Displaying items by tag: comment

7th April 2012

Massive Fee Increases Proposed for Harbour Yacht Berths

#IRISH HARBOURS - Yachts berthing at Ireland's main fishing harbours could see their charges hiked by an incredible 800 per cent.

According to The Irish Times, Marine Minister Simon Coveney has announced a mere 21 days for comment and consultation on the draft Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012. The consultation document is attached to the bottom of this post and available to download as a pdf.

The proposed new charges include an annual fee of €250 per metre for yachts, which could see a 10-metre yacht currently paying €312 a year for a berth shell out as much as €2,500 annually for the same space.

Additional water and electricity costs could even see this bill rise to €3,100 - for berths that come "without proper marina facilities in most cases".

The proposals apply to the State's six fishery centres at Killybegs, Rossaveal, Dingle, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth, only two of which have pontoons suitable for leisure boats.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Published in Irish Harbours

11th February 2012

Thanks for Your Comments on Afloat.ie, Keep 'em Comin!

Thanks for your feedback. Each Afloat.ie posting has the opportunity to comment at the end of the story and we're delighted so many readers are getting involved. Join us on facebook, debate on the forum or simply leave a comment on a story. Here's a recent selection:

Loop Head Lighthouse Will Open To Public in 2012

Loop Head Lightkeepers House is available to rent as self catering holiday accommodation through the Irish Landmark Trust. This unique holiday cottage was rescued and restored by the Trust and is a wonderful seaside holiday. To view this holiday home http://tinyurl.com/3lvno34 To make a reservation call Karen on 01 6704733 or book online at www.irishlandmark.com

Julie

LE Ciara Returns to Sea after Hull Repairs
As a nation we should preserve at least one - preferably two - examples of our ships when they retire soon. As far as I know, NOT A SINGLE IRISH NAVAL SERVICE SHIP HAS EVER BEEN PRESERVED IN OVER 80 YEARS. All have been scrapped or sold. Incredible! Other countries keep some of their historic vessels. We need to save 2 vessels as museum ships open to the public, say in Cork (home port) and Dublin (large visitor population inc. tourists).

Peter Lynch

Tralee's Sophie Browne is January Sailor of the Month

A well-deserved distinction for all her effort... Good job Sophie!

Lola Resano

'2k' Format Will be New Lease of Life for Team Racing

This is exactly what I plan to organise for the Dragon Class this October, in the South of France or Italy. I already run a Match Race event in Cascais, Portugal in March. But aim to invite up to 10 European Countries to participate in this 2k format. I have enough International Dragon's at my disposal... Any help would be much appreciated...

Martin Payne

Irish Sea Far From 'Dirty, Lifeless' Says New Website

It is another attack on Ireland and the Irish reputation.We all know many a mammal and fish is traveling away from their usual waters to our waters as ours is safest and one of the cleanest.Now all we have to do is protect it from those who would wish to fish and take advantage of it.Like the EU.If they get a hand anymore on our country god help our seas also.I fear for Ireland and its seas and future.They all but fished and decimated their own seas and oceans now trying to attack ours. Ireland need's to protect and block any who would seek to try and take our borders in our sea and land.

Grainne

First Sail for Galway Hooker in Arab Waters

Great to see a galway hooker sailing in Abu Dhabi. The Dhow sailing in galway bay will be a wonderful Site too. Good luck to all involved.

Thomas Taaffe

Dalkey Meeting to Discuss Proposed Oil Drilling

Don't do it - completely against the destruction of a beautiful area. Seán Dublin Bay may no longer be there but we must preserve what's left of Dublin Bay. The SPA must be maintained in this area.

Trish Corbett

Published in Your Say

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15th August 2011

Thanks for YOUR Comments, Keep'em Coming!

Thanks for your feedback. Each Afloat.ie posting has the opportunity to comment at the end of the story and we're keen to get as many people involved as possible. Join us on facebook, debate on the forum or simply leave a comment on a story. Here's a recent selection:

No Medals But Plenty of Confidence for 2012

I bet who ever decided to put up the "take that mr Percy" comment on the afloat Facebook page yesterday looks like a twat now.

Stephen

Jérémie Beyou on BPI wins Dun Laoghaire Leg of Solitaire du Figaro

Congratulations to Jérémie and to all the other sailors who came in this morning. Watched (from my window!) -- quite a spectacular sight and some competitors were so close after such a long race.

Toestrap o'Hike

Coveney Welcomes Funding for New Coast Guard Station in Crosshaven

Hope to have it built by the end of 2012 together with the new Goleen Station. A good year for Cork. Minister Ring will be officially opening our Achill Station on the 3rd of September. Guests welcome.

Chris

Nixon Makes History With Silver at World Junior Rowing Championships

Well done Holly and Paul. This is the result of a lot of hard work, and a successful system of support provided by Rowing Ireland, with funding by the Irish Sports Council and Sport NI.

Gordon Reid

100 Days and Counting to Race Around the World

Hi Guys, Congratulations on your coverage of the VOR, you have more information than the event website which doesn't even mention the SANYA boat.

Cahill's Joie de Vie Sails to Victory at WIORA Series, Clifden

Thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality and good company up in Clifden. Well done to the winners.

Susan Wallace

Published in Your Say

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26th October 2010

Afloat Magazine. Ireland's Sailing, Boating and Maritime Publication

Afloat now in its 43rd year of production is a vibrant specialist magazine which has continually adapted to the demands of its readership, with an industry insight which is quite simply unique. Edited by David O'Brien (47), a former European and World sailing champion and Olympic sailor from the 2000 Games, it is produced by a group of dedicated watersports enthusiasts and has become essential reading for all those who have more than a passing interest in the development of Irish watersports.

Afloat is the only publication dedicated to serving the needs of the sector, and it does so with a truly independent voice. Afloat's association with the industry's twin governing bodies the ISA and IMF allows it to offer an insider view, but the magazine maintains independent editorial control.

Packaged as a glossy magazine with an emphasis on colour photography, no other specialist magazine in Ireland offers such an impressive range of comment, information and advice in such an attractive format.

Click the links below for more on Ireland's sailing and boating magazine:

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Published in Landing Pages

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About The Middle Sea Race

The Rolex Middle Sea Race is a highly rated offshore classic, often mentioned in the same breath as the Rolex Fastnet, The Rolex Sydney–Hobart and Newport-Bermuda as a 'must do' race. The Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club co-founded the race in 1968 and 2007 was the 28th Edition. Save for a break between 1984 and 1995 the event has been run annually attracting 25–30 yachts. In recent years, the number of entries has rissen sharply to 68 boats thanks to a new Organising Committee who managed to bring Rolex on board as title sponsor for the Middle Sea Race.

The race is a true challenge to skippers and crews who have to be at their very best to cope with the often changeable and demanding conditions. Equally, the race is blessed with unsurpassed scenery with its course, taking competitors close to a number of islands, which form marks of the course. Ted Turner described the MSR as "the most beautiful race course in the world".

Apart from Turner, famous competitors have included Eric Tabarly, Cino Ricci, Herbert von Karajan, Jim Dolan, Sir Chay Blyth and Sir Francis Chichester (fresh from his round the world adventure). High profile boats from the world's top designers take part, most in pursuit of line honours and the record – competing yachts include the extreme Open 60s, Riviera di Rimini and Shining; the maxis, Mistress Quickly, Zephyrus IV and Sagamore; and the pocket rockets such as the 41-foot J-125 Strait Dealer and the DK46, Fidessa Fastwave.

In 2006, Mike Sanderson and Seb Josse on board ABN Amro, winner of the Volvo Ocean Race, the super Maxis; Alfa Romeo and Maximus and the 2006 Rolex Middle Sea Race overall winner, Hasso Platner on board his MaxZ86, Morning Glory.

George David on board Rambler (ex-Alfa Romeo) managed a new course record in 2007 and in 2008, Thierry Bouchard on Spirit of Ad Hoc won the Rolex Middle Sea Race on board a Beneteau 40.7

The largest number of entries was 78 established in 2008.

Middle Sea Race History

IN THE BEGINNING

The Middle Sea Race was conceived as the result of sporting rivalry between great friends, Paul and John Ripard and an Englishman residing in Malta called Jimmy White, all members of the Royal Malta Yacht Club. In the early fifties, it was mainly British servicemen stationed in Malta who competitively raced. Even the boats had a military connection, since they were old German training boats captured by the British during the war. At the time, the RMYC only had a few Maltese members, amongst who were Paul and John Ripard.

So it was in the early sixties that Paul and Jimmy, together with a mutual friend, Alan Green (later to become the Race Director of the Royal Ocean Racing Club), set out to map a course designed to offer an exciting race in different conditions to those prevailing in Maltese coastal waters. They also decided the course would be slightly longer than the RORC's longest race, the Fastnet. The resulting course is the same as used today.

Ted Turner, CEO of Turner Communications (CNN) has written that the Middle Sea Race "must be the most beautiful race course in the world. What other event has an active volcano as a mark of the course?"

In all of its editions since it was first run in 1968 – won by Paul Ripard's brother John, the Rolex Middle Sea Race has attracted many prestigious names in yachting. Some of these have gone on to greater things in life and have actually left their imprint on the world at large. Amongst these one finds the late Raul Gardini who won line honours in 1979 on Rumegal, and who spearheaded the 1992 Italian Challenge for the America's Cup with Moro di Venezia.

Another former line honours winner (1971) who has passed away since was Frenchman Eric Tabarly winner of round the world and transatlantic races on Penduik. Before his death, he was in Malta again for the novel Around Europe Open UAP Race involving monohulls, catamarans and trimarans. The guest list for the Middle Sea Race has included VIP's of the likes of Sir Francis Chichester, who in 1966 was the first man to sail around the world single-handedly, making only one stop.

The list of top yachting names includes many Italians. It is, after all a premier race around their largest island. These include Navy Admiral Tino Straulino, Olympic gold medallist in the star class and Cino Ricci, well known yachting TV commentator. And it is also an Italian who in 1999 finally beat the course record set by Mistress Quickly in 1978. Top racing skipper Andrea Scarabelli beat it so resoundingly, he knocked off over six hours from the time that had stood unbeaten for 20 years.

World famous round the world race winners with a Middle Sea Race connection include yachting journalist Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Les Williams, both from the UK.

The Maxi Class has long had a long and loving relationship with the Middle Sea Race. Right from the early days personalities such as Germany's Herbert Von Karajan, famous orchestra conductor and artistic director of the Berliner Philarmoniker, competing with his maxi Helisara IV. Later came Marvin Greene Jr, CEO of Reeves Communications Corporation and owner of the well known Nirvana (line honours in 1982) and Jim Dolan, CEO of Cablevision, whose Sagamore was back in 1999 to try and emulate the line honours she won in 1997.

THE COURSE RECORD

The course record was held by the San Francisco based, Robert McNeil on board his Maxi Turbo Sled Zephyrus IV when in 2000, he smashed the Course record which now stands at 64 hrs 49 mins 57 secs. Zephyrus IV is a Rechiel-Pugh design. In recent years, various maxis such as Alfa Romeo, Nokia, Maximus and Morning Glory have all tried to break this course record, but the wind Gods have never played along. Even the VOR winner, ABN AMro tried, but all failed in 2006.

However, George David came along on board Rambler in 2007 and demolished the course record established by Zephyrus IV in 2000. This now stands at 1 day, 23 hours, 55 minutes and 3 seconds.

At A Glance - Middle Sea Race 2024

First held: 1968

Organising Authority: Royal Malta Yacht Club

Start

The 45th Rolex Middle Sea Race will start on Saturday, 19 October 2024.

Grand Harbour, Valletta: seven separate starts, at 10-minute intervals, from 11:00 CEST Saturday, 21 October 2024

Start Line: between the Saluting Battery, Upper Barrakka Gardens (Valletta) and Fort St Angelo (Birgu)

Various vantage points all around the Grand Harbour, high up on the bastions or at water level. Harbour access for spectator boats is restricted during the period of the start.

Course

Set in the heart of the Mediterranean and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It starts and finishes in Malta, passes two active volcanoes and takes in the deep azure waters surrounding Sicily, and the Aeolian and Egadi Islands, as well as lonelier outposts of Pantelleria and Lampedusa, both closer to the African continent than Europe.

Length: 606 nautical miles (1,122km)

Outright Race Record: 33h 29m 28s, Argo, United States, Jason Carroll

Monohull Race Record: 40h 17m 50s, Comanche, Cayman Is, Mitch Booth