A junior sailing regatta in which more than 100 children and teenagers had to be rescued from the sea has been postponed due to weather conditions, organisers confirmed today.
A sudden squall capsized about 20 small boats of 90 taking part in the event in Dún Laoghaire harbour, Co Dublin, yesterday, sparking an emergency operation in the Irish Sea.
One adult and 15 children were treated in hospital for shock and exposure, while 195 participants and rescuers were treated at the scene.
A spokeswoman for the Royal St George Yacht Club, which organised the event, confirmed the regatta postponement this morning, adding that she did not know if it would resume later today or tomorrow. She said race organisers were holding a meeting to discuss the issue.
The regatta went ahead yesterday despite severe weather warnings issued by Met Éireann.
Race organiser Patrick Blaney said he had doubled the number of safety vessels required to 22 and kept the youngest and more inexperienced children ashore.
"All of the sailors have, for several years, participated in club training courses which are approved by the Irish Sailing Association, and they have been trained to cope with these conditions," he said.
Teenagers pulled to safety described how calm waters turned treacherous as gales whipped up in less than a minute.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board is investigating the incident, although it usually only investigates where there is a fatality.
Met Éireann issued another gale warning this morning, forecasting force seven to gale force eight winds on the Irish Sea. These will decrease to force five or six this afternoon, further decreasing to force three to four later tonight. A small craft warning is in operation.
PA