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Displaying items by tag: Royal Forth

#wilsontrophy –  The 65th Wilson Trophy was marked by high winds and innumerable cups of tea as competitors and umpires waited for suitable racing conditions. With racing delayed on Friday and no sailing at all on Sunday the Wilson Trophy was decided by the result of 13 rounds of the League, a mere 208 races!

Following some serious number-crunching, including factoring in the re-sail of an already re-sailed race, Royal Forth Hoosiers were declared winners of the prestigious trophy, with 10 race wins. Under various aliases, this Edinburgh based team have been frequent visitor to Ireland. This was some compensation for the somewhat muted Irish results. Howth finished 11th with 8 race wins, denied qualification for the quarter finals following the 8 stage tie-break procedure. A scratch team from the Royal St George, finished 25th, proving once again that individual talent is not sufficient, that there is no substitute for practice and experience in racing as a team.

Wilson stalwart, and Royal St. George team racing organiser, had expected to take a year off this time. However, 2 days before the first race an invitation from West Kirby to join an all-star last minute entry, replacing a team that had dropped out at the last minute, proved irresistible. This team, including Jamie Marston, a frequent visitor and good friend of Irish team racing (and sailing this time with his daughter) finished a creditable 15th.

Ireland was also represented on the 25 strong umpire team. Cxema Pico and Gordon Davies were once again honoured with an invitation to join the Wilson team.

Further information and results here

Published in Team Racing
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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.