Rescue RIB needed for Irish Sea crossing

[Rhydian]

Hi,

I am looking to kitesurf from Ireland to Wales this September 2012 for two armed forces charities and am looking for someone with a RIB that would legally, ie no commercially coded and hence restricted, be able to rescue boat the trip.

I don't know much about RIBs, but from my understanding, the preferable specifics would be;

- 7m in length with a relatively clear bow (for launching kite if needed);
- Twin engine (from a safety perspective); and
- Ability to keep up with a kite surfer going c.20 knots in choppy conditions.

If anyone has any thoughts or contacts they would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Ribochet]

Hi Rhydian

Welcome to RIBnet

I was the Safety Boat Co-ordinator for the Northern Ireland Kitesurfing Challenge from Belfast Lough to Scotland in 2009. I also have a RIB that meets your specification perfectly but it is based close to Belfast Lough.

However from this experience I know that you have set yourself a very big challenge in terms of distance and the need for very specific wind and sea conditions. In 2009 out of about a dozen starters only one made it across

Why Wales to Ireland

[Rhydian]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply!

Sounds intresting....I know it's a big challenge and really am leaving myself at the mercy of the wind, but from a fitness and ability perspective I would hope that I would be OK....what would you say were the main challenges for the guys doing it?

Reason for Ireland to Wales, is that I applied for permission to do it from England to France last year, however got turned down by the French coast guard for getting within 3 miles of the coastline as they said it was "not a sea worthy vessel", and if I am going to do it, I want to do it legally so I can look to raise most money possible. Ireland to Wales needs no such coast guard permissions that I'm aware of and sounded suitably challenging from a fundraising perspective.

With prevailing winds as they are, I have a much stronger riding stance with my left leg as back leg, and so Ireland to Wales is much more preferable than visa versa if it's blowing a south westerly.

That said, I am not dead set on Ireland to Wales, and I would definitely explore different routes if it meant standing a better chance/opportunity of doing it.

As someone whose guard boated it previously, what would be your thoughts?

[redthunder]

Hi. We escort lots of kite surfers and kayaks across the channel. We have never had a problem with it in the last 5 years. Let me know if you want more info.

[Alan Priddy]

I would forget about planning which way you intend to to and from until 48 hours before. There is no way you can plan this trip because of the unpredicatable weather patterns. I have to agree with Redthunder, you must have done something wrong or tried to buck the system not to be allowed entry into France. Mind you, after the Election they may be looking to replace their numbers when it empties of all the wealty people. Alan P

[Rhydian]

Hi,

Thanks for your messages....I would definitely be keen to find out more from Red Thunder, as definitely didn't try and buck the system or anything, was trying to do it as legally as possible....I applied through a company that does crossings, they told me that it was very unlikely that the French coast guard would permit kitesurfing ie give permission to it, but I asked them to try anyway, and about 6 months later, they got a reply from the French turning the application down...

[redthunder]

Hi. I have crossed by kite surfer myself twice as I run a Kitesurf school as well as a rib charter company. My number is 07876135911 if you want to chat about it further. Also web is. www.fullthrottleboatcharters.com.

[Rhydian]

Great...thanks mate. Website looks just the ticket...From the looks of things, something must have gone pretty wrong with my permissions last year...might have been the route I applied for.

Will give you a bell over the next couple of days...thanks again to everyone for the information, much appreciated.