As JK said, this events reputation goes before it.I have been fortunate enough to attend the previous two Ribraids, and will be getting to this one aswell, and hopefully a couple more.
Last years event saw I think 74 boats leaving Bangor Marina, the year before possibly 55 or so.
Its a weekend long event, registration begins on The Friday afternoon/ evening, as with the previouis two events we have attented, the entry price in no way reflects the value in terms of smiles/per miles you get back from the Ribraid and the fun.
There are a few photo links on this thread
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....hlight=ribraid
The event is centred around Bangor Marina
http://www.crestnicholsonmarinas.co....nas/bangor.htm
Which shares Bangor Harbour with Bangor Lifeboat
also happens to be a Rib "Youth of Ulster".
Bangor Marina is a big, well marked and modern facility.
On the two previous Ribraids ,Gail has had trailer storage organised for the majority of boats which, arrive by road.
Overnight berthing is provided in Bangor Marina.
last year we done a short cruise to Carlingford Marina, on the Saturday, here we had a fantastic BBQ in the hot sun, a nice relaxing evening had by everyone.
The main event takes place on the Sunday.
One of the most important meetings takes place on the Sunday morning, remember with 74 boats , and all with 3 or 4 aboard, its a lot of people travelling from Ireland to Scotland, and at the Saftey Breifing,the team sets the days iteniery and saftey instructions for the trip to Scotland that day.
This event is supported by Ribbers from the North of Ireland, Scotland ,Southern Ireland and The Isle Of Man, participants also travelled from the Uk and in the year previous to this, we had some Dainish sailors and a chap from the Faroe islands come along with us.
The 2003 Ribraid featured in RIB INTERNATIONAL, in FEB/MAR 2004 edition.
The event has also been featured in the Lifeboats Ireland magazine for 2004.
The main event takes place on Sunday, the Ribraid travels from Bangor Marina, under the watchful eyes of Bangor Lifeboat, musters in Donaghadee harbour, and is led out by their new Trent class lifeboat, which leaves us as the fleet approaches the Copeland islands.
The trip across the Northern Channel doesnt take long approx 18 miles, the fleet is met by Portpatricks lifeboat , and led into the harbour.
When everyone is fed and watered, in the local village, we leave Portpatrick, returning to Donaghadee, and the event reaches its close in Pier 36.
Portpatrick 54.50.3n/05.07.8w
Donaghadee 54.38.7n/05.31.81w
Bangor 54.40.1n/05.28.0w
Lighthouse on the Copelands Mew lighthouse 54.42.0n/05.28.0w
Donaghadee to Portpatrick 050 deg true 057 deg magnetic approx 18 miles
Bangor to Donaghadee approx 6 miles
For a flavour of Ribraid 2003
http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread....+rib+raid+2003
you need to start planning this now, accodomation is available in Bangor and its surrounds, I will try to get some useful contact nos up on this thread, see you there
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