City to be part of ‘coolroute’ tothe Artic

Derry City and Strabane District Council has agreed to participate in a “Cool Route Project” to establish a Yacht Cruising Route between Cork and the Artic circle in Norway.

Members of the Council’s Business and Culture Committee gave their approval for the Council to enter a partnership arrangement with a range of partners including Donegal County Council, Royal Cork Yacht Club, Glasgow Caledonian University, Blue Seas Marinas Glasgow, Port Authority of Torshavn Faroe Islands and the Western Norway Research Institute as part of the three year project.

Aeidin McCarter, Investment and Enterprise Development Officer with the Council explained that the total value of the project to Derry City and Strabane District Council over the three year period is 204,541.64 euros with 65 per cent funding under the Interreg VB Northern Periphery and Arctic Area (NPA) Programme and delivered by the Cork Institute of Technology (CIT).

She explained that the Cool Route Project is a strategic initiative aimed at developing a yacht cruising route stretching across the coastline of the NPA.

She said: “It is significant that Council recognises the importance of being part of the initiative that will help promote our natural resources and assets and be part of a Cool Route coastline with one of the most scenic cruising grounds and highly secure waters to voyage over long distances.”