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Displaying items by tag: Hell on High Seas

It's their final day on the open water, the Hell on High Seas team are on their way to London after skirting the Irish coast for the past 48 hours under former Irish Green Dragon Skipper Ian Walker, the current Volvo Ocean Race winner.The celebrity crew taking part in the BT Sport Relief Challenge: Hell on High Seas were forced to moor up for the night on Wedensday after the coastguard issued a Gale Force 10 Warning.

The yacht, crewed by The One Show’s Alex Jones, TV presenter Angellica Bell, Comedian Hal Cruttenden, Actress Doon Mackichan, and TV presenters Ore Oduba and Suzi Perry, was initially hoping to reach Southampton by the end of the day. However with members of the crew suffering extreme sea-sickness and the boat almost capsizing due to the towering waves, the team skipper Ian Walker took the decision to moor up for the night in Plymouth to let the storm pass.

In spite of the appalling conditions, the crew were overwhelmed when they heard they have raised a staggering £354,810 so far. This news means that they are more determined than ever to finish the challenge and make it across the finish line in London on Friday 11th March.
The incredible feat, which is sponsored by BT – a long-term supporter of Sport Relief challenges since 2009 – kicked off in Belfast on Monday 7th March after a weekend of intense training. The team are living, sleeping and working on the Volvo Ocean 65 - a carbon-fibre speed machine that has been optimized for maximum performance.
The money raised by the challenge will help transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged people both at home in the UK and across some of the world’s poorest communities.

Published in Ocean Race

About Foyle Port

Foyle Port, located in the North West region of Northern Ireland, is estimated to handle around 2 million tonnes of cargo per year, with a trade value of approximately £1 billion. The port plays a crucial role in facilitating the import of essential agri-products, supporting around 20,000 farms in the region, as well as various local business sectors such as fuel/oil and construction industries. The organisation supports an estimated 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

Originally located in the bustling heart of Derry City, the Commissioners relocated the port to its current deep-water location at Lisahally in 1993. The terminal boasts an impressive 440 metres of quay and can accommodate large vessels of up to 62,000 DWT. Foyle Port is primarily a bulk port and a significant importer of essential commodities such as oil, coal, animal feed, fertiliser, and plywood, all of which are vital for the North West rural region.

Since 2003, the organisation has experienced significant growth, doubling both turnover and profit and attracting approximately £100 million of inward investment to the region. This investment has supported projects, including a fertiliser plant, an oil tank farm, and a biomass power station.

Established by Act of Parliament in 1854, the Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners is an independent statutory authority with a duty to develop, maintain and operate to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security. The Port is independent of the Government and is self-financing. All financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of future generations of stakeholders.