Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
After Wednesday's spectacular Harbour Race produced one of Cork Week's defining moments, Thursday's penultimate day was a test of patience before becoming a test of tactics. Competitors spent almost four hours under AP before a light southerly finally arrived, allowing…
A fleet of approximately 150 boats raced across the AIB sponsored DBSC Thursday programme on Dublin Bay, where a light south-westerly of 5–10 knots and a flooding tide provided classic midsummer conditions for Ireland's largest regular yacht racing programme. The turnout…
Dickson and Waddilove Into Gold Fleet at 49er Europeans
9th July 2026 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have secured a place in Gold Fleet at the 49er European Championships in Eckernförde, Germany, after finishing sixth among the European crews at the end of the qualifying series. The Irish Olympians remain firmly in…
One of France's best-known traditional sailing vessels, Fleur de Lampaul, has departed Dublin Bay and is now underway in the Irish Sea. The 20-metre sailing vessel, which sails under the French flag (MMSI 227794000), was reported in the Irish Sea…
Carrybridge RNLI launched on Tuesday evening after a six-metre sailing yacht with two people on board ran aground south of Kilmore Quay on Lough Erne. The inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was requested by Belfast Coastguard at 8.23…
Newcastle RNLI launched a search off Newcastle Beach on Tuesday evening after members of the public reported seeing a small inflatable drifting out to sea. The volunteer crew launched the inshore D class lifeboat, Cameronian, at 6.35 pm following a request…
Ireland has confirmed its place at the 2026 Team Racing World Championship, joining 11 other nations for the first edition of the keelboat championship to be held in Europe. The event will take place in Stockholm from 12 to 16 August,…
A lone sailor was brought safely to Wicklow Harbour after their yacht became entangled in pot ropes off the Codling Bank late on Tuesday night. Wicklow RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat, RNLB Bridie O'Shea, shortly after 11pm on 7 July,…
50 Year Study of Coral Reefs Theme of Audiobook Version of Dr Peter Vine's Work
9th July 2026 Book Review
The complexity of the richest coral reefs on the planet is the theme of an audiobook version of marine scientist Dr Peter Vine’s authoritative work.Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs: 50 Years of Learning is a summary of how reefs…
A public consultation has been launched on proposed changes to the management of brown crab and spider crab fishing by vessels over 10 metres in Ireland's Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA). Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley TD announced the…
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has officially named its new freight vessel Menawethan, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of the islands' lifeline transport services. The naming ceremony took place on the Isles of Scilly and brought together…
The Barcelona International Boat Show will return to Port Vell from 14 to 18 October with an expanded programme designed to appeal to a broader boating audience. Now in its 63rd edition, Spain's leading boating exhibition will introduce new exhibition…
Consultant Kieran Mulvey made the recommendation in a report prepared for Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley to inform a new five-year strategy for the fisheries sector under the Programme for Government. Mulvey said discussions across the sector consistently…
Shannon Navigation: Gaelforce Great Lake Swim and Lanesborough Triathlon This Weekend
9th July 2026 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that two major swim events will take place this coming Saturday 11 July on Lough Derg and Lough Ree respectively. The Gaelforce Great Lake Swim 2026 on Lough Derg will…
Heavy fog delayed Wednesday's Cork Week Harbour Race before a spectacular afternoon contest unfolded across Cork Harbour, where shifting tactics and a clean downwind start produced significant results across the regatta fleets. Visibility was reduced to around 100 metres during…
Baltimore RNLI's Beaufort Cup crew were presented with the San Souci Cup at Wednesday evening's (8 July) Beaufort Cup gala dinner at Haulbowline Naval Base. The San Souci Cup is awarded for the offshore Fastnet race within the Beaufort Cup…
Ireland’s two Aegean 600 entries have made strong progress since Afloat.ie’s earlier report on Wednesday, 8 July, and are now expected to finish on Thursday, 9 July. At the earlier 12.15pm update, Darkwood had 162 nautical miles remaining and Xcalibur…
Dickson and Waddilove Stay in 49er Europeans Medal Hunt
8th July 2026 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
Olympians Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove remain firmly in contention at the 49er European Championships after ending the second day of racing in 10th overall in Eckernförde, Germany. The Irish duo recovered strongly from an early setback to stay within…
Puffin, sailed by Seán and Heather Craig, led from the opening beat to win Wednesday evening's (July 8) AIB DBSC Water Wags race inside Dún Laoghaire Harbour. Twenty-five Water Wags turned out for the race, which also counted for the…
RNLI lifeguards on Portrush West Strand came to the rescue of a swimmer caught in a rip current on Tuesday evening (7 July). At 5pm, senior lifeguards Annie Jagoe and Jack Devenney were alerted by a member of the public…
