UK and Ireland commemorate 1979 Fastnet race disaster

Series of events include exhibition of portraits by Welsh artist Dan Llywelyn Hall, poetry and vigils

It was the summer storm that roared without warning into the Celtic Sea, unleashing monster waves that ambushed a fleet of 303 boats competing in the Fastnet race.

Instead of skimming along the south coast of the UK to the Fastnet Rock off south-west Ireland, sailors found themselves battling for life against howling winds and walls of water. Dozens of yachts capsized, trapping crews in their cabins and tossing others into the foam.