On the West Pier at Howth, near Wright’s, you can see a set of rail tracks crossing from one side to the other. They disappear into a closed yard with a floor that looks like it’s made from railway sleepers.
A few days ago I was walking nearby and I spotted the usually closed gates were open.
I was glad I had my camera.
Through the open gates the heavy planks of wood were all aligned looking out into the harbour and I thought I might get a good geometric photograph. The pattern of parallel lines of the “sleepers” leading onto the vertical masts of the boats was what I was after.
I got down on my hunkers to take the shot but as I was lining it up, I heard movement behind me. Turning, I saw a fishing boat, a very large fishing boat, coming towards me on the rail tracks that lead to the platform.
Now I was really glad I had my camera.
Traffic along the pier was stopped as the boat was slowly pushed into the yard.
Clamped in place, looking shiny and new after repairs and a fresh coat of paint, the Rony, made its way slowly across the pier.
I’d visited Howth many times but I’d never seen these tracks or the yard being used.
It turns out that yard with the wooden planks is the platform of a synchrolift; a system for lifting boats and ships out of the water for maintenance work or repair.
The synchrolift at the West Pier of Howth is capable of lifting 600 tonnes and can be used twice a day. My guess is the twice a day restriction is due to tides, but I’m not certain.
Once the Rony was in place it started to descend, slowly, at about a foot per minute, allowing it to get back into the sea where it belongs. If you look at the last few pictures you’ll see the platform is below the level of the pier.
The process was going to take at least half an hour and although I’d loved to have seen the grand finale, I couldn’t hang around.
I’m sure it all went swimmingly.
I went away feeling good that I’d finally discovered what the yard was for and how it was used. Seeing the Rony straddle the pier as it moved towards the synchrolift made me realise how big these fishing boats actually are. A lot of skill went into building and repairing the Rony and a fair amount went into designing and building the synchrolift.
I was glad to have the chance to see the action.
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