Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
The first keynote speaker at February's well-attended Irish Cruiser Racing Association (ICRA) Conference at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire was Dr Jason Smithwick (technical director of RORC). Jason outlined the composition of the IRC Technical Committee and…
The 40th edition of the Primo Cup was recently held at Yacht Club De Monaco, where fifty J70s competed. Other fleets included Cape 31, Smeralda 888 and Longtze Premier, representing over ten countries. In the J70 class, Ireland’s Team Wildcard,…
90 Nations to Compete in Hyères for Semaine Olympique Française and Last-Chance Regatta
15th March 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
The world’s best Olympic sailors have made Hyères on the French Riviera their meeting spot each April for more than 50 years. And this year the stakes are even higher, as the 55th edition of Semaine Olympique Française de Hyères…
Fines and Costs Totalling €8k Secured Against Two Dublin Men for Illegal Fish Netting in Laois
15th March 2024 Angling
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured convictions against two men for illegal netting, with fines and costs reaching €8,000. Valiulis Dalius and Bloslanas Dzapbarovas, both of Kilnamanagh in Dublin 24, were prosecuted for using a net to capture fish in…
IFI Gains Convictions Against Three Men for Illegal Angling on Lough Sheelin
15th March 2024 Angling
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has secured convictions against three men in two separate cases of illegal angling on Lough Sheelin. Jason Bennett of Blue Ball, Co Offaly and Thomas McCarthy of Tullamore, Co Offaly were prosecuted for trolling — where…
An Aran island family with several generations of volunteering with the RNLI lifeboat are featured in the first episode of a special series of RTÉ Radio 1’s Seascapes to mark the RNLI’s bicentenary. The three-part series also carries an interview…
An offshore patrol vessel with the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) has berthed in Dublin to mark the 20th anniversary of the North Western Waters Advisory Council and the Pelagic Advisory Council. The Ocean Protector is one of three EFCA…
L.É. George Bernard Shaw to Visit Dún Laoghaire Harbour for St. Patrick’s Weekend
14th March 2024 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
Dún Laoghaire Harbour this Friday is to welcome the Naval Service OPV LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) ahead of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations. The Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is named after the renowned playwright George Bernard Shaw, who had…
Green Rebel Offshore Survey Firm Takes Part in Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission to the United States
14th March 2024 Power From the Sea
Irish offshore energy survey company Green Rebel is among the Irish companies that are scaling rapidly and are showcasing their products in the United States this week as part of Enterprise Ireland's trade mission. Green Rebel is attending events in…
Isle of Man Steam Packet’s Manannan Successfully Completes Berth Trials at New Liverpool Ferry Terminal
14th March 2024 Ferry
The Isle of Man Steam Packet’s fast-ferry Manannan made its first berthing trials on Merseyside’s new £70 million ferry terminal at Liverpool, from where they will connect Douglas. The 1998 built Manannan, which operates seasonal services, undertook the exercise yesterday…
Fair Seas Research Finds Half of Irish Waters are More Resilient to Effects of Global Warming
14th March 2024 Marine Wildlife
Irish marine areas that can promote biodiversity in the face of worsening climate change have been identified in a new report by Fair Seas, a coalition of leading environmental NGOs and networks. The report commissioned research to determine the areas…
Éric Péron Finishes Fifth and Completes the Circle in the Ultim Challenge Race
14th March 2024 Ultim Challenge
Éric Péron sailing ULTIM ADAGIO crossed the finish line of the Ultim Challenge at 14 h 44 27" to finish in fifth position, the final skipper to complete the 22, 460 nautical miles course which started on Sunday 7th January. His…
DBSC Introduces New Non-Spinnaker Rating to Promote White Sails Racing in Dublin Bay
14th March 2024 DBSC
Dublin Bay Sailing Club (DBSC) has recently announced the introduction of a new non-spinnaker rating for CR4 and CR5 to promote white sails racing in Dublin Bay. The move comes following the success of the VPRS rating system in the…
Two Cobh to Blackrock Yacht Races Likely in Cork Harbour This Season
14th March 2024 Cove Sailing Club
There are two interesting changes planned in Cork Harbour racing this season, for cruisers and dinghies. Two separate Cobh-Blackrock Races are planned, and the Cork Harbour Cruiser Joint Clubs league will be reintroduced. The Cobh/Blackrock Race is a big traditional…
It’s the middle of a foggy night in the North Atlantic. The breeze is fickle and there is nary a star or land sight to guide the yacht. It’s the sort of weather that drives helmspeople insane as they chase…
Key Common Fisheries Policy Conference Discuss Regional Management in Dublin Castle
14th March 2024 Fishing
Regional management of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is due to be discussed at a conference in Dublin Castle today. Key speakers at the event will include Charlina Vitcheva, the European Commission’s director-general for maritime affairs and fisheries, along…
Irish Sailor of the Year Award to be Announced at 2023 Irish Sailing Awards in Howth
13th March 2024 Sailor of the Year
The Irish Sailor of the Year Award will be presented on Friday, March 22nd, at the Irish Sailing Awards in Howth Yacht Club, Co. Dublin. One of the highlights of the evening will be the announcement of the 2023 winner, chosen…
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the St Patrick’s Illuminated Flotilla will take place in Enniskillen this Saturday evening 16 March. The event runs from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, starting at…
Lower Bann: Movanagher Lock Reopens to Navigation After Installation of New Lock Gates
13th March 2024 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Lower Bann navigation in Northern Ireland that the installation of new lock gates at Movanagher Lock has been completed as of Wednesday 13 March and the navigation is…
Relief for Scotland’s Marine Leisure Sector as Visitor Levy Bill Amended
13th March 2024 Scottish Waters
The Scottish Government’s Visitor Levy (Scotland) Bill that would have forced marinas and other mooring providers to charge a levy on visitor accommodation — including mooring and berthing for boats — has now been amended. As previously reported on Afloat.ie,…