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Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
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Join the IMDO, Marine Institute, the UK’s Department for Transport and Innovate UK to look at exciting opportunities at an upcoming briefing event as they delve into initiatives shaping international green shipping corridors. The event will be examining the opportunities…
One last sighting of the humpback whale freed from ropes by Penlee RNLI on Easter Sunday evening
A humpback whale caught in fishing ropes off the coast of Cornwall in south-west England has been saved thanks to the efforts of local rescuers. According to Marine Industry News, the whale known locally as “Ivy” became entangled in Mounts…
The endangered Upokohue/Hector’s dolphin
SailGP has been called out by Greenpeace’s executive director in New Zealand/Aotearoa over its response to a race cancellation prompted by the presence of dolphins on the racecourse. Racing was postponed on Saturday 23 March at the second annual New…
Dun Laoghaire Harbour RNLI crew manoeuvre their inshore lifeboat alongside a casualty in the water at the back of the town's East Pier. An RNLI crew entered the water to rescue the person and bring them safely to shore in the lifeboat. See vid below
On Saturday night, a young girl was rescued from the sea at Dún Laoghaire Harbour in south County Dublin, thanks to a multi-agency rescue operation involving the Coast Guard, RNLI and gardaí. The incident occurred at around 8.20 pm off…
Micky Beckett, 29, dominated the men’s dinghy class at the traditional Olympic classes season opener in Mallorca
The British Sailing Team’s Micky Beckett scored a crucial victory in the countdown to Paris 2024, winning the Princess Sofia Regatta in Palma for the third consecutive year. Beckett, 29, dominated the men’s dinghy class at the traditional Olympic classes…
In Galway, the sea breached the Salthill promenade, flooding the Toft carpark and the Seapoint area close to the Atlantaquaria
Over 34,000 homes and businesses are reported to have suffered power outages due to Storm Kathleen, as southerly to south-westerly gale force winds swept across the western seaboard. In Galway, the sea breached the Salthill promenade, flooding the Toft carpark…
Racing in week one of the 2024 Axiom April League at Kinsale Yacht Club
An 'ugly' sea state and a gale warning in operation have led to the cancellation of the second day of racing at Kinsale Yacht Club's Axiom April League on the south coast. The league began last weekend for mixed cruisers…
Dive Ireland Expo 2024
The annual Dive Ireland Expo is running this weekend at the Sport Ireland Campus near Blanchardstown in West Dublin. Organisers at Viking Sub Aqua Club promise “the biggest dive show ever”, with SCUBA diving featured along with snorkelling, free diving…
Tánaiste, Foreign & Defence Minister, Micheál Martin, has officially announced the names for two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) LÉ Aoibhinn and LÉ Gobnait at the Naval Service Base at Haulbowline, Cork Harbour. They are to carry out fishery duties, etc on the Irish Sea, east and south-east. AFLOAT adds the long standing practice for naming Naval Service vessels has been of female mythological and historical personages, but the Tánaiste reverted to the use of traditional Irish names for the IPV’s, following a departure from this practice, when the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) P60 class were named after notable Irish male literary figures, starting with lead ship, LÉ Samuel Beckett.
The Tánaiste Micheál Martin and Minister for Defence yesterday officially announced the names of the two newest additions to the Naval Service fleet, which had been purchased from the New Zealand Government. The Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPV) named the LÉ…
An ILCA 6 race start on the only day of racing at the 2024 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships at the Royal Cork Yacht Club
Not many were surprised when the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, which have been taking place at the Royal Cork Yacht Club since Thursday, concluded early due to the landing of Storm Kathleen and a deteriorating forecast for the following…
Members and guests of Cockle Island Boat Club at a Civic reception in Bangor City Hall marking their 50th anniversary
The Eagle Wing emigrant ship is reputed to have sailed from Groomsport on the south. shore of Belfast Lough in 1636 with 140 passengers and was the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folks to emigrate to America. At 140 tons, it…
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Racing at Bangor Regatta in June promises to be keener than ever with the appearance in the Coastal IRC and YTC class of not one but two Swans. The Swan 40 Sloop John T is better known outside Northern Ireland…
The Italian Class40 Alla Grande Pirelli in the 2023 Normandy Channel Race, which took in turning marks at the Tuskar and Fastnet Rocks. The first of the Class40 fleet – the French boat Unicorn – confirmed entry this week in the 2024 SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race from Wicklow on June 22nd
This weekend is expected to see the Entry List for the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race on June 22nd going through the 40 mark, with a good selection of boats already providing a healthy mix of internationally-renowned craft lining up…
Inis Oírr pier on Friday evening as Storm Kathleen makes her presence felt off the Galway coast
As Storm Kathleen is forecast to sweep up the Atlantic seaboard, Aran Ferries has cancelled a number of sailings to the Aran islands this weekend. The company which runs its ferry service from Ros-a-Mhíl, Co Galway, says there will be…
Micky Beckett won ILCA 7 gold with a day to spare, on day five of the World Cup Series at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca
Great Britain’s Micky Beckett has won ILCA 7 gold with a day to spare, on day five of the World Cup Series at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca by Iberostar. Matching Beckett’s feat and conquering the Nacra 17 mixed…
Storm Kathleen: Strong and fast winds will bring disruption across Ireland
Storm Kathleen has prompted Galway City Council to close access to roads and car parks and to distribute sandbags to areas vulnerable to potential flooding. A yellow wind warning for Ireland has already been issued by Met Éireann for the…
It seems that the Irish Sailing League is going to be a big success this year! We're receiving a lot of enquiries and entries on our website, and we're expecting to reach our maximum capacity of 16 boats very soon.…
Royal Cork flags show that Friday's racing at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships is cancelled Due To strong winds
The second day of racing at the 2024 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour has been cancelled due to strong winds.  Organisers completed a successful first day of races on Thursday for over 90 boats and…
Dubarry of Ireland has launched a new Genoa sun hat, designed specifically for sailors and anyone who spends time on the water. The Genoa hat offers UPF 50+ protection to shield users from harmful UV rays. It's also crafted from lightweight, quick-drying, and water-repellent nylon, making it comfortable to wear all day long
Sailing enthusiasts know that the sun's UV rays can be particularly harsh when out on the water. That's why a reliable sun hat is an essential part of any boater's kit. But not just any hat will do. It needs…
Tom Dolan (right) is a key member of a three-strong international crew, skippered by top Figaro racer Gildas Mahé (centre). The team, which also includes young Spanish racer Pep Costa, will compete in a 3,430 nautical mile Transatlantic course from the French Atlantic coast to reach Marie-Galante off the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe
Irish offshore solo racer Tom Dolan is taking advantage of a break in the Figaro circuit to participate in a new crewed Class40 race - the Niji 40. Dolan is a key member of a three-strong international crew, skippered by…

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