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Displaying items by tag: Arklow's Latest Launch

#ArklowsLastestLaunch – Arklow Breeze had the honour of been launched as the newest and final newbuild of six cargoships from a Dutch yard last Friday, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The ceremony for Yard No. (Nb) 414 saw a successfull sideways launch at the Westerbroek yard of Ferus Smit. The same Dutch yard having completed all of the previous bulk oriented general cargoships of 8,660dwt for Arklow Shipping. She joins the company's Dutch division based in Rotterdam, Arklow Shipping Netherland N.V.

A 119m long hull form without a bulb-less bow design has given the series 'green' credentials. This is to improve operating efficiency by reducing wave resistance in varying sea-state conditions without compromising on cargo-loads.

The bulb-less concept, instead features a straight-stemmed bow to allow a slender hull entry to slice into the waves. While at the same time taking into account various loading drafts. Total performance of this bow design will also be better than that of a bulb optimised for one single-draft and flat water only conditions.

Almost a year ago, Arklow Bay was also given a spectacular launch, see VIDEO. As for Arklow Breeze she is due to enter service next month.

She follows Arklow Brave which called to Dublin Port this month and whose agents are the Burke Shipping Group which invested in new port infrastructure late last year.

The new cargoship had loaded scrap metal elsewhere in the port alongside the Hammond Lane Metal Company. She departed laden with the cargo bound for Leixoes in Portugal.

The sisters will be mainly employed in the shipment of wheat, corn and other bulk commodities in European waters.

Published in Arklow 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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