The connection was the commissioning of the Fast Crew Supply 2710 vessel Harri built at the yard for Welsh company High Speed Transfers (HST). HST ceo Tom Nevin in Antalya for the commissioning realised the Welsh rugby team were attending a 10-day hot weather training camp and invited to the yard to visit the vessel.
The trip provided a break for some 14 members of the Welsh rugby squad ahead of training for the start of the Rugby World Cup 2019 taking place in Japan from 20 September. They visited the Harri as well another newbuilding under construction Euan at Damen Antalya. The visit also including a cruise around Antalya Harbour on a pleasure boat followed by lunch.
“It was just too good an opportunity to miss,” says Nevin. “When I heard that they would be in Antalya at the same time that we were commissioning Harri I got in touch with the team management and they were more than happy to give some of their valuable time to support a Welsh company.
“They even signed a Damen / HST flag for us as a memento of the occasion! As number one in the current world rugby rankings Wales is one of the favourites to win the World Cup and we will be cheering them on all the way!”