Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Ronan Kenneally leads Class 1 of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's October League after three races, sailing his Laser 7 to third, second and first places for a total of six points. Ewen Barry and Sandy Rimmington are second in their…
British skipper Christian Hamilton and Khumbu Racing overturned a 2–1 deficit against World No. 1 Chris Poole to win the 2026 Bermuda Gold Cup in a dramatic deciding match Bermuda Gold Cup debutant Christian Hamilton (GBR) and his Khumbu Racing…
Research Reveals How Offshore Wind Farms Can Influence Ocean Temperatures
20th October 2026 Power From the Sea
Scientists studying Scotland's Seagreen Offshore Wind Farm have identified how turbine foundations can influence ocean mixing and temperatures, with implications for environmental monitoring New research has revealed how offshore wind farms can influence ocean temperatures and mixing, and why their…
The first Cape 26 one-design sportsboat from Wicklow-based Mills Design is touring European sailing centres following its delivery to Italy in September. The first Cape 26, designed by Wicklow-based naval architect Mark Mills, has arrived in Europe, with Hull No.…
Dún Laoghaire Cruise Access Plans Linked to Offshore Wind Base
20th October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's plans to improve cruise-passenger access at St Michael's Pier are linked to the proposed development of an offshore wind operations base in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The council's Cruise Passenger Realignment Project, currently open for public consultation…
Promoted
Airfloat says the new Community Sport Facilities Fund is a chance for rowing, sailing and paddle clubs to fix one of their most common problems: safe access to the water and somewhere to keep their boats. The Government's Community Sport…
Tramore Lifeboat Assists Two Fishermen After Vessel Suffers Engine Failure
20th October 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Tramore RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat last Friday (16 October) to assist two people aboard a small fishing boat that had suffered engine failure off the Waterford coast. The crew’s pagers sounded at noon following a request to launch…
Inland Boaters Advised of Closures on Shannon Navigation and Grand Canal
20th October 2026 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Grand Canal of closures on the respective inland waterways. On the Shannon Navigation, Tarmonbarry Bridge is closed with immediate effect and until further notice due to an electrical fault…
Harlequin wins a dramatic Puppeteer 22 title on countback as Howth Yacht Club concludes six weekends of Autumn League racing, with close contests across the cruiser and one-design fleets. The Howth Autumn League started in the midst of a period…
Two Irish crews are among 66 entries at the championship in southern France, where Monday’s programme ended without a race. No racing took place on the opening day of the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, on Monday, 19…
La Roche-Posay Racing Team has become the first challenger to launch and sail an AC75 on the Bay of Naples ahead of the 38th America's Cup in 2027 France's La Roche-Posay Racing Team has launched its AC75 in Naples, becoming…
Irish sailor Shane Hughes has secured monohull line honours aboard Remon Vos’ Black Jack 100 in the 2026 Rolex Middle Sea Race, with the 100-foot maxi finishing the 606-nautical-mile course around Sicily on Monday afternoon, 19 October. Skippered by Tristan…
Barfleur Finally Returns to France But Completes 'Uninterrupted' Maiden Round Trip from Ireland
19th October 2026 Brittany Ferries
After a delay of two days due to poor weather conditions, Brittany Ferries Barfleur finally resumed its first return crossing from Rosslare to Cherbourg, Normandy, at the weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Barfleur previously made its maiden sailing to the…
Low Impact Fishers of Europe says implementing existing fisheries rules, rather than reopening the Common Fisheries Policy, should be the priority as the EU prepares to publish its Vision 2040 strategy. On the eve of the EU’s Vision 2040 for…
New research using decades of Irish basking shark sightings suggests that food availability determines how often sharks gather, while social attraction influences the size of their groups. Simulated research on basking shark behaviour off Donegal has found that both food…
St Andrew’s College Wins Fifth Successive Leinster Schools Team Racing Title
19th October 2026 Team Racing
St Andrew’s College continued its dominance in Leinster schools team racing on Sunday, 18th of October, securing its fifth successive provincial championship at the Royal Irish Yacht Club (RIYC) on Dublin Bay. Sixteen teams took part in the 2026 Irish Schools Team Racing…
Optimist champion Emily Donagh and ILCA 6 youth sailor Rory Brennan-Hobbs claimed class victories as the National Yacht Club hosted the final ILCA Ireland Sprint of 2026 on Dublin Bay on Sunday, 18 October. Emily Donagh won the ILCA 4…
The international fleet enjoyed a steady six-to-nine-knot breeze on Sunday, 18th of October, as crews completed final preparations for championship racing on the Mediterranean coast. Despite morning showers, conditions improved for the 2 pm practice session, with sunshine breaking through…
Pat Lawless's Cruel Golden Globe Exit Ends Remarkable Irish Challenge
19th October 2026 Golden Globe Race
Six weeks of outstanding solo sailing brought the Kerry skipper within striking distance of the Golden Globe Race lead before another equipment failure ended his circumnavigation ambitions. Afloat looks back on his performance and the reaction from Irish sailing supporters.…
Ireland's emerging blue bioeconomy will be the focus of a major industry conference at the Convention Centre Dublin on Monday, 19 October, where the BIM Aquatech Business of the Year will be announced. BIM Conference to Explore Blue Bioeconomy Opportunities…
