The Derry Clipper crew.
Mayor of Derry, Cllr Martin Reilly is travelling to San Francisco this weekend to join members of the Derry “LondonDerry” Doire crew participating in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race.
The Derry Clipper was due to cross the finish line today at the end of Race 10 from China.
The delegation includes Aeidin McCarter, Investment Officer, Derry City Council and a representative from Invest NI North West Office.
Throughout their stay, they will attend a number of events and engagements with the crew as well as meeting a potential investors.
Speaking ahead of the visit, Mayor Reilly said he was keen to meet the crew and offer support following the incident last week involving crew member Andrew Taylor when he went overboard into the Pacific Ocean.
Mayor Reilly said: “The skipper and crew were amazing in the way they dealt with incident and I am sure they will get a hero’s welcome when they arrive in port in San Francisco.
“The efforts of the skipper Sean McCarter and his team and their quick thinking and professional response ultimately saved the life of their crew member.
Mayor Martin Reilly
“I am delighted that Andrew is making a full recovery and that the incident has not deterred the team taking part in the race.
“I am looking forward to extending the best wishes of the people of the city and to relay how very proud we are of the team and are looking forward to welcoming to their home port in June this year as part of our Foyle Maritime International Festival celebrations.”
During the one week visit, the Mayor will attend a number of engagements including an Invest NI investment lunch with potential investment companies, a Corporate Sail event and a NI Bureau reception for Derry/NI diaspora.
Cllr Reilly will also meet with Mayor Bates of Berkeley and the Irish Consul General Philip Grant.
The Mayor said the visit was a good opportunity for him to link in with business and tourism connections in the United States, network with the Irish diaspora to help forge links that will encourage people to visit the city and be part of the stopover and Foyle International Maritime Festival taking place in June.
He added: “As Mayor of the city it is a huge honour to be travelling to San Francisco to represent the city.
“It’s an opportunity for me to meet with key Irish diaspora and forge long-term business and cultural links that will promote the city for investment and tourism and allow me to promote the city’s competitive business costs, digital connections, super talented labour market and excellence in research.
He concluded: “It is also a perfect opportunity to invite people to come and visit Derry when we are a stopover port in June.”
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