Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
#SubRepairs - It transpires the Dutch submarine HNMLS Walrus which made a call to Dublin yesterday is in port due to repairs according to the Dutch Embassy, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 2,650 displacement tonnes (when submerged) 'Walrus' class are regarded…
The Cervantes Trophy Race is traditionally the first English Channel Race of the Royal Ocean Racing Club's Season's Points Championship and this year’s race from Cowes to Le Havre has attracted a variety of yachts from Belgium, Britain, France, Germany…
1978 may now seem a very long time ago if you’re looking at used boats. But they built them well back then writes W M Nixon, over-strength if anything. And many of them were built with solid accommodation to match…
Portrush RNLI Volunteers & Lifeguard Supervisor Assist Man in Difficulty
25th April 2016 RNLI Lifeboats
Three volunteers from Portrush RNLI came to the aid of a man in need of emergency medical assistance on Saturday afternoon (23 April). Following a routine training exercise on the all-weather and inshore lifeboats, volunteer Karl O’Neill, who is also…
Beautiful sunshine and a wide range of wind speeds greeted the participants of the two day training weekend organised by Simon McGibney from ICRA/WIORA and Des McWilliam and Graham Curran of UK McWilliam Sailmakers. This was the second year of…
Ballyglass RNLI has rescued three fishermen off the Mayo coast this morning, following a 10 hour call out. The volunteer lifeboat crew was requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat at 7.45pm yesterday evening (Sunday 24 April) after a member of…
#CorksCubaCoup - A major coup for the Port of Cork has been achieved in landing a potentially lucrative spot on the first direct freight shipping service from northern Europe to Cuba since economic sanctions were removed on the Caribbean country.…
IDRA 14 sailors will be involved in a host of activities this year to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the class. A series of events, both on and off the water, will be held to mark the birth of the…
#Rowing: The Victor Ludorum Trophy for best school was won by St Joseph’s of Galway at the Irish Schools’ Championships at O’Brien’s Bridge in Clare today. Daire Lynch of Clonmel CBS was the best single sculler. Methodist College, Belfast, won…
Submarine Visits Dublin In Week of Casement’s Centenary Capture from U-Boat
24th April 2016 Naval Visits
#1916sub2016 – A Dutch attack-reconnaissance submarine docked in Dublin Port today, in the same week of the 100th anniversary of Sir Roger Casement’s landing in Co. Kerry from a German U- boat, writes Jehan Ashmore. The 2,650 displacement tonnes (submerged) Royal…
#SkelligMichael - A longtime boatman plying the Skellig Michael route for visitors has mounted a High Court challenge against the loss of his landing permits, as The Irish Times reports. The Office of Public Works (OPW) revoked two permits from…
#BelfastLough - Work has already begun on a major new film studio lot on the shores of Belfast Lough. According to the Belfast Telegraph, Belfast-based RPP Architects are drawing up plans for the North Foreshore Film Studios located at Giant's…
Damian Foxall Breaks American Newport to Ensenada Race Record on Mod 70 Orion
24th April 2016 Offshore
Kerry yachtsman Damian Foxall shattered a long standing American Yacht Racing record at the weekend when his MOD 70 Orion crossed the finish line of the Newport to Ensenada Race in 5 hours, 17 minutes, 26 seconds, smashing the former record of…
Defending ISORA champion Ruth (Liam Shanahan) from the National Yacht Club was the winner of yesterday's first coastal IRC handicap race of the season but not before a protest for redress was lodged following a finish line problem off Wicklow writes…
#Surfing - A stunning photograph of Cornish surfer Tom Butler riding the swell at Mullaghmore Head was up for a top prize at the Nomad Big Wave Awards in Los Angeles this week. The image of Butler – no stranger…
#Galway - The liferaft at Blackrock Diving Tower on Galway Bay is not likely to be reinstated, as Galway Bay FM reports. Concerns over risks posed by the raft were reiterated at a meeting of Galway City Council earlier this…
#Rio2016 - Rio's water 'will be ready' for sailors when the Olympic Games begin in August, according to China's Xinhua News Agency. Speaking at an event to mark the lighting of the Olympic torch in Athens on Thursday (21 April),…
#GreatLighthouses - This May Bank Holiday (30 April-2 May) kick start your summer and get out to visit the Great Lighthouses on this island for a weekend of fun, discovery, stories and thrills. Walk through time, meet fifth-century monks, medieval…
#ExtendedVisit – Almost 400 visiting crew members from a pair of French Navy vessels that docked in Dublin Port as reported yesterday, will remain berthed in the capital on extended shore leave up to next Thursday, writes Jehan Ashmore. The…
#ServiceAgreement - The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has presented an ‘offer’ to the Manx Government for a new strategic sea services agreement to replace the user agreement. The IOM Today writes that last summer the government issued an…