Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Schoolchildren in their hundreds are facing disruption as the Strangford Lough ferry in Co. Down is to be affected over the next seven days due to strike action by ferry workers. The passenger car-ferry service that links the villages of…
Historic Former Ferry 'Cross the Mersey to be Transformed into 'Iconic' Venue
20th April 2023 Historic Boats
A former Mersey ferry, the Royal Daffodil is to be transformed as plans reveal that the historic river-ferry is set to become an "iconic visitor attraction" with a food, drink and events space. The Royal Daffodil which was originally named…
When the weather plays ball, the kids enjoy sailing! The two weeks of the Easter break may have been cold and split by the last (we hope) storm of the season, but they certainly deliver some great sailing for our…
2023 got off to an 'optimistic' start at the Youth Nationals at Easter. Much has already been written about the Howth Yacht Club event last weekend, and the largest fleet with the youngest sailors that saw Optimists produce some thrilling racing over…
Kinsale Yacht Club Planning 'Catch Up' Races in Cruiser Spring Series This Sunday
20th April 2023 Kinsale
Kinsale Yacht Club has not been having much luck with its Spring cruiser series where the weather is concerned. Last Sunday, yachts gathered for the start of the planned third day of the series but, just like on the second…
Crew rotation is proving to be a big feature in this edition of The Ocean Race. For Leg 4, some big crew changes are afoot, for two of the teams in particular. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Ireland’s round-the-world veteran…
Speaking on Wednesday (19 April) at The Ocean Race Summit Itajaí, Secretary of Environmental and Territorial Indigenous Rights at Brazil’s Ministry of Indigenous Peoples warned that indigenous rights and better governance are critical for the success of ocean protection initiatives.…
Grand Canal: Site Investigation Works for Greenway Phase 2 Between Sallins and Lowtown
20th April 2023 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Grand Canal that ground investigation works have commenced Phase 2 of the Grand Canal Greenway between Sallins and Lowtown in northeast Co Kildare. These Kildare County Council works started on…
Ireland's veteran round-the-world sailor Damian Foxall of County Kerry will join the crew of 11th Hour Racing Team for Leg 4 of The Ocean Race from Itajaí, Brazil to Newport, Rhode Island, USA. Skipper Charlie Enright will draw on his squad…
In a meeting with representatives of the Inshore fisheries sector today, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue announced a new round of funding under the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme. The support scheme, which operated…
World’s Leading Offshore Racing Class, the IMOCAs, Heading for Irish Waters in the Fastnet Race
19th April 2023 Fastnet
An extraordinary phenomenon of modern day yacht racing, especially considering their cost and complexity: 40 IMOCAs are due to compete in the next Vendée Globe in 2024. The majority of these 60 footers, many of them foil-born flying machines, will…
The Marine Institute has today published its Year in Review 2022, a snapshot of some of the organisation’s many highlights during a positive and productive year. The 24-page publication presents key achievements across the Institute during the year, along with…
New Passenger Ferry and Freight Vessels for Isles of Scilly Steamship Group Is Secured following Private Funding
19th April 2023 Ferry
The Isles of Scilly, off the UK's south-west coast, is to get a new passenger ferry and freight vessels to service the life-line link between the islands and Penzance in Cornwall. The development follows yesterday's announcement by the Isles of Scilly…
Emissions Trading System (ETS) Shipping: Europe’s Ports Call for Early & Robust Action to Prevent Evasion
19th April 2023 Ports & Shipping
The European Parliament have adopted the final EP-Council agreement for the revised EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) for shipping. The European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) welcomed yesterday's Council agreement of the inclusion of maritime in the EU ETS as part…
Excitement Builds as New Dublin Bay Melges 15 Dinghy Fleet to Ship Next Week
19th April 2023 Melges 15
With the final boat nearing completion and a shipping date set, excitement is building for the arrival of a container of 12 Melges 15 dinghies into Dublin Port. The boats, built in Porto, Portugal are due to be loaded up…
Ireland's sea fish landings were down, but prices were up last year, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM). BIM’s annual business of seafood report for 2022 estimates that the seafood sector was worth 1.3 billion euros last year. In spite…
Galway's 'Tquila' Takes a Race Win at Etchells World Championships in Florida
19th April 2023 Etchells
Tquila (IRL 1425), owned by James McHugh of Galway, Ireland, rounded the initial weather mark in first place at the Etchells World Championships in Florida, USA on Tuesday and never relinquished the lead the rest of the way. Tquila is one…
Dublin Bay Dragon Sailor Jay Bourke is 'Top Corinthian' at King Juan Carlos Trophy in Cascais
19th April 2023 Dragon
Dublin Bay sailor Jonathan 'Jay' Bourke sailing with crew Conn Harte Bourke and Sam Gillivan, were the first Corinthians - the first crew without any professionals - at last week's HM King Juan Carlos Trophy in Cascais, Portugal. After three days…
Irish Seafood Exporters Successfully Registered Under New System for Chinese Market
19th April 2023 SFPA
Irish seafood exporters have received approval under a new registration system required for the vast Chinese market. A total of 36 Irish food business operators have had registrations renewed under the new system, the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has confirmed.…
Royal St George Yacht Club's Training Programmes Bear Fruit at the Youth Sailing Nationals in Howth
19th April 2023 RStGYC
Dun Laoghaire's Royal St George has worked hard to create a coaching programme to support our youth sailors, and it's great to see it bear fruit with great results at the recent Youth Sailing Nationals at Howth Yacht Club writes club sailing…