The newly upgraded Spencer Jetty and the refurbished Block 8 Accommodation Block were officially opened by Minister Simon Coveney today, 02 September.
The refurbishment of Block 8 is a €4.2 million project which upgrades this listed building at Haulbowline Naval Base, to accommodate 70 living-in Naval Service personnel stationed at Haulbowline Naval Base.
Built in 1822, Block 8 is included on the Cork County Council Record of Protected Structures and the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH) rates it as a building of Regional importance.
The €3m Spencer Jetty project is part of a plan to increase berthing capacity for the current fleet in three distinct standalone infrastructural projects, with the Spencer Jetty Upgrade delivered as Phase 1.
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The upgrade of Spencer Jetty has successfully stabilised the structure to protect the sea entrance to the Naval Service Dockyard and Basin. The upgraded jetty now provides short-term berthage for NS vessels.
Speaking as he opened the new-look facilities, Minister Coveney said: "The Naval Service are seeing significant improvements here on Haulbowline Island. In addition to these recently completed projects there are a further seven projects to be progressed in the naval base in the coming years at an estimated cost of €76m. The refurbishment of further listed buildings will commence with Block 9 being next on the list. This will provide much-needed office space for the Naval Service. Block 4 will also be refurbished and this will provide accommodation for a further 60 personnel. These projects are already well into their design stage.
"I particularly want to thank the personnel in the Directorate of Engineering and within the Department of Defence for their hard work on both of these projects. I'd like to congratulate O'Shea's Builders Ltd on the fantastic work they've done on Block 8, and Cunningham/Quinn, for completing the complex Spencer Jetty project to an extremely high standard."
