#NORTH SAILS SEMINAR – US Sailmaker Bill Gladstone of North Sails returns to these shores for a nine stop lecture tour of Ireland starting this Saturday at the country's biggest club, the Royal St George YC in Dun Laoghaire. Gladstone was last here in 2009 and the series proved popular. From Dun Laoghaire the North Sails seminar heads West to Galway Bay. The full schedule is below.

Gladstone has been teaching sailing and racing for over 30 years. Topics this week, for the €20 pay at the door event, include starting tactics, upwind trim, wind shift Strategy to spinnaker trim and handling.

For more information, contact the club, Maurice O'Connell ([email protected] / 086 2364200) or Nigel Young ([email protected] / 087 2514434)

2012 SEMINAR SCHEDULE

Royal St George Yacht Club.....28 January 2012
9:30 am - 1:30 pm
National Yacht Club..................30 January 2012
7 pm - 11 pm
Galway Bay Sailing Club...........31 January 2012
7 pm - 11 pm
Tralee Bay Sailing Club...........01 February 2012
7pm - 11pm
Royal Cork Yacht Club.............02 February 2012
7pm - 11pm
Kinsale Yacht Club...................03 February 2012
7pm - 11pm
Royal Irish Yacht Club.............04 February 2012
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Howth Yacht Club....................06 February 2012
7pm - 11pm
Royal Ulster Yacht Club*......... 07 February 2012
7pm - 11pm

Pay at the door. €20 per person. *RUYC £18 per person.

#YACHT CLUB OF THE YEAR – The National Yacht Club of Dun Laoghaire is the Mitsubishi Motors/Irish Independent "Sailing Club of the Year" 2012 in celebration of an impressive and continuous level of activity in sailing, with the highly-praised hosting of events for international competitors and Irish sailors, and the efficient running of a hospitable clubhouse, boatyard and dinghy park operation which caters for the waterborne and shoreside activities of an enthusiastic and loyal membership and their visitors.

The adjudicators recognise that the National is particularly fortunate in its location in the southeast corner of Dun Laoghaire harbour. Whether approached by sea or land, the clubhouse complex provides a secluded haven from the busy life of the harbour and the town. Not that the club is in any way a sleepy spot. On the contrary, from its serene premises it provides a hive of activity for sailors of all ages, and boats of all shapes and sizes.

It's not the first time the NYC has won this award. They've been on the top of the podium in 1981, 1985, 1993 and most recently in 1996. But in the remarkable pace set by Irish sailing even in times of recession, the inter-club competition is friendly but fierce. Thus the National has usually been in the frame, but during the past 12 months several factors have combined to make it tops.

That said, successful seasons don't pop up suddenly. Rather, they're part of a continuous process, and when Peter Ryan stood down as Commodore back in the spring to be succeeded by Paul Barrington, he left in place the concepts and structures for a remarkable summer.

Ryan's own special enthusiasm was for offshore racing, and his energy in reviving the Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association was to everyone's benefit. Then too, the biennial Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race is the invention (in 1993) of leading National sailors Martin Crotty and Peter Cullen, and during 2011 it was deservedly one of the highlights of the season. NYC boats may have made up one of the largest club contingents in the record fleet, but their instinct for hospitality is such that they ensured it was Martin Breen from Galway who was overall winner with his Reflex 38.

The club took on the hosting of two major international events for solo sailors. They provided the Irish stopover for the formidable challenge of the Figaro Single-handed Race from France, and the staging of the Topper Worlds for junior sailors. In a fleet of 177 Topper dinghies, David Crosbie of Cork was best Irish in third, while Laura Gilmore of Strangford was first girl and fifth overall.

The success of this regatta underlined the National's high level of event proficiency. It is recognition of this that one of the club's leading race officers, Jack Roy, has been recruited to the 16-man Olympic Race Management Team for this summer's Olympiad.

The National will of course have a leading member on the other side of the Olympic fence – Laser sailor Annalise Murphy, who has already won a Bronze in the pre-Olympic trials last summer - will be a real Irish hope for a medal.

This strength of sailing right across the board continues to draw on a large and active junior section, where Ruth Shanahan has taken over from Cathy MacAleavey to encourage the sailors of tomorrow. Cathy meanwhile is focusing on traditional boats – with husband Con Murphy, she's involved in this year's 125th anniversary of the Dublin Bay Waterwags.

Success at home and abroad in boats which range from state-of-the-art to vintage - that's the way it is with the National YC. They deserve their success.

#DUBLIN BAY NEWS - The inaugural European Tour for the MOD70 trimaran class is set to come to Dublin next summer, pending agreement with the relative authorities in January.

The Irish Times reports that the National Yacht Club is at the head of efforts to include an event in Dun Laoghaire on the first tour for the new 70-foot design.

But apart from the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company, there has so far been little support from local or national authorities despite organisers waiving the €250,000 franchise fee.

John McKenna of tour organiser OC Thirdpole says he is determined to ensure Dublin is included, and that costs will be borne by the competing teams.

However, he added: "The tour needs to be assured that it will have a major public occasion in Dublin if it is to commit to coming here."

The MOD 70 fleet – plans are afoot to bring the fleet to Dun Laoghaire and moor them off the National Yacht Club at the Carlisle Pier

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Dublin Bay welcomed its first MOD70 earlier this year when yachtsman Roland Jourdain tested his Veolia Environnement trimaran ahead of the Fastnet Race.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

#REGATTA–The four Dun Laoghaire waterfront Yacht Clubs have released their sailing regatta dates for 2012. In spite of many other racing fixtures on the bay the waterfront regattas remain a traditional favourite starting with the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club event on Saturday, June 9th.

Dun Laoghaire Yacht Club Regatta Calendar

Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club Regatta 9th June

National Yacht Club Regatta 23rd June

Royal Irish Yacht Club Regatta 30th June

Royal St. George Yacht Club Regatta 7th July

#SAILING-Dublin Bay organisers have published detials of next year's 2012 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships that will be staged on the captial's waters, one of Dublin's biggest sporting events in 2012.

The Notice of Race for the 2012 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship, the 42nd version of the championship has been released.

Over 300 of the world's top youth sailors are expected to descend on Dublin Bay from 12-21 July 2012 and add their name to a list of winners that includes triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie (GBR), three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts (NZL) and four time Olympic gold medallist Alessandra Sensini (ITA).

After the 2011 ISAF Youth Worlds in Croatia, Brian Craig, Dublin Bay 2012 Chairman, said, "We're in good shape. There's been a lot of interest in it, both public and from the sailing community in Ireland. A group of about 50 have been working on this project for about four years now.

"This is the biggest yachting event ever to come to Ireland. We've had some big races but from the pure sports side this really is the biggest thing we've ever done.

"Ireland is really going to pull behind this event; there is no doubt about that."

A full interview with Brian Craig on the Dublin Bay 2012 build up is here.

The 2012 Youth Worlds will take place on Dublin Bay, based at Dun Laoghaire. Dun Laoghaire is a historic town on the outskirts of Dublin. The harbour, opening on to Dublin Bay is a large man made port dating back to the 19th century when it was built for a visit of Queen Victoria.

The horse-shoe shaped bay, open to the east and approximately six miles cross, allows for fair racing. The winds are predominantly driven by the North Atlantic weather systems passing over the country resulting in a prevailing south westerly breeze giving a range of sailing conditions. Dublin Bay is subject to tide and although the speed of the current is not excessive it is often of tactical importance. The size of the bay is capable of accommodating large fleets and multiple courses.

The Royal St George Yacht Club (RSGYC) will host the 2012 championship in association with its neighbouring clubs, the National Yacht Club (NYC) and the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC).

Open to competitors aged under 19 in the year of the championship (i.e. for Ireland, under 19 on 31 December 2012) in the events and equipment listed below (all supplied), the Youth Worlds occupies a unique place in the sailing calendar. Simply getting to the championship is a major achievement for most as entry is limited to one boat per nation, per event, meaning sailors first having to win through their national qualification series.

2011 ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship Events

Event - Equipment

Boy's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Girl's One Person Dinghy - Laser Radial

Boy's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Girl's Two Person Dinghy - 420

Boy's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail

Girl's Windsurfer - RS:X with 8.5m2 sail

Open Multihull - Sirena SL16

Open Skiff - 29er

The notice of race published by the organisers is below:

42nd ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship 2012

12 - 21 July 2012, Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
Notice of Race
Approved by ISAF November 23, 2011
1. GENERAL
1.1 The Irish Sailing Association together with The Royal St George Yacht Club, National Yacht
Club and Royal Irish Yacht Club will host the 42nd ISAF Youth Sailing World Championship
and cordially invites all ISAF member national authorities to participate. The event will be held
from 12 to 21 July 2012.
1.2 The venue will be at the Royal St George Yacht Club and the National Yacht Club.
2. ORGANIZING AUTHORITY
The Championship will be organized by Dublin Bay Youth Worlds 2012 Limited a not-for-profit
company in conjunction with the Irish Sailing Association under the authority of the
International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
Address: Youth Worlds 2012
Royal St George Yacht Club,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dubllin
Telephone: +353 872 235 148
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.isafyouthworlds.com
www.dublinbay2012.com
3. RULES
3.1 The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing.
3.2 No national prescriptions will apply.
3.3 Class rules regarding membership will not apply.
3.4 In accordance with the ISAF Advertising Code, advertising on the supplied equipment is only
available to the organising authority. Competitors shall wear bibs supplied by the organizing
committee.
4. EVENTS, CLASSES, EQUIPMENT AND EQUIPMENT CHECK
4.1 The events and classes are as follows:
EVENT CLASS
Boy’s One Person Dinghy Laser Radial
Girl’s One Person Dinghy Laser Radial
Boy’s Two Person Dinghy 420
Girl’s Two Person Dinghy 420
Boy’s Windsurfer RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin
Girl’s Windsurfer RS:X with 8.5m2 sail & 60cm fin
Open Skiff 29er
Open Multihull SL 16
4.2 A penalty may be given or the use of the equipment may be withdrawn if, in the opinion of the
organizing authority, a competitor treats or handles the equipment without care or in a manner
which causes or is likely to cause damage to the equipment.
4.3 All equipment will, except items listed in 4.4 and 4.5, be supplied free of charge including rig,
sail and gear for all classes (except items mentioned in 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10).
4.4 The organizing authority will not supply compasses or other tactical devices, wind indicators,
buoyancy jackets, trapeze harnesses, hiking pants, wet or dry suits or other personal gear. No
modification to the equipment shall be made unless authorized by the organizing authority.
4.5 Competitors may bring and use the following items sponge, hand bailer, water bottles (only to
be attached to the equipment with rope or tape), shockcords, compass, wind indicators,
including yarn or thread (may be tied or taped anywhere on the equipment, provided their
fitting does not mark, pierce or damage the hull, deck, sails or spars).
4.6 Adhesive tape may be used anywhere above the waterline, but the tape needs to be
removable after the event without leaving any permanent damage. There shall be no writing
with permanent markers directly on the supplied equipment. No wax shall be applied. Hulls,
centreboards and rudders may be cleaned, but only with water and ordinary soap.
4.7 For Laser Radial only: Competitors must bring their own lines, sheet and blocks
(including ratchet block, outhaul, cunningham, traveller and vang systems) and
tiller/tiller extension. Competitors will be supplied with a fully fitted Laser hull including the
deck block fitting and the two single blocks and cleats for the deck led cunningham and
outhaul systems. The boats will be supplied with mini side deck cleats for the main sheet,
centreboard, rudder, mast, boom and sail.
4.8 For 420 only: Competitors must bring their own tow-rope (in accordance with
specification of the class rules). Competitors may bring and use a fitting made of
tape/wood/plastic and shockcord for retaining the spinnaker halyard. This fitting shall only be
attached using tape and not in a position above the gooseneck.
4.9 For RS:X only: Competitors must bring their own outhaul, downhaul systems (ropes,
cleats and pulleys) and the uphaul line. No permanent fixings will be used to attach these.
Harness lines will not be provided by the organisers.
4.10 For 29’er only: The boat's sails, spars, rigging, control lines and fittings shall be used as
supplied, unless alterations or additions are specifically authorized by the ISAF Technical
Delegate. The boats will be fitted with foot straps. Competitors may install their own tiller
extension, or twin extensions, but the attachment fitting must be left installed on the tiller at the
end of the regatta.
4.11 The equipment will not be required to be pre-measured. However, a boat or equipment may
be inspected at any time for compliance with the rules.
4.12 Boats may be required to carry cameras, sound devices or positioning devices as specified by
the organising authority.
4.13 Failure of supplied equipment will not be grounds for redress. This changes rule 62.1(a).
5. ENTRIES
5.1 A national authority in good standing with ISAF may enter one crew in all or any of the
disciplines listed in 4.1.
5.2 Such national authority may register an official team leader and one coach. If a national
authority enters competitors in at least one event per race area, one additional coach is
permitted.
In all other cases only one team leader and one coach is permitted.
RACE AREA EVENTS
A Boy’s and Girl’s One Person Dinghy
B Boy’s and Girl’s Two Person Dinghy, Open Multihull
C Boy’s & Girl’s Windsurfer, Open Skiff
5.3 Every competitor must be a national of the country which is entering him or her. The ISAF
Executive Committee will resolve all applications or disputes relating to the determination of
the national authority a competitor may represent. Each national authority is responsible to
ensure that its competitors comply with this requirement.
6. CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
6.1 EQUIPMENT RESERVATION
All national authorities who are intending to enter a team will complete an Equipment
Reservation on line at www.isafyouthworlds.com specifying the events and number of
coaches they want to enter and pay a non-refundable €100 Equipment Reservation Fee per
equipment by 31 January 2012.
Equipment reservations submitted after 31 January 2012 may not be guaranteed a place in
the regatta.
If at the equipment reservation deadline the numbers of competitors in an event should
exceed the maximum limit of equipment supplied, the Organizing Authority, in consultation
with ISAF, may then implement an alternative racing format allowing equipment to be shared
by two or more competitors/crews.
6.2 FINAL ENTRY
Entries will be made on-line at www.isafyouthworlds.com and must be received with the
championship fee described below (minus the Equipment Reservation Fee paid) by the
organising authority by 30 April 2012. Accommodation and equipment is guaranteed only to
teams who have fulfilled the requirements in 6.1 and have submitted an entry form and paid
the championship fee by 30 April 2012. Entries received after 30 April 2012 will only be
accepted at the discretion of ISAF and in consultation with the Organizing Authority and with
the payment of the Late Entry fee.
6.3 A national authority which has not yet chosen a team by 30 April 2012 deadline must provide
the Organizing Authority with information about its schedule for selecting a team and the
number of persons, genders if possible, and their events to be entered by this deadline. No
additions or changes to the list can be accepted after 30 April 2012 without written approval of
ISAF and in consultation with the Organizing Authority.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
6.4 Competitors and team officials will receive an identification card at registration at the venue
which must be displayed at all times. Access to competitor’s preparation and residential areas
will be restricted. Spectators at the sailing venue may also be required to display a
registration card which will give access to specific areas only.
6.5 Each team is required to bring to the venue two of their national flags in approximate size 1.0
x 1.5m
6.6 The Medical Treatment Permission Form available on www.isafyouthworlds.com must be
submitted for each competitor no later than team registration. This form does not give
dispensation for taking prescribed medication. For medication declarations, please follow
procedures as given in the ISAF Anti-Doping Code (ISAF regulation 21).
6.7 All competitors shall be under the age of 19 years on 31 December 2012 (born after 31
December 1993) and be registered as an ‘ISAF Sailor’ on the ISAF website, www.sailing.org
Each national authority is responsible to ensure that its competitors comply with this
requirement.
6.8 At all times when afloat competitors are required to wear a personal buoyancy jacket. The
organizing authority reserves the right to reject any buoyancy jacket which it considers
unsuitable. Personal buoyancy shall comply with appropriate national standards.
6.9 Each team is required to bring a 250ml bottle containing water from their home seas or lakes
for the Mixing of the Waters ceremony.
7. CHAMPIONSHIP FEE AND DAMAGE DEPOSITS
7.1 Each competitor, team leader and coach will be charged a championship fee of EUR 900 per
team member (EUR 1.200 for Late Entries) for the 10 scheduled days of the event (minus any
Equipment Reservation Fee paid), payable to the organizing authority as instructed on the
entry form.
The Late Entry fee will apply to all entries received after 30 April 2012.
7.2 The championship fee will include airport shuttle from and to Dublin Airport, accommodation
and meals, starting from the midday meal on 12 July and ending with the breakfast meal on
21 July 2012. For accommodation etc prior to 12 July or/and after 20 July, please contact
Moyra O’Donoghue at [email protected]
7.3 There will be no refund if entered competitors withdraw their entry after the entry
deadline.
7.4 A damage deposit of EUR 250 for Laser Radial and RS:X and EUR 350 for 420, 29er and
SL 16 (cash or credit card authorisation) per supplied equipment will be required for
registration at the venue. In case of damage to any equipment, the competitor may be
required to pay an additional amount in order to maintain the damage deposit balance at EUR
250 for Laser Radial and RS:X and at EUR 350 for 420, 29er and SL 16.
7.5 A damage deposit by way of credit card authorisation will be required by the hotel for possible
damage to the hotel premises or for services provided by the hotel such as (additional) food,
drink and the use of telephone(s), etc.
8. SCHEDULE
12 races are scheduled for each event. No more than 3 races will be sailed on any day.
Thursday 12 July Official Arrival Day Registration
Equipment Allocation & On Water Training
Team Leaders Meeting
Friday 13 July Training Day Equipment Allocation
Competitors Briefing
On Water Training
Practice Race
Opening Ceremony
Saturday 14 July Race Day 1 2 Races
Sunday 15 July Race Day 2 3 Races
Monday 16 July Race Day 3 2 Races
Tuesday 17 July Reserve Day
Wednesday 18 July Race Day 4 2 Races
Thursday 19 July Race Day 5 2 Races
Friday 20 July Race Day 6 1 Race
Equipment Return
Closing Ceremony
Saturday 21 July Departure Day Departure
Equipment Supply The supplied equipment will be available on 12 July 2012. The venue is
not available for practice sailing before 12 July 2012.
9. SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
The sailing instructions will be available for all competitors at registration at the venue and on
the event website approximately one month before the championship.
10. PENALTY SYSTEM
10.1 Appendix P, Immediate Penalties for Breaking Rule 42, will apply.
10.2 For the SL 16 and 29er events rules 44.1 and 44.2 are changed so that only one turn,
including one tack and one gybe, is required.
10.3 Decisions of the jury will be final as provided in rule 70.5.
11. SCORING
11.1 Five races are required to be completed to constitute a series.
11.2 (a) When fewer than five (5) races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total
of her race scores.
(b) When five (5) or more races have been completed, a boat’s series score will be the total of
her race scores excluding her worst score.
11.3 For RS:X Rule B8.2, B8.3 and B8.8 shall not apply.
12. SUPPORT BOAT
(a) Private or team support boats are not permitted.
(b) Team Leaders and coaches may go afloat only in craft supplied by the organizing
authority, and clearly marked as such, from Friday July 13 to Friday July 20.
13. BERTHING
Boats shall be kept in their assigned places in the boat parks.
14. DRUG TESTING
Competitors are reminded of the ISAF rules and regulations concerning the use of banned
methods and substances, which are contained in ISAF Anti Doping Code. Drug testing may
take place during this event.
15. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
Competitors participate in the championship entirely at their own risk. See rule 4, Decision to
Race. The organizing authority will not accept any liability for material damage or personal
injury or death sustained in conjunction with or prior to, during, or after the championship.
16. PRIZES
Prizes will be given as follows:
16.1 ISAF medals in gold, silver and bronze will be awarded to first, second and third overall
finishers in each event.
16.2 The ISAF World Youth Sailing Championship Trophy will be awarded to the winning crew in
the Boy’s Two Person Dinghy event.
16.3 The RYA Trophy will be awarded to the winning crew in the Girl’s Two Person Dinghy event.
16.4 The ISAF St. Lawrence Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Boy’s One Person Dinghy
event.
16.5 The ISAF Royal Netherlands Centennial Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Girl’s
One Person Dinghy event.
16.6 The ISAF Paul Phelan Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Boy’s Windsurfer event.
16.7 The ISAF St. Moritz Board Sailing Championship Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the
Girl’s Windsurfer event.
16.8 The ISAF Paul Henderson Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Open Multihull event.
16.9 The ISAF Prince Henry the Navigator Trophy will be awarded to the winner in the Open Skiff
event.
16.10 There will be a Trophy awarded to the top-scoring national authority team.
16.11 The ISAF Bengt Julin Trophy will be awarded to a competitor or a National Team that has in
the competitors’ opinion done most to foster international understanding and has displayed
the attributes that should be encouraged in international competition.
16.12 Other trophies may be awarded for sportsmanship, exemplary behaviour and rules compliance
during the championship.
17. FURTHER INFORMATION
17.1 Entries will be acknowledged in writing.
17.2 General information about travel to Dun Laoghaire, Ireland and its facilities is available
through the website: www.dublinbay2012.com

The fundraiser event which is in aid of the Development Fund of the museum, is to take place this Thursday evening (8 p.m.) on 10th November, in the National Yacht Club (NYC) along the waterfront of Dun Laoghaire Harbour, close to the East Pier.

Tickets costing €20 are available from the Maritime Institute of Ireland's (M.I.I.) museum office located on the top floor of the Dun Laoghaire Shopping Centre, in local fashion shops and by contacting (01) 214 3964.

At the end of last month, the M.I.I. celebrated its 70th anniversary which was founded in 1941. To read more about the museum which is undergoing renovation and due to re-open in March 2012 click HERE and to read other news and developments visit www.mariner.ie

Just 8 hours after National Yacht Club Commodore Paul Barrington bade farewell to the 47 brave Solitaire sailors starting their gruelling 420 mile sail back to France, he was raising the curtain on the Sovereign Ski Topper World Championship – one of the world's big sailing event for the professional sailors of the future.
The Figaro stopover was a great success – capturing the imagination of the visitors, the town and the thousands of locals who visited the ships, shops, and fireworks attached to the event.
The tight changeover from Figaro to Toppers was a challenge to the National Yacht Club organizing committee – but there were some great benefits as event Chairman Margaret Kneafsey explained:
" Friday night there was a wonderful fireworks display and festivities put on by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council – but by 7am on Saturday morning the marquee was cleared and taken down so the Topper competitors could take up their places. It has been very inspiring for the young sailors (all under 18) to see the professionalism of the Figaro race and the exciting lives professional sailors can lead."
Margaret and her large team of volunteers have been delighted to have 180 entries including the five young sailors who have travelled from Korea and sampled Dublin Bay waters for the first time yesterday ( Sunday) .
"It has given them some flavour for the currents and tides in Dublin bay, before the start of the qualifying races for the championship finals which will start today ( Monday)" said Margaret.
Today's ( Monday) qualifying races will be a an amazing blaze of colour across Dublin Bay with all 180 boats lining up for 3 races. Following the same tomorrow the fleet will split in silver and gold fleets and continue the white heat of final competition for 3 days and 8 races until World Champion emerges on Friday afternoon.

The 447 tonnes OPV provides communication liaison and assistance should the forty six sailors require during the arduous race including SAR. As such the vessel can deploy a rapid response high speed RIB-craft from an internal dock-well located at the stern.

Otherwise the RIB is used to board fishing vessels as part of fishery monitoring duties and patrolling France's Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles (370 km). She is a Flamant class OPV and was built in 1997 by the Cherbourg based shipyard Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie. The 54m/177-ft craft is equipped with two 12.7mm machine guns.

As Dun Laoghaire is the only international port of call during the four-leg stages of the 1,695 nautical miles (3,390kms) the hosting of the Irish harbour is a welcomed boost to the sailing community and the local economy. Leading off the Carlisle Pier are pontoons where the one-design boats are moored and opposite is the East Pier jetty berth where the PSP Cormoran is docked.

Also at the East Pier is a festival market which is part of the Festival des Bateaux. The three-day festival ends tomorrow and was organised by the race-hosts the National Yacht Club, the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council. For further festival details click HERE.

The presence of a foreign naval visitor to the harbour was more commonplace particularly during festivals held in the 1980's. In addition to the French, navies from Belgium, The Netherlands were regular festival participants.

To celebrate the stopover of the four-stage 1,695 nautical mile (3,390 km) race, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company and the National Yacht Club have joined forces to create the Festival des Bateaux (12-14 Aug).

A festival highlight will be a fireworks display which be held on Friday night at 10pm on the East Pier. In addition during the three-day festival programme includes live bands, street entertainment and a market on the Carlisle Pier. For more details and times of the free event go to www.dlrevents.ie

Visitors to the East Pier can take a closer view of the PSP Cormoran from the quayside where the 23 knot offshore patrol vessel (OPV) will be berthed. The Flamant class (OPV) entered service in 1997 after completion by Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie, Cherbourg, where the 477 tonnes vessel is based.

The 54m/177-ft vessel has two 12.7mm machine guns and is used for fishery monitoring, SAR and patrolling France's Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles / 370 km. In addition she is equipped with a high speed RIB-craft that can be deployed from an internal dock-well at the stern.