IN TERMS OF storm testing, there may not have been a better day.

Yesterday in Cork harbour, Frank Kowalski deployed his newest vessel, Thunder Child, which he aims to use to set a new world record in 2017.

The Thunder Child Safehaven marine Safehaven marine

With Storm Barbara in full swing, Kowalski and his company Safehaven Marine began to put the vessel to the test, judging its speed capabilities and storm resilience.

The 60ft vessel took almost a year, as well as over €1 million to design and manufacture.

The boat is set to undergo a number of tests in the stormy conditions expected over the next few weeks.

Kowalski aims to set a new world record next summer by circumnavigating Ireland via Rockall, an uninhabitable rock in the Atlantic between Ireland, the UK, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

He said:

Setting a new record for the circumnavigation of Ireland via Rockall is a real challenge for any vessel. The route involves a 1,000 km open ocean crossing into the North Atlantic, one of the roughest and most notorious seas on the planet.

“But for Thunder Child, I am confident that we will set a new record and have a safe, albeit nail biting, trip.”

Kowalski hopes the boat’s high-tech equipment, including HD radar, thermal night vision cameras and shock-mitigation seating, will help him to achieve his goal.

Safehaven Marine Safehaven Marine

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