Take two very gutsy girls and the best RIB in the World and what do you get?
Well while you where all talking and thinking about how you were going to spend your weekend boating, Kathleen (Mrs Jackeen) and Fiona Nicholas
blasted the Spirit of the Jolly Sailor around Ireland.
Ireland is one of the toughest circumnaviagtions to attempt, every headland proves to be difficult and becuase of its geograpical location, weather prediction is difficult to say the least. The two girls got caught up in a big storm down South which slowed them down and allowed the other storms to catch them up the whole way around. Force 6 and 7 became the norm for the entire 3 day trip. They where unfortunate to get caught on a fishing line just off of Malin Head in a strong force 7 and the Malin head Lifeboat crew came to help them out. After a short stop over in Derry and the boat checked over by Paul the local marine engineer they left for the final 100 mile trip trip Donagadee.
Congratulations to them both on a job well done
Now then, where are all these so called roughy toughty ribsters that talk about doing things, these girls have set a new bench mark for you all to copy.
As Fiona's "Big Brother", I'd like to also add my hearty congratulations to both girls!
Since they left on Wednesday I've been on the edge of my seat, waiting for every piece of news, never doubting for a moment they'd make it with a fair wind. As it turns out the wind wasn't all that fair but clearly sheer guts, skill and determination won the day.
Alan makes no mention of the huge part he played in this adventure but I'd like to personally thank him for everything he did in making this possible for my now not so "little sister" to achieve one of her dreams.
Fiona and Kathleen gave their heart and sole to this project and came through it with bravery and a new self confidence. Right up to the last minute, far too many people tried their hardest to knock them down to the point that one of their sponsors pulled out at the very last minute.
In many ways I have found a femail version of me, bloody minded and comitted to success no matter what. I am very proud to know them both.
The full story will be printed in RIB Internation's Xmas edition. The income from the article will be donated to Fiona's charity which was made to suffer financial penalties when her origanial supporters and backers left her high and dry on the day she was supposed to set sail. Sounds like Cardiff all over again!
Alan P
Wow
HATS OFF TO YOU BOTH
what a fantastic achievement, i and i suspect many others are so jealous of what you acomplished. look forward to reading the article,
well done again.
regards tim www.griffmarineservices.co.uk
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Tim Griffin
RYA Freelance YMI power Powerboat and PWC instructor trainer vhf first aid sea survival Diesel engine radar and navigation instructor
That would account for you being a little less than your usual bouncing self on Monday evening at the Churchillian, Kath.
A great shame that we don't have 'worthy' smilies on RIBnet (JK????) as you have more than earned them. Must nip over to The Dark Side and plant a few.
Looks like you have some serious "living up" to do, Kevin.
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Peter (nick, nick) T
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! Bullshit and brilliance only come with age and experience.
How about some chipping in by us all to help out with the missing funds for Fiona's charity? No idea how much she is down, but I will happily put my two pennyworth in the pot for what it is worth. PM me with how much you need and I will see if I can help, {or, more likely, since I am pretty skint and could only put a relatively little in(!), some larger commercial friends of mine....}
(the missus has gone off to Ireland, you said in another thread) 
