Not the Spanish Armada!

29 June, 2010 - 11:16 — admin

Not the Spanish Armada!

But Barra and Vatersay are to be invaded by yachts this summer!
 
Round Britain & Ireland Yacht Race
At 4 year intervals a small armada of highly competitive sailors depart Plymouth for the clockwise Round Britain and Ireland two-handed yacht race. The second of their compulsory 24 hour stopovers is in Castlebay. In June 2002 and 2006 these sailors had to endure severe southerly gales during their Castlebay stopover. Donald MacLeod and his crew on the Barra lifeboat have lasting memories of their outstanding service to the disabled yacht Vijaya on 21 June 2006. This resulted in Donald receiving the RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry and his crew receiving Medal Service Certificates. We hope these sailors bring better weather with them this June!
 
The 12th running of the Shetland Round Britain & Ireland 2010 race departs Plymouth on Sunday 6th June. Race entry now exceeds 50 boats and includes several boats and crews who have taken part in previous Round Britain races. First boat could be in Barra by Thursday or Friday. One of the International classics of short-handed sailing which has attracted great names over the years, the course is around all of Great Britain & Ireland, and there are compulsory stops of 48 hours at Kinsale, Barra, Lerwick and Lowestoft
 
Clyde Cruising Club Centenary Cruise
In late July a less competitive bunch of sailors celebrate the centenary of the Clyde Cruising Club with a 2 week cruise on the west of Scotland. 200 yachts are expected to participate in this Centenary Cruise and the yachts are due into Barra and Vatersay about the 25th July as one of the ports of call on the cruise.
 
RNLI Gold Medal Award
Still on the maritime theme, Dr David Bickle was, last week down to the Barbican Centre in London to receive his Gold Medal for 25 years of service to the Barra Lifeboat as medical officer. His own prospective retirement project, “Calagorm”, is now anchored in Castlebay following a long staged trip from Thailand, where she was built.
 
Right: Dr Bickle receiving his award by HRH
Prince Michael of Kent at the RNLI Annual
Presentation of Awards last week.