Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Friday Racing at Irish Sailing Youth National Championships is Cancelled Due To Strong Winds at Royal Cork Yacht Club
5th April 2024 Youth Sailing
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 Launches The Genoa Sun Hat - A Must-Have for Boaters
5th April 2024 Marine Clothing
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…
Irish Offshore Racer Tom Dolan to Compete in a Transatlantic Race on Class40 Boat Amarris
5th April 2024 Tom Dolan
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…
Marker Buoy From Gulf of Mexico Washes Ashore in Wexford After 17 Years Adrift
5th April 2024 Coastal Notes
A marker buoy that washed ashore in Co Wexford this week has been traced to as far away as the US state of Louisiana. The large metal buoy was found on Wednesday (3 April) on the coast at Ballymoney near…
Applications Open for Active Clubs Grants From RYA Northern Ireland
5th April 2024 RYA Northern Ireland
RYA Northern Ireland has launched its Active Clubs Grants scheme, which offers funding for Northern Ireland clubs aiming to grow and retain their membership. Priority will be given to clubs who are running programmes for women and girls, people with…
Dublin Bay's Van Steenberge and Riordan Take the 29er Lead at Irish Sailing Youth Nationals in Crosshaven
5th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Over 90 boats and more than 100 sailors competed on a wet opening Thursday at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships ahead of Storm Kathleen's expected arrival in Cork Harbour this weekend. The Royal Cork Yacht Club-hosted event saw three dinghy…
Due to the weather forecast, both the Neptune and Commercial rowing regattas in Dublin have been cancelled. The organisers have cited strong winds of 45k/hr and gusts of 90k/ph expected to hit Islandbridge as the cause.
Due to Saturday's extreme weather forecast, ISORA's first coastal race is postponed until a date to be agreed upon amongst those skippers who entered the race. As Afloat previously reported, ISORA boss Peter Ryan issued the Sailing Instructions (downloadable below)…
Expedition Cruise Ship Sails into Dublin Port Setting the Season of Visitors to the Capital
4th April 2024 Cruise Liners
The first cruise ship to Dublin Port of this season saw the Norwegian operator of M/S Spitsbergen, Hurtigruten Expeditions, whose small yet smart red, black, and white liveried ship, sailed upriver to a berth today, writes Jehan Ashmore. The call…
Light Wind Test Sees Finn Lynch Lying 14th Overall at Trofeo Princesa Sofia in Mallorca
4th April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
On light-wind day four of the World Cup Series event at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca, Irish competitors maintained their overall positions, with one day left to sail before the medal races on Saturday. The light sea-breeze condition on…
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…