Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
![The multi-winner Imp sailing in Cork Harbour after restoration by George Radley The multi-winner Imp sailing in Cork Harbour after restoration by George Radley](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000PxmN3kXJn7s/s/848/I0000PxmN3kXJn7s.jpg)
Imp Should Be The Honoured “Flagship” For SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race 2024
15th June 2024 W M Nixon
Should each SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race from Wicklow Sailing Club have a nominated “Flagship” to remind us that, with the passing of the years, this remarkable Royal Ocean Racing Club-supported 700-mile Classic now has its own colourful and complex…
![The Irish Men's Double of Phil Doyle and Daire Lynch stormed through their heat, taking first place The Irish Men's Double of Phil Doyle and Daire Lynch stormed through their heat, taking first place](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000e.VwwhZTi2k/s/848/I0000e.VwwhZTi2k.jpg)
Day one of racing at the final Rowing World Cup of the 2024 season has successfully finished up for Rowing Ireland over in Poznan, Poland. Weather conditions held up for the day but with the forecast changing for tomorrow, racing…
![The first day of the 2024 1720 National Championships in Baltimore, West Cork, saw a fresh breeze of 20 knots for the 22-boat fleet The first day of the 2024 1720 National Championships in Baltimore, West Cork, saw a fresh breeze of 20 knots for the 22-boat fleet](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000K98r0RIQ5yY/s/848/I0000K98r0RIQ5yY.jpg)
With two wins and two second places scored, Howth Yacht Club and Royal Cork's Ross McDonald tops the leaderboard at the 1720 National Championships in Baltimore, West Cork. Despite the consistent scoreline, the reigning European class champion, who is a…
![Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton is due to open a new training facility at Galway Bay Sailing Club Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton is due to open a new training facility at Galway Bay Sailing Club](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000hYfX9UC89z8/s848/I0000hYfX9UC89z8.jpg)
Junior Minister to Open New Training Facility at Galway Bay Sailing Club
14th June 2024 Galway Harbour
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton is due to open a new training facility at Galway Bay Sailing Club on Saturday (June 15). Ms Naughton, who has also been Government Chief Whip, is a Fine Gael TD for the Galway West…
![A race start at the RS Feva Northern Championships on Belfast Lough A race start at the RS Feva Northern Championships on Belfast Lough](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_gRHsWc0sIo/s/848/I0000_gRHsWc0sIo.jpg)
It certainly wasn’t champagne sailing last weekend for the Ridgeway RS Feva Northerns at Royal North of Ireland YC in Belfast Lough. The persistent strong on shore winds gusting 29 knots at times didn’t let up on Day 1 so…
![Stena pulls out, but Condor Ferries and DFDS are bidding for the UK-Channel Islands contract. Above: Stena Vinga (foreground) during relief role at Rosslare in 2020 is a near sister of Commodore Clipper, operated by Condor, which aside from running UK-CI routes, has since April, as AFLOAT reported, been on charter to Brittany Ferries to boost capacity between Rosslare-Cherbourg, from where the ropax connects the French port to Portsmouth to link Guernsey and Jersey. Stena pulls out, but Condor Ferries and DFDS are bidding for the UK-Channel Islands contract. Above: Stena Vinga (foreground) during relief role at Rosslare in 2020 is a near sister of Commodore Clipper, operated by Condor, which aside from running UK-CI routes, has since April, as AFLOAT reported, been on charter to Brittany Ferries to boost capacity between Rosslare-Cherbourg, from where the ropax connects the French port to Portsmouth to link Guernsey and Jersey. Also above, Stena Europe (arriving) but now serving north Africa, and Stena Horizon (berthed), along with Stena Vision, connect Cherbourg.](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00003Tv7l.0LHJ4/s/848/I00003Tv7l.0LHJ4.jpg)
The Gothenburg, Sweden-based ferry company, Stena Line has pulled out of the race to run services between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands. The ferry operator, which has a route network across northern Europe stretching from the Baltic Sea…
![Maurice and Frances Kidney's Rankin No.12 lies third in Cove Sailing Club's Dinghy Wednesday League in Cork Harbour Maurice and Frances Kidney's Rankin No.12 lies third in Cove Sailing Club's Dinghy Wednesday League in Cork Harbour](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000UjZitOlgjyA/s/848/I0000UjZitOlgjyA.jpg)
Twenty-four dinghies are entered for Cove Sailing Club's Wednesday night league, led by Ruadhan Jackson on six points. Second is Owen O’Connell in his TR3 and third Rankin No.12, Maurice and Frances Kidney. David Radley won last Wednesday’s Race, with…
![Squib keelboat racing at Portaferry on Strangford Narrows Squib keelboat racing at Portaferry on Strangford Narrows](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00003hGDYThY.aA/s/848/I00003hGDYThY.aA.jpg)
Strangford Lough's Portaferry Prepares for Four-Day Festival of Sailing
14th June 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Portaferry on the east shore of the Strangford Narrows at the mouth of Strangford Lough is preparing for a four-day Festival of Sailing, Water activities and Competitions from 5th till 8th July. The Narrows Series is one of the biggest…
![The start of the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race The start of the 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ZwUVZPePZkY/s/848/I0000ZwUVZPePZkY.jpg)
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA) has opened its entry list for eligible boats for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 79th edition of the historic 628-nautical mile blue water classic will start on Sydney Harbour at…
![National 18 dinghies converge in the approach to a leeward mark at the Barry's Centra Crosshaven June League 2024 at Royal Cork Yacht Club National 18 dinghies converge in the approach to a leeward mark at the Barry's Centra Crosshaven June League 2024 at Royal Cork Yacht Club](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000wRLl4.K35lQ/s/848/I0000wRLl4.K35lQ.jpg)
Walsh's 'Peaky Blinders' Has Six Point Lead in Royal Cork National 18 June League
14th June 2024 National 18
Nick Walsh's Peaky Blinders leads after six races sailed in the National 18 Barry's Centra Crosshaven June League 2024 at Royal Cork Yacht Club. After one discard was applied in the 15-boat fleet, the noted ILCA master's champion Walsh had…
![A start in the 2024 Mixed Dinghy June League at Royal Cork Yacht Club A start in the 2024 Mixed Dinghy June League at Royal Cork Yacht Club](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_vBxOpiD1Ic/s/848I0000_vBxOpiD1Ic.jpg)
420 Duo Venner and Mapplebeck Lead Mixed Dinghy June League at Royal Cork Yacht Club
14th June 2024 Royal Cork YC
After two races sailed, 420 pairing Dougie Venner and Matt Mapplebeck lead Royal Cork Yacht Club's Mixed Dinghies June League in Cork Harbour. Racing under the Portsmouth Yardstick Handicap system, the duo has a third in the opening race and a…
![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…