Lan Mara – High Tide

You would have to admire after 35 years of constant use of our Sea Scout Standard boat the BP 18, ‘Lan Mara’ is still used to train scouts. I can only imagine over its 35 year period of history as to how many scouts got their first taste of sailing or rowing for the first time in this craft . You might ask , maybe between 500 to 600 young people?

Back in 1976 the then Sea Scout Advisory Panel of the Scout Association of Ireland had been searching for an alternative and unique craft that scouts could row, sail and take an outboard engine. Influenced by other sea scouting countries like New Zealand, The Netherlands who had their own sea scout standard boat Mr. Kevin Laverty a marine architect with Bord Iascaigh Mhara showed an interest in developing plans for such a craft.

In 1977 at the first Sea Scout Leaders conference held in the Commodore Hotel, Cobh , Co. Cork plans were presented to the members who sanctioned the design. In 1979 the first 3 hulls were moulded by Munster Marine in Midleton, Co. Cork. The craft would be known as the BP18. This coincided with the sponsors British Petroleum initials and also the founder of Scouting Baden Powell (known as BP).

Malahide Sea Scouts placed an order early with Munster Marine and gained number 03 sail, while number 01 went to L.S. Albatross and number 02 to 8th Port Monkstown Sea Scouts. Several leaders from the group travelled in the Autumn of 1979 to Midelton in County Cork to make the pick-up of the new mould. There was a fair excitement at the prospect of getting a new boat, but also we would have an all-rounder craft for all to enjoy.

During that winter and into Spring of 1980 Mr. Tommy Taylor set about completing the build and just in time for the new boating season in 1980 she was launched at the Sea Wall on James Terrace , Malahide by Mrs. Nora Taylor.

K.Rowen
2015