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Car sails across sea and into record books
Monday, 2 November 2009
Peter Martin, Carl McConkey, Rick Miles and Mark Farrell, from Bangor, aim to enter the record books by becoming the first people to steer an amphibious car across the Irish Sea from Donaghadee Harbour to Portpatrick in Scotland
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Battered, wet and tired — but triumphant. That’s how Peter Martin (38) said he felt after making maritime history by crossing the Irish Sea in a converted car.
Along with friends Carl McConkey, Rick Miles and Mark Farrell, the Bangor man arrived in Scotland on Saturday evening having set sail from Donaghadee Harbour in Sir Tristram.
During the summer, Mr Martin, a lecturer, adapted a Renault Laguna — which he bought for £100 — with foam and an outboard motor for the daring venture, after being inspired by the BBC’s Top Gear programme.
And it was full steam ahead as the car-boat successfully made land in Port Patrick Harbour, seven hours after leaving Northern Ireland — earning nearly £3,000 for the charity Help for Heroes, and a place in the record books.
But Mr Martin revealed it wasn’t the team’s first attempt at riding the waves a different way.
“We built a vessel called Sir Galahad two years ago thinking that it would be easy,” he said.
“It wasn’t, and it sank in four minutes. However I decided to give it another go.
“Nearly everyone on shore thought we wouldn’t make it, but confidence rides high on the boat — at one point some of the crew even got in a little fishing.”
The Sir Tristan will now be auctioned off on eBay, with the proceeds also going to Help for Heroes.
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Superb! Well done to the lads for having a go and raising so much cash for such a worthy cause into the bargain.
Posted by Gary Sutherland | 04.11.09, 10:56 GMT
What an adventure! Just shows what a bit of determination and audacity can do. Loved the bit with the fishing rod, but still haven;t heard if you caught anything! Well done, lads. God Bless all of you . . . though i think He already has! Cheers, Tim
Posted by Tim Barclay | 03.11.09, 22:11 GMT
well done boys.....it took a lot of guts..brains an courage ,but you did it ...olde belfast boy ron neill..reno nevada
Posted by ron neill | 03.11.09, 05:43 GMT
Thomas Andrews would be proud!
Posted by lanelle | 03.11.09, 02:53 GMT
First the Irish Sea! Next: the world!
Posted by david wayne osedach | 02.11.09, 23:26 GMT
WEll Done, Sir Tristan and crew.
Posted by David Haggan | 02.11.09, 22:23 GMT
Fantastic job fellas. I loved your videos. As an ex-Bangorian it made me a wee bit homesick, so why don't you drive that thing across the pond and I'll buy you all a beer in NYC>
Posted by toadstool | 02.11.09, 18:29 GMT
That would have been an excellent idea Sean, to use a DeLorean. Still well done to the guys. Light hearted, great fun story, Brilliant.
Posted by Unionist | 02.11.09, 18:17 GMT
I'm proud to be British today - the most talked about story in NI.
Can't we get these guys into Stormont?
Posted by henry | 02.11.09, 16:32 GMT
Well done lads, iwas at the slipway to see you off and had hoped you would make it and you did. All for a very good cause.
Posted by steve | 02.11.09, 16:13 GMT
They could have atleast used a delorean
Posted by Sean | 02.11.09, 15:40 GMT
Well done
Posted by Des | 02.11.09, 13:25 GMT
Well done, gentlemen. An excellent performance all round.
Posted by WH | 02.11.09, 12:00 GMT
Well done !! from land-locked Omagh
Posted by Darrell Monteith | 02.11.09, 09:48 GMT
Congratulations to everyone involved, you are a credit to Northern Ireland. I'm sure you've all had a barrel of laughs bringing this to fruition and all for a wonderfully worthy cause.
Cheers guys.
Posted by Leslie B | 02.11.09, 09:17 GMT