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Displaying items by tag: Boy John

As a result of ongoing monitoring, control and surveillance by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA), a fishing vessel was inspected at sea and detained by the Irish Navy and brought to port. The SFPA identified possible licence and registration infringements of the Irish registered fishing vessel, the Boy John DA 3, and the Naval Service subsequently detained the vessel on Thursday, 4th August, off the south-east coast. The vessel was observed by Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers of the SFPA departing port and proceeding to fish in UK waters to the south-east of Rosslare. Permission was sought and granted from the UK Authorities in accordance with the new European Fisheries Control Regulations which enabled the Irish Naval vessel, the LE Ciara, to enter UK waters and inspect the vessel.

Following inspection of the vessel's papers, the vessel was detained and was escorted to Rosslare at approximately 1am on the morning of Friday 5th August. Sea-Fisheries Protection Officers undertook an investigation and valuation of the catch and fishing gears onboard the vessel. Legal proceedings involving An Garda Siochana and the SFPA were initiated on the 5th August in Rosslare against the Master of the vessel.

Peter Whelan, Chairman of the SFPA said: "The illegal landing of fish only serves to depress the price the legitimate fisherman should be achieving for fish. It also distorts the markets and only serves to benefit those involved in illegal fishing activity. Licensing and authorisation of fishing vessels is a basic perquisite of EU and Irish law. The role of the SFPA supports profitable, sustainable, managed fisheries at a time when the fishing industry faces many challenges. Effective monitoring and control systems safe-guards the good reputation of Irish food producers in the international marketplace and protects Irish taxpayer from the threat of large fines being imposed when non-compliances with the Common Fisheries Policy are encountered."

Published in Fishing

Esailing & Virtual Sailing information

The concept of e-sailing, or virtual sailing, is based on a computer game sailing challenge that has been around for more than a decade.

The research and development of software over this time means its popularity has taken off to the extent that it has now become a part of the sailing seascape and now allows people to take an 'active part' in some of the most famous regattas across the world such as the Vendée Globe, Route du Rhum, Sydney Hobart, Volvo Ocean Race, America’s Cup and some Olympic venues too, all from the comfort of their armchair.

The most popular model is the 'eSailing World Championship'. It is an annual esports competition, first held in 2018 and officially recognised by World Sailing, the sports governing body.

The eSailing World Championship is a yearly competition for virtual sailors competing on the Virtual Regatta Inshore game.

The contract to run the event was given to a private company, Virtual Regatta that had amassed tens of thousands of sailors playing offshore sailing routing game following major offshore races in real-time.

In April 2020, the company says on its website that it has 35,000 active players and 500,000 regattas sailed.

Virtual Regatta started in 2010 as a small team of passionate designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs gathered around the idea that virtual sailing sports games can mix with real races and real skippers.