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Displaying items by tag: Plea to UK Gov

Councillors in Devon have urged the UK Government to hurry up and get a deal over the line to reopen Appledore Shipyard.

Despite a union-led protest march, a 9,500-strong petition and the efforts of local MPs, the north Devon shipyard closed on March 15, 2019, when Babcock International’s lease expired.

Work has continued ever since to reopen the historic shipyard, but as of yet, no date for any reopening has been announced.

More on this story Devon Live reports including footage of the shipyard's covered building hall, the Bidna Yard.

Afloat adds the 118m dry-dock is where Babcock built their last vessel in 2018, the Irish Naval Service LÉ George Bernard Shaw (as pictured) berthed at the shipyard's Newquay Yard. This fit-out facility was completed in 1970.

 

Published in Ports & Shipping

About the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race is undoubtedly one of the greatest ocean adventures on the planet, also regarded as one of its toughest endurance challenges. Taking almost a year to complete, it consists of eleven teams competing against each other on the world’s largest matched fleet of 70-foot ocean racing yachts.

The Clipper Race was established in 1996 by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1968-69. His aim was to allow anyone, regardless of previous sailing experience, the chance to embrace the thrill of ocean racing; it is the only event of its kind for amateur sailors. Around 40 per cent of crew are novices and have never sailed before starting a comprehensive training programme ahead of their adventure.

This unique challenge brings together everyone from chief executives to train drivers, nurses and firefighters, farmers, airline pilots and students, from age 18 upwards, to take on Mother Nature’s toughest and most remote conditions. There is no upper age limit, the oldest competitor to date is 76.

Now in its twelfth edition, the Clipper 2019-20 Race started from London, UK, on 02 September 2019.