Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
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Coast Guard, RNLI, and Water Safety Ireland Urge Caution for Easter Weekend Water Activities
28th March 2024 Coastguard
As the Easter weekend approaches, the Coast Guard, RNLI, and Water Safety Ireland are urging the public to take precautions to stay safe during water activities. With longer and brighter evenings, more people are expected to visit the coast or…
Galway Atlantaquaria Grants Call For Small Scale Conservation Projects
28th March 2024 Marine Wildlife
Galway Atlantaquaria is offering grants for five small-scale conservation projects related to marine and freshwater. Projects should focus on education and engagement, native species and habitats, or involving a local community or community group, with a special focus on marine…
A guide to assist fishing skippers to meet landing obligation requirements has been published by the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). A waterproof copy of the guide has been posted to all vessel owners with an electronic logbook onboard. One guide…
Minister of State Jack Chambers to "Turn Sod" for New Coast Guard Station for Westport
27th March 2024 Coastguard
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Jack Chambers will turn the sod on a new Coast Guard station for Westport in south Mayo on Thursday (March 27). Members of the Coast Guard will join the junior…
Ireland has announced the names of the athletes who will represent the country at the upcoming Rowing World Cup. The racing event is scheduled to take place from April 12 to April 14 in Varese, Italy. Antonio Maurogiovanni, the High-Performance…
The Marine Institute has published its Year in Review 2023, a snapshot of some of the organisation’s many highlights during what it says was a busy and productive year. Published on Wednesday (27 March), the 24-page document presents key achievements…
Irish Sailor Tom Dolan and French Co-skipper Secure Fourth Place in Laura Vergne Trophy
27th March 2024 Tom Dolan
Irish sailor Tom Dolan and his French co-skipper Paul Morvan secured a commendable fourth-place finish in the Laura Vergne Trophy following a 270-mile offshore race that ended on Monday. Dolan and Morvan, who sailed Dolan’s Smurfit Kappa-Kingspan, held their own…
When selling your boat, MGM Boats gives you a comprehensive package and leaves no stone unturned. What you get for your fee gives you real value for money and ensures you get the best return possible. Included in your fee…
Minister McConalogue Announces Appointments to the Board of the Marine Institute
27th March 2024 Marine Science
The Minister for Marine, Charlie McConalogue, has announced the appointment of Ms Pauline Cronin, Ms Kate Burns, and Prof. Tim McCarthy to the Board of the Marine Institute. The Minister said they have each been appointed for a period of…
Hazards Of Discarded Unreported Fishing Gear Highlighted by MCIB After Yacht Lost off West Cork
27th March 2024 MCIB
The hazards of lost or discarded fishing gear has been highlighted in a Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) report into the loss of a yacht off Baltimore, Co Cork, last June. All five on board were rescued, after their yacht,…
Geographer Secures Funding for Irish Strand of "Blue Economy" Project
27th March 2024 Marine Science
A geographer has been awarded €300,000 in funding to lead the Irish stage of a European project aiming to boost the transformation towards a “climate neutral” blue economy. Dr John Morrissey, lecturer in geography at Limerick’s Mary Immaculate College, will…
The Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation (KFO) has called on Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue to distribute the additional mackerel quota negotiated at the December Fisheries Council as a matter of urgency. While the representative body said it was “highly appreciative” of the…
Achill Island RNLI carried out a medical evacuation off Clare Island on Monday night (25 March). The volunteer crew were requested to launch the station’s all-weather lifeboat just before 9pm following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to medevac…
Irish Marine Federation Announces Annual General Meeting at Dun Laoghaire
26th March 2024 Marine Trade
The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) has announced that its Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday, April 8th, at 12.00 noon in the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire Harbour. This gathering will provide an opportunity…
Kinsale Yacht Club is all set to host its Axiom Spring Series 2024 for sailing cruisers and one designs, which incorporates the SCORA League 2024, on Easter Monday, April 1st. The event promises an 'impressive lineup' of contenders already signed…
In Search of Hy-Brasil, an exhibition reflecting fieldwork from Ireland’s offshore islands, has begun a nationwide tour on the Aran island of Inis Meáin. As previously reported by Afloat, the exhibition first appeared in the Irish pavilion at last year’s…
The RNLI lifeguard team are returning to patrol seven beaches along the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland over the upcoming Easter period. The lifeguard service is also adjusting its operational hours this season from 10am to 6pm each day. From…
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has opened the second draw for anglers wishing to catch and keep salmon from Kerry’s Roughty River, following the first draw last month. ‘Brown tag’ regulations came into force on the river from 15 March and…
Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Battlebridge Lock and the harbour areas immediately upstream and downstream in Battlebridge, Co Leitrim will be closed from this Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 March…
European Commission Seeks Views on Mutual Recognition of Private Boater Licences
25th March 2024 News Update
The European Commission is surveying industry and private boat owners regarding the mutual recognition of private boater licences. Consultancy firm Panteia is collaborating with the Commission on a study to determine the advantages and drawbacks of recognising licenses and qualifications…