Cape Clear Ferry comes to the aid of Baltimore Lifeboat!.

Cape Clear Ferry are delighted to sponsor the Baltimore Lifeboat team in their bid to win the Inaugural Beaufort Cup Sailing Challenge which takes place during the renown Volvo Cork week from 10th to 15th July next.

Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, the 2016 events celebrate events a century ago leading to the foundation of the State. The Beaufort Cup is named after Sir Francis Beaufort, creator of the Beaufort Wind Scale who was born in Ireland.  His contribution to maritime affairs is already celebrated in Cork Harbour by the Beaufort Laboratory, one of the world’s largest wave energy research facilities and home to the Centre of Marine and Renewable Energy Ireland.

The Beaufort Cup will comprise of sailing teams from the various lifesaving services with at least 50% of each team active in the service they represent.  Racing takes place over 5 days in a mixture of challenging offshore (around the Fastnet Rock weather dependent) and inshore events to be crowned the 2016 Beaufort Cup holder. The winning team will win €10,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice.

 Cape Clear Ferry is especially pleased to sponsor the Baltimore lifeboat team given the long service of its directors, Brendan and Cathal Cottrell as assistant coxswain and mechanic. For picturesque Cape Clear like the other islands, the lifeboat is a vital and comforting lifeline deserving of a míle buíochas.

Our Baltimore lifeboat team competes in a projection 35 offshore racing yacht kindly provided by Martin Darrer/Coleman Garvey.  The crew of 9, includes 6 of the Baltimore lifeboat crew, Youen Jacob, Cathal Cottrell, Pat Collins, Jim Baker, Aidan Bushe, Brendan Cottrell and 3 International Sailors Nicholas O Leary, Sandy Remington and Coleman Garvey.  On behalf of Cape Clear Ferries and the Island community we wish them the very best of luck   go n-eírí go geal libh uile and will be following their progress with great interest.