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Displaying items by tag: Inagural Cruise Trio

A trio of cruiseships recently visited the Isle of Man and notably all of the vessels were making an inaugural call to the Irish Sea island. 

According to CruiseEurope the visiting cruise callers were welcomed by Cruise Isle of Man in what they are calling a Week of Maidens, which began on May 22.

Rob Callister MHK, political member with responsibility for Visit Isle of Man and motorsport, commented: “Receiving three inaugural calls [Hapag-Lloyd’s Hanseatic Nature (see also Dublin) Overseas Adventure Travel’s Corinthian and Vantage Cruises’ Variety Voyager] in one week is extremely rare and a fantastic result for our cruise consultants, Neptumar. It is wonderful to see a range of regular and new cruiselines visiting the island and taking advantage of all we have to offer.

“The work the team has been doing in promoting not only the Isle of Man but also our Manx produce is extremely beneficial to the Island’s economy as we continue to increase the value of cruise visitors. The recent Cruise Welcome Scheme has been well received with fifteen businesses on board in just three weeks, promoting incentives and offers to cruise passengers.

‘We are delighted to see cruiseships visiting the ports of Douglas, Peel and Port Erin in 2019 and welcome the benefits this brings to all areas of the Island as we look to diversify the number of sites visited by cruise passengers and crew.”

Vantage Cruises first contacted the Isle of Man cruise team in 2018 and have booked 10 calls for Variety Voyager during 2019 and have already booked their new ship, Ocean Explorer, for three calls in 2021.

Passengers will enjoy guided tours, bespoke and artisan activities, heritage sites and world-renowned vintage transport, with the Corinthian using Isle of Man Railways’ Dining Car on all 10 of her visits this year.

Published in Cruise Liners

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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