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Displaying items by tag: Arklow newbuilds

The latest newbuild for the Arklow Shipping Ltd (ASL) fleet, Arklow Meadow is due to depart from the Mokpo Shipyard Corporation, South Korea in three weeks, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 136m dry-cargo vessel will seek a cargo for the delivery voyage from the Far-Eastern shipyard to Europe.

Arklow Meadow represents the fourth in a series of six newbuilds ordered, with lead-ship Arklow Manor entering service in 2009. The following newbuilds, Arklow Marsh and Arklow Mill where delivered from the shipyard to her owners during 2010.

All the 'M'-class newbuilds are 14,000 tonnes and have four-holds with a total grain capacity of over 18,000 cubic square-metres.The vessels are powered by a MaK 6M 43C main engine which has a 5,400KW capacity through a Jake reduction gear-box and fitted to a Rolls Royce controllable pitch propeller.

ASL operate a modern fleet of dry-cargo short-sea traders and bulkers throughout Europe, Scandinavia and to the Mediterranean Sea using tonnage varying in size from 3,000-14,000 tonnes. Most to the vessels are of a singledeck, box hold design and some are fitted for container stowage. The majority of cargoes are grain, general dry-bulk and bulk commodities including those classified under IMO regulations.

ASL was established in 1966 by several family ship-owning companies and has progressed to become one of Ireland's leading indigenous ship-operators. The company has its headquarters alongside the banks of the River Avoca, Arklow in addition a management team also based in the Netherlands. Most of the 39 strong fleet are registered in the Co. Wicklow port, flying the Irish tricolour while the rest of the fleet are under the Dutch flag and registered at Rotterdam and Zaandam.

Published in Ports & Shipping

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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