Seafaring talk for Probus members

THE president, Ross Torrens, introduced Dermot Gordon as the guest speaker for the Coleraine Probus Club meeting in Portstewart Golf Club.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Feb 2013, 07:06 BST

Dermot delivered a fascinating talk lavishly illustrated with some wonderful still slides and film footageabout his part in the Atlantic Rally Challenge of 2010.

This was a race for sailing boats which began in the Canary Islands and ended in St.Lucia in the Windward Islands. He was one of six crew, skippered by Ivan Campbell.

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The other members were Dr Joe Gaston (who celebrated his 80th birthday whilst at sea),Charlie Grossie, Jimmy Dempsey and Mike Attwood. The boat was a 46 foot long ketch called Ocean Hobo.

Of the 177 boats which left came home 44th and seventh in a class of of 44. They had the added distinction of being the only boat from Ireland to complete the race!

A vote of thanks was proposed by Graham Kane who congratulated Dermot and his fellow crew members on their achievement,recalling his own memories of his time at sea. This was duly passed on by the president.