New Coast Guard Sites Launched
April 15, 2008
Thanks to the excellent Howth Coast Guard site, we’ve learned that three more Irish Coast Guard units have launched websites. Skerries Coast Guard, Clogherhead Coast Guard, and Bonmahon Coast Guard.
Sailing Photo of the Day. From 1880.
April 9, 2008
This is a beautiful photograph from Circa 1880 in Lerwick.
Warning. Waves of up to 15m off the West Coast of Ireland this weekend
November 30, 2007
Computer generated wave forecasts by the Marine Institute and Met Eireann for tomorrow afternoon 1st December 2007 predict that waves with a significant height of up to 14m could occur in the seas to the West of Ireland.
The conditions are expected to be hazardous to all marine users including ships and fishing vessels, as well as individuals who might be walking close to the shoreline, or fishing from the shore in exposed areas of the west.
Left For Dead.
August 31, 2007
Probably prompted by the recent Fastnet race, I picked up a copy of Left For Dead, the Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race. It was written by Nick Ward who was one of the crew on the Yacht Grimalkin in the race and co-authored by Sinead O Brien.
I didn’t really expect a lot from this book, but once I began to read, I literally could not put it down. Nick Ward tells the story of his personal experience on board the Yacht Grimalkin.
It is impossible to do justice to the book in this review, but it it makes for compelling even emotional reading. The owner of the Yacht and one of the crew died in the storm. The description of the skies before the storm hit made my blood run cold at what was to come.
…The horizon was looking stranger, more uneven, almost ruffling itself up by the minute. I was mesmerised. I wondered if I was experiencing some kind of optical illusion, so I turned away and looked back, several times - but it wasn’t an illusion. Rapidly, in front of our eyes, it was becoming more and more distorted, the weird colours of the sky reflecting off the clouds.
I can not recommend this book highly enough, even if you have no interest in sailing.
Left for Dead: The Untold Story of the Tragic 1979 Fastnet Race
RNLI Digital Rescue Pager
August 29, 2007
From our friends on the Team Geared Up Blog comes news of the RNLI Digital Rescue Pager. It basically alerts you (with a short delay) everytime a lifeboat is launched anywhere in the UK or Ireland. It’s a little widget that you download to your laptop or desktop. If you want, you can change the settings to just receive alerts from selected stations.
The pager links to a page on the RNLI site where you can share memories of people who have passed on. The page also allows you to make a donation in memory of your loved one or friend.
The thing is its incredibly effective. When it goes off you immediately think that somewhere someone is in trouble and it reinforces the thought that the RNLI is there to help when you get into trouble at sea. It frightens the life out of you when it goes off.
I think the RNLI should test a big donate button on the pager itself. Very well done to whoever came up with that idea.
RNLI Ad
Viking Ship The Sea Stallion arrives in Dublin
August 14, 2007
After a long and at times difficult seven week trip, the Sea Stallion arrived in Dublin today. Its amazing to think of these open boats making such long voyages hundreds of years ago.
From the ships log on the Sea Stallion Web site.
We have been sitting in the same boat since July 1st. One and a half month of rain, cold and a few rays of sunlight. We have laughed and teased each other. We have comforted each other and shouted at each other. We have been sailing till the vains were showing underneath the skin, and we have dazed so much, that even a walk to the grocer’s could seem a challenge. We have felt tense and we have felt safe.
The Sea Stallion will go on exhibition in the National Museum of Ireland from the 17th August.
Useless Fastnet Race Reporting
August 14, 2007
Whoever is responsible for reporting progress in the Rolex Fastnet Race needs to wake up. Almost a day after the start and with many boats leaving the course and diverting to ports along the South West, particularly Plymouth, there is no word on the official site about whats happening out there. The last “news” report is almost a day old and there are no log reports.
The best way to try and figure out whats going on is to download the Google Earth Feed which is simply awesome.
It looks like Irish boat Chieftain is in 11th position over the water and is currently just North East of the Scilly Isles.
Come on guys, if you’re going to do this, do it properly.
Channel 16 beauts
July 30, 2007
From Messing about in Sailboats.
Lady Boater: Attention Coast Guard, I need help.
Coastie: How can I assist
Lady Boater: I can’t find Bimini on my map.
Coastie: Can you tell me what the number is on the chart you are looking at
Lady Boater: …er I don’t see any numbers
Coastie: Is there anything on your ..er map that will me help me determine what you are looking at
Lady Boater: Well there is a big Texaco logo in the corner.
Any one got any others?
Single Handed Sailing Kitecam
July 26, 2007
This is pretty interesting. Attach a Camcorder to a kite, let it fly and record your sail. I’d like to know what the set up is.
Sailing in the Surf
July 26, 2007
or is it surfing with a sail? You decide.