‘Magnificent’ Monkstown lures the crew of Hugo Boss

The manager of Cork Harbour Marina has insisted the surprise arrival of a high-profile racing vessel shows the local area could become an international yachting hot-bed if just €5m is invested into facilities.

On Friday, officials at the facility received an unexpected call from the Hugo Boss 99 vessel, the Open 60 Ocean Racer, asking if it could come to shore in Monkstown.

The vessel set off from England to New York, where it is due to take part in an international competition in the coming weeks, earlier in the day.

However, bad weather meant it needed repairs before it could safely complete the journey, causing it to anchor in Monkstown due to the marina’s 25ft deep berthing area.

The vessel, skippered by Alex Thompson, who recently sailed around the world single-handedly in 80 days, came to the area as it was the nearest with berthing stations deep enough to take in the 17ft deep yacht, regardless of low and high tides.

It attracted hundreds of onlookers yesterday.

Cork Harbour Marina manager, James O Brien, said the arrival of the ship proves the facility can attract high-profile vessels that are otherwise sailing by from England and continental Europe straight to North America.

He said the marina has already received planning permission to increase its 82-berth capacity to 285.

And while it needs a €5m cash injection to do so, he added the investment could bring substantial new tourism into the area and create up to 100 jobs.

“These vessels are sailing right by us, but we’re right on the trade route. If we invest the money in increasing capacity and the proper facilities they expect, this could absolutely be a new tourist destination.

“The crew from Hugo Boss are here now and they’re loving it, they think the place is magnificent,” Mr O Brien added.