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Displaying items by tag: Carlingford & Foyle

#ferry –This summer saw the much awaited launch of Scenic Carlingford Lough service, however the Limerick based owners introduced another ferry in Ulster this season, writes Jehan Ashmore.

To recap firstly is the new historic first Carlingford service which saw operator, Frazer Ferries Group began sailings in July. The route is operated by the 44 vehicle ferry, Frazer Aisling Gabrielle plying the lough between Greenore, Co. Louth and Greencastle, Co. Down.

Originally the launch of Scenic Carlingford Ferry was to have taken place in June, however there were delays due several reasons, among them installation of bespoke navigational aids. On installation of these bouys, the former Shannon Ferries serving vessel and Lough Foyle ferry could finally begin crossings in July. The crossing of Carlingford Lough taking only 15 minutes.  

The use of ‘Scenic’ as a trading prefix along with its the Lough Foyle counterpart is part of the corporate branding exercise by Frazer Ferries. By coincidence, Scenic Lough Foyle ferry also operates out of another Greencastle, but in Co. Donegal and connecting Magilligan Point in Co. Derry.

Formerly operating this route was Foyle Venture (of previous owners) which was transferred to the new Carlingford operation and renamed Frazer Gabrielle Aisling. In turn taking place on the Foyle route this summer was the newly introduced Frazer Mariner. This smaller ferry had served a career in Germany. 

Both Ulster services save on mileage providing a short-cut for local motorists. In addition providing options for visitors to take touring routes and boost local economies.

Frazer Ferries are the largest operators of domestic services on the island of Ireland as last year the ferry firm acquired the business Passage East Ferry Company established in the 1980’s.

The ferry, F.B.D. Tintarn part of the previous outfit, continues to ply the waters in lower Waterford Estuary. This south-east link connects Passage East in Co. Waterford with Ballyhack in Co. Wexford. This route providing a commuter route for those working in Waterford in addition to a tourist short-cut. 

Unlike the northern ferry routes, the southern service continues to retain its former trading name along with the ferry. 

Published in Ferry

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.