Afloat Photographer Bob Bateman's essential role in promoting sailing in Ireland was recognised again last night, this time at the Kinsale Yacht Club AGM.
Bateman was made an honorary member of the West Cork club for his support of the Kinsale sailing and boating scene.
In nominating the photo-journalist, outgoing Commodore Mike Walsh told the meeting, "Bob has served this club for many, many years, turning up at countless events and getting on the water to produce the photos that we all want to put in a frame and hang on the wall".
Bateman covers the wide range of maritime activity on the Cork Coast for Afloat.ie, especially sailing. He has an extensive archive dating back to the 1960s, documenting a unique record of Kinsale, Cork Harbour and south coast life in general.
One of Bob Bateman's striking images of the Cork coastline from Kinsale Yacht Club's staging of June's Sovereign's Cup 2021
The nomination was enthusiastically approved by the online KYC meeting that also saw Walsh hand over the tiller to new Commodore Matthias Helstern, as Afloat reports here.
Bateman's KYC award follows a National 18 dinghy class presentation in September, where he was similarly honoured with the class's Sullivan Trophy for his 'outstanding support' of dinghy affairs.
Bob and his late wife Claire were previously awarded Cove Sailing Club's Foley Rose Bowl in 2011 for their services to sailing. In 2013, Bob was also made an Honorary Member of Royal Cork Yacht Club, one of only eight such awards made.
