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Two-way radio communications manufacturer Icom has launched the world's first marine VHF hand-portable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPS.

The IC-M94DE is the first handheld marine radio that offers users receive information broadcast by other AIS-equipped vessels. The IC-M94DE provides vessel traffic information shown on the radios large display. With its new design and simple to use features, this, says ICOM, is a game-changing device for anyone who ventures out to sea for recreation or work.

The  Icom IC-M94DE is the world's first marine VHF handportable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPSThe Icom IC-M94DE is the world's first marine VHF handportable radio with an integrated AIS receiver as well as DSC and GPS

Other features include 6W of RF power, class-leading 1500 mW of audio output with improved acoustic sound clarity, ensuring clear communications no matter the environment. This hand portable has more battery power (approx. 10 hours) for extended operations. You can also assign up to 50 favourite destinations, fishing spots etc. as waypoints with the enhanced Navigation feature.

The radio features Icom's own Float'n Flash and AquaQuake, keeping your radio operational if it becomes submerged. The Man Overboard function is included for operator protection. Pressing the distress button while Float'n Flash is activated will transmit the MOB distress signal, allowing the operator to be more quickly and easily located.

The IC-M94DE will be available from CH Marine in Ireland from mid-April.

Published in News Update
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Measuring just under 13cm in height, ICOM claims that its IC-M23 is the smallest and lightest buoyant handheld VHF radio on the market.

The IC-M23 is powered by Icom's most "eco-friendly" marine battery yet. The BP-266, a compact 3.7V,
1500 mAh Lithium-Ion battery pack helps reduce the overall volume and weight of the IC-M23. Yet thanks
to a newly developed PA circuit within the radio, boat users can still expect a full 5 Watts of transmit power
and up to 10 hours of typical operating time.

The new transceiver can match the audio and battery performance of comparable models. What's more, the IC-M23 sports a bright red LED which flashes if dropped in water, even if the radio is turned off making it easy to find, day or night.

600mW (typ.) of audio output makes the radio easy to hear, even when in a loud cabin or out in stormy conditions. There are volume loud/mute functions that temporarily change the IC-M23's volume
to the maximum/minimum level with two touches of a button.

Depending on the background noise level, you can easily change the volume level to capture the received
message. The IC-M23 contains well known Icom features including favourite channel feature, dual/tri watch, one-touch "Tag" scanning and a 4-step battery life indicator. It also contains Icom's unique AquaQuake feature, which uses low-frequency sound waves to clear water away from the speaker grille.

An optional extended 3 year waterproof warranty is available free of charge to customers who register on-line.

The IC-M23 is available now with a special introductory offer price of Euro 199.95 (inc.VAT) from sole Irish
leisure market distributor Western Marine (phone 01 2800321) and from all good chandlers.

Published in Marketplace
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Irish Marine Firms Western Marine and 53 Degrees North have announced the opening of a 'watersports superstore' at the Western Marine premises at Bulloch Harbour, Dalkey.

53 Degrees North, Ireland's Outdoor Adventure Stores with branches already at Carrickmines and Blanchardstown - caters to Climbing, Hillwalking, Biking, Camping, Hiking, and of course watersports including Kayaking, Sailing, Surfing and Swimming.

Western Marine, Ireland's Largest Marine Distributors, was established in 1966 and is based at Bulloch Harbour since 1968. Western Marine caters to all marine markets, from sailing and motorboating to commercial workboats, and specialises in inflatable boats and RIBs as well as a huge range of marine equipment, lifesaving equipment etc.

Commenting on the new store, Western Marine's MD, Hogan Magee said "We're very enthusiastic about this venture - 53 Degrees North carry a full range of clothing, footwear and equipment from value for money through to top end premium quality products and that fits very well with our own philosophy of providing of premium quality at affordable prices.

The two ranges are complimentary, with very little product overlap, and the result is a truly comprehensive watersports display that we think is unparalleled anywhere in Ireland".

53 Degrees North MD Alan McFarlane said "We're really excited about this. Western Marine has a superb reputation in all marine markets, and the combination of the Western Marine and 53 Degrees North brands will give us both a wonderful opportunity to grow our businesses.The huge range of watersports gear which we offer now has a waterside home, and a whole new customer base. With free car parking spaces available in the adjacent boatyard, shopping with 53 Degrees North at Western Marine could not be easier"

Among the huge range of brands now available under one roof are worldwide leaders including Zodiac inflatable boats and RIBs, Teleflex steerings and engine controls, Skipper and Besto lifejackets & buoyancy aids, Icom VHFs, Gleistein yacht ropes, McMurdo EPIRBs, Harken, Lewmar, Garmin GPS, Pains Wessex Flares, Musto, Helly-Hansen and Henri-Lloyd sailing clothing, Dubarry marine footwear, O'Neill wetsuits, Oakley eyewear, surfboards by Cortez, and kayaks by Islander and Wilderness.

The new store is open 7 days a week throughout the Summer, with opening hours 9am to 6pm Monday through Saturday, and 1pm to 6pm on Sunday

Published in Marine Trade

Round Ireland Yacht Race Information

The Round Ireland Yacht Race is Ireland's classic offshore yacht race starts from Wicklow Sailing Club (WSC) and is organised jointly with the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC). This page details the very latest updates from the 2008 race onwards including the race schedule, yacht entries and the all-important race updates from around the 704-mile course. Keep up to date with the Round Ireland Yacht Race here on this one handy reference page.

2020 Round Ireland Race

The 2020 race, the 21st edition, was the first race to be rescheduled then cancelled.

Following Government restrictions over COVID-19, a decision on the whether or not the 2020 race can be held was made on April 9 2020 to reschedule the race to Saturday, August 22nd. On July 27th, the race was regrettably cancelled due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19.

Because of COVID-19, the race had to have a virtual launch party at the Royal Irish Yacht Club for its 21st edition

In spite of the pandemic, however, a record entry was in prospect for 2020 with 50 boats entered with four weeks to go to the race start. The race was also going big on size and variety to make good on a pre-race prediction that the fleet could reach 60. An Irish offshore selection trial also looked set to be a component part of the 2020 race.

The rescheduling of the race to a news date emphasises the race's national significance, according to Afloat here

FAQs

704 nautical miles, 810 miles or 1304 kilometres

3171 kilometres is the estimate of Ireland's coastline by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland.

SSE Renewables are the sponsors of the 2020 Round Ireland Race.

Wicklow Sailing Club in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club in London and The Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dublin.

Off Wicklow Harbour on Saturday, August 22nd 2020

Monohulls 1300 hrs and Multihulls 13.10 hrs

Leave Ireland and all its islands (excluding Rockall) to starboard.

It depends on the boat. The elapsed record time for the race is under 40 hours but most boats take five or six days to complete the course.

The Race Tracker is https://afloat.ie/sail/events/round-ireland/item/25789-round-ireland-yacht-race-tracker-2016-here.

The idea of a race around Ireland began in 1975 with a double-handed race starting and finishing in Bangor organised by Ballyholme Yacht Club with stopovers in Crosshaven and Killybegs. That race only had four entries. In 1980 Michael Jones put forward the idea of a non-stop race and was held in that year from Wicklow Sailing Club. Sixteen pioneers entered that race with Brian Coad’s Raasay of Melfort returning home after six days at sea to win the inaugural race. Read the first Round Ireland Yacht Race 1980 Sailing Instructions here

 

The Round Ireland race record of 38 h 37 min 7 s is held by MOD-70 trimaran Musandam-Oman Sail and was set in June 2016.

George David’s Rambler 88 (USA) holds the fastest monohull race time of two days two hours 24 minutes and 9 seconds set in the 2016 race.

William Power's 45ft Olivia undertook a round Ireland cruise in September 1860

 

Richard Hayes completed his solo epic round Ireland voyage in September 2018 in a 14-foot Laser dinghy. The voyage had seen him log a total of 1,324 sea miles (2,452 kilometres) in 54 sailing days. in 1961, the Belfast Lough Waverly Durward crewed by Kevin and Colm MacLaverty and Mick Clarke went around Ireland in three-and-a-half weeks becoming the smallest keelboat ever to go round. While neither of these achievements occurred as part of the race they are part of Round Ireland sailing history

© Afloat 2020