Tall Ships Race, Belfast.

[mike-m]

The Tall Ships race finishes in Belfast this year during August. They will be arriving from about Wednesday 12th August and leaving in a Parade of Sail on Sunday 16th August - should be a spectacular sight!

If you are thinking of visiting, might be worth getting a berth booked early at Bangor or Carrick Marinas. Access to the Port of Belfast to see the ships docked is being encouraged but will be strictly controlled, with sail-by permission only - no landing allowed. You will need a form to apply for entry.

More info available here: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tallships

There will be lots happening, with a funfair, Continental Market, Fireworks Display aerial displays, plus of course the Tall Ships themselves.

Hope to see some of you there?

Regds


Mike

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by mike-m

The Tall Ships race finishes in Belfast this year during August. They will be arriving from about Wednesday 12th August and leaving in a Parade of Sail on Sunday 16th August - should be a spectacular sight!

If you are thinking of visiting, might be worth getting a berth booked early at Bangor or Carrick Marinas. Access to the Port of Belfast to see the ships docked is being encouraged but will be strictly controlled, with sail-by permission only - no landing allowed. You will need a form to apply for entry.

More info available here: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/tallships

There will be lots happening, with a funfair, Continental Market, Fireworks Display aerial displays, plus of course the Tall Ships themselves.

Hope to see some of you there?






Regds


Mike

It would be good to get a group of us there mike. Anyone else up for it?

[Jono Garton]

Count me in

Jono

[tonymac]

Some more info .....


Tall Ships: Viewing for Leisure Craft

During 13-16 August 2009, Belfast Harbour will host the Tall Ships. A significant number of event vessels are expected and these will be berthed at Queen’s Quay, Abercorn Basin, Donegall Quay and Albert Quay.
Belfast Harbour will welcome recreational vessels wishing to visit the Port during the event and will implement the following procedures to ensure that this is achieved in a safe and fair manner.
The downloadable form below must be submitted before the Harbour can consider granting access to leisure craft between the hours of 0900 and 2000 from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 August. On successful completion and acceptance of this submission the leisure craft will be able to enter the Harbour and may circulate within the area bounded by the M3 Bridge and Ballast Quay.
Please note: No leisure craft will be permitted in this area during Sunday 16 August, as the event vessels will be preparing for the Parade of Sail.
Unfortunately, due to the number of event vessels, it will not be possible to allow visiting leisure vessels to berth in the Harbour area.
We anticipate demand may be high and the numbers of leisure craft may have to be limited at certain times.
To facilitate management of the demand, Belfast Harbour requests that you complete and submit the form below.
The following conditions must be met for your application to be considered;
VHF Channel 12/16.
Evidence of appropriate level of insurance.
At least 2 people on board.
Life saving equipment for all on board (Life Jackets must be worn at all times).
Lights.
Leisure Craft Application for access to Belfast Harbour, Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 August

See this page for a downloadable form;
http://www.gotobelfast.com/tall_ship...re_crafts.aspx

[tonymac]

Went out of Carrickfergus today and into Belfast Harbour to visit the Tall Ships. Place was monitored very closely by patrol boats and police. No going over 6 knts!! Not that you would want to as you were getting up close and personal with so many of the wonderful Tall Ships. Its much easier to see them all from the water. Lots of walking to do if you are on land!!

Some photos ........



(Ummph! Sorry photos too big - wont upload. Will try and make them smaller and upload later)
\

[codprawn]

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...ertoySetup.exe

Download this - then just right click on any pics you want to resize - choose the largest option.

[mike-m]

Well, the weather held and over 170 "recreational users" plus between 120,000 and 140,000 landlubbers turned up for a pretty good day out at the ships. As Tony says, the event is quite closely patrolled, with a speed limit of six knots beyond the Twins beacons - just where Herdman Channel and Musgrave Channels branch off - or just behind the parked HSS if that helps! However, you are starting to get a good view of the ships as he says, so it isn't really the imposition you might think.

Belfast Harbour are being very cautious owing to the fact it is still a working Port, but more importantly because there is work in progress, with divers down some of the time at two locations. Police and Patrol boats had a generally quiet time, with only one gentleman having to be politely reminded that wearing a life jacket is a requirement for entry to the harbour!

If you haven't registered for a visit - the link is above in a previous post - you can still do so. If you turn up on the day, you may be asked for some details such as name, address/phone number, etc, and will have to demonstrate that you have VHF and life jackets. One of the biggest probems is the lack of berthing and landing facilities - it is just not allowed. Nonetheless, visiting is a pleasant experience, with no time pressure.

Weather today (Friday) isn't looking good, with persistent rain forecast. Saturday and Sunday could be quite lively wind-wise, but the Parade of Sail should be ok - fingers crossed (bl**dy Irish weather.....!).

Hope to see you there!

Mike

[tonymac]

Thanks Codprawn - but I operate a Mac!

However I have downsized the photos and here are some of them ......................

[tonymac]

And here are some more .........

[tonymac]

Finally, here's yours truly with my son .............

[JSP]

The white ship is a beautiful vessel!
Good to put a face to a name Tony

[tonymac]

As Mike-m says it is closely patrolled, however as I approached the Twin Beacons a very friendly patrol boat came over, politely reminded me re the 6knt limit once inside and wished me a great visit. No probs there. You can take as much time as you like in the harbour and it is great craic having a chat with some of the crews. We were offered a glass of wine by a Dutch crew as we came alongside! The Guinness boat would have been more my liking!!

The music is good and my daughter and niece were dancing away on board!

There is no landing as Mike-m says but if you go close in you can still hear the banter and chat of the 'characters' on shore. Look out for Captain Birdseye and how he lost his leg - really funny!!

I'll be out again on Sunday in Belfast Lough for the parade of sail - see you there!!

[Neil Harvey]

yep, it's a good jaunt. Some of those ships are amazing, and they have some pretty good crews to go drinking with!
I'll see the ships in Delfzijl a week on Monday, where I will join Stavros for the trip from Delfzijl to Barry, ultra glad that I'm not in the race this time, as those trips are knackering to say the least!

[Grouse]

Pic from Sunday.

Pic from Sunday

[tonymac]

Great pic Grouse. Many thanks for it. Guess who forgot his camera on Sunday?

[mike-m]

Well, the final fgures are in and we had 800,000 visitors throughout the four days - twice the official estimates! It is estimated that the event has injected around £20 MILLION into the N.I. economy - useful in these fairly lean times!

Sadly, the strong winds kept viewing boat numbers down to around three hundred, much less than expected.... but possibly just as well, as it was quite crowded despite best efforts to keep the channel clear as per the Maritime Exclusion order!

Overall feedback is that most were very happy with the event, despite the large dose of "Norn Iron" weather. Rumours are flying that the Tall Ships may come back as a result - I certainly hope so!

It was just what Belfast needed.


Mike

[JSP]

Grouse,
That's a grand photo. Get it framed!!