Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Northern Ireland's biggest sailing event, Bangor Town Regatta on Belfast Lough has been cancelled over Covid 19 concerns. A statement from the organising club, Royal Ulster, says: - “It is with deep regret that the Organising Committee of Bangor Town…

The Irish Ocean Literacy Network has published a list of useful supports for individuals and communities during the Covid-19 pandemic. The network, which aims to achieve an ocean literate society across the island of Ireland, has appealed to communities to…

If you’re a boat owner looking to keep yourself busy during the current climate and are planning to work on your boat, CH Marine has you covered with a wide selection of boat care products. The chandlery is offering ‘no…

In response to the continuing Covid-19 situation, the National Yacht Club has revised its plans for 2020 in preparation for the eventual resumption of sailing activity. Commodore Martin McCarthy says cost and staffing adjustments have been made to complete some…

Irish Olympic Sailing will be among sports contacted by the Olympic Federation for its views on Tokyo 2020 and a possible postponement.  As Afloat reported previously, Ireland so far has only one boat qualified for the Tokyo Regatta with two…

The Covid-19 virus has forced the cancellation of SeaFest, the national maritime festival which was due to take place in Cork in May. In a statement, the Marine Institute said that a decision was taken to postpone the event until…

Defence Force staff set up a tented field hospital beside the Naval patrol ship, LE William Butler Yeats, yesterday (sun) in preparation for use as a Covid-19 testing centre writes Lorna Siggins A marquee was erected beside the ship in…

The Tánaiste Simon Coveney said Ireland was effectively doubling the size of the health service - and would use army-style field hospitals if required in the worst-case scenario. The (Naval Service) patrol ships deployed to Dublin, Cork and Galway now…

Professional offshore sailors Sam Davies, Armel Le Cléac’h, Boris Hermann and Jérémie Beyou will join amateur enthusiasts in a virtual sailing race from La Rochelle to Curaçao from today, Monday 23 March. Online game platform Virtual Regatta will host the…

The International Olympic Committee has given itself a four-week deadline to decide whether to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games set for this summer or reduce the scale of events, amid the continuing Covid-19 pandemic crisis. It comes after IOC president…

Royal Cork Yacht Club's David O'Brien has been elected President of Irish Sailing taking over from Jack Roy at an AGM held last weekend. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the AGM was attended only by outgoing Roy and Chief Executive Harry Hermon…

A “squib” I was told when first shown one of these boats by its owner, is “an explosive boat. Several of them were riding nicely on the rippling water at Kinsale Marina that day two years ago when it was…

An Irish renewable energy company has partnered with French energy major Total to develop one of the world’s largest floating wind projects off the Welsh coast. Marine Renewables Industry Association (MRIA) chairman Peter Coyle has described the Simply Blue Energy…

More than 100 boats have now entered for the GP14 dinghy World Championships at Skerries Sailing Club scheduled from July 24-29.  The International GP14 Committee in conjunction with the Skerries SC Worlds Organising Committee says it is in 'constant communication over…

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that Albert Lock has been reopened to navigation following successful replacement of lock gates. In addition, the Jamestown Canal in Co Roscommon where the lock is located has…

During this Coronavirus crisis, the Quantum Sails Ireland and West Sails service loft in Galway will remain open behind closed doors and contactable by phone and online. Drop off or collection of sails can also be arranged. New sail production continues…

Royal Irish Yacht Club skipper Paul O’Higgins has won the Irish Sailing and Afloat.ie Sailor of the Year Award for his outstanding cruiser-racer season at an online awards ceremony tonight. Dublin Bay skipper O’Higgins was the first double-winner of the…

The Irish Coast Guard has vacancies for Watch Officers at its three Marine Rescue Coordination Centres in Dublin, Malin Head, Co Donegal and Valentia, Co Kerry. The IRCG provides a nationwide maritime emergency service as well as a variety of…

The potent Dun Laoghaire-based JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI may now have four very busy seasons – both inshore and offshore - in her sailing CV. But the years have not dulled her performance and competitiveness, and in 2019 she had…

The European Commission says it is revising EU state aid rules to provide temporary relief for fishing fleets and fish farmers who have been hard hit by the economic consequences of Covid-19 writes Lorna Siggins A “dramatic downturn” in the demand…