Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Wicklow's Codling Wind Park Confirms 25% Reduction in Number of Turbines
4th April 2024 Power From the Sea
Ireland’s largest Phase One offshore wind project, Codling Wind Park, has confirmed a 25% reduction in the number of turbines required to deliver the project. The wind park will be located off the County Wicklow coast and was initially estimated…
Ambition Achieved as Ambassador Cruise Line's Second Ship 'Maiden Call' to Port of Cork Also Starts Season
4th April 2024 Cruise Liners
Ambition, one of two cruise ships of UK operator Ambassador Cruise Line, overnight sailed from Belfast Harbour to arrive this morning at the Port of Cork, where it made a maiden visit to Cobh, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat tracked yesterday…
Classic Dublin Bay 'Colleen' Class Reproduction for Sale: Perfect for a Timeless Sailing Experience
4th April 2024 Boat Sales
A classic reproduction of the early Dublin Bay "Colleen" class is up for sale at €9,750. Doyle of Kingstown - Dun Laoghaire designed this stunning GRP boat, an absolute head-turner. With a gaff rig, main and jib, and simulated clinker…
Mainport Edge in Turkey for Upgrade As New Survey Support Ship for Charter Market to Offshore Energy Sector
4th April 2024 Shipyards
Mainport Edge, the name of the Cork-based Irish Mainport Holdings (IMH) newly acquired survey support ship from a shipyard in China last year and since relocated to Europe, is where further upgrade works continue, writes Jehan Ashmore. As Afloat previously…
ILCA Sailors Compete in Munster Championships with Over 100 Boats Represented in Baltimore
4th April 2024 Laser
For ILCA sailors Easter always means the Munster Championships in Baltimore Sailing Club in West Cork. Despite the early Easter this year the Munster Championships lived up to all expectations, with nearly a hundred boats travelling from around the country,…
Irish MEP Calls for "Use It, or Lose It" Principle for EU Fishing Regulations
4th April 2024 Fishing
Following the announcement by EU Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius that he has ordered a “full evaluation” of the Common Fisheries Policy and reports that 43,000 tonnes of fish were uncaught by Member States, other than Ireland, European fishing regulations under…
Storied North Wales Marina Sold to Local Investors After Going Into Administration
4th April 2024 Irish Marinas
Marine Industry News reports that a company providing berthing and marine services at a storied North Wales marina has been sold after going into administration last year. Port Dinorwic Marina, on the Menai Strait south-west of Bangor, is now in…
Over 170 Young Sailors Compete in Ireland's Largest Youth Regatta in Cork Harbour
4th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Over 170 young sailors are set to compete in Ireland’s largest youth regatta, which starts today, April 4th at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour. The 2024 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, which will be hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club…
ISORA Sailors Braced for First Coastal Race Cancellation at Dun Laoghaire Unless Forecast Improves by Friday Lunchtime
3rd April 2024 ISORA
ISORA's first Dublin Bay Coastal race of the season is in doubt due to this Saturday's forecasted strong southerly winds. A new JPK design is set to challenge reigning ISORA champion Rockabill VI in the Viking Marine-sponsored race to and…
Boss of CalMac Steps Down 'With Immediate Effect' after Scottish Ferry Operator's Leadership Review
3rd April 2024 Ferry
Caledonian MacBrayne's (CalMac) chief executive is stepping down as the Scottish state-owned ferry operator faces ongoing challenges with its aging fleet. The ferry company announced on Wednesday (3 April) that Robbie Drummond is stepping down with immediate effect from the…
Arklow RNLI in Co Wicklow were requested to launch early on Tuesday morning (2 April) following reports of a large yacht with four crew onboard in difficulty near the Arklow Bank. Shortly after 6.30am, Arklow volunteers launched the station’s all-weather lifeboat…
Irish Sailors All Racing in Gold Fleet at Trofeo Princesa Sofía Trophy in Mallorca
3rd April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Another sea breeze day kept the giant 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by Iberostar rolling through a demanding schedule of races. Across the classes are some marked, understandable differences between the mindsets of those who are in the throes of…
Met Eireann Issues Small Craft Warning for All Coasts of Ireland as Breezy Weekend is Forecast
3rd April 2024 Weather
Ahead of a forecasted breezy weekend, Met Eireann has issued a small craft warning for all coasts of Ireland valid from Thursday afternoon. Easterly winds, veering southwesterly in southern sea areas, will reach force six or higher, the State forecaster…
Marine Advisers to Help Select Replacement for Naval Service Former Flagship LÉ Eithne
3rd April 2024 Navy
Advisers from the marine sector have been appointed to help procure a multi-role vessel (MRV) to replace the former flagship of the Naval Service, the LÉ Eithne which was decommissioned in 2022. According to the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, who is…
Bob Fannin Jnr feels most at home on the high seas. For as the Bristol-based writer, broadcaster and university lecturer told the members of the Cruising Group at his former club of Howth on Tuesday night, when sailing the sea,…
Suction Sail Assisted Cargo Ship Calls to Port of Cork Sees Same Technology Benefit Airbus On Board Ro-Ro Across the Atlantic
3rd April 2024 Ports & Shipping
Dock operatives of Ronayne Shipping, part of Irish Mainport Holdings, were discharging fertilizer in the Port of Cork recently from a short-sea cargo ship that had distinctive towers mounted at the stern, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 2,850-dwt vessel, Eems Traveller,…
Ballycastle to Host Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2024
3rd April 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, is all set to host a leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2024. This July, the global event will witness the world’s best cliff divers competing against each other on the beautiful Causeway Coast.…
Double-Handed Offshore Duo Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt Saluted by Kinsale Yacht Club
3rd April 2024 Kinsale
Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt were honoured at home on the Easter weekend by Kinsale Yacht Club, the West Cork club joining a long list of organisations that saluted the duo's Christmas 2003 achievements competing in Australia's Sydney Hobart Race.…
EU Transport Sector Calls for Robust Funding Instrument to Continue Its Strategic Role for Europe
3rd April 2024 Ports & Shipping
European transport organisations (totalling 44), representing the key spectrum of Europe’s transport network, operators and stakeholders, are again joining forces in a campaign to call the Council and the European Parliament for a robust transport funding instrument in the upcoming…
Finn Lynch Moves Up to 11th in ILCA 7 Dinghy on Day Two of Trofeo Princesa Sofía Trophy in Mallorca
2nd April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Great Britain’s Olympic hopeful Micky Beckett took advantage of a dramatic change of conditions at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca on the second day of the World Cup Series event. Ireland's Finn Lynch also made good on a lighter…