Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
A public consultation will soon commence on the Loughs Agency’s draft Climate Action Plan, which outlines how the organisation aims to reduce its carbon emissions in the coming years. The consultation, which will run for 12 weeks from Wednesday 8…
Irish Ruffian 23s Win Golden Jubilee International Inter-Port in Hong Kong
25th October 2023 Ruffian 23
A highlight throughout our 2023 sailing season has been the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the much-loved Billy Brown-designed Ruffian 23, which became an almost continuous and very friendly party of shared enthusiasm, friendship, racing and cruising-in-company. It began on Strangford…
At 2100 CEST on Wednesday, 25 October, the 44th edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race winner was announced as the Italian Wally 93 Bullitt, skippered by Andrea Recordati. The announcement was made shortly after the double-handed entry Red Ruby…
Work Vessels of Varying Size and Shape Arrive in Dublin Bay Including Floating Crane-Ship
25th October 2023 Dublin Bay
Three vessels approaching Dublin Bay were observed off Howth Peninsula today as a tug, barge and a self-propelled heavy-lift crane-ship had sailed from Irish and English ports, writes Jehan Ashmore. The tug Chloe May (formerly Afon LLigwy) had astern a…
Clifden Lifeboat Rescues Three Walkers Cut Off by Tide at Omey Island
25th October 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Clifden RNLI’s volunteer crew were tasked by the Irish Coast Guard at 1.45pm on Tuesday (26 October) following a report that three people were stranded on Omey Island. The Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat was launched by volunteer helm Kenny Flaherty…
'Free to a Good Home' - Appeal to Find New Homes for Two Ballyholme Bay Project Yachts
25th October 2023 Historic Boats
Two Ballyholme Bay yachts, which would make a great match-racing pair, need a new home (or homes). They are 22 ft plank-built sloops which were built on the Clyde in approximately 1939 for members of Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast…
The 420 fleet will gather in Lough Ree Yacht Club this bank holiday weekend for the annual late autumn three-day intensive training camp under the watchful eye of Graeme Grant and supported by Cara McDowell and a team of experienced…
Irish Lights are welcoming applications for the following roles: Support Operative Do you like a varied job where every day at work can be different? If yes, then join the team at Irish Lights as one of our Support Operatives…
Thriving Cruise Season at Port of Cork Ends With MSC Virtuosa As Final Caller
25th October 2023 Cruise Liners
The cruise ship season for the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) has been marked with a successful year as it welcomed one of the largest such ships in the world, the MSC Virtuosa which arrived to Cork Harbour today. The…
The new Isle of Man Steam Packet ferry, the Manxman which operates on the Douglas-Hesyham route will soon be able sail at full capacity which is 948 passengers. Since entering service in August, the Steam Packet's £78m newbuild flagship of…
International IRC Conference Welcomes IRC European Championships at Dun Laoghaire in 2024
25th October 2023 RORC
Ireland's coastal town of Dun Laoghaire on Dublin Bay is set to host the next IRC European Championship in September 2024, the 2023 international IRC Congress held in Paris heard recently. Irishman Michael Boyd, who chaired the Congress and is also…
Over 120 Optimist Dinghy Sailors are Heading for 'Bigger and Better' IODAI National Training Week at Royal Cork
25th October 2023 Royal Cork YC
The Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour will be the centre for fun and learning at the IODAI Optimist National Training Week from the 1st to the 4th of November. Over 120 boats are signed up at…
EU "Doubling Down" On Efforts to Support Offshore Renewable Energy
25th October 2023 Power From the Sea
The European Commission says it is “doubling down” on efforts to support offshore renewable energy with additional actions. It says member states must collectively install almost 12 gigawatts (GW) a year on average to meet ambitious new goals set after…
On-going efforts by fishermen to reduce their environmental impact, increase their efficiency and contribute to scientific data collection are continuing to enhance the sustainability credentials of seafood, Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation has claimed. The major Donegal-based fishing group is also looking…
Strong Growth Brittany Ferries Reports On Ireland-France and Spain Routes
25th October 2023 Brittany Ferries
Passenger and freight figures for Brittany Ferries summer season 2023 (June to September), highlighted increased volumes across the board on routes between Ireland and the EU. The figures published by Brittany Ferries, which cover all routes across Ireland, France, Spain,…
Howth Yacht Club Shakes Off Storm Babet To Complete monday.com Autumn League
24th October 2023 Howth YC
At High Water Howth early on Saturday morning, it was still dark – very dark – and the roaring breakers in the nor’easterly gale at the tag-end of Storm Babet’s secondary low were sweeping over the East Pier as if…
Local anglers have said it could take years for stocks to recover after a major fish kill in a Northern Ireland river. According to BBC News, it’s believed hundreds of juvenile salmon were lost as a result of a slurry…
Kevin Escoffier Handed 18-Month Sailing Ban After Sexual Assault Inquiry
24th October 2023 Ocean Race
Round-the-world yachtsman Kevin Escoffier has been banned for 18 months by the French Sailing Federation following a sexual assault inquiry, as RTL Today reports. Escoffier, who skippered Team Holcim-PRB in the most recent edition of The Ocean Race, was quizzed…
Fashion Brands Partner with Maersk to Reduce Maritime Transport Emissions
24th October 2023 Ports & Shipping
Fashion brands such as Zara and Massimo Dutti, which are under the parent company of Inditex has partnered with the giant Danish shipping freight group Maersk to reduce its global greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. This is achieved as the brands when…
Such has been the upswing in enthusiasm for Fireball sailing that despite completing the full suite of scheduled events for 2023, there was a significant view that a further event would be well received. Fortunately, Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club…