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Displaying items by tag: Mirna Cieniewicz

The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) is in high level talks with the European Boating Industry tomorrow on EU Boating Licences and a new European Directive for Recreational Craft. There will also be discussion on the new EU Tourism policy.
The Irish Marine Federation's Steve Conlon is to meet with Ms. Mirna Cieniewicz, Secretary General of The European Boating Industry, to discuss the implications of the changes recently announced by EU Vice President Antonio Tajani.
Vice President Tajani announced changes to the EU Recreational Craft Directive, a move towards a common European Union Boat license and a new EU Tourism Policy.
The RCD has been unchanged since its adoption, however, there has been a wide divergence in its interpretation in different member states. The new RDC intends to remove ambiguities and provide clarity. It will also deal with environmental issues. It is expected that the full text of the new RCD will be available in November.
Vice President Tajani revealed that the Commission was investigating if it would be helpful to apply in all member states a UN resolution which would create a common certificate of competence for all boaters. The Commission expect to make a survey at the beginning of 2011.
On the 30th of June the Commission adapted a communication on a new political framework for tourism. This is a direct result of the Lisbon Treaty. The Vice President insists that there is a dedicated action to develop sustainable coastal and marine tourism and that the European Marine Leisure Industry should take full advantage of this opportunity.
The IMF will continue to work with the European Boating Industry to lobby the EU to ensure that EU legislation is fully supportive of the industry as a whole. The IMF will continue to seek to ensure that the RCD is fully integrated and policed in Ireland at the same time ensuring that Failte Ireland and Tourism Ireland promote marine leisure tourism as a fully integrated tourism product at home and overseas.
Published in Marine Federation

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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