Peninsula Ribs Ltd, based on the Llyn Peninsula, North Wales are planning to set a National water speed record by circumnavigating the Isle of Anglesey in November this year. Managing Director Ian Greenwood and navigator Dave Manning, both RYA Powerboat Instructors are aiming to achieve the circumnavigation of 66 nautical miles (75.9 statute miles) in just under an hour and a half aboard Black Jack, a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) powered by a Suzuki 250hp 4 stroke engine.

There is currently no official record for the route, (due to speed restrictions in the Menai Straits which are lifted for some of the winter months), but records stand for round the Isle of White and round Britain. This record setting event should draw further record attempts in the future and highlight boating in North Wales, already an activity well supported in the area.

The idea was thought of earlier this year and a great deal of planning is involved along with obtaining the relevant authorisations from various bodies. Local newspapers have been contacted as has a freelance TV crew who are looking at mounting a small video camera on Black Jack to record the event as well as the whole of the Anglesey coastline, as well as producing a piece for a local news channel.

The exact date will be dependant on a suitable weather window, and provision has been made for everyone concerned to be available at short notice to obtain the ideal conditions.

BBC Wales have agreed to do a pre-record piece and are planning to cover the actual record attempt.

Black Jack is usually employed in charter work covering all of North and Mid Wales, adrenalin rides off Abersoch Beach for visitors to the area during the tourist season and water activity corporate events which are proving more and more popular. Capable of carrying upto 10 passengers and two crew, the vessel has also been chartered for dive work, TV film documentaries and survey work.

The most interesting charter of 2006 was a wedding in July, where guests and the bride and groom were ferried from one beach near Aberporth to a small secluded bay a mile away for a romantic ceremony. For this, Black Jack was decked out in white ribbon and white rose garlands and made quite an impression on everyone involved. In fact the groom commented that Black Jack was the "highlight of the day". He did say this out of earshot of his new wife!

September 2006