Rankin Dinghy Sailing in Cork Harbour & Lifejacket Safety Advice

31st May 2017

Twelve of the revered Cork Harbour Rankin dinghies gathered for a commemorative sail. They launched at Whitepoint near Cobh and sailed across the harbour to Crosshaven. Choppy waters and a strengthening breeze created "interesting and testing conditions at times, but were enjoyable and well handled by the Rankins" according to those who took part. They gathered at the Hugh Coveney Pier in Crosshaven and in the village's Oar Bar made a presentation to Ida Hadley, sister of the brothers Eric and Dave Rankin. the builders of the Rankins. For Afloat,Tom MacSweeney sailed aboard one of the dinghies and describes the sail in his new MacSweeney's Podcast, starting this week on Afloat below Credit: Oisin MacSweeney

Welcome to my new series of MacSweeney Podcasts on Afloat, in which I’ll be reporting on sailing and all to do with the culture, history, tradition and development of maritime Ireland.

These short Podcasts, about five minutes duration, will partner the fortnightly broadcast of my This Island Nation programme also here on Afloat, giving readers and listeners a shorter account of the maritime stories which catch my attention.

This week I’m podcasting dinghies, having sailed in one for the first time in 30 years and I am told why you should consider your automatic, gas-inflated lifejacket, in the same way as you would a parachute... Check it and make sure it is maintained....CH Marine says it is servicing 800 of them a month now, which shows that leisure sailors are concerned about their personal safety, which is the message Irish Water Safety is also conveying.

If, despite care, you get into trouble while swimming, the RNLI surprised me a little when they suggested that you should stop fighting the danger you find yourself in and try floating to safety instead.... When you hear how to do it, that’s good, specific advice to be followed.

The dinghy I sailed in was a Rankin, across Cork Harbour and it was a cracking sail. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s great to see old boats looked after and returned to the water for sailing.

So now... click below and listen to the Podcast.... In about five minutes you’ll benefit from the safety advice and enjoy the dinghy...

Win a Crewsaver Ergofit Pro Lifejacket Worth €205 In This Free To Enter CH Marine/Afloat.ie Competition here

Published in Rankin Dinghy, Island Nation

Published in Rankin Dinghy

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