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Displaying items by tag: Supertrawler Stephanie

#OurGirl - SeaFest, a three-day (29 June-1 July) jam-packed maritime spectacle began today in Galway Harbour where the public have a rare opportunity to board a supertrawler, Girl Stephanie, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 45 metre super pelagic trawler, Girl Stephanie based in Killybegs, arrived in the mid-west port yesterday to join SeaFest's Ships on Show.

Among craft that have crammed the quays of Dún Aengus Dock are ships (see below) open to tours from the Naval Service, Commissioners of Irish Lights and the Marine Institute.

As for the supertrawler, Girl Stephanie is owned by retired fisherman Pauric Conneely, whose daughter Stephanie and son, Captain Tomás along with a crew of six will welcome you on board. They will be on hand to talk and learn from about life in Ireland’s fishing sector, fish stocks and sustainable fishing practices of the domestic fishing fleet.

Commenting on the unique occasion, Captain Tomás Conneely said, “I’m delighted to be at SeaFest this year and to give people the chance to tour a working pelagic trawler and to learn about the Irish fishing sector. I come from a fishing background, both my parents are from Aran and worked in the industry. I hope people will see that fishing is not a ‘stone-age’ career choice, as there are lots of opportunities.”

The other exciting line-up of ships open for tours will be OPV LÉ William Butler Yeats (Naval Service) aids to navigtion tender ILV Granuaile (Commissioners of Irish Lights) and research vessel, RV Celtic Explorer of the Marine Institute.

For further details and much more about the festival click here and also on facebook click this link.

Published in Maritime Festivals

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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