Clipper race ‘a floating advertisement for violence’

Speaking on behalf of the Derry Anti-War Coalition (DAWC) which famously spearheaded a series of protests that ultimately led to US arms firm Raytheon leaving the city, Mr McCann said that if the Clipper visit could not be cancelled local elected representatives should at least say whether they approved of Kelvin Hughes’ involvement as a key sponsor and partner.

“I think this will take Derry people by surprise - and will anger many,” said Mr McCann. “The Clipper Round the World race was presented as a positive, non-controversial, event, and a suitable cause for celebration.”

The UK headquartered firm makes “radar solutions” for military customers including ‘SharpEye’ - a piece of equipment its promotional brochures say has been “developed to ensure military and quasi-military end users” are “situationally aware of their theatre.”

‘SharpEye’ is “designed to provide up to 50,000 hours of use between service and repair, is simple to operate, intuitive in every sense and will ensure sharp target detection and display of even the smallest of targets”.

Last March the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) seized two SharpEye systems alongside 50 tonnes of weapons from an intercepted freighter, which Israel claimed was dispatched by Iran and was smuggling arms to Palestinian militants in Gaza.

This prompted Conservative MP Douglas Carswell to ask the Foreign Secretary William Hague what discussions he had had “on reports that British-made Kelvin Hughes SharpEye radars were intercepted by Israeli forces on board the vessel Victoria in March 2011.”

Under-Secretary of State Alistair Burt said: “Government officials have held discussions with Israeli officials on this matter; at this time we have not had any discussions regarding the shipment with Syrian or Palestinian counterparts.”

The US government said it believed the freighter was smuggling weapons and related materials to terror groups.

The Sentinel can reveal that the electonic and paper charts that have guided the Derry-Londonderry around the world are also made by Kelvin Hughes, which has “entered into an exciting relationship with the Clipper Race because of the mutual ambition of both companies.”

Mike Kerr, Leisure Manager at Kelvin Hughes, has said that: “Sponsoring the race gives Kelvin Hughes the perfect opportunity to support the yachting industry and to promote its specialist products and services.

“As well as using our chart data for navigating, the crews will also have a range of our publications, including tide tables, lists of radio signals, weather and medical information and a number of pilot books for specific details on sailing between the ports of call.”

But DAWC asked: “How can Derry cheer this floating advertisement for violence - especially when the City of Culture is simultaneously promoted as a celebration of peace?

“Kelvin Hughes’ website is dominated by boasts of how its products can enhance the killing machines of major powers. The company has vested interest in conflict. What an irony if it is allowed to use Derry to give the exactly opposite impression.

“Where does the city council stand, given its repeated statements during the Raytheon controversy of opposition to the arms trade having any association with Derry?”

“We must not help boost its propaganda,” he said. “If it is too late to stop the visit, elected representatives should make it clear that they will give it no credence.”

A spokesperson for the Clipper Round the World race said: “Our relationship with Kelvin Hughes is exclusively with KH Charts for the supply and promotion of maritime charts (as official Admiralty chart agents) and marine publications and instruments through bookharbour.com.

“The Clipper Race prides itself in bringing together over 40 nationalities in a way that builds cultural awareness and understanding in a friendly international sailing competition which also creates a global platform to promote destinations such as Derry-Londonderry to a world audience.”

A spokesperson for Derry City Council said it is not directly involved in the commercial discussions undertaken by Clipper in relation to their sponsors or partnerships. “However, our understanding is that Clipper relationship with Kelvin Hughes is exclusively with their leisure business KH Charts, who supply maritime charts.

“Derry City Council and its partners have a marketing and host city partnership agreement with Clipper to assist with the international profile of the destination and to facilitate the arrival of the International Yacht Race to the City as part of the Clipper Homecoming Festival,” said a short statement.

At time of going to press, no comment was forthcoming from Kelvin Hughes.