#SAILING BY THE LEE – Maritime journalist Bob Fisher entertained over 200 guests today at the annual RNLI "Sailing by the Lee" Lunch 2012 in Cork. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS BELOW BY BOB BATEMAN.
The large crowd from the maritime community in Cork gathered at the Maryborough Hotel and Spa in Cork for the ninth annual Sailing by the Lee lunch. Kindly supported by Port of Cork and Electric Bar/Restaurant, the event was a huge success with well known faces from the maritime world and Cork's social scene gathering to raise funds for Kinsale and Crosshaven RNLI stations in their work saving lives at sea. €11,650 was raised to go directly towards operations at both stations.
The highlight of the lunch was special guest, international marine journalist Bob Fisher, who had flown in from the UK for the event. Following; an introduction via Skype from Canada by International Marine Architect Ron Holland, Bob recalled his experiences over some 70 years as a world renowned journalist, capturing history unfolding in the worlds of ocean & inshore racing, cruising and the friendships inevitably made.
During the lunch, RNLI Patron Donal McClement paid a special tribute to Bob on his remarkable career, "I wish to acknowledge Bob's absolute dedication; commitment and enthusiasm in representing those connected to the sea, in bringing the thrills and excitement of events such as the Admiral's and America's Cup back to us at home and capturing the ongoing challenges and adventures of the international maritime community."
Bob Fisher is best known for capturing the America's Cup throughout the years and has published extensively on this and other leading events.
Familiar well known faces who attended on the day included Donal McClement, Peter & Marie Crowley, Conor & Mauritta Doyle, Anthony & Sally O' Leary, Vinny O' Shea, Naval Captain Bob Scarret, Port of Cork's Capt McCarthy, Alan Barton, John P O' Gorman and Tom McSweeney.
Speaking after the event, RNLI Governor Peter Crowley stated:-
"Our sponsors and supporters for this year's event have been extremely generous and we are very grateful to them, particularly given the challenging economic climate. In particular, I would like to thank Port of Cork and Electric Bar & Restaurant, South Mall. We are delighted to have Bob Fisher and his wife, Dee with us this year-with their help, we raised sufficient funds today to replace and update all crew lifejackets at both the Kinsale and Crosshaven Stations."
