The International Ribraid started their series of boating events on Saturday with a weekend cruising event departing from Pier 36 in Donaghadee with a wonderful stop in Portaferry for lunch at The Slip Inn before making a dash across the Irish Sea to Port St. Mary to receive a wonderful welcome from the members of The Isle of Man Yacht Club.

Around thirty people attended the event which saw some of the longest distances and best weather that the Ribraid has ever experienced.  On Sunday the participants were entertained by a journey along the west side of the Island to Peel before travelling north to the Mull of Galloway in Scotland for a quick stop in Portpatrick before the boats returned to Northern Ireland.

Andrew Kane from International Ribraid said, “We’ve enjoyed a wonderful weekend, the weather was stunning, with bright skies and the calmest conditions the event has ever experienced around the Isle of Man.  I’d like to thank all involved from Pier 36 in Donaghadee, The Slip in Portaferry and the members of the Isle of Man Yacht Club for making this event so special”.

[Show as slideshow]

12►

The exceptionally mild winter menas that basking sharks are visiting the western shores of Britain, Isle of Man and Irish coasts early this year.

With our Isle of Man ribraid only days away we are already getting excited about the possibility of seeing these magnificant creatures, however we should be aware how to act around basking sharks.

As one of over 30 species of shark which are native to British coastal waters, basking sharks can be seen close to the coast during the spring and summer, as they come to feed on plankton.  However, the sharks are listed as ‘Endangered Status’ on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, therefore every sighting counts.

Although relatively slow moving, basking sharks are capable of demonstrations of impressive strength and on occasion can breach clear of the water. Basking sharks are protected from disturbance or harassment under UK law and following the Shark Trust Code of Conduct is a good way to ensure your safety as well as the sharks.

So what do you do if you are lucky enough to see a basking shark while out ribbing summer?  Here’s our five-step guide.

1. Don’t panic. Even though basking sharks can reach up to 12 metres in length and can weigh up to a massive 7 tonnes, they are gentle giants.
2. Make sure you maintain a distance of at least four metres between you and the shark so as not to startle it.
3. If you are in the water with other people, keep together in a group, but don’t invite others over to take a look.  Don’t use underwater propellers or anything else that could frighten them. As basking sharks often travel in groups, it’s worth knowing that if you spot one on the surface, there are usually more hidden below.
4. If you have a camera handy, take a number of photos of the dorsal fin and any distinguishable features on the shark, as this may help the Shark Trust re-identify it in the future.
5. Gently move away, and contact the Shark Trust to tell them about your sighting. The Shark Trust can be contacted on 01752 672020, or report sightings online.

•  The Shark Trust Basking Shark Project 
•  Download the Code of conduct for Boaters (pdf) 
•  Download the Code of Conduct for Swimmers (pdf)
•  Download the Code of Conduct for Kayaks (pdf)

Above documents provided by The Basking Shark Trust

| Register

Description:

Isle of Man Ribraid

5th – 6th May 2012

Saturday

• 9am - Registration at Pier 36 includes breakfast
• 10.30am - Cruise around the Seaward side of the
  Ards Peninsula and enter Strangford Lough navigating to the picturesque marina
  at Portaferry for a light lunch in The Slip Inn
• 13:30pm – Navigate back through the Narrows and
  across the Irish Sea to Port St Mary
• Accommodation to be arranged individually in
  Port Erin – We have a number of rooms held at the Falcons Nest – Tel 01624 834077 (Quote Ribraid M Ramm)Evening BBQ at Isle of Man Yacht Club, Port St MaryAlso there is a Real Ale Festival in Port Erin

Sunday

We are spoiled for choice, options to be decided by Majority on the day.

Register

• Isle of Man Ribraid – 5th & 6th May 2012
• North Coast Ribraid - 9th & 10th June 2012
• Belfast Lough and Portpatrick Ribraid – 28th & 29th July 2011
• Stranraer “Parkfest” – 18th & 19th August 2012

Details of all our event programmes will follow

4th March 2012 – Andorra – Contact margaret.ramm@travelcounsellors.com for details

Check out our 2011 Skiraid Photo Gallery here

Description :

Top of the Range RIB-X 6.5m Very High spec It has 60 hours on it and has been very well looked after and serviced and winterised every year. Fitted with a Yamaha 150hp 4 stroke outboard. It will happily do 45 knots in calm conditions. It’s in excellent condition and has been cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis. It is a beautiful boat and the only reason it is for sale is that a bigger boat is now required.

• 2 Double Jockey Seats
• Rear 3 Seat Foldable Bench
• Double Front Seat
• Single Bow seat
• Fusion Sound iPOD stereo system with 2 speakers
• Navman FishFinder including depth and speed readings
• Navman GPS 5505i
• Navman VHF radio
• Yamaha 150HP Outboard
• Automatic Bilge Pump
• Full RIB-X original manufacturers Cover
• Dual Batteries and 4 way selector switch
• A-Frame for skiing
• Navigation Lights
• Hydraulic Assisted Steering
• Fuel gauge and Rev counter
• Electronic Trim Controls
• Fire Extinguisher
• 6 Storage compartments
• SBS Road Trailer