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Displaying items by tag: Devil's Bridge

Two men, who became stranded on an Irish sea beach at the bottom of cliffs due to heavy sea conditions, have been recovered by Welsh coastguard rescue officers.

Milford Haven Coastguard received a 999 call at 7.15 pm this evening reporting that the two men were stranded in heavy surf at the bottom of cliffs at Devil's Bridge near Broadhaven. Broadhaven Coastguard Rescue Team was requested to attend the scene, Littlehaven RNLI inshore lifeboat was requested to launch and the rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor was scrambled.

There were heavy sea conditions on scene with strengthening winds and so a decision was made that the safest course of action would be to lower a coastguard from Broadhaven Coastguard Rescue Team to the stranded men, then bring both men back up the cliff face. This operation would be backed up by the Dale Coastguard Rescue Team and illumination of the cliff face would be provided by the lifeboat from the bottom and the helicopter overhead.

The two men, both dressed in wetsuits were recovered by the coastguard rescue team to the top of the cliff. A third man (the first informant) was also assisted back up the cliffs from the cliff path where he had been observing the ongoing situation and reporting back to Milford Haven Coastguard.

Bob Peel, Milford Haven Coastguard Watch Manager says:

"When all of the rescue assets arrived on scene, we had to make an assessment about what would be the safest way of getting the two men to safety. Due to the swell, wind conditions and height of the cliffs (about 200 ft), we decided that using the coastguard rescue team would be the best option. I am pleased to say that all three men are safe and well."

Published in Coastguard

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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