Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Displaying items by tag: Fastferry named

#FastFerryRename - Condor Ferries announced the new name of its latest aquisition a 102m state-of-the-art ferry-ferry to be called Condor Liberation.

The name for the car-carrying 800 passenger craft is in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Channel Islands during WW2.

A judging panel choose the winning name following a competition held in the Channel Islands, which received more than 7,000 competition entries.

Clive Davies from Guernsey was the ultimate winner and he will receive a year's free travel with Condor Ferries and the opportunity to visit Condor Liberation to see the name he chose being painted onto the ship in Poole.

The Dorset port as previously reported on Afloat.ie, is where the £50m newcomer is undergoing fit-out work to customise the craft to meet the operator's requirements.

In addition the port will be her homeport from where she will run services from the end of March, in which the 'Liberation' will have increased comfort and facilities to those travelling to both the islands capitols of St. Peter Port, Guernsey and St. Hellier, Jersey.

Alicia Andrews, Executive Director – Commercial at Condor Ferries, said: "We're delighted with the name of our brand new ship, Condor Liberation. We felt it was particularly apt in this, the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Channel Islands and are very pleased that Liberation is a name that will be as significant to our French passengers as it is to our Channel Island and UK passengers.

"We are now looking forward to welcoming Condor Liberation into service just before Easter."

The Condor Liberation secures the future of high speed ferry travel to the Islands currently served by a trio of smaller counterparts, though two such craft are to be replaced upon her entry. In addition Condor operates conventional tonnage.

Published in Ferry

Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.