It's with great sadness that the IWDG heard of the death of Martin Colfer of Duncannon. IWDG first met Martin when we chartered his fine catamaran MV Rebecca C to go in search of humpback whales 
off Hook Head. Co Wexford in 2010. For much of the year Martin's core business was his angling charter business South Coast Charter Angling but he was very interested in IWDG's work and started carrying out winter whalewatching trips and soon became the "go to" person along the Waterford and Wexford coast for whalewatching. .
As an ex-fishermen, Martin knew plenty about the fish in the area and soon became familar with the pattern of whale distribution and abundance. A large but quiet man, Martin was an attentive listener and combined his knowledge and love of the sea with an appreciation of whales and dolphins. It was with Martin that we filmed that iconic footage of the humpback whale, known locally as "Hooky" and to IWDG as HBIRL11, breaching off Hook lighthouse in January 2010, which became the front piece of RTEs "Wild Journeys" series made by Crossing The Line Films. Since then Martin became a regular contributor to the IWDG Cetacean Sighting Scheme and especially during the winter months when he kept us informed on the movements of large whales around the Hook Peninsula.
IWDG personnel were always made feel welcome by Martin on the Rebecca C and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. Our thoughts go out to his young family at this very sad time.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam
Image of Martin looking out the window of Rebecca C by Richard Creagh
Cover image taken Nov 2010 by Andrew Malcolm, IWDG