The Howth Coast Guard team was carrying out lifejacket compliance monitoring in the Delta ‘Grainne’ from 1215hrs to 1415hrs of leisure boats in the Malahide-Dublin Bay area during the start of the Ireland Challenge this morning. Five 72-foot racing yachts crossed the start line at 1400hrs marked by the officials of Howth Yacht Club aboard the ‘Free Enterprise’.
With 16 crew on each, the yachts will sail clockwise around the coast of Ireland non-stop until finishing back in Howth on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can track the position of the boats live on the Ireland Challenge website. For further coverage of the race start take a look at John Deane’s photos coming on www.hyc.ie.
Meanwhile on-shore, Howth IRCG teams Alpha & Bravo carried out a successful radio communications training exercise on the cliffs and returned to help recover the Delta at Howth slipway.
Howth Lifeboat with ‘Samsung’
‘Spencer Dock’, and the ‘Free Enterprise’, HYC.
View of race yacht beyond Delta bow.
Race yacht behind Ireland’s Eye.
Support Yacht and Delta coxwain.
Race yacht off bow of Delta.
