Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Ireland’s push to develop offshore renewable energy doesn’t have to be at the expense of sensitive marine habitats, a Government advisor has said. As Times.ie reports today, existing provisions “should be used” to protect vulnerable habitats and species pending legislation…

Ireland’s first floating solar energy plant is another step closer to fruition thanks to funding from the Marine Institute. Co Mayo-based SolarMarine Energy Ltd shared in the €2.4 million Industry-Led Awards scheme for research projects in 2018, putting its grant…

The Government’s ambitious plans for renewable energy off the Atlantic coast should involve communities as active stakeholders and not just recipients of compensation, an island energy co-op has said. Dara Ó Maoildhia, chairman of Comharchumann Fuinneamh Oileáin Árann, the Aran…

The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has obtained Cabinet approval to introduce legislation to ban licences for new oil and natural gas exploration. The legislation will be included in the Climate Action and Low Carbon…

An environmental group has expressed fears that the Government is prioritising industry-funded offshore wind and wave energy projects over its international commitments on marine protected areas. As The Times reports, the Irish Wildlife Trust (IWT) has questioned why legislation is…

Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney has welcomed Irish offshore energy Simply Blue’s deal with multinational Shell to develop its floating wind farm in the Celtic Sea. Simply Blue Energy and Shell confirmed today that the multinational is acquiring a…

Using green hydrogen to supply island energy needs is the theme of several projects which Irish offshore communities and universities are involved in. A consortium of Irish islands led by Kerry’s Valentia Island Co-op and Rathlin, Co Antrim is examining…

British boatbuilder Chartwell Marine has unveiled its bespoke 12m landing craft commissioned by a leading Dublin boat charter company to support large-scale offshore energy projects. The aluminium vessel for Irish Commercial Charter Boats (ICCB) will be constructed at Arklow Marine…

A foreshore licence granted for expansion of an offshore wind farm near Arklow now faces a High Court challenge from an environmentalist and planning activist, as The Irish Times reports. Peter Sweetman — whose previous objections include the proposals for…

Larne Harbour on the east coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland is currently the base for the MPI Resolution, the world's first purpose-built vessel for installing offshore wind turbines, foundations, and transition pieces. The ship is working out of Larne…

Green Rebel Marine with a base at Crosshaven Boatyard in Cork Harbour has announced the €1.5 million purchase of a DA42 multi-purpose aircraft to conduct aerial surveys off the Irish coast. Thousands of square miles of ocean are due to…

Ros an Mhíl/Rossaveal could become a hub for marine renewable energy projects, if plans by Údarás na Gaeltachta come to fruition. The board of the Gaeltacht authority has recently approved funding to plan the development of a 30-acre site it…

The Shannon Estuary has the potential to become a global hub for floating offshore wind according to a major new study. If such a project were to be progressed, writes the Limerick Leader, it could attract up to 12 billion…

Naval architects Incat Crowther with offices in Australia, USA and the UK has announced the construction of a 27m Catamaran Wind Farm Service Vessel (WFSV) to an Irish marine company.  The newbuild is the third of Penguin Shipyard's Windflex 27…

The photomontage published in Afloat a week ago of 60 'supersize' wind turbines planned for Dublin Bay should raise substantial debate about the impact of offshore wind farms on Irish waters and the activities in them – sailing, leisure marine,…

Green Rebel Marine, the Cork-based business established to service the future needs of offshore wind farms, has announced a new strategic partnership with Fisheries Liaisons Ltd. The partnership is seen as being a key factor in communicating with the wider…