The discreet return of the Green Dragon to its home port was in marked contrast to its last passage through Galway docks.
An estimated 8,000 to 10,.000 people turned out back in late May for its pre-dawn arrival, when it came third in a closely fought transatlantic crossing by the Volvo ocean race fleet.
The Irish entry was fifth in the round world race overall. The hull, gear and equipment and its two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), are now up for sale as a “ready to sail” package at a cost of 2.5 million euro – just over half the construction cost.
Johnny Mordaunt, who skippered the boat on a northabout passage from Dun Laoghaire, said that the return trip had been “very pleasant”with a crew of ten.
“It was a very pleasant delivery with variable winds, and the boat will stay on a berth now till Monday when it will be lifted out of the water,”he said.
A full decommissioning and audit is in place, and the vessel will be available for inspection onshore for any potential bidders – such as Galway race festival visitors perhaps. It is expected that it will be on display outside the Atlantaquaria in Salthill next week.
“This boat was sailed by a fine team, it is my third Volvo project, and I think the entry and the super Galway stopover have done more for Irish sailing than perhaps anything in years,”Mordaunt said.
The 70-foot vessel was funded by a consortium of Irish businessmen and Tourism Ireland, while there was also sponsorship from Chinese business interests.
Galway is making a bid for a return of race to the city. Some 91 ports submitted applications in the first round, including Belfast, and Galway is known to be among a shortlist of 32 ports.
Belfast is hosting the Tall Ships race next month (aug), which began in Vigo, Spain in May. It is expecting up to half a million visitors for its festival from August 13th to 16th. Belfast last hosted the tall ships race in 1991.
