that size would have steering axles on the trailer to help it get around corners and the load could be raised up or down to negotiate obstacles e.g kerbs or bridges

It would also be operated by people that know what they are at

Madame Razz wrote: »

That said I was a bit surprised, given that it was the Green Dragon, that she wasn't on a trailer and truck.

I'll post the pics later if that's ok to do so???

That's exactly the point, it looks so retarded. The pinnacle of marine sailing technology and "the backwards Irish Solution"

JohnCleary

Adalynn Slimy Leper wrote: »

I hate all the rubbish about permits and flouting the law. Do it and say nothing is the best option imo

Have you any idea what a libius country we've living in? In the event of an accident (god forbid), an insurance company will look for ANY excuse not to pay out. In that event, poor oul Johnny Tractor Driver will get stung, be sued, lose his license, house etc. etc. - this happened a few years ago in the Midlands with a farmer pulling horses (PM me for link)

AdamantApproach wrote: »

What is a home made trailer? All modern trailers have braking valves. Certainly anything capable of holding a load that size would have massive braking power. I'd imagine that a tractor and low loader trailer would be the best option for moving something like this.

A home made trailer is a trailer made at home, duh :pac: ie. not CE certified. Do your own flippin' research on the consequences in the event of a claim

JohnCleary

Head The Wall wrote: »

A proper trailer for a load that size would have steering axles on the trailer to help it get around corners and the load could be raised up or down to negotiate obstacles e.g kerbs or bridges

It would also be operated by people that know what they are at

+100000000000......

I was looking at how to move the (next) boat. Basicly, (unless I get the machinary, spare time, experience, qualifications) I have to get a chap in, with a big flippin' load of machinary who knows what he's at to be able to legally move my machinary; a pain in the hole but better than being sued for everything (very little :cool:) that I own, rather than the insruance company having to pay out

Head The Wall

Head The Wall wrote: »

I have eyes, I was there when they were moving it out to Salthill. It was a homemade trailer with no brakes so it wasn't road worthy. I'm sure the boat you moved wasn't 70 foot long and 18 foot wide. Big difference

True it was only about 35 foot long. But the trailer really was a homemade one in this instance.

JohnCleary wrote: »

Have you any idea what a libius country we've living in? In the event of an accident (god forbid), an insurance company will look for ANY excuse not to pay out. In that event, poor oul Johnny Tractor Driver will get stung, be sued, lose his license, house etc. etc. - this happened a few years ago in the Midlands with a farmer pulling horses (PM me for link)

I suppose I'm so used to moving big and some times dodgy loads now between the farm and working for a builder for a few summers that it is the norm for me.

I remember the brake hose on the lowloader split one summer and I spent about 2 months moving machines (15 to 20 tonnes at times) building supplies and scaffolding with no trailer brakes. It just took a bit of getting used to.

Maybe its the mentality out the county where everybody has the load it up to the last and away ya go attitude.

JohnCleary

Adalynn Slimy Leper wrote: »

I remember the brake hose on the lowloader split one summer and I spent about 2 months moving machines (15 to 20 tonnes at times) building supplies and scaffolding with no trailer brakes. It just took a bit of getting used to.

Maybe its the mentality out the county where everybody has the load it up to the last and away ya go attitude.

I'm not denying that it can't be done; you're dead right... heavy loads can be driven but it just takes getting used to. Trailering is fine, it's the stopping that's the problem

However, highly illegal, but in this country we seem to get away with it. I blame an un-educated law enforcement system... the cops genuinly don't have a clue about the laws they're supposed to be enforcing. Try that in the UK and you'll lose your licence. However, in fairness, the Traffic Corps *are* getting more aware.

Chances are you'll get away with it, but it's not a chance i'd be willing to take. It's always a case of "What if"

JohnCleary

JohnCleary wrote: »

Trailering is fine, it's the stopping that's the problem

Thats for sure .

You are completely in the right of course I'm not arguing my point at all as I know I'm in the wrong. I was just saying how(as you know yourself) its the done thing in this country so I'm not surprised the situation was the same for green dragon. Not knowing the load vs bridge height was completely ridiculous though.

dloob

JohnCleary wrote: »

+100000000000......

I was looking at how to move the (next) boat. Basicly, (unless I get the machinary, spare time, experience, qualifications) I have to get a chap in, with a big flippin' load of machinary who knows what he's at to be able to legally move my machinary; a pain in the hole but better than being sued for everything (very little :cool:) that I own, rather than the insruance company having to pay out

I imagine it's also better than getting your boat smacked into a bridge Green Dragon style.:D

muskyj

didn't want to start a new thread.
heard on galway bay fm this morning that a traffic light had been taken out by some car last night. didn't catch where in the city. just wondering if anyone has seen/got photos of it.

JohnCleary

So does anyone have any pics of the Green Dragon... stuck

Madame Razz

I just have one of it on the trailer; I will post this later on; I just have to load up the image onto my computer.

A stuck foto would be really cool tho...

Madame Razz

Et Voilá:)

Photo quality is pretty **** really but hey, such are limitations of a camera phone:rolleyes:

Madame Razz

And the mast:)

Wompa1

When I saw BWIN it was facing me on the Lough Atalia side...does that mean it was going back to the docks in a really roundabout way?

trish23

Priceless! Anybody buy the poor neglected boat? Heard it was worth €7m but they were looking for €4m.