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Displaying items by tag: Mac Lir Offshore Wind Farm

Mac Lir Offshore Wind Limited (MLOWL) is undertaking a geophysical reconnaissance survey within an area of survey off the coast of counties Wicklow and Wexford for a proposed offshore wind energy project.

The survey was expected to commence Sunday 12 March to be completed by Monday 10 April, subject to weather and operational constraints.

The purpose of the survey is to undertake a reconnaissance geophysical survey across an area of surveys that may be suitable for the development of the proposed Mac Lir Offshore Wind Farm (MLOWF).

Conducted by the RV Tom Crean (callsign EIYX3), the survey will be performed using a hull-mounted multibeam echo sounder, sub-bottom profilers, side-scan sonar, magnetometer, and towed ultra high-resolution survey (UHRS) system (with a maximum towed length of 500m).

The work vessel will run widely spaced lines across the planned area of survey on a 24-hour basis, weather dependent.

During operations, the work vessel will be restricted in its ability to manoeuvre. All other vessels operating within the planned area of survey are requested to keep their distance and pass at a minimum speed to reduce vessel wash.

The RV Tom Crean will display appropriate shapes and lights and will conduct communications on VHF Channel 16 with other ships and vessels to notify them of the operations.

Further details including a map, coordinates and contact information can be found in Marine Notice No 12 of 2023, attached below.

Published in Power From the Sea

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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