Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine

Dublin Bay Snapshot: Heavy-Lift Ship in Dun Laoghaire, A 'Med' Ferry & Windfarm Project Craft
15th February 2021 Dublin Bay
Dublin Bay saw some ships of interest today, firstly the heavy-lift general cargoship Eendracht that arrived in Dun Laoghaire Harbour today to load a part project-cargo bound for the US, writes Jehan Ashmore. The Eendracht berthed this morning after taking…

National Maritime Museum to Host Virtual Talk on Ernest Shackleton
15th February 2021 Historic Boats
In almost every crisis or period of exceptional and continuing difficulty - such as we're living through now - people will hope to relate to the ultimately successful example of survival to be found in the experiences of Polar explorer…

Tom Dolan Delighted with Sailor of the Year Award & Preparing for Busy 2021 Season
15th February 2021 Tom Dolan
Ireland’s leading solo offshore racer Tom Dolan was recognised for his exceptional 2020 season, during which he finished in an unprecedented fifth place in La Solitaire du Figaro, when he was named Irish Sailor of the Year. The award, now…

The Howth Yacht Club Half Tonner 'The Big Picture' is for sale at €55,000. The MG HS30 MOD yacht has been stored indoors, well maintained, and as regular Afloat readers know has been raced locally in Howth and at regattas…

If you're on the North Coast of Ireland today keep an eye out for the RRS Sir David Attenborough says RSPB Rathlin Island Reserve. This ship is the UK's brand new polar research vessel, and it will be off the…

Beacon of Hope Sailing Project Launches a Round the World Yacht Race World Record Attempt
14th February 2021 Cruising
Tuesday 9 February 2021 will see the launch of the UK's Beacon of Hope Sailing Project's ambitious and unique circumnavigation of the globe. The crew of sailors, all of whom have been through life-changing experiences or illness, will attempt to…

As part of the Northern Ireland Science Festival this year, the Centre for Environmental Data and Recording (CEDaR) is offering two Virtual Dives which will take you on an underwater journey above the seabed in Strangford Lough. The dates are…

Climate Change the Theme of French "Green Night of Ideas" Film Festival
14th February 2021 Marine Wildlife
Climate change and its impact on sea and land is the theme of this year’s “Night of Ideas” festival hosted by the French embassy. The “Green Night of Ideas” lasts the month of February, with films available to view for…
Promoted

Video Showcase for X-Yachts X5⁶ as Virtual Tour Gets ‘2.0’ Reboot
14th February 2021 X-Yachts GB & IRL
Following its launch in November 2020, followed by an extensive test sailing period, X-Yachts celebrated the world premiere of the X5⁶ — the new sailing flagship of the Pure X Range, earlier this year. Now the Danish luxury performance specialists…

Sawn-Up Replica of HMS Victory Figurehead Dates from Just Years After Battle of Trafalgar, Scientists Say
14th February 2021 News Update
Scientists have discovered that a replica of the figurehead from the warship Admiral Nelson commanded in the Battle of Trafalgar dates from just years after the event. Unfortunately, the 10-foot-tall sculpture was cut up by chainsaw into six pieces more…

UK’s Sail Training Sector on ‘Knife Edge’, Industry Body Warns
14th February 2021 Coronavirus and Boating
While plans are in the offing for a phased restart of tall ship sail training and other outdoor learning activities in the UK after Easter, the sector remains on a “knife edge”. That’s the message from Andy Robinson, chief executive…

Waterways Ireland Seeks Expressions of Interest to Operate Water Activity Business at Enniskillen
14th February 2021 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland invites expressions of interest to operate a watersport activity business at the Enniskillen Blueway Water Activity Zone in the Co Fermanagh town. Forms and information packs are available from [email protected] and the closing date for submissions is Friday…

Cruiseships of Collapsed CMV that Served Irish Cruisegoers 'Directly' - Head to the Shipbreakers
14th February 2021 Cruise Liners
Three cruiseships, two of which served Irish holidaymakers on non-fly 'direct' cruises out of Dublin and Cork in the last decade, have this winter departed UK waters but to head to the shipbreakers, writes Jehan Ashmore. All these developments originate…

Yannick & Sean Lemonnier, Galway's Father & Son Shorthanded Offshore Duo (Video)
14th February 2021 Quantum Sails
Meet Yannick and Sean Lemonnier, Galway Bay's father-son shorthanded offshore sailing duo. Yannick is the owner of Quantum Sails Ireland and is preparing for the 2021 Mini Transat Race. He has been sharing his passion with Sean for years and…

Luna Rossa Lead 4:0 as America’s Cup Racing on Hold Due to Auckland Covid-19 Lockdown
14th February 2021 America's Cup
As a result of the Government announcement of a Level 3 lockdown in Auckland, initially, for 72 hours, the next scheduled race day on Wednesday has been postponed and the event village will not be open to the public during…

Dún Laoghaire Harbour Laser Dinghy Fleet Launches Adult Pathway
13th February 2021 Dun Laoghaire Harbour News
With the continued interest in Laser dinghy sailing among adults, the Dún Laoghaire harbour Laser fleet has announced the launch of an adult pathway that supports adults from beginner level right up to elite racing. The Laser with all its…

No ‘Essential Worker’ Exemptions for Foreign Crews Delivering Boats to Ireland, Transport Says
13th February 2021 IMF
There is no “essential worker” exemption for foreign crews delivering boats to Ireland amid the current pandemic restrictions. Irish Marine Federation chairman Paal Janson received the official line from the Department of Transport, following suggestions by UK delivery skippers that…

Operator Stena Cancels Sailings from Welsh Port for a Week As Ferry Transfers to Holyhead Route
13th February 2021 Ferry
Operator Stena Line will cancel all sailings for a week from one Welsh port as a ferry moves to the Holyhead-Dublin route for a temporary period. The routes between Wales and Ireland have been hit by reduced demand due to…

Cork City Marina is now in new hands, following the Port of Cork Company’s move from its now former corporate headquarters in the Customs House to Ringaskiddy on Cork Harbour. In a letter announcing the change, the Port of Cork’s…

Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat Volunteers Launch New Online Fundraising Page
13th February 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
As the RNLI continues to operate as normal during the Covid-19 pandemic, the charity is still unable to fundraise out in person in the community. With more people needing the lifeboat crews as they stay home, support from the public…