Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
#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…
There’s a modern tradition in Ireland’s only truly city centre marina – right in the heart of Galway – that restraint is abandoned when it comes to hanging out the Christmas lights in the rigging of boats berthed there writes…
Inaugural J80 Champs Set for Howth Yacht Club's Sportsboat Cup; 100 Boats To Gather for One Design Event
20th December 2017 J80
15 boats are expected to enter the inaugural J80 National Championships when it features as part of the line-up of Howth Yacht Club's Sportsboat Cup next May. The event will run over three days at the end of May, Friday the…
Volvo Ocean Race Leaders Trading Blows In Southern Ocean With 2K Miles To Leg 3 Finish
19th December 2017 Ocean Race
#VOR - A little over 2,000 miles now stand between the Volvo Ocean Race pace setters and the Leg 3 finish line in Melbourne – and with just eight miles splitting the first two teams on Tuesday, it couldn't be…
#RS - Sunday 17 December saw the end of the Bosun Bob’s RS 400 Autumn Series hosted annually at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club. The series has built up over the last 10 years to now have up to…
#Laser - Following on from the success of recent years, the Monkstown Bay Sailing Club Laser Winter League returns in January 2018. Running every Saturday from 6 January to 10 February, three short races will be held per day with…
#Dispute - A Dublin Port stevedore, Doyle Shipping, whose case against Stena Line was back in court recently, where a ruling on costs was reserved. Earlier this month as The Irish Times reported, Doyle won an injunction allowing it to…
Tokyo Laser campaigner Finn Lynch (21) has notched up an important second overall at this month's Gran Canaria Olympic week. The youngest ever Irish Olympic helmsman, who debuted in Rio, declared himself "happy with my sailing and the progress I've…
Holyhead to Increase Cruise Figures in 2018 And Plans for Further Development
19th December 2017 Cruise Liners
#CruiseHolyhead - The Port of Holyhead in north Wales will according to Cruise Europe welcome 34% more passengers in 2018 than this year, bringing the total to 36,000 on 43 calls. The jetty, which is owned by Stena Line but…
#Rowing: Irish boats are making progress in the Atlantic Rowing Race. Damian Browne, who was tested by difficult conditions and seasickness in the first two days, reported on his Facebook page that he has recovered. By 6pm on Monday he…
