Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
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The organisers of the 38th America's Cup have launched a global search for content creators to help tell the story of the world's oldest international sporting trophy in Naples. Applications are now open for photographers, filmmakers, podcasters, sailing journalists and…
The ISORA offshore fleet returns to action on Saturday (July 25th) with the latest race of the 2026 championship, a 70-nautical-mile passage from Pwllheli to Greystones that is expected to provide another important test in the season-long series. The race…
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboats were launched Saturday (18 July) to separate incidents within 20 minutes of each other on the North Coast of Northern Ireland. Firstly the inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at…
Wicklow Lifeboat Brings Two to Safety After Vessel Suffers Mechanical Failure
19th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Wicklow RNLI volunteers brought two people to safety on Friday afternoon (17 July) after their six-metre boat developed mechanical problems eight miles north-east of Wicklow harbour. The all-weather lifeboat Bridie O’Shea slipped its mooring shortly after 4.10pm under the command…
Larne RNLI Officially Names New Shannon Class Lifeboat ‘Machiko Nancy’
19th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Larne RNLI’s new Shannon class lifeboat has been officially named Machiko Nancy during a special naming ceremony and service of dedication at East Antrim Boat Club in Northern Ireland on Saturday afternoon (18 July). The lifeboat, which went on service…
Five-Man Crew Completes 2,000 Mile Row Round Britain and Sets New World Record
20th July 2026 Coastal Rowing
A five-man crew has completed a 2,000 mile row around Britain, setting a new world record Team Rowmads is said to be the first and fastest team of five to complete the GB Row Challenge unsupported. The team finished the…
RNLI Lifeboats and Coast Guard Busy On West Coast As People Flock To the Water
19th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Rescue crews had a very busy weekend on the west coast with back-to-back taskings as people took to the water in the good weather. The Aran Islands RNLI lifeboat has recorded ten callouts over the past week between July 12…
Wexford RNLI volunteer crew member Edel Ennis has successfully achieved full crew status, marking a significant milestone in her training and development as a member of the lifeboat station’s operational team. All volunteer crew must go through a rigorous training…
Following the successful launch of the Wellcraft 28, Wellcraft is pushing further with two new models built to go bigger, bolder and beyond expectations: the Wellcraft 33 T-Top and the Wellcraft 33 Speedster. Built for confident offshore explorations, social adventures…
David Tabb has been crowned 2026 Irish Dragon Open Champion after a commanding seven-race series at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire. Helming Send in the Clowns, Tabb and crew Jack Bowen and Martin Westerdahl finished with a…
Strengths in Fisheries and Marine Resources Part of Bioeconomy Strategy Out For Public Consultation
20th July 2026 Fishing
Ireland’s strengths in fisheries and marine resources are included in a draft national bioeconomy strategy which has been released for public consultation. Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment, Darragh O'Brien and Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin…
Taoiseach Refuses To Intervene in Heydon/Dooley Rift Over Fisheries Interests During Presidency
19th July 2026 Fishing
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has refused to intervene in a dispute over the handling of Ireland’s fisheries interests at EU level during Ireland’s EU presidency. Mr Martin was responding in the Dáil earlier this week to a request from Sinn Féin…
The British government has reversed a decision to cut volunteer pay in the Coast Guard. As Afloat has reported, the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) wanted to cut the training fee of 11 pound sterling an hour for some…
A lone sailor was brought safely to Rosslare Harbour after his yacht began taking on water off Raven Point, Curracloe, on Saturday afternoon. Rosslare Harbour RNLI was tasked by the Irish Coast Guard after the skipper of the eight-metre yacht…
The Department of Transport has been advised that a grab sample survey will be undertaken in the Irish Sea off the Wicklow and Wexford coast) to maintain an up-to-date understanding of sediment chemistry to facilitate the sustainable development of the…
Inland Fisheries Ireland Welcomes New Report on Farmed Salmon Genes in Irish Wild Stocks
19th July 2026 Aquaculture
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) says it welcomes the publication of a new report providing the first major assessment of the extent of interbreeding between wild Atlantic salmon and fish farm escapees in Irish rivers. The GeneFlow study, as previously reported…
Aran Islands RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers responded to four separate taskings over a 24-hour period last weekend — including two medical evacuations, a Mayday call and an overdue vessel. The first call-out came in at 9.40am on Sunday (12 July) when…
A fresh north-easterly of 15–20 knots and bright sunshine produced exhilarating conditions for those who ventured onto Dublin Bay on Saturday as the AIB Dublin Bay Sailing Club Summer Series continued. The brisk breeze kept numbers down in some fleets…
British Crew Leads Irish Dragon Nationals After Six Races at Royal Irish Yacht Club
18th July 2026 Dragon
A British crew leads the Irish Dragon National Championship after six races at the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dún Laoghaire, where a fresh north-easterly produced fast, physical racing on Dublin Bay. With one discard now applied, David Tabb's Send…
One of the world's larger classic superyachts has made a visit to Dublin Bay, anchoring off Dún Laoghaire Harbour this week. The 52.4-metre Big Eagle was photographed at anchor in Scotsman's Bay, where she was visited by a Dublin Port…
