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Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
The gloomy scene at Dun Laoghaire today as DBSC racing was cancelled due to strong southerly winds
The final DBSC Saturday Summer Series racing was cancelled on Dublin Bay today for all classes when southerly winds reached 35 knots off Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Results in all classes are below
Ewen Barry, Stan Browne, and Mark O'Donovan on their to a win in the National 18 River Race at Royal Cork Yacht Club
Ewen Barry, Stan Browne, and Mark O'Donovan emerged as the victors of the Royal Cork Yacht Club's annual end-of-season River Race for National 18 dinghies held at Crosshaven on September 29th, Friday night. A total of eight National 18s participated…
The works, subject to sea conditions, will include removing the cabin, the lighthouse tower and the concrete pillar of the Royal Sovereign Lighthouse
Plans are being made to remove the Royal Sovereign lighthouse which was a familiar navigational mark for yachts off Britain’s east Sussex coast. It is expected that it will take two years for marine contractors Herbosch-Kiere to complete the work,…
Sean Flood at the helm of Otto Glaser’s McGruer 47 Tritsch-Tratsch II with The Needles astern in the early stages of the 1974 RORC Cowes-Cork Race. Also just visible astern are Denis Doyle’s blue S&S 47 Moonduster, and Clayton Love’s Swan 44 Assiduous – they were still astern at the finish. Line honours and overall winner was Eric Tabarly’s then-new 70ft ketch Pen Duick VI, while Tritsch-Tratsch II was in the frame, and top Irish boat

Sean Flood 1932-2023

30th September 2023 W M Nixon
The life story of Sean Flood, who has died at the age of 91, is in many ways the story of modern Ireland as seen through a sailing and business lens. From a family of traditionally and strongly patriotic outlook,…
Today, the supermoon is causing an exceptionally high tide throughout Ireland
A very high tide is anticipated around the island today due to the supermoon. In Galway, the evening high tide of 5.64m is only 10cm below highest astronomical tide for Galway, according to the port’s harbourmaster, Capt Brian Sheridan. The…
Coastal Watch aims to highlight suspicious or unusual activity and detect and prevent importation of illegal drugs along the west coast of Ireland
A “Coastal Watch” to detect and prevent importation of illegal drugs has been revitalised by the Galway Garda division and Revenue Customs Service. Communities living along 500 km of coastline in the west, along with maritime businesses and those working…
The new Swan 100 joins the Swan Maxi Family
Nautor Swan has introduced the Swan 100, their latest addition to the Swan Maxi Family, in Monaco. The unveiling took place at the Yacht Club de Monaco during this year's Swan Maxi Talk, which was moderated by journalist Clare Mahon…
The 29-metre A96 - two were sold within minutes of each other when the yacht made its debut
Pellegrino's shipyard unveils its latest Arcadia model, the A96, at the superyacht boat show in Monaco this weekend. Measuring 29 metres, this exquisite yacht will be showcased alongside other opulent and luxurious large yachts, providing an unmatched opportunity for enthusiasts…
The Simena, a 61.61-metre steel hulled cruising ketch, is presently being constructed by Ares Shipyard. Created by Taka Yacht Design and Design Unlimited, this vessel showcases a carbon-epoxy superstructure, all-aluminium masts, and rigging design by Chris Mitchell. With hybrid propulsion technology, Simena can hit a maximum speed of 15 knots and a cruising speed of 11 knots. Her scheduled delivery is in December 2024
Based in Antalya, Turkey, Ares Shipyard has unveiled its new superyacht brand 'Ares Yachts' at this week's 2023 Monaco Yacht Show. Originally founded in 2006 by the Kalafatoğlu family, which is bolstered by a long tradition of shipbuilding and sailing,…
The visit of the Southwest Ports of Finland delegation to Drogheda Port. The visit was attended by government officials from the Finnish Embassy in Dublin, Deputy Head of Mission Saara Heinola, and Intern Reetta Pirttikoski, along with industry leaders and manufacturers from companies such as Mantsinen and Mecalift. The welcome party comprised of Drogheda Port Company Chairman Dr. Joe Hiney, Harbourmaster Captain Laurence Kirwan, and President of the Drogheda Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Hubert Murphy
A delegation comprising managing directors and key personnel from six major ports in the Southwestern part of Finland, headed by Mr. Anders Ahlvik, MD of Port of Hanko, visited Drogheda Port on the Irish east coast on Tuesday, 26th of September.…
Greenore Port, Co. Louth where DSG have applied for an Operations & Maintenance Facility (OMF) base (superimposed above) to support offshore wind installations on the East Coast.
Greenore Port, part of the Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) has announced that it is the first Irish Port to apply for a Maritime Area Consent (MAC) under the newly established Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA), writes Jehan Ashmore. As Afloat…
Royal Cork Yacht Club summer 2023 league winners were presented with their perpetual trophies this week. See a full list of winners below
Royal Cork Yacht Club Rear Admiral of Keelboats Paul Tingle led the celebrations at the 2023 Summer League winners' prizegiving in Cork Harbour on Thursday evening (September 28th). There was a great turnout for the Crosshaven event that featured double Olympian…
Trawl teams from Ireland and America were tasked to select a local water source and check for microplastics in the
Citizen scientists from Westport Aquarium in Washington state, USA, and Galway Atlantaquaria have collaborated on a project to raise awareness about microplastics. Named “SeaLegs”, the project involved monitoring local water sources for microplastic litter. From early summer, this year, the…
The European Commission is calling on eight member states, including Ireland, to finalise the review of river basin management plans under the Water Framework Directive. Flood risk management plans should also be reviewed under the Floods Directive, the Commission says.…
Record attempt - John Gimson and Anna Burnett (centre) with the Mayor of Ards and North Down Council, Councillor Jennifer Gilmore with some of the Ballyholme Yacht Club team behind the record-breaking bid
Taking off from Ballyholme Yacht Club in Northern Ireland a day ahead of Storm Agnes' arrival, Mixed Catamaran Olympic Medalists, John Gimson and Anna Burnett sailing a foiling Nacra 17 have beaten the previous record (subject to ratification) for a…
Competitors tackle the kayaking portion of FEARmanagh 2022
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the FEARmanagh endurance adventure race will be taking place this Saturday 30 September 2023. The multisport event — involving running, cycling and kayaking — will utilise…
Waterways Ireland logo
Waterways Ireland advises all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that Offaly Rowing Club will be holding time trials between Locks 23 and 24 this Saturday 30 September. The event will take place between 8am and 4pm.…
File image of the lifting bridge on the Royal Canal in The Downs, Co Westmeath
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Royal Canal that the lifting bridge at The Downs in Co Westmeath will be closed for canal traffic effective immediately. This closure is to facilitate emergency repairs due to…
Kinvara Tidy Towns at work in Galway as part of the Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean
7,700 Clean Coasts volunteers rolled up their sleeves and removed a staggering 46 tonnes of litter all across the country as part of the Big Beach Clean.  The Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) organised…
The Sunseeker 120 Yacht is described as an evolution of Sunseeker’s Superyacht range and has arrived with an elegant, low-profile and iconic Sunseeker styling. Sunseeker says the highly efficient hull form can achieve 20 knots with relatively low power and impressive range at low speeds
Sunseeker, a British manufacturer of luxury yachts, has recently unveiled their latest concept, the 120 superyacht, at this week's 2023 Monaco Yacht Show. The new marque boasts a modern design, exquisite style, and a functional layout. According to Andrea Frabetti,…

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