Round Ireland Rib Challenge 2002

This was done as part of a challenge organised by RIB International magazine and involved 18 other teams from all over the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Enniskillen group were the only team from Northern Ireland to take part in this challenge.

The boat used was a 7.5 metre Ribeye Rigid Inflatable Boat with a 225 HP Yamaha four stroke outboard engine, sponsored by Albert Clark Marine of Comber. The boat was equipped with the latest electronic instrumentation to ensure the crew were able to safely navigate the hazardous passages that they faced around the coat of Ireland. The boat itself is capable of speeds around 53 MPH and is worth approximately £30,000.

The trip started from Kilmore Quay, Co. Wexford on the 28th of July, which meant that the crew had to leave Enniskillen on the 26th of July in order to have the boat ready for scrutinising on the 27th of July. The team also had two land support vehicles, which followed the boat from port to port, providing accommodation, fuel and maintenance if necessary.

The sea journey started from Kilmore Quay and the first day saw the crew travel to Baltimore, Cork and a distance of approximately 115 miles. The fog was dense and unfortunately this did not afford the opportunity for the crew to view one of the most beautiful coastlines in Ireland. A midway stop in Crosshaven provide a well-earned rest and an opportunity to partake in a barbeque organised by the crew at Crosshaven lifeboat station. The inherent danger of the sea was quickly realised by all the crews on the challenge as we learnt of the death of three generations of one family, as they set of for a days fishing close to Kilmore Quay.

After a nights rest in Baltimore the crew woke up to 'more of the same' weather. It was impossible to see Baltimore village never mind the way out of the harbour. Fortunately as the day progressed visibility did improve and the crew were able to view some of the coastline of South West Ireland and were given a Mexican wave by some of the local puffins who had turned out in there thousands to watch the Round Ireland Rib Challenge. The crew stopped of in Brandon, where the entire village turned out to watch their arrival and subsequent departure to Fenit Co. Kerry, escorted by the local Fenit lifeboat. This journey was approximately 155 miles and was only a sample of what was yet to come.

The next stop was in Newport, Co. Mayo, a distance of 160 miles. The seas where rough and the Lough Erne crew quickly learnt the ability of the craft they were in. The crew had to stop on the sandy beach of Clare island to await high tide in order to enter Newport. Some time was available for sight seeing and the area between Innish Boffin and Clare island provide the crews first glimpses of dolphins. That evening the village of Newport laid on an evening reception for all the crews which included; street music, dancers, barbeque and ended with a traditional 'music session' in one of the local bars.

On Wednesday it was up at 7.00am as usual and we departed Newport for the 145 miles by sea, direct to Killybegs in Co. Donegal. What lay ahead of the crew was the setting for 'The Perfect Storm II.' The nineteen RIBS where escorted through the 'Achill Sound' by the local RNLI crew. Once the RIBS reached the open sea, they where met by waves up to 30 feet high and a force 8 gale. To put this into perspective, a 30 feet wave is as tall as a two-storey building and a force 8 gale will probably halt all cross channel ferries. This leg took 8 hours and none of the four man crew where able to access there emergency supply of chocolate or water as they could not risk letting go of the support bars, as to do so may have resulted in a 'man overboard.' Had a crewmember fallen overboard it would have been very difficult to retrieve him. The view of the fishing vessels in Killybegs harbour was probably the most welcome sight on the entire challenge, despite the smell.

After a nights rest in Killybegs, the boats departed for Cushendall, Co. Antrim, the longest journey of the challenge, which should have also been the most difficult. One hundred and seventy miles of the North Coast headland lay between the two ports of call. Fortunately the seas were kind and the sun eventually shown for the first time and Portrush provided a welcome refreshment and refuel stop for all the crews. The moderate seas provided the Lough Erne crew the opportunity to escort the remainder of the fleet right up to the Giants Causeway, which is even more beautiful when viewed by boat. Then it was down to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge for a 'fish eyes view' of the 'dodgey bridge.' The crews enjoyed the famous 'Rathlin Island overfalls' which when negotiated at speed provided the crew with a 'cooling salty shower.' Then it was time to partake in an evening reception laid on by the hosts Redbay Boats, the local RNLI crew and the good folk of Cushendall Yacht Club. Fourteen boats where still in the challenge at this stage. The remainder had retired after the adverse weather had either frightened them off, or the seas had decided that their boats had failed the reliability test.

Friday's leg was from Cushendall to Dun Loaghaire, via Bangor, a distance of approximately 160 miles. Unfortunately the weather once again turned wet and misty and despite Slieve Donard rising 850 metres above sea level, it was totally shrouded in mist, even though we would have been no more than one mile away. Upon arrival in Dun Loaghaire and after the usual refuelling, equipment check and debrief, it was off to the Royal St George Yacht Club for a reception hosted by the local RNLI. (Enough said)

The last leg saw us leave Dun Loaghaire and set the GPS co-ordinates for Kilmore Quay. Only 120 miles of calm seas and sunshine lay between 'Rib Lough Erne' and actually finishing the challenge. RIB International Magazine hosted a prize ceremony for all the finishing teams, which had been now dwindled down to nine. One crewmember of the Fermanagh based team; Keith McCabe won the prize for being the most team spirited member of the crews to take part in the challenge. The rest of the 'Rib Lough Erne' crew received a bag of nautical goodies and a certificate to prove that they had completed the challenge.

The Enniskillen based crew where rubbing shoulders with other crews with much greater experience in this type of event. Most crews had power boated their way around the United Kingdom, some had actually held the record for circumnavigating the United Kingdom whilst others had navigated their way to the USA and back in a Rigid Inflatable Boat. Team Lough Erne, as we were known may have lacked experience but by the end of the week we had earned the respect of the other teams.

The Team Lough Erne of Sam McCreery, Gary Jones, Keith McCabe, Brian McAleer, Ewan Ballantine, John McMaster and Tony McCourt have raised approximately £3,000 for the RNLI and Marie Currie Cancer Care, thanks to the generosity of the people and businesses of Co. Fermanagh and also to their main sponsor Tom Clarke of Albert Clarke Marine, Comber.

If anyone would like more information on this challenge, Rib International Magazine has a designated web site that can be accessed at www.ribchallenge.co.uk

Ewan Ballantine, Sam McCreery

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