The RNLI has entered a yacht in the upcoming SSE Renewables Round Ireland race, in recognition of the 200th anniversary of the charity.
The race, as Ireland’s premier offshore yacht race, is held every two years and departs from Wicklow this Saturday (22 June). For this race, the charity is hoping the yacht Prime Suspect, which is representing the RNLI, can beat the competition, in what is a special year for the charity that saves lives at sea.
The yacht is owned by Keith Miller, Donal McLoughlin and Tom O’Connor and was designed by Mark Mills from Wicklow. It was built in Southampton as a once-off. The connection to the RNLI is through Keith Miller, who is a Coxswain on Rosslare Harbour’s Severn class lifeboat. The rest of the crew is made up of Tom O’Connor and his son Myles, Donal McLoughlin, Don Ryan, Brian Uniacke, Dave Kenny, and Conor Shovlin. Tom and Myles are also crew on the Cahore Inshore Rescue boat and often work with the RNLI in search and rescue callouts. The professions onboard range from farmer, teacher, engineer, builder, orthodontist to IT expert, soldier and sailing instructors.
The Round Ireland race is the second longest race in the Royal Ocean Racing Club calendar and Prime Suspects’ crew have a history of racing in it and Fastnet, with just Conor new to sailing, having a couple of Isora races under him.
Commenting on the upcoming race, RNLI Irish Council member Niamh McCutcheon said, ‘I’m delighted that the RNLI has a yacht representing the charity in the Round Ireland race this year. When we were planning our programme of events for the 200th celebrations, this was one that featured highly. This event is so special in the racing calendar, and of course we have a strong history of lifeboats on this island, many of which the competitors will pass along the route.’
Speaking on representing the charity in the Round Ireland Race, Keith Miller from Rosslare Harbour RNLI added, ‘We are hoping to do the RNLI proud in the race this year. We’ve a lot of experience in our crew but as everyone who sails and races knows, there’s a lot of luck and good timing involved. Three of us on the team have search and rescue background and I’m very proud to be a volunteer with the RNLI on the south-east coast of Ireland. I’ve been involved in a lot of rescues and I know there is huge respect for the RNLI and other agencies from the sailing community. We’d be thrilled to finish up near the top for the 200th year but regardless, we will enjoy the taking part with friends from around the world.’
Another boat to watch with a RNLI link, is Nieulargo with Crosshaven RNLI crew member Molly Murphy and fundraising volunteer Annemarie Fegan on board. They are sailing under the Royal Cork Burgee and have extensive experience with off shore racing.
