Cork man pays tribute to frontline workers in boat built to cross the Atlantic

“I wanted to do something nice to lift everyone's spirits. The soundtrack says it all,” he said.

Thunder Child 2 on its high-speed pass of Cobh last night in tribute to Ireland’s frontline workers

The man who built Ireland’s James Bond-style wave-piercing powerboats has paid a unique tribute to Ireland’s frontline heroes.

Frank Kowalski, of Cork-based Safehaven Marine, opened the throttles on his sleek Thunder Child 2 vessel for several high-speed passes of Cobh last night, as a tricolour flew from the stern thanking those working in the various front-line emergency services - from nurses and doctors, to gardai, firefighters, coast guard and lifeboat crew, and all those working to keep Irish ports open.