An Garda Síochána are contesting the International Coppers Cup (ICC) 2015 in Croatia. The ICC is a sailing regatta consisting of 24 teams from International Police Forces. Although the regatta previously held in the Netherlands it ended two years ago but the Slovenia Police Force have organised the first ICCA regatta in Croatia.

The Garda Team is made up of five crew, three serving and two retired members.' We will also be joined from other members of An Garda Síochána as we have taken our Club yacht to Croatia from Sicily to act as a support boat' says team member Conor O'Byrne, a former Clipper Round the World Race competitor. 

An Garda Síocána we have two sailing clubs, one based in Dublin and the other in Cork. The Clubs are funded and ran by serving and retired members along with a small number of civilians. The Garda East Coast Sailing Club are at present en route to Croatia.

After 26 years the ICC regatta has moved from Holland to the Adriatic sea becoming ICCA – International Cooppers Cup.

The Interpol Coopers Cup regatta was first organized in 1989 in Holland, when a group of Interpols sailing enthusiasts from that particular country decided to invite employees from law inforcement authorities to a sailing competition. From then on the regatta took place every two years, with increasing number of crews each year. The regatta was participated by crews from most countries of EU and Australia. 

In agreement with SPST (Slovenian Police Sailing Team), the regatta has now moved to the Adriatic sea. The first ICCA regatta will take place from 19–26 September in Croatia. 24 teams are registered from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Holland, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and even Hong Kong. There will be over 200 participants including the Garda Siochana and the PSNI.

This year the crews will be sailing on Bavaria 46 sailing cruisers. 

An Garda Siochana received a call from a concerned woman who had observed a yacht struggling with its sail. She was unsure but was afraid that they may be having difficulties and in need of assistance. The Gardai contacted Ballycotton RNLI lifeboat station and 23:30 the Ballycotton lifeboat launched to investigate the report.  After a short search they returned to harbour having satisfied themselves that all was in order.

A few hours later, at 04:10, they launched again. This time it was to a 44 ft fishing vessel with propeller problems 37 miles south east of Ballycotton.  They are due to be with the casualty at 06:00 when a tow will be commenced. Conditions at sea are fresh and it will take approximately 6 hours to tow the vessel to harbour.

More to follow in due course.