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Displaying items by tag: Lagavulin

World Cruising Club are delighted to announce the support of Diageo's Classic Malts Selection for the Malts Cruise 2011.  The sailing cruise will be visiting the Classic Malts Selection distilleries in Oban and Lagavulin, Islay, and a Classic Malts Selection roving 'nose' will provide tastings (nosings) of the distilleries' unique whiskies.

The Malts Cruise is a two week summer sailing voyage, combining exceptional cruising around the remote Hebridean waters, with a journey of discovery into the world of Scottish single malt whisky.  A programme of cruising in company and solo exploration is mixed with social events ashore and rendezvous afloat.

The Malts Cruise starts in Oban, with rendezvous in Tobermory and Loch Tarbert Jura, before finishing in Port Ellen.  Parties, crew dinners and a ceiledh are mixed with visits to distilleries, plus briefings on Scottish wildlife, history and culture take place along the route.  Between rendezvous yachts can follow their own itinerary, exploring ashore and afloat, alone or in groups.

Any vessel can take part, as long as it's crewed by two or more people.  The event will be popular with bareboat and skippered charterers, as well as boat owners from the British Isles, Scandinavia and northern Europe.  For 2011, places are limited to 50 boats.  To date 19 boats are entered, both power and sail ranging from 14.6m to 9.8m.

Malts Cruise Key Dates:
08 July 2011 - cruise office opens in Oban Marina, Kerrera
09 July 2011 - welcome party in Kerrera
10 July 2011 - parade of sail in Oban Bay
21 July 2011 - final party in Port Ellen

Malts Cruise Cost:
No boat fee.  £225 per person.  Children under 18 are free.

Quotes from participants of Classic Malts Cruise 2009:
"Doing the cruise gave the incentive to cruise further than my normal cruising area, so was able to enjoy and experience the area, scenery and the abundance of wildlife we saw (minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and sea eagles to mention just a few). Many thanks - certainly one of the 'must do' cruises." Eriska (GBR) Hallberg Rassy 312

"It was a great way to get my first taste of cruising in Scotland."  Blue Fox (IRL) Oyster 461

The Malts Cruise website is available at www.worldcruising.com/maltscruise

2011 Afloat Almanac: If you're contemplating a cruise, short coastal passage or even just studying for a Nav course this season, don't forget the 2011 edition of the Afloat Irish almanac (with Reeds Data). It covers the whole of Ireland, the Scottish, English and Welsh West coasts. Buy it online. CLICK HERE Easy!

Published in Cruising

Every Year Ireland's Search & Rescue Services deliver emergency life saving work on our seas, lakes and rivers.

Ireland's Water Safety Agencies work hard to provide us with the information we need to keep safe, while enjoying all manner of water based activities.

There's no better fun than getting out on the water but being afloat is a responsibility we all need to take seriously.

These pages detail the work of the rescue agencies. We also aim to promote safety standards among pleasure boaters, and by doing so, prevent, as far as possible, the loss of life at sea and on inland waters. If you have ideas for our pages we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at [email protected]

Think Before You Sink - Wear a Lifejacket

Accidents can happen fast on water and there may not be time to reach for a lifejacket in an emergency therefore don't just carry a lifejacket - wear it; if it's not on you, it can't save your life.

Irish Water Safety's Safe Boating Alert:

Check condition of boat and equipment, hull, engine, fuel, tools, torch.

Check the weather forecast for the area.

Check locally concerning dangerous currents and strong tides.

Do not drink alcohol while setting out or during your trip.

Carry an alternative means of propulsion e.g. sails and oars or motor and oars.

Carry a first aid kit on board and distress signals (at least two parachute distress rockets, two red hand flares).

Carry a fire extinguisher, a hand bailer or bucket with lanyard and an anchor with rope attached.

Carry marine radio or some means of communication with shore.

Do not overload the boat - this will make it unstable.

Do not set out unless accompanied by an experienced person.

Leave details of your planned trip with someone ashore - including departure and arrival times, description of boat, names of persons on board, etc.

Wear a Lifejacket at all times.

Keep an eye on the weather - seek shelter in good time.

In Marine Emergencies, call 999 or 112 and ask for Marine Rescue.

Lifejackets Checklist

Ensure Cartridges have not been punctured and are secured firmly.

Ensure all zips, buckles, fasteners and webbing straps are functioning correctly and adjusted to fit the user.

Check that fitted lights are operating correctly.

Ensure that Automatic Inflation devices are fully serviced and in date.

Check that the valve or lifejacket is not leaking.