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Displaying items by tag: Visit Due Irish Naval Base

#NavyNews -  A tour by the Prince of Wales of an Irish Naval Service patrol ship, to retrace steps of his ancestors in Cork and Kerry and be briefed on world-renowned conservation projects around Killarney are planned during his visit to the Republic next month.

It has emerged writes The Belfast Telegraph that the three-day visit was organised at the specific request of the Prince, who has for years wanted to visit a number of historic Cork and Kerry sites.

He will be accompanied by his wife, Camilla the Duchess of Cornwall for the visit, which is scheduled to begin in Cork on June 14.

The Belfast Telegraph has learned that Charles, who visited the Republic with Camilla in 2016, has specifically requested a tour of the historic Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork harbour.

It was formerly a strategically important dockyard of Britain's Royal Navy.

First fortified in 1602, not long after the Spanish Armada's failed invasion bid, Haulbowline Island is now the main base of the Irish Naval Service.

For more on the visit to the naval base located in lower Cork Habour click here.

Published in Navy

SB20 (formerly Laser SB3) information

Designed by Tony Castro, the SB20 is a British-built strict one-design 6.15m keelboat conceived as a wide appeal, affordable, competitive sportsboat for teams of three or four sailors. It is also, arguably, the most successful sportsboat in the world with 800 owners competing regularly in a programme of exciting local, national and international events.

Originally known as the Laser SB3, the SB20 continues to deliver on its pioneering promise: a boat that is fun, fast and easy to sail by anyone of any age; the best value-for-money sportsboat in the market.

The Laser SB3 was designed by Castro and launched in 2002. In 2007 the Laser SB3 was awarded ISAF Recognised Status and the first World Championships were held in Ireland in 2008. In 2012, Tony Castro appointed a new builder, Sportsboat World. At this time, the Laser SB3 was renamed the SB20 and building was returned to the UK from Malaysia. The ethos of the class continues.

The boat is a strict one-design class, economic to buy and campaign, easy to sail with a simple deck layout and electric downwind performance delivered by the generous sail plan. The boat has a lifting keel, can easily be launched from a slipway and towed behind a family car.

Previous SB20 World Champions

2008 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Roger Gilbert, Roz Allen & Sarah Allan

Host National Yacht Club, Dun laoghaire, Ireland

2009 GBR: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heeley

Host Clube Naval de Cascais, Cascais, Portugal

2010 GBR: Jerry Hill, Grant Rollerson, Joe Llewellyn

Host Circolo Vela Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy

2011 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Andy Ramus, Ian Mills & Emma Clarke

Host Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, UK

2012 GBR: Geoff Carveth, Lesley Dhonau, Roger Hudson & Asenathi Jim

Host Hamilton Island Yacht Club, Queensland, Australia

2013 GRB: Craig Burlton, Stephen White, Adam Heley Host COYCH Club, Hyeres, France