The next party for OGA60 Round Britain Cruise boats is this weekend, hosted by the Dublin Bay OGA. In this post we hear from some skippers already in Ireland and bring an update on those still on passage from South Wales. Sadly, we hear today, that the newest boat in the fleet ‘Peggy’ has decided to retire from the RBC and is returning to Neyland, her home port, having reached Arklow earlier in the week.
As the OGA60 party starts, look back to OGA50 in June 2013 when the OGA Round Britain Challenge fleet also gathered on the River Liffey. Follow the OGA60 fleet on the VesselFinder tracking map.
After waiting for new crew to arrive, ’Onward of Ito’ departed South Wales on passage to Ireland. ‘Letty’, the Bristol Channel pilot cutter, built 1905 has departed Rosslare heading for Arklow and hoping to reach Poolbeg, Dublin Bay on Friday. ’Barbarossa’ and ‘Susan J’ are on passage to Dublin Bay from Arklow today and six have already arrived in Poolbeg: ‘Indian Runner’, ‘Moon River’, ‘Minstrel’, ‘Recipe’ and ‘Hilda’. ‘Lahloo’ has had mast repairs carried out in Howth, having reached Dublin Bay on Tuesday. Other local boats are gathering today and tomorrow including ‘Barbican’, ‘Oystercatcher of Glenarm’, ‘Tir n’a N’og of Howth’ and ‘El Paradiso’.
23 May: Susan J is in Ireland! Retreated around Tusker Rock to Kilmore Quay by last night. A lovely spot with a thriving EU sponsored fishing fleet. Breakfast at Sallis Maris community centre. Early start with Sue and Rob on ‘Barbarrosa’ inside us, in the morning towards Arklow. ‘Susan J’ keeping leading lights astern as she leaves Kilmore Quay at sunrise. ‘Barbarrosa’ is already way ahead as we tack inside the Tuskar Rock.
Julie Patuck, ‘Susan J’
25 May: ‘Susan J’ left Arklow this morning with ‘Barbarrosa’, seen near Wicklow Head. Better luck with tide and engine deployment, so we may well make Dublin tonight. We have been checked by Custaim! They were very professional and didn’t fall in!
23 May: Burying the bowsprit as we bounced up the coast to Dublin before sailing through the narrow but pretty straight between Dalkey Island and Sorrento. Then in was into Dublin Port and a game of Cat and Cormorant before an evening of new moonlit peace. #rbc60 fleet gathering slowly for a good Irish party.
Richard Bailey, ‘Lahloo’
24 May: From Kilmore Quay we set sail at 0545 to catch the tide for Arklow. The harbourmaster advised that if we sailed near the shore we would catch favourable eddies and gain three hours of favourable tide. He was right. We nearly made Arklow on one tide, which for a 52 nautical mile journey was great. This morning we had a more civilised start time and left just after 0800. Our destination was Greystones Marina, a 25 mile trip. We really enjoyed it and at times we roared along (well for us anyway!) with Force 5 wind and favourable tide. The engine was off for a while! We arrived at 1400. We saw the gaff ketch ‘Klevia’ come into the marina.
Chris Hardman, ‘Indian Runner’
‘Cygnet of London’, ‘Bonita’, ‘Step Back in Time’, ‘Swift II’ and ‘Charlotte Elizabeth’ will not be joining the party in Dublin Bay but hope to rejoin the RBC60 fleet as they reach Scotland.
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