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Displaying items by tag: Rathlin ferry

Ferry fares to Rathlin Island off Co. Antrim are set to increase for the first time in 10 years.

The announcement was made by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) which stated that a standard single passenger fare on the Ballycastle-Church Bay route will rise from £6 to £8.

For those travelling by car on board the 6-vehicle capacity Spirit of Rathlin, the standard single car fare will increase from £10.30 to £15.

The 40 minute route is also served by the passenger only catamaran the Rathlin Express which takes just 25 minutes to complete the crossing.

Half price fares for children will not be affected and SmartPass concessions will also be available.

As for the island's population of around 150 residents, they will continue to receive discounts of at least 50% of the standard fares.

The DfI added that the fares will "be subject to a statutory 30-day notice period that is due to commence on 9 May 2023".

More from The Irish News on the route that is operated on behalf of the DfI, see related story.

Published in Ferry

Waszp sailing

The Waszp project was conceived in 2010 by Andrew McDougall, designer of the world-beating Mach 2 foiling Moth. 

The Waszp was created as a strict one-design foiler, where, as the class says “the true test when raced is between crews and not boats and equipment”.

The objective of the class rules is to ensure that this concept is maintained. Keeping possible modifications to a minimum ensures fair racing across the fleet, helps to reduce the overall cost to the sailor and reduces the amount of time in the workshop. 

The popularity of the WASZP has proven that the boat and the concept work. In October 2021, 1237 boats had been sold to over 45 countries. 

The top speed recorded on the foiling dinghy is 26.7 knots. 

60-95kgs+ is a weight range competitive across varied conditions with rigs knowns as ‘8.2’ and ‘6.9’.

The cost of a Moth dinghy in Europe is €14,400 inc VAT + shipping according to the manufacturers in October 2021.