The unprecedented damage wreaked by Hurricane Irma in recent days in the Caribbean, and now in Florida, has been a wake-up call for Irish sailors writes W M Nixon. While we may just have experience a breezy early-Autumn weekend here at home, the winds have only been at speeds which are only tiny fractions of those experienced on the other side of the Atlantic, where in many islands devastation has often been total ashore and afloat, even in the most sheltered “hurricane hole” harbours and formerly safe creeks.

Obviously the most immediate requirement is for humanitarian aid. But the long-term economic and social future of the islands and coastal communities on the mainland will be something needing continuous aid and tangible support over the months and years ahead. Many organisations are marshalling their resources and members to join this relief effort in whatever way they can, and the Ocean Cruising Club is one of them, as revealed in this bulletin here from Clew Bay-based Daria Blackwell of the much-travelled 57ft ketch Aleria, who is PRO to the Ocean Cruising Club.