D Monday, November 2, 2009 METRO Car boat sails first port of call FOUR intrepid adventurers who set sail across the Irish Sea in a modified Renault Laguna arrived safely in Scotland last night. Crowds cheered the men as they pulled into Portpatrick Harbour almost seven hours after setting off from Donaghadee in Northern Ireland. Inspired by BBCs Top Gear, Peter Martin, 38, from Bangor, Co Down, adapted the car with foam, an outboard motor and a bilge-pump. With friends Carl McConkey, Rick Miles and Mark Farrell, he took it on trial trips before the audacious 37km amphibious crossing. Mr Martin, a lecturer in leadership and management at Belfast Metropolitan College, said they could not quite believe their feat when they landed ashore. Were all really tired, but obviously were elated too, said Mr Martin, who is getting married in three months. This just proves what you can do when you put your mind to it. Roll-out of swine flu vaccination begins HEALTH workers will today kick-start a mass vaccination of people most at risk from swine flu around the country. However, the onus is on those at risk to contact their GPs or clin- ics themselves. Stocks of the vaccine have been delivered to more than 2,300 GPs over the past ten days. The Health Service Executive (HSE) said 45 clinics will also be administering the inoculation free of charge to patients in high- risk categories. This free vaccine offers protec- tion from swine flu and is the best defence we have against the pan- demic, a spokeswoman said. Last week, the HSE said the number of new swine flu cases had surged, with the highest in- fection rates among schoolchil- dren. More than 100 people stricken with the H1N1 virus remain in hospital, with 23 fighting for their lives in intensive care. So far, ten people with the con- dition have died, including a teenage boy. The HSE said everybody will be offered the vaccine but urged those who are considered high- risk to go their doctor or a par- ticipating clinic immediately. This is because supplies of vaccine are limited, and its im- portant that this limited resource goes, in the first instance, to those most at risk from this flu, the spokeswoman said. Those in high-risk categories include pregnant women, from 14 weeks into their pregnancy to six weeks after giving birth. Also, anyone aged between six months and 65 years who has long-term lung, heart, kidney, liver or neurological diseases. And anyone aged over six months and under 65 years whose immune system is being affected by medical treatment, who have haemoglobinopathies, diabetes, or who are morbidly obese. The HSE said people older than 65 appear to have some immunity to the H1N1 strain and are not considered high-risk. Each person who gets the vac- cine helps to stop the spread of swine flu, the HSE spokeswoman added. Getting the vaccine not only ensures that the individual does not contract the virus, but that the spread of the virus in the commu- nity decreases due to the herd immunity effect so we can all help to protect each other from the effects of this flu, she said. The vaccination campaign is expected to last until next year. By Brian hutton E.coli stops Elton from playing gigs SIR Elton John is absolutely fine, despite postponing upcoming shows, his spokesman has said. The 62-year- old singer (pictured) is suffering from a serious case of E.coli bacterial infection and influenza, a statement on his official website said. But Sir Eltons spokesman said yesterday: He has flu and is absolutely fine, adding that the shows were postponed on doctors orders. outboard motor: Peter Martin, Carl McConkey, rick Miles and Mark Farrell from Bangor, Co Down aim to enter the record books by becoming the first people to steer an amphibious car across the irish Sea from Donaghadee to Portpatrick in Scotland. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire Album to be tribute to Steo BOYZONE will release a new album featuring Stephen Gately as a tribute to the singer they called Steo, the group said. And the remaining four band members said they will take comfort in being together as they complete it. During their first interview as a four-piece, Ronan Keating told Sky News: When were together we feel Stephens here, so as much as possible we feel the four of us want to be together. We just want to get our teeth into this album. We have a couple of songs with Stephens vocal on it, so thats a saving grace. Gately died of natural causes as a result of a pulmonary oedema on October 10 at his holiday home in Majorca. Shane Lynch said the band had a number of tracks to consider for the album and that Gately was so excited with the different songs.Gately: Excited by songs a newlywed couple wearing masks kiss in the ukraine. at least 48 people have died from swine flu, and with more than 150,000 people infected, schools and cinemas have been closed index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html