The end of SEASCAPES, my original ‘maritime broadcasting brainchild’ came on St.Patrick’s Night when it departed the RTE airwaves after a run of 34 years on Radio One. It was disappointing that what I had started as a 15-minute weekly programme in 1989, originally for the then Summer months, became silent. Over 22 years as its Presenter and Producer I built it into a weekly half-hour programme, surviving many twists and turns from RTE radio scheduling administrators who moved it wildly between different times and evenings, a death-knell for many programmes, but not for SEASCSAPES. Around the nation listeners remained loyal and supportive and it gained audience, with the uniqueness of its theme tune, Sailing By, particularly attractive. That was not the Ronald Binge version of the tune broadcast on the BBC’s late night Sea Area Forecast. My version came from Ronnie Aldrich and his Orchestra on their Sea Dreams LP.
In many places I was known more by SEASCAPES than for my RTE News radio and television work and so, when I succeeded in becoming RTE’s first – and only – Marine Correspondent, I achieved my dream job.
Effective communication is the process of exchanging ideas, thoughts, opinions and knowledge, so that the message is received and understood with clarity and purpose. When we communicate effectively, both the sender and receiver feel satisfied. A maritime voice is needed because the marine sphere does not get sufficient attention on the national media, electronic or print. Which is why I now present my programme on Community Radio Stations around the country and on all leading Podcast services. It is also broadcast on the Marine Times website and on the Maritime Ireland website: https://tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie
And the theme tune is Sailing By….
Do tune in….
