Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
#Doonbeg - Clare County Council has granted permission for coastal erosion works adjacent to the Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, as RTÉ News reports. Planners at the council approved a revised proposal from the golf resort for works comprising…
Irish Coast Guard & RNLI Urge People To ‘Respect The Water’ Over Festive Season
21st December 2017 Water Safety
#WaterSafety - The Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI have issued a joint safety message for the festive season to remind people to stay safe when they are in or near the water, and to remember some basic safety advice…
Volvo Ocean Race Update: Pushing To The Limit On The Race To Melbourne
21st December 2017 Ocean Race
#VOR - MAPFRE extended their lead over rivals Dongfeng Race Team on Thursday 21 December as Leg 3 of the Volvo Ocean Race entered its closing stages. While the finish line isn’t quite in sight, the most physical element of…
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) would like to remind all salmon and sea trout anglers to submit their 2017 logbook and unused gill tags to the relevant IFI office using the pre-printed envelope supplied at time of purchase. Your contribution to…
#CorkHarbour - Marine Minister Michael Creed visited the East Tip at Haulbowline yesterday (Wednesday 20 December) to inspect progress on remediation works on the Cork Harbour island. The minister’s visit follows the signing in July of the contract to commence…
#LoughErne - The PSNI is investigating the death of a former Lough Erne Yacht Club commodore whose body was found in the lough last week. As BelfastLive reports, the remains of Michael Beattie, 55, were discovered on the shore at…
#CoastalNotes - A new harbour patrol for the South Coast? That’s what Cork County Council is proposing in new measures to curb what’s being seen as a “free for all” along the county's lengthy coastline. According to the Irish Examiner,…
Boot Düsseldorf 2018 is starting in 32 days and the initial boats are already on their way to the city on the Rhine. Ship crane “Big Willi” is being used to lift two elegant Italian yachts and one sleek Dutch…
#ferrynews - Manx Ministers are drawing up possible plans to buy the Isle of Man Steam Packet, iomtoday has learned. The move comes as negotiations continue with the ferry operator over a revised strategic sea services deal - and as…
#Rowing: Sean Casey has been let go by Rowing Ireland. The Ireland heavyweight coach was told that his contract would not be renewed in January 2018. Casey was appointed on a temporary contract in December 2016 under Morten Espersen. He…
Save the Date for Round Ireland 2018, One of the Longest Offshore Yacht Races in the RORC Calendar
20th December 2017 Round Ireland
If it’s an even-numbered year, it’s a Round Ireland Race Year! Things are warming up in Wicklow Sailing Club, the 2017 Mitsubishi Irish Sailing Club of the Year, where preparations for the 2018 Volvo Round Ireland Yacht Race are well under…
Ferry Festive Season Underway As Capacity Increased On Premier Irish Sea Route
20th December 2017 Ferry
#FerryFestive - An Irish Ferries cruiseferry on the French route based out of Rosslare returned yesterday prior to making a repositioning voyage to Dublin Port this morning in preparation of the busy festive season, writes Jehan Ashmore. Cruiseferry, Oscar Wilde…
#Rowing: The Irish Trial scheduled for Saturday, December 23rd, has been cancelled. The organisers found they could not access adequate medical cover at the National Rowing Centre on the day and abandoned in the interests of health and saftey.
The latest IMDO iShip Index indicates growth in shipping and port activity in the Republic of Ireland by 5% in Q3 of 2017 verses Q3 in 2016. There was positive year on year growth across all major cargo markets. Notable…
L.É. Niamh Arrives Home in Time for Christmas Having Carried Out Historic Naval First Operation
20th December 2017 Navy
#LENiamhHomecoming - L.É. Niamh returned to Cork Harbour anchorage overnight just in time for Christmas, having carried out a new historic first for the Irish Naval Service in the participation of Operation Sophia, writes Jehan Ashmore Afloat continued tracking the OPV80…
Larne Lifeboat Assists Two In Motorboat Breakdown Off Antrim Coast
20th December 2017 RNLI Lifeboats
#RNLI - Larne RNLI launched to the aid of two people on Monday morning (18 December) after their 33ft motorboat had engine difficulties en route from Carrickfergus to Greencastle. The all-weather lifeboat Dr John McSparran was requested to assist the…
#GalwayBay - In a major boost for the marine energy sector, the Government has approved a 35-year foreshore lease for an upgraded test site in Galway Bay off Spiddal. Galway Bay FM reports on yesterday’s (Tuesday 19 December) announcement that…
Final preparations are now underway for the three Irish teams travelling to the 2018 SB20 World Championships in Hobart, Tasmania. The event, co-hosted by the Derwent Sailing Squadron and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, will run from 7th –…
In a historic first for the Atlantic Youth Trust, €15,000 has been donated in the memory of Adrian Ryan in order to provide 15 years of bursaries for young teens who ordinarily would not have the opportunity to access youth…
Shipping Snippets: Ardmore Tanker Calls to Bantry, Arklow Disposes Cargoship & Mainport Chase Vessel Departs Cork Dockyard
20th December 2017 Arklow Shipping
#ShippingSnippets - A 183m tanker from Ardmore Shipping Corporation based in Bermuda which also has a principle operating office located in Cork, made a call to Bantry Bay recently, writes Jehan Ashmore. Ardmore Seaventure which at 49,999 dwt is on…