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#IrishPorts - Afloat previously reported recalling in Limerick Docks more than a decade ago of a general cargoship Celtic Spirit whose successor sharing the same name recently called to Wicklow Port, writes Jehan Ashmore.

To recap, firstly the call of the past to Limerick in 2006 involved Celtic Spirit (1976/2,978grt) that was loaded with round timber (logs) then a newly formed trade. On the call by the current Celtic Spirit (1996/2,840grt) to Wicklow last week, this followed a departure of the ship's owners homeport of Cardiff, Wales.

The single box hold Celtic Spirit is operated by Charles M Willie Shipping Ltd, whose ships funnels are adjorned with a crest depicting an adaptive version of the Welsh flag with distinctive dragon. Also incorporated is a 'W' representing the intial of the shipowners also engaged in managing, charterering and liner operations. As reported in the coverage from Limerick, a pair of Arklow Shipping vessels in recent years were acquired by the Welsh shipping interests. 

Celtic Spirit arrival to Wicklow took place last Friday and on the next day of the October Bank Holiday weekend, loading began of solid recovered fuel (SRF) which is waste used for incineration. The shortsea trader remained at the east coast port into the early hours of Sunday morning, then headed north bound for Sodertalje in Sweden.

Also tracked Scot Isles which too had berthed in the same Cardiff Docks of Queen Alexandra Dock. The ship operated by Scotline has over the years been a regular trader to Wicklow and where on the Bank Holiday Monday discharged a typical cargo of packaged timber originally from Sweden.

Published in Irish Ports

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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