Famous explorer salutes latest navy recruits
As it was the passing-out of the 21 personnel from the Recruit Class St Brendan, the navy decided to invite explorer and seafarer Tim Severin to Haulbowline, Co Cork, for the ceremony.
Severin, a very sprightly 71 years old, is probably most famous for his adventure in 1976-1977, when, to prove the possibility that Irish monks led by St Brendan the Navigator were the first Europeans to reach America, Severin and three crewmen built a 6th century replica boat.
They stitched together 49 ox hides stretched over a wooden frame and, after stop-offs in the Faroes and Iceland, successfully reached the shores of Newfoundland.
Severin, who lives in Timoleague, Co Cork, told today’s sailors that it was even hairy crossing the north Atlantic in the summer in such a small craft, but it was particularly dangerous passing through the Denmark Strait, which separates Greenland and Iceland.
“I consider it a great honour to be invited to Haulbowline by the navy. It is the first time I’ve ever been here. I like finding out why people want to join the navy,” he said.
Today he still enjoys sailing, but says that he doesn’t attempt to match his previous exploits.
“I have a classic wooden motorboat which is 50 years old. With a boat like that you tend to stay close to shore.”
Severin watched the march past along with flag officer commanding the naval service Commodore Mark Mellet and other senior officers.
The recruits had successfully completed 18 weeks of training, including seamanship, basic sea survival, naval boarding, foot drill and weapons handling.
The 20 men and one woman will now continue their careers in the seamanship or engineering branch of the naval service.
The best overall recruit award went to James Finlay, a 21 year old from Belfast, who even from a young age always expressed interest in serving in the Irish navy.
Darren McKee, a 24 year old from Kildare, was presented with an award for being the recruit class best shot.
