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Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
An aerial view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed onto the bow of cargo ship Dali south-east of Baltimore, Maryland
The insurance loss related to collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge outside the port of Baltimore, USA this week is likely to be multiple billions of dollars. That’s according to Lloyd’s of London John Neal, who told Bloomberg that…
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers turns the sod on a new Coast Guard station for Westport in South Mayo
Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers has paid tribute to the “dedication, commitment and passion” of members of the Irish Coast Guard. Speaking at the sod turning for the €6.8 million new Coast Guard station in Westport, Co Mayo,…
Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys who has announced funding of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor recreation projects across the country. The funding can be used for upgrades and repairs to beach access points, mountain trails, forest walks and cycleway
Kilkee cliff walk in Co Clare and access to Galway’s Traught strand and Kerry’s Ballybunion beach are among projects awarded grants under the Government’s outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. A total of €4.1 million to develop and enhance over 150 outdoor…
Lough Swilly RNLI lifeboat in operation
As the Easter weekend approaches, the Coast Guard, RNLI, and Water Safety Ireland are urging the public to take precautions to stay safe during water activities. With longer and brighter evenings, more people are expected to visit the coast or…
Sea Synergy Oyster Project which received Small Conservation Grant funding in 2023
Galway Atlantaquaria is offering grants for five small-scale conservation projects related to marine and freshwater. Projects should focus on education and engagement, native species and habitats, or involving a local community or community group, with a special focus on marine…
Attending this week’s launch of the SFPA’s Landing Obligations Exemptions Guide at Castletownbere, Co Cork, from left to right: Catherine McManus, chair of the Consultative Committee; Anthony Sheehy, Consultative Committee member; Paschal Hayes, Executive Chairperson, SFPA and Lily Riddle, Fisheries Control, Food and Fisheries Support Unit, SFPA
A guide to assist fishing skippers to meet landing obligation requirements has been published by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). A waterproof copy of the guide has been posted to all vessel owners with an electronic logbook onboard. One guide…
Northern Ireland Waszp dinghy sailors will compete in the Four Nations Cup this season
Now that the Six Nations Rugby is over, the Waszp class is embarking on its Four Nations Cup. For the first time in Northern Ireland, one of the fixtures will be at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough. The others…
RS Aero racing in Spring sunshine at the Super Series 2024 in Dun Laoghaire Harbour
The now annual RS Super Series ran over the winter of 2023/2024, with racing open to the Waszp, RS Neo and RS Aero classes. Unfortunately, the winds were never quite right for the Waszps, either too windy or not enough…
The 12.85 metre Sun Odyssey 42i on the rocks off the West Cork coast
The hazards of lost or discarded fishing gear has been highlighted in a Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the loss of a yacht off Baltimore, Co Cork, last June. All five on board were rescued, after their yacht,…
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers will turn the sod on a new Coast Guard station for Westport in south Mayo on Thursday (March 27). Members of the Coast Guard will join the junior…
Marine Institute Year in Review 2023
The Marine Institute has published its Year in Review 2023, a snapshot of some of the organisation’s many highlights during what it says was a busy and productive year. Published on Wednesday (27 March), the 24-page document presents key achievements…
Ireland's Men’s Pair (a qualified boat for Paris) at the Rowing World Cup 2023 in Varese, Italy in April are Nathan Timoney (Enniskillen Royal BC) and Ross Corrigan (Portora BC)
Ireland has announced the names of the athletes who will represent the country at the upcoming Rowing World Cup. The racing event is scheduled to take place from April 12 to April 14 in Varese, Italy.  Antonio Maurogiovanni, the High-Performance…
The Crosshaven Lifeboat crew members with the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association on the ketch Ilen off Kinsale at the weekend are (left to right) Kline Pennefeather, Sandra Farrell, Darryl Hughes, Phil Maguire & Conor Barry
There is now only one branch of the international Old Gaffers Association in all Ireland. But though it draws in its membership from every county, it continues to be known as the DBOGA, for it seems that the Dublin Bay…
Scottish shipyard CEO, David Tydeman (above) was sacked following the ongoing ferry fiasco with the considerably delayed twin newbuilds that were due to enter service from 2018 and operate on CalMac’s Firth of Clyde route to Arran. 'Ferguson Marine needs strong leadership to ensure its long-term future' - Chairman Andrew Millar
The chief executive of the Scottish government-owned shipyard Ferguson Marine, David Tydeman, who has been at the center of continuing concern over the escalating costs of an ongoing ferry fiasco, has had his contract terminated. The development comes after Mr.…
One of MGM’s current brokerage listings: A 2021 Prestige 520 lying in Dun Laoghaire
When selling your boat, MGM Boats gives you a comprehensive package and leaves no stone unturned. What you get for your fee gives you real value for money and ensures you get the best return possible. Included in your fee…
Irish sailor Tom Dolan (pictured) and his French co-skipper Paul Morvan were fourth in France's Laura Vergne Trophy
Irish sailor Tom Dolan and his French co-skipper Paul Morvan secured a commendable fourth-place finish in the Laura Vergne Trophy following a 270-mile offshore race that ended on Monday. Dolan and Morvan, who sailed Dolan’s Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan, held their own…
The ferry Ben-My-Chree, which is of a ropax design, has been the back-up vessel for the Isle of Man Steam Packet since the arrival of Manxman in August of last year.
The chairman of the Isle of Man Steam Packet has said a "clear government statement" is needed on whether the firm can sell its current backup ferry. The Steam Packet outlined plans to sell the 26-year-old ropax Ben-My-Chree in its…
President of Irish Sailing, John Twomey
Sailing is in a very healthy state the President of Irish Sailing told the organisation’s annual general meeting in the Royal Cork Yacht Club at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour. “We’re growing the membership and participation on the water in Ireland…
Kate Burns, a marine and rural resources expert and Managing Director of Islander Kelp Ltd has been appointed to the board of the Marine Institute
The Minister for Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the appointment of Ms Pauline Cronin, Ms Kate Burns, and Prof. Tim McCarthy to the Board of the Marine Institute. The Minister said they have each been appointed for a period of…
A geographer has been awarded €300,000 in funding to lead the Irish stage of a European project aiming to boost the transformation towards a “climate neutral” blue economy. Dr John Morrissey, lecturer in geography at Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College, will…

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