Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
The first in a series of short online courses at the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School takes place this evening (Thursday) from 7 pm. Chief instructor Kenneth Rumball will be presenting a review of preparing a yacht for cruising…
Royal Cork Hails Youth Members Pitching In With UK Sailmakers’ PPE-Making Efforts
7th May 2020 UK Sailmakers Ireland The Royal Cork Yacht Club has congratulated members of its U25 Academy who have been getting involved in UK Sailmakers Ireland’s recent PPE-making efforts. After closing its Crosshaven loft to customers in mid-March, UK Sailmakers Ireland last month took on…
On Clare Island is Padraig O’Malley's crocery and post office and what is also a wonderfully balmy, sunny day – with clear blue sky above and 7km of turquoise sea separating the island from the Mayo mainland. “It’s not getting…
Donaghadee RNLI volunteers launched their all-weather lifeboat yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 6 May) after reports of three kayakers in difficulty off Cloughey in Co Down. Following Covid-19 protocols, the volunteers of lifeboat Saxon made full speed to the location. However, en…
Port of Holyhead 'Vital' Say both Welsh & UK Governments - Question is When Will Money Sail In
7th May 2020 Ferry Following an initial fallout over the lack of funding for the Port of Holyhead and the vital ferry route to Ireland both Welsh and UK governments say they want to work together to secure its future. Last month the UK…
Yesterday, Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch at 1225 to reports of a person in the water clinging to a small craft at Greyabbey Bay on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Greyabbey is a small village about 11…
This year’s Shannon Boat Rally is the latest inland waterways event to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Hon Secretary Fiona Hoey made the announcement yesterday (Wednesday 6 May) in step with the guidelines of the National Public Health…
The death of Bruce Lyster of Dun Laoghaire at the age of 78 is the sad loss to the Irish sailing community - and our maritime world generally - of a multi-talented figure who combined exceptional abilities in the financial…
As preparations continue for the SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race's new start date on August 22nd, there is speculation that the postponement could play into the hands of the Irish offshore race with a larger than normal French entry as the…
RYA Northern Ireland Affirms Guiding Principles Supporting its Return to Boating Strategy
7th May 2020 RYA Northern Ireland As Northern Ireland sailors and boaters near the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive that will outline a blueprint for the easing of lockdown restrictions and Boris Johnson’s anticipated announcement this Sunday, the RYA is working on a range of…
EU Ombudsman Disappointed at Failure of EU Fisheries Ministers to Embrace Transparency
7th May 2020 Fishing EU Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly has expressed “regret” that EU fisheries ministers failed to adopt her office’s demand for more transparency in dealing out annual catches and quotas in EU waters. Ms O’Reilly’s comments follow the EU Council’s refusal to accept…
Cobh's Marshall Marine Textiles Produce 10,000 Gowns in COVID-19 PPE Fight
7th May 2020 North Sails Ireland Richard Marshall and his Cork Harbour company Marshall Marine Textiles are the Service Arm of North Sails Ireland. Richard has been at the forefront of PPE supplies to the HSE and is currently working flat out with his small Team in…
The Managing Director of one of the biggest fishermen’s co-operatives in the country has criticised French fishermen who have tried to impose a boycott on the sales of imported fish. The Scottish fishing industry has also made complaints. “They like…
With the Government announcement last week of the phased plan to relax restrictions, sailing can begin preparing for a resumption of sailing activity in accordance with the phases of that plan. The National Yacht Club has now cancelled its special…
World Sailing has appointed David Graham, a 20-year veteran in the sailing industry, as its new Chief Executive Officer starting 13 July 2020. Graham’s extensive and impressive career includes functions in sales, events, coaching and sponsorship, including CEO and Managing…
Irish Marine Federation Gives 'Cautious Thumbs-Up' to the Resumption of Recreational Boating
6th May 2020 Coronavirus and Boating The Irish Marine Federation has given a cautious thumbs-up to the resumption of recreational boating in line with the Government's COVID-19 Restrictions 'Roadmap'. In a statement, the IMF, the national organisation representing both commercial and leisure sectors of the marine industry in…
A surfing quartet got up close with a school of basking sharks off Co Clare at the weekend, as the Irish Examiner reports. The surfers had brought a GoPro camera to video their wave-riding exploits, which came in handy to…
X-Yachts Introduces New Way To Tour Pure X Range In ‘Virtual X-perience’
6th May 2020 X-Yachts GB & IRL Take a tour through X-Yachts’ Pure X Range via its ‘Virtual X-perience’ VR guides for the stylish X4⁹, the European Yacht of the Year winner X4⁰, and the X5⁶, the new performance cruiser scheduled to launch later this year. Using your computer,…
RNLI Plans Reduced Lifeguard Service This Summer due to Coronavirus Outbreak Challenges
6th May 2020 RNLI Lifeboats Despite the challenges of the coronavirus outbreak, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) hopes to provide a lifeguard service on around 30% of the beaches the charity usually covers this summer, if government guidance allows. The rollout of the normal…
Irish National Sailing School Keen to Grow Irish Yacht Charter Fleet at Dun Laoghaire Harbour
6th May 2020 INSS The Irish National Sailing School (INSS) at Dun Laoghaire Harbour is taking the next steps to get domestic yacht charter up and running in the east coast port. Following a survey launched earlier in April, the INSS believes that there’s…
