Team Pulsar Racing sets new irish and World Record

[teampulsar]

TEAM PULSAR RACING TAKES WORLD RECORD FOR ROUND IRELAND CIRCUMNAVIGATION IN A POWERBOAT

Friday 11th Sep 2009 saw Team Pulsar-Racing attempt the Irish National and UIM World Powerboat Circumnavigation of Ireland & Islands (excl Rockall) record. The 704 nautical mile circuit was completed in 19hours, 9mins and 50 seconds beating the existing record by 4 minutes. (The existing RYA ratified record did not include all the Islands of Ireland designated under the UIM record course, and so was 22 miles shorter)

Team Pulsar Racing crew Justin Mc Inerney, Derek Stanley and Greg Marsden co-skippered their high profile endurance RIB ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ which had been launched at RIBEX earlier in the year.

The purpose built Quinquari-Humber with proven Raymarine, Shockwave, Suzuki and Succorfish technology that has brought the team previous success in RB08 and other events delivered yet again demonstrating its resilience in some ferocious conditions building on the team’s reputation as offshore endurance specialists.

Even though the team broke the record by only 4 minutes they did not have it all their own way. Some extremely difficult conditions were experienced throughout the attempt almost costing them the record. ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ crossed the start line off Mizen Head, Cork at 03:00 with Dennis Dillon, the official ISA and UIM Record keeper conducting the underway honours. Due to an unexpectedly poor sea state compounded by darkness the attempt was already in jeopardy very early on with challenging conditions continuing all the way across Galway bay. However, undaunted and clearly uninterested in defeat, a reputation that Team Pulsar is now well known for, they continued to battle on.

Crossing Donegal Bay conditions began to improve and time was made up through to the refuel stop at Cushendall Slip in Antrim. A technical difficulty at Cushendall caused a 30 minute delay but conditions continued to be favourable down the east coast with ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ achieving speeds in excess of 50knts even with an additional 1000L of fuel on the deck. As the Team rounded Carnsore Point in Wexford conditions worsened with significant chop developing and a confused sea slowing progress. The run to Waterford was steadily eroding confidence in achieving the target time of 19 hours and 13minutes or less and tension levels in the RIB were steadily rising. Seas from Waterford to Cork gave no quarter and were physically draining for the crew due to the severe impact ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ was experiencing. Passing Ballycotton and with Cork in site it was calculated an average of 40knots would need to be maintained if the Team were to achieve anywhere near the nineteen hour target and at this point with only one hour of daylight remaining the target seemed all but impossible. Stopping briefly at the Cork buoy to switch fuel tanks Greg took the helm from Justin for the final sprint to the Fastnet Rock and Mizen Head.
The conditions and light continued to deteriorate and now in total darkness speeds were reduced and crew fatigue was also beginning to take its toll due to the physical stresses been encountered. The Humber however seemed to get its second wind and the sweet music of the Suzuki’s remained reassuring to the last.

The Team rounded the Fastnet Rock and headed for the Mizen with minutes to spare. The lights of the Mizen in sight the only thing was to go for broke. Navigating purely on instruments and pushing 40 knots to the accompaniment of groans and the odd scream ‘Milwaukee Seawolf’ smashed through an unforgiving sea to cross the line in 19hours 9 minutes and 50 seconds breaking the unofficial record by four minutes. The Team arrived back in Crookhaven to rapturous applause, a Hot whiskey and a welcome meal in the local Pub. Family and friends who had spent the entire day monitoring every second of the days progress on the satellite tracking system onboard from Succorfish were there to welcome the Crew home. Comments about cutting it close were heard all around but the Team concluded that a lot could be accomplished in 4 minutes.

Team Pulsar Racing will compete in The 2010 Round Ireland Offshore Powerboat Race taking place from the 5h to the 12th of June.

Records Achieved:
UIM Class 1 Up to 30Ft, Irish National & UIM World Record - ISA & UIM Ratified
UIM Overall Irish National & UIM World Record – ISA & UIM Ratified

Regards,
Macrib

[Pablo]

Fantastic

50 knotts with a ton of fuel onboard is very impressive. Incredible boat

[willk]

Nice one lads!

[2012Marine]

Thanks guys, it was a gruelling 19 odd hours and I now have a healthy respest for the Irish Atlantic coast and the Gallway Bay!

[Gentiana]

What an achievement. Great seamanship, great back up = credit to all.

''challenging conditions continuing all the way across Galway bay'' Assume you refer to the Atlantic side of Aran Islands rather than the bay itself?

P

[2012Marine]

Yep, the UIM / ISA course includes all the Islands less Rockall..

[Brian]

Well done lads.
19 hours?
Gulp. It took me 9 days!

[codprawn]

Great stuff - what's going to be your next record attempt???

[teampulsar]

Greg wants to go to Iceland for some reason and I am not sure if thats a good idea.

We will plan something but UK & Ireland combined looks interesting.

Any suggestions.

We have also set a new Mizen to Malin National Record and one assumes we will do a few local ones like Cork-Fastnet-Cork once we get them ratified.

for now a few beers in Southampton next weekend.

Regards,

Macrib.

[2012Marine]

Ok, so you hard it here first, The Iceland Sprint. I came up with it somewhere in the Irish Sea....

Its 668Nm from Oban to Reyjkavic.

Thats a 16 hour target

Thats 2200L of fuel based on a twin DF 300 set up.

June would be the window 17 hours of daylight.

Crew 3

Comments please!!!

Will be at the boat show Sat if anybody is mad enough to want to talk to me about it..

Best

Greg

[willk]

Originally Posted by 2012Marine

Ok, so you hard it here first, The Iceland Sprint. I came up with it somewhere in the Irish Sea....

Interesting. You should talk to Bogib, Our Man in Iceland. You would experience 24 hrs of daylight/twilight on that run as from the Faroes north, it's fairly much 24/7 in June. There's feck all SAR cover out there, would you possibly be better/safer using the Faroes as a stepping stone and run up with established comms to the Icelandic fishing fleet out of Hófn?

[teampulsar]

Iceland..................

See Greg, Wilk is already talking sense....

Where are the pertrol stops?

Might as well keep going to Newfoundland while we are there.
It's the Trip home that worries me.

However, we are seriously considering putting up a trophy for a "Round Rockall" challenge and record attempt. I know that Team Pulsar and The Kerry Boys are up for that.
I know if we tickled Mike Deacon he may come along too. Any other takers?

Regards,

Macrib.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by teampulsar

Iceland..................

See Greg, Wilk is already talking sense....

Where are the pertrol stops?

Might as well keep going to Newfoundland while we are there.
It's the Trip home that worries me.

However, we are seriously considering putting up a trophy for a "Round Rockall" challenge and record attempt. I know that Team Pulsar and The Kerry Boys are up for that.
I know if we tickled Mike Deacon he may come along too. Any other takers?

Regards,

Macrib.

I'll do it in this - when it's built!

[teampulsar]

Cookee,
I trust the budget is healthy and that you will have this beauty built in time to go around Ireland next summer.

Great looking design.

Good luck,

Macrib.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by teampulsar

Cookee,
I trust the budget is healthy .........
Great looking design.

Good luck,

Macrib.

Would you like us to have a whip 'round Cookee?

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by teampulsar

Cookee,
I trust the budget is healthy and that you will have this beauty built in time to go around Ireland next summer.

Great looking design.

Good luck,

Macrib.

The budget is looking doable with a potential sponsor being talked to, but we all know how difficult it can be to close a deal like that especially in the current climate, the current deadline is next August for the Marathon World Champs in Cowes, but as it's a boat there are no guarantees at all as we have a lot to do before then.

On the bright side I have the trim tabs and drives (ASD6's) already here and I have specified the engines and gearboxes to go with those now, sl all we have to do is have something to put all of that on!

Mollers - How much do you reckon you can raise!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Mollers - How much do you reckon you can raise!

I've had a root around down the back of the sofa and came up with a plastic comb and £2.76 in change. Now, I know you've no use for the comb, but the £2.76 is all yours.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I've had a root around down the back of the sofa and came up with a plastic comb and £2.76 in change. Now, I know you've no use for the comb, but the £2.76 is all yours.

You're well on the way to guaranteeing a seat for the first endurance race!

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Cookee

You're well on the way to guaranteeing a seat for the first endurance race!

Very reasonable.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by Mollers

I've had a root around down the back of the sofa ..

Wot? You've got a sofa now?