Harry Patterson – Chapter Captain

Like so many other members, the unsettled weather conditions this year has negatively impacted our chapter’s sailing & cruising experience.

We did get together to attend the MOA AGM in Belfast on 9th to 11th February 2024, where 21 members of the chapter were present to experience an enjoyable & sociable event.

The chapter annual summer muster was organised for the weekend of 2nd to 4th August 2024 in Bangor, Co Down. The weekend commenced with a welcome meeting on Friday evening at Jenny Watts bar and restaurant, where a most sociable evening was enjoyed.

The following day commenced with a visit to Bangor Museum to view the history of the town and experience some of the exhibits, which included an early reed hut and an exhibition celebrating the 200 year anniversary of the RNLI.

This was followed by a short lunch break followed by a visit to the nearby walled garden where members could soak up the rare sunshine while listening to a Jazz band playing from the bandstand.

21 Members & guests enjoyed an excellent dinner that evening at Royal Ulster Yacht Club, after which we were entertained by a fascinating presentation by Frank Smith on his cruise to the Faroe Islands and the Scottish West Coast.

Unfortunately, the wet weather put an paid to Sunday’s planned picnic in Ward Park, with musical accompaniment.

We plan to hold our chapter AGM in the Royal Irish Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin on Saturday 25th January 2025. This will include a guest presentation, followed by a dinner in the Club’s dining room. Further details and general members invitation will be issued later.

James Heron
Ireland Chapter Captain

The lengthening evenings & longer days bear testament to the approach of Spring, when thoughts turn to boat preparation and launch for the new sailing season to come. I must admit to being somewhat distracted from these deliberations with January & first part of February taken up with organising the Moody Owners Association AGM in Belfast from 9th to 11th Feb 2024.

This was the first time the event had been held outside the GB mainland & I hope that the 69 participants who attended the dinner, accompanying events & AGM had a most enjoyable experience. The supporting activities included a guided tour of the WW1 cruiser HMS Caroline & a visit to the Titanic Museum.

The evening dinner was held in the Europa Hotel & after the members had enjoyed an excellent meal they were entertained by a fascinating presentation by Mark Doherty on the Harland & Wolfe “Partner Ships” – tall ships built by the shipyard & named after the various partners.

I have now received responses to my recent request for possible locations for the Ireland Chapter 2024 muster & the location with the most proposals is….Bangor Co Down.
This will hopefully take place in August (date to be confirmed), with details to follow.

I trust the refurbishment jobs you have put off until now do not prove too taxing and may I wish you all fair winds & calm seas wherever you sail over the coming season.

James Heron
Ireland Chapter Captain

The 2023 AGM of the Ireland Chapter was held on the 2nd December 2023 at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

Instead of the usual evening event, I decided to hold the AGM in the middle of the day and this proved to be a good decision resulting in the event being very well attended with members travelling from as far afield as Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland and Cork in the South of Ireland. James Heron was elected Captain (Rodney Croly retiring) and Harry Patterson was elected Vice Captain.

After the business of the AGM was concluded, we were treated to a really excellent talk by Capt. John O’Leary, a Dublin man who was Chief Pilot in British Airways and who after retiring from BA became Safety Director in Ryanair. Instead of the usual sailing talk after such events, Capt. John gave us a fascinating insight into all things aeronautical including possible future developments in aviation such as single crew cockpits and AI in the cockpit! He also touched on technical issues regarding the Boeing Max and explained the processes and procedures which make aviation statistically such an exceptionally safe mode of transport. All agreed John’s presentation was fascinating, so much so we were still talking about it at the MOA Belfast AGM.

After the presentation we retired to the dining room where we were treated to a delicious lunch prepare by our club’s chef and served by the friendly catering staff. After lunch we retired to the drawing room for tea and coffee etc. and after spending some hours discussing all things nautical and aeronautical, we reluctantly made our way home after what had been a very successful AGM.

Rodney Croly
outgoing Chapter Captain