Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine

Ferry operator, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company believed it had been on the brink of agreement with the trade union Nautilus International, over new conditions for its crew, including on board the flagship Manxman introduced in August. Manxman…

Irish Ferries Owner, Irish Continental Group Report Lower Revenues So far this Year
23rd November 2023 Irish Ferries
The operator Irish Ferries which is owned by parent company, Irish Continental Group (ICG) has issued a trading statement today which reported of a dip in revenues but increased volumes of passengers and freight levels. The Dublin based ferry, shipping…

Dublin Port Company has proudly welcomed ‘Solidarity: The Dockers of Dublin Port’, a compelling exhibition curated by The Little Museum of Dublin, to its Substation for a three-month stay. The first-ever exhibition at the Substation, Dublin’s latest cultural hub, was…

Snipe Dinghy 'Valkyria' Restoration Project is Offered on Lough Erne
23rd November 2023 Historic Boats
Sailing enthusiasts around Lough Erne in County Fermanagh have a proud record of restoring old boats as well as building new craft in traditional designs. Some years ago, the late Fred Ternan set up a small organisation called Lough Erne…

Marine Minister Charlie McConalogue TD has announced that the Tier 1 and Tier 2 polyvalent vessels that had no authorisation to fish mackerel in December 2021, and who availed of aid under the Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme in that month,…

Enterprise Ireland Hosting Third Offshore Wind Forum Next Week
23rd November 2023 Power From the Sea
Enterprise Ireland will host the third Enterprise Ireland Offshore Wind Forum in Croke Park next Tuesday (28 November), featuring an address from Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This one-day knowledge and networking event will convene the…

Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been awarded first prize in the ‘Leadership in Public Sector Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency’ category at the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland’s (SEAI) 20th Annual Energy Awards ceremony recently held at the Mansion House in…

Kinsale's Cinnamon Girl and Dublin Bay's Cian Guilfoyle on Caro are Big Irish Hopes in Competitive Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Fleet
22nd November 2023 Sydney to Hobart
A diverse fleet, including multiple former winners and some key Irish offshore interests, will take on the 628 nautical mile Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on St. Stehpen's Day. One hundred and thirteen boats are entered for the 78th running…

Heavy-Lift Crane-Ship Works in Scotland for Ferry Infrastructure on Isle of Skye
22nd November 2023 Ferry
A heavy-lift crane-ship which worked in Dublin Port last month at an oil jetty berth as previously reported, is currently carrying out ferry infrastructure upgrade works in Scotland at Uig Harbour on the Isle of Skye, writes Jehan Ashmore. On…

Six Newcastle RNLI Crew Recognised for Bringing Capsized Rowing Boat Crew to Safety in Gale Force Winds
22nd November 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Six crew members from Newcastle RNLI in County Down have been recognised for their courage, determination and teamwork in bringing the crew of a racing rowing boat to safety after it capsized off Ardglass Harbour in June last year. Coxswain…

Bangor RNLI Lifeboat Benefits from Belfast Lough's Community Generosity
22nd November 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Bangor RNLI station on Belfast Lough is one of three local charities in Bangor and Ballyholme to benefit from the generosity of the local community. On Monday, 20 November, volunteers from Bangor RNLI were delighted to be presented with a…

Island-Specific Housing Task Force Called For In Report Published Today
22nd November 2023 Island News
Continuing sustainable communities on Irish islands are at risk due to a critical lack of housing, according to a report published today by Comhdháil Oileáin na hÉireann, the Irish Islands Federation. The report calls on the Government to establish an…

River Conservation Charity Calls for Real-Time Sewage Alerts in Northern Ireland
22nd November 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
The Rivers Trust supports the findings of new report that rings alarm bells about the critical state of water quality management in Northern Ireland and Great Britain. The Surfers Against Sewage Water Quality Report for 2023 says that in Northern…

RYA Northern Ireland to Mark 50th Anniversary With a Year of Celebrations
22nd November 2023 RYA Northern Ireland
This month, RYA Northern Ireland marks 50 years since its formation as the Ulster Branch of the Irish Yachting Association. And to celebrate all aspects of sailing and boating in the region, a series of commemorative events will be held…

Shannon-Erne Waterway: Ballyconnell Service Block Closing for Winter Refurbishment
22nd November 2023 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland is planning to commence extensive refurbishment works to Ballyconnell service block on the Shannon-Erne Waterway on Monday 27 November, with works scheduled to last approximately four months. During this time the service block will be closed to the…

Lough Derg RNLI Recognised in 2023 Nenagh Municipal District Awards
22nd November 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Volunteers representing Lough Derg RNLI lifeboat station were honoured with a scroll and a cheque for €500 at the annual Nenagh Municipal District Awards on Monday evening (20 November) in recognition of their volunteer work on Lough Derg. The award,…

Artificial Reef, Tidal Pool and Canoe Trail Plans Among Outdoor Projects To Secure Government Funding
22nd November 2023 Coastal Notes
Scoping the creation of Ireland’s first underwater artificial reef in Mayo’s Killala Bay has received a grant of 50,000 euro as one of a number of outdoor projects approved for funding by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.…

Recently crowned World Sailor of the Year, Tom Slingsby will miss the upcoming Emirates Dubai Sail Grand Prix, it has been confirmed. The Australian driver, who leads the three-time reigning and defending team, will skip the event to be with…

Shannon Navigation: Bridge and Lock Closures at Tarmonbarry and Rooskey
21st November 2023 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Tarmonbarry Bridge and Lock will be closed this Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 November to facilitate inspection works. In addition, Rooskey Bridge and Lock will…

Workers at a Merseyside shipyard which built the UK polar research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough, have voted to strike in a row over pay and conditions. Electricians, pipe-fitters and welders and others at Cammell Laird shipyard on Birkenhead, are…