Loop Head, the Shannon estuary's new pilot boat, has been formally commissioned at Kilrush marina, Co Clare. The £250,000 vessel, which was part-funded by the EU, was named by Mrs Rita Griffin, wife of the estuary's senior pilot, Mr Brendan Griffin, after an ecumenical blessing. The ceremony was attended by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, the Gaeltacht and the Islands and Clare TD, Ms De Valera.