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Displaying items by tag: Trent class

#DALKEY ISLAND SNORKEL - More than 100 participants took part in the St. Patrick's Day Dalkey Island snorkel fundraiser event in aid of the RNLI, where the local Dun Laoghaire lifeboat RNLB Anna Livia was hove to off Coliemore Harbour, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Some two hours after high-tide this morning the snorkelers set off from the harbour through Dalkey Sound and made an anti-clockwise circuit of the island.

The circuit took up to an hour to complete and their progress was monitored by a fleet of safety RIBS, with the last participants returning to the harbour around noon.

A crowd gathered overlooking the harbour where fundraising activities took place and it was hoped that the event would raise between €4,000 - €5,000.

The fundraiser was organised by the Marlin Sub Aqua Club on behalf of Comhairle Fó Thuinn (CFT) the Irish Underwater Council. The club was established in 1980 and operates from the Clondalkin Community Sports Centre in west Dublin.

Published in RNLI Lifeboats

About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.