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Displaying items by tag: Seasonal Export

#Farm2Ferry – The flow of famous food from the Channel Islands to Portsmouth International Port, the UK’s second busiest ferryport, has taken root as the season for Jersey Royal potatoes began at the end of March.

The seasonal export involves transporting the ‘Royals’ on board Condor Ferries. This requires ro-ro freighter Commodore Goodwill and ropax ferry, Commodore Clipper, pictured above in St. Helier, Jersey, by Afloat’s ferry correspondent Jehan Ashmore who also had taken a crossing Ben-My-Chree (similar to the 'Clipper') operated by the Isle of Man Steam Packet. See captain interview.

The legendary Channel Islands vegetable has been grown for the last 130 years and is so special it has been granted EU protection, much in the same way that Champagne has in France.

Between 30,000 - 40,000 tonnes of the delicious Jersey Royal potatoes are harvested annually, with the vast majority shipped to Portsmouth. It is an important export for Jersey, and a crucial crop for the twenty or so farmers who specialise in growing the potatoes in the island’s fertile soil.

As the Jersey Royal potatoes began their journey to England, in the opposite direction, a delicious and delicate cargo supply of chocolate Easter Eggs make the return trip. Most of the Easter Eggs bound for the Channel Islands has been sent from Portsmouth this year, making a vital contribution to celebrations and aides the tasty potato is another addition to a balanced diet!

Despite their close proximity to mainland France, up to 80% of all produce consumed and used on the Channel Islands is shipped from Portsmouth on Condor Ferries services. Along with temperature controlled food products, a vast array of other goods are shipped from Portsmouth every day to the Channel Islands. These include drink, clothing, furniture, cars and building products and equipment - in fact all the necessities of modern life.

Each night between 35 and 40 refrigerated trailers depart Portsmouth on board Commodore Goodwill, with another 10 or more on Commodore Clipper’s daytime ferry service. This ferry makes a first call to St. Peter Port, Guernsey, then onwards to St. Helier, Jersey. The return crossing from the largest of the Channel Islands is an overnight passage directly to Portsmouth.

 

 

Published in Ferry

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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