Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Five Irish research institutions have been awarded a combined €1.25 million to investigate challenges facing the aquaculture industry, from tubeworm fouling on mussels and salmon health to new uses for seaweed and the environmental value of oyster farming. University College…
Recruitment Target in Defence Forces Will Not Reach 11,500 Personnel by 2028 Despite Commitments
22nd October 2026 Navy
The Irish Defence Forces will not reach 11,500 troops by 2028, said the Minister for Defence, as it will break a key target promised by the organisation and government. In a report from the Commission on the Defence Forces, it…
'Looming Retention Crisis' Faces Defence Forces Over Removal of Supplementary Pension
22nd October 2026 Navy
A “looming retention crisis” faces the Defence Forces due to changes it made in 2013 for new recruits, which then removed a supplementary pension between retirement age and that of State pension age. The comment was made at the annual…
The Irish Multihull Association (IMA) is inviting other high-performance sailing classes to combine their provincial and national championships in 2027, in a move aimed at increasing participation and reducing the financial burden on host yacht clubs. The initiative would allow…
The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race village opened in Saint-Malo this week, bringing together 115 solo skippers and their boats ahead of the 3,542-nautical-mile transatlantic race starting on Sunday, 1 November. The 71,000-square-metre village, described by organisers as…
Royal Cork Yacht Club's Dylan O’Sullivan finished eighth as Ireland's official representative in the Junior Gold Cup in Bermuda, where Strangford Lough Yacht Club's Ollie Gundersen also competed, finishing 22nd after receiving a wildcard entry. The two young sailors joined…
Four Flying Fifteen keelboats donated by Irish sailors are to be shipped to Canada's Pacific coast this weekend, helping an expanding community sailing initiative on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. The boats and associated equipment are due to be loaded…
A new 63-page report from the Cruising Club of America (CCA) examines 28 yacht-to-yacht crew rescues, offering practical lessons for offshore sailors who may find themselves the nearest — or only — vessel able to answer a Mayday. Produced with…
Wicklow-based Mills Design is preparing to launch a new 40-foot racing yacht aimed at the Admiral's Cup, with sailing trials scheduled for January. A new 40-foot Admiral's Cup racing yacht designed by Wicklow-based naval architect Mark Mills is nearing completion…
UAE Kidzinc Youth took an early lead at the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, after three races sailed in strengthening westerly winds on Wednesday, 21st October. As conditions built from 12–15 knots in the opening race to 22…
Django 7X Wins Overall Rolex Middle Sea Race as Class Winners Emerge
21st October 2026 Middle Sea Race
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's Italian Wallyrocket 71 Django 7X has been confirmed as the overall winner of the 2026 Middle Sea Race, following a closely fought contest with defending champion Balthasar. The Royal Malta Yacht Club confirmed the overall IRC victory at 11.30…
Storm Austen is forecast to bring storm-force winds to Ireland's south coast and southern Irish Sea on Thursday night, with Met Éireann issuing a Status Orange marine storm warning for winds reaching Force 10 at times. The warning covers waters…
Cork Based Ferry Company Welcomes French and Irish Ambassadors to Ringaskiddy
21st October 2026 Ferry
New startup ferry operator Hibernia Line, which launched the first direct Cork to Boulogne route in northern France in the summer, has welcomed the visit of ambassadors from France and Ireland today, writes Jehan Ashmore. The visit of the French…
The first SailGP athletes and F50 catamaran have arrived at the American Magic High Performance Center in Florida, where a shared training facility will operate until 2031. SailGP has officially opened its first permanent training base in Pensacola, Florida, with…
Funding for £15m Zero Emission Trials for Belfast Harbour is Secured
21st October 2026 Belfast Lough
Trials of zero-emission transport and energy systems are to take place at Belfast Harbour under a £15 million ($19.9 million) investment that was announced on 15 October. Belfast-based Artemis Technologies is leading the Zero Emissions Transport and Energy Cluster (ZETEC)…
First Barge With Structures for New Narrow Water Bridge Berths at Warrenpoint Harbour
21st October 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
A major milestone in the construction of the Narrow Water Bridge in Northern Ireland took place today, with the arrival to Warrenpoint Harbour of the first barge carrying major steel components from Belgium. The bridge contractor BAM UK & Ireland…
More than 110 young sailors have registered for the Irish Optimist Dinghy Association (IODAI) National Training Week at Lough Ree Yacht Club from Wednesday, 28 October, to Saturday, 31 October. The four-day event, one of the association's biggest National Training…
Irish MEP Nina Carberry has called for fairer fishing quotas, protection of the Hague Preferences, and reform of the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) ahead of the Fisheries Council negotiations in December. Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Carberry…
Exhibition at DLR LexIcon: Celebrates 10,000 Years of Greek & Irish Maritime Tradition
21st October 2026 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
A new exhibition, "10,000 Years of Greek and Irish Maritime Tradition," has been launched in dlr LexIcon Library in Dún Laoghaire, which explores the rich maritime heritage of two nations shaped by the sea. Hosting the exhibition is Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown…
Seaweed Harvesting and Licensing Report To Be Published By Oireachtas Committee
21st October 2026 Seaweed
The Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will publish its report on seaweed harvesting and licensing on Thursday (22 October) at 10am in Leinster House. Earlier this year, the committee began a series of hearings on the issue, following…
