A fleet of up to 50 boats from 10 clubs is a strong possibility for the Investwise SB3 Irish National Championships at Howth YC on September 3rd-5th, with 'McCready Sailboats' (Gareth Flannigan, Ballyhome) and 'Sharkbait' (Ben Duncan of the host club) among the pre-racing favourites.

The two crews have been regular front-runners in the Irish fleet, with wins at the Southerns and Northerns respectively, and they sit on top of the ranking ladder this year. Peter Kennedy (RNIYC), who won the title last year in Cork, and former All-Ireland Champion Sean Craig are also expected to be among the leading contenders.

The Western Championships in Galway a fortnight before the Nationals will give a further indication of form although such is the high level of competition in the SB3 class that any one of 10 crews has the potential to lift the title.

The Nationals, under the control of PRO David Lovegrove (???), will involve 8 races over three days, with the fleet being split into gold, silver and bronze divisions after the second day, based on overall positions at that time.

The sponsor is Investwise, a financial planning firm based in Dublin's docklands whose managing director David Quinn is an active SB3 sailor in Howth. Established in 1988, the firm offers independent, impartial, client-focused advice on all aspects of personal finance including pension strategies, savings and investments and guidance on lending and debt issues.

"As a keen SB3 sailor, I am delighted to have the opportunity to be associated with the Nationals as its title sponsor and I wish all the competitors – and the organizers – the best of luck for the event", said David Quinn.

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 2. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 3. Thirty Something (Gerry Jones et al)

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Prospect (Chris Johnston), 2. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 3. Fiddly Bits (Kevin Byrne et al)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 2. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 3. WOW (George Sisk)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. WOW (George Sisk), 2. Tsunami (Vincent Farrell), 3. Lively Lady (Derek Martin)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Rollercoaster (C&P Power-Smith), 3. Raptor (D.Hewitt et al)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Joker 11 (John Maybury), 3. Rollercoaster (C&P Power-Smith)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Borraine (Ean Pugh), 2. Free Spirit (John O'Reilly), 3. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Red Rhum (J Nicholson), 2. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 3. Peridot (Jim McCann et al)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Hard on Port (Flor O'Driscoll), 2. Supernova (K.Lawless et al), 3. Two Step (Ross Doyle)

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Papytoo (M.Walsh/F.Guilfoyle), 2. Jabiru (M & S Renwick), 3. Vespucci (S & C O'Regan)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 2. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 3. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen)

DRAGON - 1. Phantom (D.Williams/P.Bowring), 2. Zu (P.Dee et al), 3. Diva (R.Johnson/R.Goodbody)

FLYING FIFTEEN - 1. Fifty Somethings (David Mulvin), 2. Snow White (Frank Burgess), 3. Deranged (C.Doorly)

GLEN - 1. Glendun (B.Denham et al), 2. Glenmarissa (F.Elmes/W.Higgins), 3. Glenshesk (L.Faulkner et al)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Cresendo (L Balfe), 2. Ruff Nuff (D & C Mitchell), 3. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe)

SB3s - 1. Blue Bird (Cathy McAleavy), 2. Bad-Kilcullen (J.Dowling), 3. Alert Packaging (Justin Burke)

SHIPMAN - 1. Malindi (B.Smith/A.Gray), 2. Whiterock (Henry Robinson), 3. Therapi (Alan McCarthy et al)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 3. Gwili Two (D.Clarke/P.Maguire)

SQUIB - 1. Why Not (Derek & Jean Jago), 2. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 3. Chillax (Mary McLoughlin)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Coumeenole (Bill Kavanagh), 2. Albireo (Michael Murphy), 3. Teal (Ian French)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer), 2. Calypso (Howard Knott), 3. Nauti-Gal (J & J Crawford)

The midyear data in particular points towards trade volume growth in three of the principal freight segments; most significantly in lift-on/ lift-off (lo/lo) export trades which we estimate grew by 5%. Roll-on/Roll-off export traffic was also up 5% per cent on an all island basis. Dry bulk volumes through ROI ports increased by 15% for the first six months compared to the same period last year. Shipments in April this year saw the strongest monthly volume of bulk cargoes in over 2 years.

Roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro) traffic on an all-Island basis continued to make a steady recovery with an increase of 2%, up to 771,585units for the first half of 2010. The ro/ro segment is largely weighted towards services to and from the UK which remains our largest trading partner.

The most significant change in volume has been in the main lo/lo trades. Overall total volume including export and imports fell only marginally by 1% to June with 517,552 units being handled. However this compares to a -24% reduction for the same periods last year.

A key factor in the positive upward movement has been the continued strong performance of export volumes which as noted was up 5% year on year. Import volumes were down 2% which is largely as a result of continued weak domestic demand. Nonetheless the rate of decline in import volumes has eased sharply which is possibly also offset by demand for industrial imports used as inputs for the merchandise export trades.

The sharp fall in import units over the last 24 months has inversely created a problem for export companies as there is now reduced supply of export quality containers available in Ireland. As a result shipping lines have to reposition empty containers from the UK and Continent which in turn adds to the overall cost of the export box.

Dry bulk (Bulk carrier) trades recovered some of the record volume losses seen in 2009 with a strong 15% increase between January and June. Part of this recovery is attributed to stronger domestic demand for grains, fertilizers and other agricultural products, while improved global demand for steel and other ore aggregates also pushed up volume throughput.

Breakbulk volumes through ROI ports linked to construction inventories such as steel and timber continued to decline by 11%, which is half the recorded figure for 2009. Nonetheless volume activity in this segment remains at a historically low level.

Liquid bulk (Tanker) volumes such as oil fell by 4%, with lower transshipment storage for the US market and other seasonal factors impacting on demand. The outlook for continued short term volume recovery remains largely contingent on the external recovery in the global economy.

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Cor Baby (Keith Kiernan et al), 2. Borraine (Ean Pugh)

CRUISERS 3 - 1. Rattler 2 (Austin Whelan), 2. Chouskikou (R.Sheehan/R.Hickey), 3. Grasshopper 2 (K & J Glynn)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Artemis (J.Giles), 3. Aslana (J.Martin/B.Mulkeen)

FIREBALL - 1. Weather (E.Butler/O.Laverty), 2. Blind Squirrel (Frank Miller), 3. Goodness Gracious (Louise McKenna)

GLEN - 1. Pterodactyl (R & D McCaffrey), 2. Glenluce (D & R O'Connor), 3. Glencoe (Rose Mary Craig et al)

IDRA 14 FOOT - 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan), 3. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)

MERMAID - 1. Oonagh (J&M Griffith), 2. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

PY CLASS - 1. Evan Dolan (), 2. Brian O'Hare (Laser 1), 3. David Dwyer (Laser)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy), 2. Diane ll (Bruce Carswell), 3. Cresendo (L Balfe)

SIGMA 33 - 1. Pippa lV (G.Kinsman/K.Blake/M.O'Brien), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian)

SQUIB - 1. Tais (Michael O'Connell), 2. Periguin (N.Coakley/J.Redahan)

After 3 very intense days of international competition at the Dennis Connor International Yacht Club Challenge, the Irish teams consisting of Royal Cork Yacht Club finished 3rd, Howth Yacht club finished 5th overall beating some very talented opposition including the two local Manhattan Yacht Club teams.
The event was sailed in a fleet of J24's and the RCYC boat was skippered by Stefan Hyde and the Howth Boat by Emma McDonald.

In fact if it was not for a penalty after a collision in race 4 (Under Regatta rules, if a collision occurs, both boats have to do turns no matter who is in the right / wrong) and the cancellation of race 7 on the last beat due to a approaching thunderstorm - podium positions for both teams could have beckoned.

The regatta was sailed in the very busy waters of the Hudson river in New York City which along with the challenges of avoiding commercial traffic, some of the strongest currents that the crew have ever experienced had to be negotiated in varied winds from 5knts on the opening day to 30knts plus during approaching thunderstorms on the final day. The 3rd Irish team; Wexford Harbour Yacht and Tennis Club finished in 10th place.

The event was won by the team from Switzerland - Societe Nautique Rolloise followed one point behind by USA - Southern Yacht Club and then a fantastic 3rd place by the Irish team from Royal Cork skippered by Stefan Hyde.

It is tradition on presentation night that each team presents to the team that finishes behind them in the final results a humourous prize.
4th place Austrian team presented the HYC team with "Lederhosen".

Howth Yacht Club also presented Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh of Manhattan Sailing Club and Dennis Connor (Americas Cup Hero) with HYC Burgees.

A fantastic event in a wonderful city that certainly promoted international goodwill through friendly competition.

In an exciting sailing climax for a buoyant ISORA series September's race will determine the overall winner. “Raging Bull”, “Just Enough” and the reigning Champion, “Tsunami” can all take the Wolf’s Head Trophy. Peter Ryan reports on this and news from last weekend's race 8, the M2 buoy race. 

The series table is available to download below.

From an entry list of 30 boats, 17 boats came to the line in Dun Laoghaire for the 8th ISORA race. We had one new boat taking part in this race, “Oystercatcher”. The course for the night was: Start – M2 Weather Buoy (P) –Finish.

The forecast for the race looked perfect – 10-12 kts South west. It was expected that the fleet would complete the 54-mile course with no problem. However, as usual, this is not what happened!!! While all boats completed the course, the winds were far from perfect.

The race was started by Peter Beamish, Commodore of the Royal Alfred Yacht Club and Paul McCarthy. The wind at the start was 16kts – south west. This gave a dead run to the M2. The fleet started off the line with spinnakers. As the course was a dead run, the fleet broke into two gybes. Twelve boats heading north towards Howth head while five boats heading out towards Kish. All of a sudden a big hole appeared around the five boats and sat closely by for over a hour while the north fleet headed over the horizon. It was not until the north fleet was a dot on the horizon did the wind fill in and the five boats headed off towards M2. The wind had backed making the leg a broad reach. The wind also increased to 23 knots as the fleet approached M2.

“Roller Coaster” was the first to round M2 with the remainder of the fleet following in procession. It seemed like the return leg would be a simple fetch back to Dun Loaghaire. However, the wind was having none of this. There were several massive wind shifts and wind speed variations all through the leg. Shifts in the order of 60 degrees were experienced as the fleet got into Dublin Bay.

“Roller Coaster” took line honours, 1st Overall and 1st in Class 1. “Team Windmill” took 2nd Overall and 2nd Class1. “Raging Bull” took 3rd Class 1. “Big Hillie Style” took 1st Class 2 and 3rd Overall. Newcomer “Oystercatcher” took 2nd in Class 2 while “Just Enough” took 3rd Class 2.

The next race is on the 11th September, the James Eadie Race from Pwllheli to Howth. The Overall ISORA Championship will be determined by the outcome of this race. “Raging Bull”, “Just Enough” and the reigning Champion, “Tsunami” can all take the Wolf’s Head Trophy.

State-of-the-art revolutionary rotor-ship E-Ship 1 docked in Dublin Port for the second time on 21 August after a voyage from Emden, Germany writes Jehan Ashmore.

The previous week the 'green' energy concept vessel completed the same route and notably on a maiden commercial voyage to Dublin. Onboard that inaugural voyage to the capital was a cargo of wind-turbines, tower parts and blades for the Castledockrell Wind Farm, currently under construction in Co Wexford.

The newbuild German vessel has four 25-metre high rotating cyclinder towers positioned fore and aft, that enable the vessel to harness wind energy. The rotors act as "sails" to assist propulsion of the 12,810 gross tonnes vessel and in which reduces fuel consumption significantly and lessens the impact of CO2 emissions.

The rotor technology is derived from a principle known as the Magnus Effect. This invention was further adapted in 1925 when the Fletter-Rotor ship set sail. The experimental voyage proved a success though not enough to convince the shipping industry as conventional engine plants remained efficient and the cost of fuel was low.

E-Ship 1's second port-call to Dublin was to deliver another consignment for the Co. Wexford based wind-farm project. The componants are manufactured by Enercon GmBH, the German company which also commissioned the E-Ship 1. The vessel incorporates many innovative designs derived from the wind-technology sector.

E-Ship 1 arriving from Emden on only the second call to Dublin Port on 21 August. Photo Jehan Ashmore/ShipSNAPS

BENETEAU 31.7 Echo- 1. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 2. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)

BENETEAU 31.7 - 1. Magic (D.O'Sullivan/D.Espey), 2. Violet Flame (B.Murphy/L.Osbourne), 3. Prospect (Chris Johnston)

CRUISERS 0 Echo - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. WOW (George Sisk), 3. Tiamat (Tim Costello)

CRUISERS 0 - 1. Lively Lady (Derek Martin), 2. WOW (George Sisk), 3. Tiamat (Tim Costello)

CRUISERS 1 - 1. Jalapeno (Dermod Baker et al), 2. Jura (Barry McCabe), 3. Jetstream (Peter Redden)

CRUISERS 1 Echo - 1. Jura (Barry McCabe), 2. Adrenalin (Joe McDonald), 3. Gringo (Tony Fox)

CRUISERS 2 Echo - 1. Dick Dastardly (B.Cusack et al), 2. Bendemeer (Gerald Kinsella), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson)

CRUISERS 2 - 1. Dick Dastardly (B.Cusack et al), 2. Jawesome 11 (V.Kennedy/M.Dyke), 3. Red Rhum (J Nicholson)

CRUISERS 3 Echo - 1. Carrabeg (D.Martin/R.Deasy)

CRUISERS 4 - 1. Maranda (Myles Kelly), 2. Ghrazel (Charles Pearson), 3. Rascal (K.Burke/S.Milner)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 1- 1. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman), 2. Kooigjug (K Dumpleton), 3. Fifty Somethings (David Mulvin)

FLYING FIFTEEN Race 2- 1. Out of the Blue (F.Mitchell/G Grier), 2. Gulfstream (A.Cooper), 3. Hy5ive (D & S Gorman)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 1- 1. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne)

IDRA 14 FOOT Race 2- 1. Dunmoanin (Frank Hamilton), 2. Doody (J.Fitzgerald/J.Byrne), 3. Sapphire (Lorcan O'Sullivan)

MERMAID Race 2- 1. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 2. Oonagh (J&M Griffith), 3. Aideen (B.Martin/D.Brennan)

MERMAID Race 1- 1. Oonagh (J&M Griffith), 2. Jill (P.Smith/P.Mangan), 3. Kim (D Cassidy)

RUFFIAN 23 - 1. Ruff N Ready (Ann Kirwan et al), 2. Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe), 3. Alias (D.Meeke/M.McCarthy)

SHIPMAN - 1. Euphanzel lll (Louis McSherry et al), 2. Jo Slim (J.Clarke et al), 3. Macro One (Joseph Murray)

SIGMA 33 - 1. White Mischief (Timothy Goodbody), 2. Rupert (R.Lovegrove/P.Varian), 3. Popje (Ted McCourt)

SQUIB Race 1- 1. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 2. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans), 3. Lola (Frank Whelan)

SQUIB Race 2- 1. Perfection (Jill Fleming), 2. Lola (Frank Whelan), 3. Anemos (Pete & Ann Evans)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS Echo - 1. Finnegans Wake (T.Rowlands et al), 2. Coumeenole (Bill Kavanagh), 3. Just Jasmin (Philip Smith)

WHITE SAIL CRUISERS - 1. Act Two (Michael O'Leary et al), 2. Arwen (Philip O'Dwyer), 3. Calypso (Howard Knott)

During the summer the 290m vessel called to the capital as did one of her sisterships, the slightly smaller Emerald Princes. The 2006 built Italian Crown Princess presented a most impressive sight while in the port but equally when departing in the bay on 13 August at the start of a short leisurely overnight passage to Liverpool.

Crown Princess represents one of several 'Grand'-class generation vessels built for Princess Cruises, a subsidiary of the US-owned cruise clongomerate, Carnival Cruise Corporation, based in Miami. The leadship of the class, Grand Princess made the first cruise-call to Dublin in August 2004.

On that occasion, Grand Princess was the largest cruiseship to dock in Dublin, breaking all records when surpassing the milestone 100,000gt mark. The vessel moored unsually at the Coal Quay, a berth normally reserved for ships trading in scrap-metal. Since then the Grand-class sisters berth in a more central location within the port at Alexandra Basin.