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Displaying items by tag: Mooney Boats, Killybegs

#BoatyardKillybegs – A pair of tugs in recent weeks have undergone overhaul work carried out at Mooney Boats, the boatbuilder, repairer and maintenance facility in Killybegs, Co. Donegal, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Tugs SMS Cian and Nomad used the services of the north-western yard that has the largest boat-hoist in Ireland, though Killybegs fleet of considerably larger supertrawlers go elsewhere. Among the drydocks used this had included Dublin Graving Docks that closed last week.

SMS Cian which operates for Sinbad Marine Services also based in Killybegs, was taken out of the water where the 30 ton bollard pull tug had seacocks removed, serviced and refitted.

In addition the 18m twin screw vessel had a stainless steel bar fitted to the top of the gunnel on the stern. The UK flagged SMS Cian was washed and painted along with new anodes fitted where required.

The rather unusual looking Nomad, having observed at Dun Laoghaire Harbour in 2009 (see below) is currently operated by Castletownbere Marine Ltd.

Work on the 10 ton bollard pull tug formerly the States of Jersey Harbour Authority tug, Duke of Normandy, involved water-blasting the deck and deckhouse in resealing the windows around the wheelhouse.

The 1972 built tug completed at Poole, Dorset, was also washed, painted and had anodes fitted to the 24m single screw vessel during her call to Killybegs.

The premier Irish fishing port is also from where Nomad previously operated for Sinbad Marine in duties asides towage but on oil spill recovery, fire fighting and as a guardship.

It was in that role that Nomad saw east coast duties off the Kish Bank, using Dun Laoghaire as a base. On that occasion the tug was on 'guard vessel' duties of Dublin Port based drillship, Fugro Synergy which carried out a series of exploratory drill wells off the Kish Bank to examine the viability of a underground coal gasification (UCG) project south-east of the iconic lighthouse.

Published in Ports & Shipping

Ireland & La Solitaire du Figaro

The Solitaire du Figaro, was originally called the course de l’Aurore until 1980, was created in 1970 by Jean-Louis Guillemard and Jean-Michel Barrault.

Half a decade later, the race has created some of France's top offshore sailors, and it celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new boat equipped with foils and almost 50 skippers Including novices, aficionados and six former winners.

The solo multi-stage offshore sailing race is one of the most cherished races in French sailing and one that has had Irish interest stretching back over 20 years due to the number of Irish stopovers, usually the only foreign leg of the French race.

What Irish ports have hosted The Solitaire du Figaro?

The race has previously called to Ireland to the following ports; Dingle, Kinsale, Crosshaven, Howth and Dun Laoghaire.

What Irish sailors have raced The Solitaire du Figaro?

So far there have been seven Irish skippers to participate in La Solitaire du Figaro. 

In 1997, County Kerry's Damian Foxall first tackled the Figaro from Ireland. His win in the Rookie division in DHL gave him the budget to compete again the following year with Barlo Plastics where he won the final leg of the race from Gijon to Concarneau. That same year a second Irish sailor Marcus Hutchinson sailing Bergamotte completed the course in 26th place and third Rookie.

In 2000, Hutchinson of Howth Yacht Club completed the course again with IMPACT, again finishing in the twenties.

In 2006, Paul O’Riain became the third Irish skipper to complete the course.

In 2013, Royal Cork's David Kenefick raised the bar by becoming a top rookie sailor in the race. 

In 2018, for the first time, Ireland had two Irish boats in the offshore race thanks to Tom Dolan and Joan Mulloy who joined the rookie ranks and kept the Irish tricolour flying high in France. Mulloy became the first Irish female to take on the race.

Tom Dolan in Smurfit Kappa competed for his third year in 2020 after a 25th place finish in 2019. Dolan sailed a remarkably consistent series in 2020 and took fifth overall, the best finish by a non-French skipper since 1997 when Switzerland’s Dominique Wavre finished runner up. Dolan wins the VIVI Trophy.

Dolan finished 10th on the first stage, 11th on the second and seventh into Saint Nazaire at the end of the third stage. Stage four was abandoned due to lack of wind. 

Also in 2020, Dun Laoghaire’s Kenneth Rumball became the eleventh Irish sailor to sail the Figaro.

At A Glance – Figaro Race

  • It starts in June or July from a French port.
  • The race is split into four stages varying from year to year, from the length of the French coast and making up a total of around 1,500 to 2,000 nautical miles (1,700 to 2,300 mi; 2,800 to 3,700 km) on average.
  • Over the years the race has lasted between 10 and 13 days at sea.
  • The competitor is alone in the boat, participation is mixed.
  • Since 1990, all boats are of one design.

2023 La Solitaire du Figaro Course

Stage #1 Caen – Kinsale : 610 nautical miles
Departure August 27 (expected arrival August 30)

Stage #2 Kinsale – Baie de Morlaix : 630 nautical miles
Departure September 3 (expected arrival September 6)

Stage #3 Baie de Morlaix – Piriac-sur-Mer : 620 nautical miles
Departure September 10 (expected arrival September 13)

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