Scottish Series Background
Although the format of the Scottish Series varies little from year to year, it is interesting to see some of the changes which the event has seen over the years:
CYCA handicap class added to IOR (1976)
IOR level rating classes to reflect the popular sizes and World Championships being held in the UK
Separate one design class for Sonatas (1980 to date)
Campbeltown dropped with offshore races direct to Tarbert (1982)
Unique light displacement CYCA class - the forerunner of today s sportboats (1982)
Computer results system introduced in 1982 and now recognised as the best in the UK
Separate one design class for Sigma 33 (1987 to date)
Belfast Coastguard Alerted to Car on Portaferry Shore
14th January 2021
The car on the shoreline at Portaferry Road
Credit: Portaferry Coastguard Rescue
The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue team was alerted by Belfast Coastguard yesterday to attend the scene of a serious incident when a car had left the Portaferry Road near Newtownards and ended up on the shore.
The road which runs from Newtownards at the head of Strangford Lough to Portaferry at the southern end skirts the Lough and was closed for a time.
The three occupants were rescued by members of the public before the emergency services arrived and were taken to hospital to be checked out after this serious incident.
Lough Neagh Rescue Warns Over Dangers of Jumping Through Frozen Ice
10th January 2021
The frozen Long Pond at Antrim Castle Gardens
Extremely low temperatures in Northern Ireland (it was -10.5 degrees in Katesbridge in County Down) caused many waterways and lakes and even Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough to ice over.
Lough Neagh Rescue has reported that it received many calls and messages from members of the public about walking on the Long Ponds in Antrim Castle Gardens in Antrim town. There were also reports of swimmers jumping into Lough Neagh through frozen ice.
Lough Neagh Rescue say Whilst we can t tell anyone what to do, we would encourage our followers to keep safe and follow current safety guidelines. It might look like fun and you might think it s safe to walk or swim under the ice, but the consequences of your actions could be severe and life-threatening .
Afloat and
Yachting Life s Northern Ireland Correspondent. Betty grew up racing dinghies but now sails a more sedate Dehler 36 around County Down.
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Car on the Edge at Portrush Harbour
17th December 2020
On the edge - the car came close to plunging into Portrush harbour on Tuesday
A car was moments away from plunging into the sea after it edged over the side of the pier at Portrush on the North Coast on Tuesday morning at about 9.30 am.
The car moved forward from the council car parking bays facing the harbour and both front wheels tipped over the pier perimeter, leaving the vehicle sitting on its metal frame with its bonnet above the waves.
A van was used to tow the white car back onto its four wheels on solid ground and no one was injured in the incident.