Win a RIB
Competition
The ISA
Yachtsman Euromarine Rib Championship is open to teams from all ISA
Affiliated clubs and training centres. This boat handling competition
itself will consist of two water-based skills along with two land-based
competitions.
All elements of the competitions will be related to the use of a
RIB and marine-based general knowledge. The Winning Team will secure for
their organisation the 5 metre RIB Package valued at €22,500.
Full details of the competition are now available -
http://www.sailing.ie/dynamic/pdf/motorboat/National%20RIB%20Championship.pdf
Rear Commodore Sail
Your correspondent took the highly unpopular decision to stand down from the role of Rear Commodore Sail only a short while before the Round Ireland due to pressure on several fronts including exams, work, Government regulations and unfortunate interference in dealings with Wicklow Port Company regarding my river berth. Into the breach has stepped Henrik Heckmann as Acting RC Sail having cut his teeth in successfully organising the Cruiser racing section in 2007. We wish him well in his new role.
Round Ireland 2008 - a major success
John Johnson, Dennis Noonan, Sean Flood and Henrik Heckmann and their respective teams of eager beavers delivered a wonderful event this year despite the adverse weather and lack of auxilliary sponsors and have maintained the high standards set in the previous race. The major success story was the new tracking system which brought our flagship event into homes across the planet and gave Wicklow Sailing Club a huge lift in its already well regarded international reputation. BMW have reaped the rewards for the efforts of a small band of volunteers and must be very pleased with the publicity achieved through our websites. We wish Evelyn Noonan well after her recent turn.
Dept. of Transport Ships Registration Consultation
Any boat owners or intending boat owners should take a look at the Departments consultation document which is destined to be law in the not too distant future. It will affect all vessels greater than 7m LOA (and some below) and will pose technical and financial difficulties no doubt for owners in trying to comply with various aspects of their requirements. For older boats, how many will have Builders Certificates? If you have any queries or views on the issues raised in the document, raise them asap with the mandarins in the Department. Where has our Dept. of Marine gone to? Check it out here http://www.vesselregister.ie/english
Wicklow Port Company
The Club executive met with 4 representatives of the Port Co (Fachtna Whittle, Capt. John Barlow, Irene Winters and Charlie Byrne) in the Club on Weds 26th March. Many issues of concern to the membership were raised - dinghy slip, silting on moorings, fore and aft drying moorings, possible location of new boatpark, water on east pier and wooden fendering amongst others. The slip is to get immediate repairs effected and water can be run on East Pier at our cost on meter. They will look at the other issues and revert. Matters regarding the running of the Round Ireland were also discussed and positively dealt with.
The south quay repairs are likely to be put back until 2009 and will involve traffic restrictions while in progress and with repairs due for the East Pier could cost €3m+. Major news coming forward from the directors are the plans proposed for (a) a Marina outside the East Pier and (b) the possibility of relocating the commercial port to the lower Murrough. Due to a fall off in traffic and the cost of repairs needed, it might be some time before these bear fruit but at least the seed has been sown.
This was generally a very positive meeting and a wonderful means of exchanging views between the two bodies. A further meeting will be held in May to see the plans for the various proposed developments and hopefully hear of progress on the above issues of concern to WSC.
ISA News
CALLING ALL CRUISING CAPTAINS
One key topic aroises time and time again –
What is the ISA doing for those who go cruising? As a first step we
would like build a list of Cruising Captains around the country. We want
to know what you are currently up to in cruising matters – both sail and
motor.
We would also like to build a list of Cruising Captains around the
country. Does your organisation hold cruising events? Email us by return
and let us know if your club does or doesn’t? Email your Cruising
Captain’s details to Jennie
isanews@sailing.ie
If you don’t have a Cruising Captain, why not appoint one?
2009 ISA AWARDS
The ISA are looking for YOUR suggestions to expand our awards
ceremony for 2009. What / Who would you like the ISA to acknowledge in
boating in Ireland? We have our ideas but we need yours!
Contact Jennie with your ideas:
isanews@sailing.ie
SEAGO ISSUES LIFEJACKET SAFETY WARNING
Seago Yachting of Hailsham, Sussex, has issued a safety warning for its
Seago 150 and 175 Newton lifejackets, including the Junior Lifejackets.
Seago says these jackets may have a defect that could result in serious
injury.
http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsDetails.asp?id=2216
ISA NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2009
Burlington Hotel: 7th & 8th March 2009
If you wish to check out current or old news items from the Irish Sailing Association, follow this link http://www.sailing.ie/inside/default.asp?pageId=50
ISA
NEWSLETTER
You can sign up for a weekly hit of sailing and boating news. It
will take 30 seconds, click on this link:
http://www.sailing.ie/news/newsletter_register.asp
Round Ireland
-Final Results available on our WSC and Race websites
Upcoming Events
Any ideas for Social Events in 2008 welcome
Annual Shipman Visit and Dinner 19/20 July
Wayfarer Easterns July 26/27
Please play your part and be involved - can you run an event?
Don't forget us if you have a celebration in your family, work or socially - let Sean or Kerry know. Catherine Malone is helping out with Entertainments - can you assist her efforts?
On the road to recovery
Some of our members have been in the "wars" recently and we all wish Evelyn Noonan, Arthur Ingram and Norma Drew a speedy recovery from their set backs.
Madoc Yacht Club
Notes for your diaries - MYC - their Headley Smith Race is pencilled in for July 4th coming and we have provisionally fixed the weekend around 18th July to pay a visit to them. Intending crew should try to link up with skippers planning on doing the trip.
Clubhouse Development
Phase one of the redecoration of the clubhouse was completed in time to greet our first Round Ireland sailors and guests for the Round Ireland Launch. Due to pressure of time, our various club pictures, burgees and other paraphernalia have yet to return to give the club back its homely nautical feel so important in any clubhouse. The Round Ireland room is now due to get a bit of a face lift and we can expect to see our new furniture before the winter season.
The projected cost for the extensive renovations is in the order of €25,000 with further works required for the Round Ireland room and furniture (could end up at €40/50,000). Any talented members with skills to help keep costs down are more than welcome to volunteer their time.
Some of our members are playing a blinder - after Sadies very successful Cheese and Wine night raised €1300, Phil Mc Devitt rowed in with €500 from her Phamous Quiz Night and then to put the icing on the cake, Madame Commodore, Kathleen Johnson, made a fabulous €2050 from a Bridge night in the club on Mon 21st Apr. The Lift-in Dinner Sat 3rd May was next on the list, followed on Mon 5th by a Car Boot Sale - another €750 between them. Funds raised to date come to c.€4700 (only another c.€20000 to go for phase 1). Do any members have an idea or two to help boost the kitty? Let Sean Flood or John Johnson know asap.
Congratulations
Robin Heather is the winner of €50 bar credit, having been drawn from the stack of replies making suggestions for WSC entertainments as part of our efforts to make more active use of the clubhouse. Well done and enjoy your prize at your leisure.
Condolences
We are sorry to report the passing of Arthur Ingrams mother, at the fine age of 96. May she rest in peace.
Next WSC Committee meeting:-
Friday 25th July 2008 8.30pm
With the Round Ireland successfully put to bed for another year, your Committee, with newly installed Acting Rear Commodore Sail Henrik Heckmann in situ, will be turning its eyes to the job of finishing the Clubhouse renovations and refurbishment.