Last week, the tall ship Leader arrived in Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough. This significant development will offer a fantastic opportunity to expand the Atlantic Youth Trust's development programme through maritime sail training voyages. Leader will serve participants from across the region in developing valuable life skills like confidence, leadership, and communication, all through this unique maritime environment.

The Atlantic Youth Trust was founded in 2014 with the idea that one of the best ways to help young people develop is through time spent on a tall ship. Its mission to empower young people across Ireland by challenging them through sail training experiences.

The Leader and Brian Boru are two sail training ketches in the Atlantic Youth Trust fleet. They are now passenger-licensed for sail training and have undergone some major refits this year. The Brian Boru is based in Dublin Bay.

Atlantic Youth Trust Leader at the Central Pier in Bangor Harbour Photo Rob Armstrong

At the open day, the public was welcomed aboard for an informal conversation about the aims and advantages of voyages on the ship. First mate Sarah McClelland was interviewed by the BBC about her role on Leader and what it will mean to youth in the local community and beyond. Also present were Bangor Marina staff, Bangor RNLI, Andrew Muir MLA, the Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council Alistair Cathcart, and supporters from Royal Ulster.

The ship's bell of the Atlantic Youth Trust's Tall Ship Leader Photo: via Facebook

Bangor Harbour Master and Marina Manager Kevin Baird is pleased that the Leader is making its home in Bangor. "We are delighted to welcome The Atlantic Youth Trust and the Leader to Bangor. It's a fantastic opportunity for our city and for Bangor Marina. We look forward to working closely with them in the future, as we share their commitment to getting young people afloat and inspiring the next generation through maritime education and adventure. Their values resonate strongly with our own goals of supporting youth engagement, sustainability, and community involvement on the water."

For Gavin Vaughan and his team, the fundraising voyage Round Ireland has now raised £12800 in aid of the Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer charity, NIPANC, which raises awareness of pancreatic cancer, provides support and helps fund research in Northern Ireland.

Gavin from Royal North Yacht Club on Belfast Lough and his team on the Jeanneau SO 349 Toucan spent 32 days and sailed 920 miles with only two days lost to bad weather in honour and in memory of his long-time friend Neale McCullough who died of Pancreatic Cancer last year. He and Neale had planned a Round Ireland voyage, but Neale passed away before they could do it. So, this circumnavigation was a real mission accomplished in what was a summer of unpredictable weather.

Picking up where the first half of Gavin's story finished in Afloat, Northern Ireland Sailor Embarks on Fundraising Circumnavigation of Ireland in Memory of Friend (afloat.ie). The morning Toucan left Fenit in Tralee Bay the weather changed; after a good week of fine and settled conditions it became very changeable with strong to gale force SW winds which Gavin looked on as a good direction. Every day for the next week they had heavy rain mixed with sunny intervals and the rain always seemed to arrive as they approached a port to stop for the night, anchoring or mooring in soaking rain with little chance to get dry before leaving the next morning.

Gavin Vaughan (right) presenting a cheque for £12400 on 14th August to Ivan McMinn MBE on Chairperson of NIPANC The amount raised is now £12,800. Photo: Jonathan Jones

After the overnight in Kilronan on Inishmore in the Aran Islands, they had a crew change at Rossaveel on the north coast of Galway Bay, before heading to Roundstone. They arrived there to find the annual regatta under way, as well as the All-Ireland currach rowing championships. Gavin and the crew were delighted "That was a great spectacle and as you can imagine the craic was mighty in the town".

On then to Inishbofin Island, north west of Clifden in County Galway and then to Blacksod Quay with both days wet, grey and overcast mostly obliterating Slyne Head and the beautiful Mayo coast.

Gavin reflects"If you don't know it Blacksod Quay it is literally the end of the road with a few houses and one pub. As we were anchoring (in the rain) a young local fisherman came alongside to welcome us and asked if we needed any provisions (explaining the nearest shop was 5 miles away). He took our order and as promised delivered them to us at 5.30am the next morning as he was going fishing, and we were leaving; proper Irish hospitality!".

Teelin, a Gaeltacht village in the south-west of County Donegal was the next stop, then Portnoo and Burtonport to visit friends. Then on to Downings in Sheephaven Bay. The winds were stronger in Donegal, and the 27-knot South Westerlies and a following sea surfed Toucan through Tory Sound. After Downings came the more familiar North Coast with Portrush, then Rathlin Island and Glenarm. The homecoming weather improved; the sun shone, and the winds softened for the rest of the trip. They arrived back in Bangor on Wednesday, 31st July, at 1430 to a great welcome from family, friends, the charity and their press people.

So 32 days and 920 miles with only two days lost to bad weather which Gavin had allowed for in planning the itinerary was what Gavin considered acceptable in what was a forgettable summer of weather.

Gavin talked about the voyage "It was an amazing experience and I will have many great memories. If asked would I do it again (and I have been many times over the past month), I would say only if it was a proper summer, and I would take twice as long". And Ivan McMinn MBE, Chairperson of NIPANC said: "Yet another incredible epic endurance event for NIPANC. Circumnavigating Ireland on a yacht, taking on 1,000 miles over the course of a month is no mean feat.

The money raised will be invested into research and supporting individuals and families facing a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. The publicity generated around the challenge has also helped us raise awareness of the disease and its symptoms which is also core to our purpose. As a pancreatic cancer survivor, my heartfelt thanks to all involved. You have made a difference, and we are grateful."

This weekend's passage for Toucan will be much shorter – to Portpatrick on the Mull of Galloway for Royal Ulster's annual offshore race. He will be defending his YTC first place in 2023.

You can support the charity here 

When twin Brothers Billy & Brian Smyth of Royal North of Ireland YC at Cultra brought the Bermuda-rigged 35ft West Solent semi-OD Class Suvretta to Belfast Lough in the late 1950s, she was still very much as designed and built by Harry May of the Berthon Boat Company of Lymington in 1924. Of austere comforts with limited headroom under a flush deck, the emphasis was clearly on racing. Yet by the time the Smyth brothers took over, the only significant change was a slight shortening of the mainboom to facilitate a standing masthead backstay.

Suvretta was soon cutting the mustard with the Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough fleets, and in 1960 she won the North Channel Race - from Cultra to the Clyde - with the large Clyde Cruising Club fleet returning towards Clyde Week. In time, after several more successes, the Smyth brothers became more comfort-minded, and moved on to the hefty 9-ton Dalkey-built sloop Wynalda, with which they cruised extensively to take many awards, including the Irish Cruising Club's Round Ireland Cup, but there was no way Wynalda matched Suvretta's sparkling racing success.

Suvretta in Belfast Lough off Cultra in 1960, when she won the North Channel Race overall from a large fleet. Photo: ICC

Suvretta meanwhile moved on to Stoupe Corry of Strangford Lough YC, who continued the pattern of successful regatta and occasionally offshore racing. But by the 1970s her life had taken a new turn when she was bought by deep-sea tug skipper Sam Davis, also of Strangford Lough. He improved the onboard comfort with a rugged coachroof, and went off on a Transatlantic circuit cruise, with an extended and leisurely time island-hopping through the Caribbean, before finally heading for Ireland and home in the summer of 1979.

SURVIVING FASTNET STORM OF 1979

This meant he was caught right in the middle of the Fastnet Storm of August 1979. But while Sam and Suvretta had a rough time of it and went through several serious knockdowns with one that may have been a pitchpole, his workmanship on the coachroof withstood the test, and in time he was able to sail for port, battered but unbowed even if without auxiliary or electrical power.

Suvretta in 2007, on her way for complete restoration and still with the coachrooof as fitted by Sam Davis for his Transatlantic circuit cruise in the 1970s

Based back in Strangford Lough, Sam worked hard on tough professional tugboat skipper assignments mainly in the Middle East, and in time acquired a Rival 41 which he re-named Suvretta, and cruised to the Pacific and round Cape Horn. The original Suvretta meanwhile was eventually swept up in a new enthusiasm for the fine boats of the West Solent Class, and in 2008 she re-emerged, sailing in Suffolk and in such superb order that she won classic awards.

Suvretta born again. The distinct toe to the keel is a factor in her good windward performance

Fast forward to 2024, and Suvretta is reaching her Centenary in the ownership of Victoria and Chris Preston, racing in Cowes Week near her birthplace of Lymington. Until quite recently, the Prestons raced a J/109, but thought that a move to classics racing with a thoroughbred like Suvretta might give their sailing extra meaning. It seems old habits don't die. They raced Suvretta so well that the ageless Centenarian – with the experiences of a dozen lifetimes behind her – was declared "Boat of the Week".

The canvas-covered deck as orginally designed a hundred years ago was originally much less expensive than a teak-laid deck, but restoring and maintaining it these days is a special skill

Belfast Lough Sailability is a non-profit organisation run entirely by dedicated volunteers. It exists for sailing and boating to disabled and disadvantaged people across Northern Ireland. Operating from Carrickfergus Marina on the north side of Belfast Lough, it has a wide range of boats for everyone to enjoy.

BLS has recently acquired a new rigid inflatable boat (RIB) named Barnaby at a ceremony last month at the Marina attended by a gathering of community members, supporters, funders and esteemed guests.

The purchase of Barnaby was made possible through a generous legacy from the late Elizabeth Black MBE and contributions from various esteemed organisations and it marks a significant milestone for the organization. Elizabeth's dedication to sailing and her enduring impact on Belfast Lough Sailability was honoured by naming the RIB in memory of her cherished sailing companion and assistance dog, Barnaby.

Guests at the ceremony included representatives from Lument Finance Charitable Trust, Belfast Harbour Commission, and Halifax Foundation (NI), as well as Alderman Beth Adger, Mayor of Mid & East Antrim, Councillor Robin Stewart, and Elizabeth's friend Ann Collins.

The Mayor shared a touching connection with Elizabeth, having known her for many years, adding a personal dimension to the event. The ceremony highlighted the unity and shared commitment of volunteers, members, and supporters of Belfast Lough Sailability in promoting sailing opportunities for people with disabilities.

"We are delighted with the overwhelming support shown by our community and sponsors," said Geraldine Duggan, Fundraising Secretary of BLS. "Thanks to Elizabeth Black MBE and funding from the National Lottery, Ulster Garden Villages, LFT Charitable Trust, Belfast Harbour Commission and Halifax Foundation (NI), Barnaby represents not just a new boat, but a symbol of inclusivity and the continuation of Elizabeth's legacy in making sailing accessible to all."

The event concluded with a sense of gratitude and optimism as Belfast Lough Sailability looks forward to using Barnaby to expand its capacity for safe and supportive sailing experiences.

More here https://www.belfastloughsailability.com or contact Ann Blair, Honorary Secretary by email [email protected]

An exhibition celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI is currently running in the Long Gallery at the North Down Museum in Bangor on Belfast Lough.

Over the years, the charity’s volunteers have answered the call to rescue day or night on calm seas or into ferocious storms, saving more than 144,000 lives in total.

The first Lifeboat established by the RNLI in North County Down and the Ards Peninsula was in Groomsport about two miles east of Bangor, in 1858. This exhibition explores the vital role played by the RNLI at several stations in North Down and Ards since that date.

Belfast Harbour has announced strong financial results for 2023, showing an increase in annual turnover and operating profits despite a challenging global trading environment. The Harbour's annual turnover reached £82.9 million, marking a 7% increase from the previous year, while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose by 4% to £46.3 million.

Despite ongoing uncertainty in the global economy, the port trade remained steady with a total tonnage of 23.9 million tonnes passing through Belfast Harbour, only a 2% decrease from the previous year. The Roll-on Roll-off freight traffic saw a record 4% increase, reaching 610,000 freight units while ferry passenger numbers remained stable at 1.7 million.

Belfast Harbour's partnership with Stena Line delivered exceptional results, contributing to the record-breaking freight traffic. Moreover, the Harbour welcomed 158 cruise ship calls, bringing in 320,000 passengers and crew and contributing approximately £25 million to the local economy through cruise tourism.

The year 2023 also witnessed major developments within the Harbour Estate, including the construction of a state-of-the-art temperature-controlled warehousing facility and the expansion of Belfast Harbour’s film studio offering. Significant progress was also made in the development of social and affordable housing.

The Harbour's commitment to improving the local community was evident through its investment of £310,000 in community and charitable programs, including support for grassroots organizations and charities.

Dr. Theresa Donaldson, Chair of Belfast Harbour, expressed confidence in the organisation's dedication to the economy and wider society. She highlighted the landmark capital investment of £65 million as a testament to the Harbour's ethos as a Trust Port and its commitment to driving economic growth and creating social value.

Looking ahead, Joe O’Neill, Chief Executive Officer of Belfast Harbour, emphasised the organisation's determination to accelerate its contribution to the economy and local communities, building on its achievements and widening its positive impact on the region.

Inclement weather played havoc with the six-race Royal Ulster Yacht Club Spring Series on Belfast Lough, with Sunday, 7th April, cancelled. However, four races eventually gave overall results.

The last outing on 21st April started with little wind, and the fleet left the marina hoping for the forecast light breeze to kick in for the final races.

After an hour’s postponement, it did just that and Race Officer Colin Loughead ran two races successfully. In the IRC Unrestricted fleet, John Minnis’s Archambault A35 Final Call II dominated with two first places.

The Harrington/O’Tiarnaigh/Mulholland team on the IMX 38 eXcession had a second as did Adrian Allen in the other A35, Succession, newly arrived in Belfast Lough. Nigel Hamilton and David Milne’s Endeavour (Beneteau 31.7) had a third in the first race with another Beneteau 31.7 Caesium (Aidan Pounder) taking third place in the second. Final Call II took first place overall in IRC Unrestricted with Caesium second and Michael Eames

All or Nothing (Sunfast 3200) is in third. This fleet is dual-scored using IRC and the newer YTC rating, and eXcession took overall honours under this system, with Caesium second and Endeavour third. Ruan O’Tiarnaigh said about eXcession’s retirement, “We used our big genoa yesterday in the light stuff, which is fine in YTC but not under IRC, so we retired.”

In the Whitesail Class, the Bell/Bell/Lawther team on the Beneteau Oceanis 37 Merryjack took first place overall with two seconds and one first place with Andrew Kennedy’s Dufour 34 Jacada second overall, counting two first places and a Did Not Start.

Dublin Bay has been the home of the Mermaid class since 1932 when they were designed by J B Kearney.

They race regularly in Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf, Rush, Skerries, Wexford, Foynes, Dungarvan and Sligo. And for the first time ever in early May, the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough will welcome Mermaid visitors to the Simon Brien-sponsored Ulster Championships. It is said that this is the first time that they will have travelled North.

The Dublin Bay Mermaid is a one-design, wooden sailing dinghy originally designed for sailing in Dublin Bay. It is a 17-foot, half-decked, centreboard boat rigged as a Bermuda sloop. The boats have a helm and two crew with a main sail, jib and spinnaker.

Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on the south shore of Belfast Lough

The idea for the event came to fruition at the Irish Sailing Champions Cup in Foynes, Co Limerick, last year when Ross Nolan, the Event Director, met officers from the Mermaid Association.

Darach Dinneen, President of the Class, said, “The first-ever visit of the Dublin Bay Mermaids to RNIYC marks an important milestone, blending tradition with the thrill of discovering new waters. As these iconic vessels arrive at the club for the first time, they bring a sense of heritage and friendship, bridging the gap between past and present. It will be a weekend where experienced sailors gather to witness history in the making. The timeless beauty of the Mermaids has found a new home in the warm welcome of the RNIYC's shores. This joining of sailing cultures not only honours the legacy of the Mermaids but also symbolises the spirit of adventure and inclusivity that defines the sailing community. The bond between Dublin Bay Mermaids and RNIYC promises a future filled with shared experiences and fond memories in Cultra Bay”.

Nolan has been told the ones to watch are Paddy Dillon in Wild Wind (131), Jim Carthy in Vee (123), Paul Smith in Sailing Jill (134) and Terry Rowan in Red Seal (121), who has a wild card.

Launching for the event is available on Friday, 3rd May, and full information can be found here

Bangor in County Down had a coating of snow and ice on Wednesday morning this week, and the Marina didn’t escape either.

Temperatures are forecast to plummet as low as -8C over the coming days as Northern Ireland continues to feel the grip of cold Arctic air, according to the Met Office.

It was a beautiful sunny morning but certainly chilly, and the fresh water from the river in Ward Park in the centre of the town flowed underground into one corner of the marina.

When it is cold and calm, this freshwater floats over the saltier seawater and starts to freeze. If you take a closer look at the photograph (above), you'll spot this thin, slushy ice forming on top. As the marina office confirmed, “Thankfully, icebreakers were not required”.

It will be all change in the operation of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough from September 2024. This has been outsourced to a private operator since 1 April 2008, with the latest agreement expiring on 30 September 2024. An opportunity now exists for an experienced operator to take on the management of Bangor Marina and Harbour for the next 50 and a half years.

Bangor Marina and Harbour is one of the largest Five Gold Anchor-accredited marina developments in Ireland.

The 541-berth marina is accessible 24/7 at all states of tide and is home to an active fleet of leisure and commercial vessels. It attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world annually and is a real focal point in North Down.

The Bangor Regeneration team has recently notified that the tender process for a marina operator from September next year has commenced, with adverts in the press having been issued.

The Bangor Marina Berth Holders Association has handily summarised the details surrounding the process, and members have been given the following information:-

• The contract period is to run for 50.5 years.
• Marina operator should incorporate the boatyard into its business plan, although existing boatyard /brokerage and chandlery are currently leased to Sept 2028.
• New operator to have a key role in devising and finalising plans for any redesign / investment in the marina.
• Potential operator investment and attraction of additional complementary funding forms part of the tender evaluation process.
• Potential bidders are expected to demonstrate they are suitably resourced and have recent experience of the management of three marinas of similar size.
• Stage 1 of the process takes the form of a Pre-Qualification Questionnaire. From the assessment of these returns it is intended that 5 potential bidders will be invited to tender in stage 2 of the process.
• Stage 1 to be completed by 11 December 2023, Stage 2 completion of submissions by 11 March 2024.
• Final selection by June 2024, new contract start date is October 2024.
• Marine Projects Ltd are managing the procurement process, selections to made by a panel including Council representatives.

The estimated value listed on this Tender document is £100,000,000.

Marina and Harbour Manager Kevin Baird said about the project; “It's exciting to think about what Bangor Marina, the seafront, and Ballyholme could look like in 10 years. I'm really hoping that sprucing up our waterfront is just the start of making our city even better”.