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Displaying items by tag: International Naval Festival

#VisitingNAVIES –  More foreign navies continued to gather in Cork Harbour yesterday afternoon to form part of the Cork Gathering Rebel Week which ends tomorrow, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Among the participants of the International Naval Festival are navies from Belgium, France, UK and the Russian Federation which took part in a Fleet Review starting in lower Cork Harbour to Cork City quays. The naval procession was led by the Naval Service flagship L.E. Eithne (P31) which departed Cobh with Minister of Defence Alan Shatter T.D.

His cabinet colleague Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney had arrived late at the quayside as the L.E. Eithne had to depart on time to lead the review. This resulted in the minister having to hitch a lift from a Port of Cork Company pilot cutter that caught up with the flagship so to enable a transfer onboard.

The naval visitors are docked in Cork City Quays were they will be open free of charge today and tomorrow. So here's a great chance see the array of naval ships and meet the crews.

It would be advisable to confirm the latest updates regarding access to the the naval ships and times (as not all vessels may be open) by visiting: www.corkrebelweek2013.com/

Also taking part in the naval festival albeit moored at the deepwater quay in Cobh is the impressive Russian Navy corvette the RFS Soobrazitelny (531) which only entered service in recent years.

A spectacular Evening Colour Ceremony performed by naval crews in Cork City quays is scheduled for tomorrow (Sunday) at 6:30pm.

 

Published in Naval Visits

SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France