Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Tom Dolan Lies Sixth as Mini-Transat Fleet Leaders Reach Gate at Cape Verde Islands
5th November 2017 Tom Dolan
Ireland’s solo sailor Tom Dolan has been finding form and much-improved placings among the leaders in the Mini-Transat 2017 as the front runners approach the mandatory course gate, the channel between Santo Antao and Sao Vicente, the most westerly islands…
#Rowing: The President, Michael D Higgins, hosted Skibbereen Rowing Club at a special function on Saturday. “It is an immense pleasure for me to welcome members, supporters, distinguished Olympians, and community neighbours of Skibbereen Rowing Club to Áras an Uachtaráin,…
Old B+I Line Office to Become Part of Mixed Dublin Docklands Redevelopment
5th November 2017 Dublin Port
#TheB+ILine - Following Afloat's focus on the former City of Dublin Steam Packet, the series continues with other Dublin based Irish Sea 'steamer-packet' companies and their legacy of architectural heritage and ferries, writes Jehan Ashmore. The ornate crest of the…
#ClipperRace - HotelPlanner.com has departed Port Elizabeth in South Africa this morning (Sunday 5 November) after the successful medevac of crew member Greg Adams, who suffered a suspected broken arm. The 59-year-old took a fall below deck on Friday (3…
#VOR - The 2017-18 Volvo Ocean Race shifts into a new phase on Sunday with the start of Leg 2: a 7,000 nautical mile, three-week marathon leg to Cape Town, South Africa. It’s one of the iconic legs of this…
The Irish Laser calendar has been confirmed for 2018 as follows: Munster Championships 31st March/1st April - Baltimore Sailing Club, Cork Ulster Championships 28th/29th April- Ballyholme Yacht Club Irish Laser Master Nationals 19th/20th May - Royal St George Yacht Club, Dun…
The Irish Laser Association has recently finalised the 2018 Laser racing calendar. Two events in the calendar (Munsters and Ulsters) stand out as they represent the final chance for Irish sailors to get some ranking points for the Master Worlds…
Taking A French Ferry Trip Down Memory Lane Also Recalls Busier Dun Laoghaire Harbour Times
4th November 2017 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
#TheFrenchConnection - As previously reported, Brittany Ferries seasonal service for 2017 closes this weekend, however Afloat looks at another French service albeit on the English Channel that historically also has ferry use related links with Ireland, writes Jehan Ashmore. Beforehand of…
Lucky Escape For Annalise VOR Teammate Liz Wardley After Catching Leg In Rope
4th November 2017 Ocean Race
#VOR - One of Annalise Murphy’s Volvo Ocean Race teammates had a lucky escape when she got her leg caught in a rope during the Mirpuri Foundation In-Port Race in Lisbon yesterday afternoon (Friday 3 November). While the Dee Caffari-skippered…
In an exceptional week for Irish international offshore sailors, the Michael Boyd-skippered Lisa has been confirmed as both the RORC Points Champion and the Boat of the Year, while the Damian Foxall-crewed Vestas 11th Hour Racing has emerged as the…
#VOR - Bouwe Bekking’s Team Brunel fended off a late charge by MAPFRE to win the Mirpuri Foundation In-Port Race Lisbon this afternoon (Friday 3 November). Conditions were challenging to say the least for the Volvo Ocean Race fleet, with…
#HolyheadDebate - The Wales Office minister Guto Bebb reports BBC News, has said the UK government shares concerns about the future of the Port at Holyhead after Brexit, in a response to a question from Labour MP Albert Owen. Mr…
Largest Irish Owned Flagged Ships Trading On Both Sides of the Atlantic
3rd November 2017 Ports & Shipping
#BulkerSisters - Arklow Spirit last night returned to anchor in Dublin Bay to await orders while another bulk-carrier occupies the same berth to where the Irish flagged ship is one of a pair of the largest registered in the State,…
#fastferry - The introduction next year of a new cruise ferry between Holyhead and Dublin reports Daily Post will see the last fast ferry on the route cut to a summer only service. Irish Ferries' new vessel W. B. Yeats…
Stephen Martin Steps Down as Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Council of Ireland
3rd November 2017 Tokyo 2020
Today Dr Stephen Martin stepped down as the Chief Executive Officer of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) to pursue other career interests. Dr Martin will, however, be the OCI Chef de Mission for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in…
Tom Dolan Up at 15th in Mini-Transat as Fleet Prefers African Coast Option
3rd November 2017 Tom Dolan
Ireland’s solo sailor Tom Dolan moved up to 15th place over-night as the fleet in Mini-Transat continues to hold closer to the African coast in search of stronger northeast breezes writes W M Nixon. However, the decision to make the…
#Rowing: The Neptune Head of the River was cancelled this morning. The event, which was due to be held at Blessington tomorrow, Saturday, fell due to a deteriorating weather forecast. The organisers apologised for the late notice, especially to those…
Solo sailor Enda O'Coineen rejoins his Vendee Globe yacht Kilcullen Voyager this weekend some 11–months after its dismasting off New Zealand on New Year's Day. That's according to the Irish Times Sailing Column this morning here. The 61–year–old flies who flies…
Ballyholme's Bill O'Hara Expected To Lay Short Course for Volvo Ocean Race In–Port Duel
3rd November 2017 Ocean Race
Principal Race Officer of the Volvo Ocean Race, Bill O'Hara from Ballyholme Yacht Club in Northern Ireland, is anticipating the course will be short, with at least three, and possibly up to four, laps. The second in-port race will be…
