Family, friends and ex-colleagues of the late Joe Breen
OBE met at Belfast Marina in Abercorn Basin for the renaming
of the Department's new survey vessel to the ‘Joe Breen'.
The renaming ceremony was hosted by Minister Muir along with
members of the Breen family including his widow Huggy and
children Sarah and Joe (Jr). Joe was a much-loved and
highly respected member of the DAERA Marine and Fisheries team
with a career spanning over 30 years in the Civil Service,
primarily in the field of marine conservation and environmental
protection. He died in June 2024 after a short illness.
Having heard of Joe's work from both officials and stakeholders,
particularly the Rathlin Islanders, Minister Muir made the
decision that the new DAERA boat would be named after Joe.
Minister Muir stated: “It is most fitting that this new
and innovative survey vessel is named after Joe, who spear-headed
innovation in marine survey for so many years. Joe also pioneered
the work on the first Marine Conservation Zones around Northern
Ireland,
“He had that special gift of bringing complex science to
life with other scientists and the public alike through pictures,
radio and television. I am so pleased that Joe's efforts
both within the Department and in his expansive volunteering with
Community Rescue, RNLI, the Naval Reserve and in other areas were
recognised in October 2023 in his being awarded an
OBE.
“Joe was an exceptional officer and leaves a strong
legacy of innovation in the many scientists that he worked with
in the Department. It is so appropriate that this beautiful
survey catamaran is also now part of that legacy.”
Joe's wife Huggy said: “We are deeply honoured that Joe's legacy
will live on through this survey vessel. His guiding
principle was never to seek financial gain, but to be remembered
for his good initiatives and unwavering commitment to helping
others. On behalf of our entire family circle, I wish to
express our heartfelt gratitude for this great honour of renaming
the Department's new survey vessel the SV Joe Breen.
"Joe had a deep love and passion for the sea and was an
unwavering champion for nature. His legacy in marine
conservation science will hopefully shape the future for the next
generation, ensuring that the complex balance between marine
resource exploitation and sustainability is maintained. It
is especially meaningful that his memory will continue on the
sea, where he spent his happiest times and we are delighted that
his name will live on, on the high seas.”
Minister Muir spent some time with the family aboard the Survey
Vessel Joe Breen, emerging then to complete the naming ceremony
with Breen family members.
The event was watched from the shore by a wider collection of
family, friends and ex-colleagues, all of whom then had the
opportunity to tour the SV Joe Breen.
Notes to editors:
- Photo caption: Minister Muir is pictured with members of
the Breen family at the renaming ceremony. Pictured (L-R)
are Joe Breen (Jr), Louisa Breen, Minister , Anne (Huggy) Breen,
Sarah Wynne (nee Breen) and Mark Wynne.
- The Department took delivery of the new survey vessel in
December 2022 and was given the holding name of ‘Blyth 214' when
it was built by Blyth Catamarans as the 214th hull moulding,
pending a decision on a chosen name.
- The vessel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies to
monitor the inshore area of the Northern Irish marine
environment. These include; Multibeam echosounder, side
scan sonar, remotely operated underwater vehicles and high
resolution camera systems as well as traditional sampling
equipment. This equipment is ensuring that DAERA can fulfil
its statutory monitoring responsibilities.
- These technologies allow assessment, monitoring, and
protection of our marine flora and fauna, and the physical
habitat features which these species rely on. This will help
towards attaining the goals set out in the United Nations United
Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
(2021-2030) as well as improve ‘ocean literacy', i.e. ensuring
that the public understand the issues facing the marine
environment, in the local population.
