Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Young people entering Ireland's fishing industry will be able to access Government-backed loans alongside BIM first-vessel grants, under new arrangements announced as part of the expansion of the Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme. Young fishers seeking to buy their first…
Irish sailors will be spread across the international fleet for Saturday's 606-nautical-mile Rolex Middle Sea Race, with competitors aboard Black Jack 100, Pace and several ISORA-connected yachts. Irish offshore sailors are preparing for the 47th Rolex Middle Sea Race, which…
Hong Kong will host the opening round of the 2027 Rolex SailGP Championship on January 23–24, bringing the international foiling catamaran circuit to the city for the first time. The event will be based at the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal,…
Former English Channel Ferry Barfleur Debuts on France-Ireland Route Albeit Temporarily
14th October 2026 Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries' Barfleur, which completed its final English Channel route sailing on Monday, has since made its maiden crossing from Cherbourg to Rosslare Europort, where it arrived yesterday afternoon, writes Jehan Ashmore. Today's corresponding crossing to Cherbourg has been cancelled…
Pat Lawless has had another good day chasing down Damien Guillou at the front of the Golden Globe Race fleet, with both skippers shaping their courses for the Cape of Good Hope. The Dingle and Limerick skipper's Silvermines Hydro was…
The Irish Coast Guard has responded to 2,500 incidents so far in 2026, with new rescue boats, digital systems and volunteer supports among the measures being introduced under a national transformation programme. The Irish Coast Guard has provided lifesaving assistance…
Portimão Plans International Para Sailing Centre After Inclusion Worlds
13th October 2026 Sailability
Portimão is preparing to establish a year-round international training centre for Para and Inclusive sailing after the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships conclude in the Portuguese coastal city. The new facility at Portimão Marina is scheduled to open in November…
Ireland will host one of Europe's leading aquaculture conferences for the first time in 37 years when Aquaculture Europe 2028 comes to Dublin, bringing international researchers, seafood producers and marine technology companies to the capital. Dublin has been selected to…
Unveiling of Memorial Listing The Names of Those Lost In The RMS Leinster Sinking in 1918
13th October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
The names of 570 people known to have perished in the sinking of the RMS Leinster in 1918 have been listed in a new memorial in Dun Laoghaire harbour. The memorial to the greatest ever loss of life in the…
The Port of Cork Company has secured a maritime usage licence for marine site investigations at Ringaskiddy, as the harbour develops its role in offshore renewable energy. The Port of Cork Company has received approval from the Maritime Area Regulatory…
Boot Düsseldorf 2027 to Feature More Than 1,500 Exhibitors and 1,000 Boats
13th October 2026 Boot Düsseldorf
The world's largest indoor boat and watersports exhibition returns to Germany from 23–31 January, with new hall arrangements, an expanded surfing programme and a fully booked diving hall. More than 1,500 manufacturers, retailers and tourism destinations are expected at boot…
The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) has opened public nominations for three categories in the 2026 Team Ireland Olympic Sport Awards, with entries closing on Sunday, 25 October. Sailing clubs, athletes and supporters can nominate candidates for Event of the…
Original records from October 1918 have been highlighted by Irish Lights as a permanent memorial to the victims of the RMS Leinster sinking is unveiled in Dún Laoghaire. The Commissioners of Irish Lights have highlighted original handwritten records documenting the…
The championship, hosted by Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, runs from 12 to 17 October, with four days of racing starting Wednesday. The 28-boat entry is the largest in Cape 31 class history, surpassing the previous record of 26 boats set…
Dún Laoghaire, Rosslare Harbour, Wicklow and Sligo Bay are to receive the RNLI's new coastal lifeboat class between 2028 and 2030, under a major restructuring of rescue capabilities around Ireland and Britain. The RNLI has confirmed that four Irish lifeboat…
Ireland's Pat Lawless has closed to within 97 nautical miles of Golden Globe Race leader Damien Guillou after recording a better 24-hour run in the South Atlantic. Lawless, sailing Silvermines Hydro, covered 111 miles compared with 106 for Guillou's Solarem…
Waterways Ireland Advises of Impact of Industrial Action on Navigation Services
12th October 2026 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that due to public-sector industrial action, including a planned one-day work stoppage this Wednesday 14 October, the operation of navigation infrastructure will be affected. While Waterways Ireland says continues to review operational plans to…
Marine electronics manufacturer Garmin has received a series of industry honours at the 2026 International BoatBuilders’ Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), including awards for its new VHF radio technology, man-overboard safety equipment and product development. The US company secured an IBEX…
Thirty-eight people at risk of drowning were saved through the actions of 56 rescuers who will be honoured at Water Safety Ireland's National Awards Ceremony in Dublin on Tuesday, 13 October. The awards, taking place at the Round Room in…
European Boating Industry has welcomed proposed EU reforms that could reduce compliance costs for Irish boatbuilders, marine equipment suppliers and other small businesses across the recreational boating sector. European Commission proposals to make harmonised EU standards freely available online and…
