Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
![Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel successfully deploying two of its state-of-the-art LiDAR buoys off the coast of Germany Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel successfully deploying two of its state-of-the-art LiDAR buoys off the coast of Germany](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000KaVGIIPjMyw/s/848/I0000KaVGIIPjMyw.jpg)
Irish Offshore Survey Firm Green Rebel Deploys Wind Speed LIDAR Buoys off German Coast
14th June 2024 Power From the Sea
Irish offshore survey company Green Rebel has deployed technology off the coast of Germany to measure wind speeds, wave heights, and ocean currents in the North Sea. The project is a collaboration with TGS, a global provider of energy data…
![Dublin Bay 21s out practicing for The Grand Parade of Classic Sail which takes place on Sunday June 20th as part of Coastival in Dún Laoghaire from June 29th to July 7th. Coastival brings art, history, games, culture, sailing, family fun, music and more to the shore in Dún Laoghaire Dublin Bay 21s out practicing for The Grand Parade of Classic Sail which takes place on Sunday June 20th as part of Coastival in Dún Laoghaire from June 29th to July 7th. Coastival brings art, history, games, culture, sailing, family fun, music and more to the shore in Dún Laoghaire](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000Gwum8ebDoVI/s/848/I0000Gwum8ebDoVI.jpg)
Dun Laoghaire's 'Coastival' Maritime Festival Includes Grand Parade of Classic Sail
14th June 2024 Coastival
On Sunday, June 30th, from 12-2pm, the East Pier at Dun Laoghaire Harbour will provide quite the nautical spectacle with The Grand Parade of Classic Sail as part of Coastival 2024. The "synchronised sailing" format for the event is simple…
![It can be tough sailing in the Ballinacurra Cup Dinghy, one of the oldest It can be tough sailing in the Ballinacurra Cup Dinghy, one of the oldest](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_yW9KBIuiiY/s/848/I0000_yW9KBIuiiY.jpg)
Cove Sailing Club's Annual Ballinacurra Cup Dinghy Race to Commemorate Rich Seafaring History in Cork Harbour
14th June 2024 Cove Sailing Club
The Ballinacurra Cup is among the oldest "All-In" dinghy racing handicap trophies. The Irish Naval Service presented it to Cove Sailing Club in 1947. In past times Ballinacurra, in the North/East corner of Cork Harbour was a major port for…
![1720 European Champion Ross McDonald sailing Atara starts as favourite at the 1720 National Championships in Baltimore on Friday 1720 European Champion Ross McDonald sailing Atara starts as favourite at the 1720 National Championships in Baltimore on Friday](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I000011Wk0KKKVNY/s/848/I000011Wk0KKKVNY.jpg)
McDonald is Favourite for Windy 1720 Nationals in Baltimore But Murphy's Late Entry Maybe a Dark Horse
13th June 2024 1720
A 22-boat entry does not include defending champion Dave Kenefick for Friday's 1720 National Championships at Baltimore Sailing Club, and at least one late entry in West Cork is expected to have some Olympic firepower onboard for the three-day event.…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000uziN6bSekJM/s/767/I0000uziN6bSekJM.jpg)
Dublin Bay Sailing Club's (DBSC) Thursday evening racing was cancelled tonight due to strong westerly winds. Winds measuring gusting over 20 knots meant the eighth Thursday race of the 2024 AIB summer season was scrubbed in all classes at Dun…
![Glomar Vantage Glomar Vantage](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000VYc2Xs9EAv0/s/500/I0000VYc2Xs9EAv0.jpg)
The Department of Transport has been advised that geotechnical and geophysical surveys are being undertaken in the Irish Sea on behalf of McMahon Design and Management. The survey work, which was scheduled to start on 1 June, will be completed…
![File image of Bangor RNLI’s inshore lifeboat File image of Bangor RNLI’s inshore lifeboat](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000qQMBzDbq5cU/s/500/I0000qQMBzDbq5cU.jpg)
Bangor Lifeboat Assists Two on Vessel With Engine Difficulty Near Groomsport
13th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Bangor RNLI launched to the aid of two people on Wednesday evening (12 June) after their boat encountered engine problems near Groomsport. At 8.35pm, Bangor’s RNLI volunteers launched their Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Jessie Hillyard following a request from Belfast Coastguard…
![Pete Smyth and crew arrive into Dingle on the Sunfast 3600 in the 2021 D2D Race Pete Smyth and crew arrive into Dingle on the Sunfast 3600 in the 2021 D2D Race](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00000LSdTqMW7Bs/s/500/I00000LSdTqMW7Bs.jpg)
Pete Smyth Shares on Race Strategy and More Ahead of Round Ireland 2024
13th June 2024 Round Ireland
Pete Smyth recently sat down with Simon Johnson for an exclusive interview ahead of the upcoming SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race. The noted Dublin Bay inshore and offshore sailor—known for strong results in his Sunfast 3600, Searcher—recently purchased the…
![P&O’s freight-oriented ferry Norbay, which is on charter to ICG, has finally ceased Irish Ferries Pembroke-Rosslare route duties. Taking its place on a temporary basis is Oscar Wilde (Afloat noted this week renamed James Joyce) but will be replaced by the cruise ferry Isle of Innisfree, which is to transfer to the Wales-Ireland route from the company’s UK-France link of Dover-Calais. P&O’s freight-oriented ferry Norbay, which is on charter to ICG, has finally ceased Irish Ferries Pembroke-Rosslare route duties. Taking its place on a temporary basis is Oscar Wilde (Afloat noted this week renamed James Joyce) but will be replaced by the cruise ferry Isle of Innisfree, which is to transfer to the Wales-Ireland route from the company’s UK-France link of Dover-Calais. Afloat also observed last week the Norbay’s return to the Dublin-Holyhead /Cherbourg routes roster.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00004H6oDPZ.RHc/s/848/I00004H6oDPZ.RHc.jpg)
South Wales-Ireland Route's Controversial Ferry Norbay Departs Pembrokeshire for the Final Time
13th June 2024 Irish Ferries
On Irish Ferries route linking Pembroke and Rosslare, a controversial and passenger-unfriendly ferry that operated this winter has sailed out of the south Wales port for the last time, reports The Pembrokeshire Herald. P&O Ferries ‘economy’ ropax Norbay which had…
![Joining forces - Aodh O Donnel of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Brendan Byrne of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA), Patrick Murphy of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, John Lynch of the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation and Dominic Rihan of the Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation (KFO) Joining forces to demand change at national and EU level are (left to right); Aodh O Donnel of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, Brendan Byrne of the Irish Fish Processors and Exporters Association (IFPEA), Patrick Murphy of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation, John Lynch of the Irish South and East Fish Producers Organisation and Dominic Rihan of the Killybegs Fisherman’s Organisation (KFO)](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000tvuaJRUdOqs/s/848/I0000tvuaJRUdOqs.jpg)
Five Irish fishing producing and processing seafood organisations have united to “demand change at national and EU level”. “Our objective is to work together on raising awareness of critical challenges impacting the sector at both national and EU level,” the…
![Ian Travers and Keith O’Riordan from Kinsale Yacht Club added the South Coast Squib title to their 2024 trophy haul with a win at Baltimore Sailing Club Ian Travers and Keith O’Riordan from Kinsale Yacht Club added the South Coast Squib title to their 2024 trophy haul with a win at Baltimore Sailing Club](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ya5sxAWYTQk/s/848/I0000ya5sxAWYTQk.jpg)
Kinsale's Travers and O'Riordan Clinch South Coast Squib Championships at Baltimore Sailing Club
13th June 2024 Squib
Baltimore Sailing Club in West Cork was the host of this year's Squib South Coast Championships over last weekend. The event saw a strong turnout, with nineteen boats competing and participants travelling from various locations, including Lough Derg, Dublin, Howth,…
![The new currach built in Kilkenny will be launched on the River Barrow at Carlow in July The new currach 'an bideach', built in Kilkenny, will be launched on the River Barrow at Carlow in July](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000C49KX5st3wg/s/848/I0000C49KX5st3wg.jpg)
Traditional Currach Built in the Midlands in Aid of Mental Health Services and RNLI
13th June 2024 Currachs
Three Irish men have come together to build a traditional Currach in aid of two charities, Teac Tom Mental Health Services and the RNLI. Pat Comerford of Carlow Rowing Club, along with Pat Sweeney of Achill and Paul Palmer of…
![The EPA said the biggest issue affecting quality is nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater The EPA said the biggest issue affecting quality is nutrient pollution from agriculture and wastewater](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000228TnmFqm5o/s/848/I0000228TnmFqm5o.jpg)
EPA Reports Shows No Improvement Overall in Water Quality for Rivers, Lakes and Estuaries
13th June 2024 Marine Wildlife
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says there has been “no significant change in any of the water quality indicators for Ireland’s rivers, lakes, estuaries and groundwaters”. Results for 2023 show “no sign of improvement overall”, it says. “While improvements are…
![Tara Keena, Data Analyst, David Currie, Fisheries Data Team Lead, Eoin O'Grady, Manager of Information Systems and Development; and Michael Gillooly, Director of Ocean Climate and Information Services Tara Keena, Data Analyst, David Currie, Fisheries Data Team Lead, Eoin O'Grady, Manager of Information Systems and Development; and Michael Gillooly, Director of Ocean Climate and Information Services](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00006Uq4JKUSiHg/s/848/I00006Uq4JKUSiHg.jpg)
Ireland's Marine Institute Presents at International Marine Data and Information Systems Conference
13th June 2024 Marine Science
Progress on the Marine Institute’s digital services development was presented at the 2024 International Conference on Marine Data and Information Systems (IMDIS) in Bergen, Norway. The conference showcased advances in marine data and digital programmes across the international community, which…
![Andrew 'Hammy' Baker on the tiller of Alan Hannon's JPK 1030 Coquine, the leader of the 2024 Musto ISORA Series Andrew 'Hammy' Baker on the tiller of Alan Hannon's JPK 1030 Coquine, the leader of the 2024 Musto ISORA Series](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000jJU8IcTjmTQ/s/848/I0000jJU8IcTjmTQ.jpg)
After nine races sailed, consistency pays for Belfast Lough debutante Coquine in the Musto Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association Series, where skipper Alan Hannon has a .3 lead at the top of the 34-boat fleet leaderboard. ISORA published the overall…
![Swift no. 38 Guy and Jackie Kilroy take the winning gun at the 2024 National Yacht Club regatta Water Wag race at Dun Laoghaire Harbour Swift no. 38 Guy and Jackie Kilroy take the winning gun at the 2024 National Yacht Club regatta Water Wag race at Dun Laoghaire Harbour](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000HGQqXqVvIQA/s/848/I0000HGQqXqVvIQA.jpg)
Wednesday night’s Dubin Bay Water Wag race was the National Yacht Club regatta race, a class fixture traditionally run inside Dun Laoghaire Harbour ahead of Saturday's main regatta programme. As there were issues with the committee vessel, Dublin Bay Sailing…
![Karol McNern from Ballyshannon, a former helm at Bundoran RNLI, will ride unsupported from Malin to Mizen — a 1,225km route from one end of Ireland to the other — and back Karol McNern from Ballyshannon, a former helm at Bundoran RNLI, will ride unsupported from Malin to Mizen — a 1,225km route from one end of Ireland to the other — and back](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00006TqnDeZPtug/s/500/I00006TqnDeZPtug.jpg)
Donegal Cyclist to Attempt World Record Ride From Malin to Mizen and Back in Aid of Bundoran RNLI
12th June 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
A Donegal cyclist is set to embark on a mammoth world-record cycle attempt, riding unsupported from Malin to Mizen — a 1,225km route from one end of Ireland to the other — and back. The gruelling non-stop ride is set…
![Chartered catamaran ferry MV Aflred is to operate additional sailings on CalMac’s Arran route until August Chartered catamaran ferry MV Aflred is to operate additional sailings on CalMac’s Arran route until August](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000B34hV.S7RnM/s/848/I0000B34hV.S7RnM.jpg)
Scotland west coast ferry operator CalMac recently announced that, following a successful trial period, the MV Alfred will operate additional sailings between the mainland and Arran until August. The 430 passenger catamaran, which can also carry vehicles, operates the Firth…
![Konan Pazzaia of Queen's University Belfast BC will row for Ireland in the Men's Single at World Cup III.
in Poznan, Poland this weekend Konan Pazzaia of Queen's University Belfast BC will row for Ireland in the Men's Single at World Cup III in Poznan, Poland this weekend](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000mqZhw4CmQB0/s/848/I0000mqZhw4CmQB0.jpg)
Rowing Ireland’s High-Performance Director, Antonio Maurogiovanni, has announced the rowers that will represent Ireland at World Cup III. Racing will take place from the 14th – 16th June in Poznan, Poland. Selected Irish Crews Women’s PairFiona Murtagh (University of Galway…
![The newbuild cable barge was lifted within the Harland & Wolff (Appledore) shipyard building hall in north Devon, England, where the vessel is to operate for the UK’s Royal Navy at the main base in Portsmouth. The newbuild cable barge was lifted within the Harland & Wolff (Appledore) shipyard building hall in north Devon, England, where the vessel is to operate for the UK’s Royal Navy at the main base in Portsmouth. The yard has, under previous owners, built more than 300 ships, among them the Irish Naval Service’s most modern OPV, L.É. George Bernard Shaw (P64) which was commissioned in 2018.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000bTnIDdP.blQ/s/848/I0000bTnIDdP.blQ.jpg)
Harland & Wolff’s Shipyard in Appledore Completes Lift of Newbuild Cable Barge
12th June 2024 Shipyards
Harland & Wolff (Appledore), the north Devon shipyard in England, has reached an important milestone at the facility that, under previous owners, as Afloat reported, built in 2018 the last offshore patrol vessel for the Irish Naval Service. On this latest…