Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

A new fast ferry for the Aran islands was unloaded in an operation lasting several hours in Galway Bay on Friday. The new 40m (131ft) vessel, costing several million euro, was built in Hong Kong. It will be operated by…

When the funeral of Galway fishermen Martin and Tom Oliver left Claddagh church yesterday, the silence among hundreds of people lining the route was broken only by the roar of the river Corrib and the gentle sound of wind in…

A new children’s book focusing on the local history and mythology of the North West Connemara region has been launched this week in Co Galway. And a portion of the proceeds is being donated to the Clifden RNLI lifeboats for…

In an update from the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Rowing has qualified a record number of boats for the 2021 Olympics, with four boats heading to Tokyo, and still a good chance to get one or two more in the final…

The Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) say in an update that Irish athletes across most sports are still on the qualification journey for the Tokyo Olympic Games which now take place next year from 23 July to 8 August 2021.…

The Minister for Transport has today announced the publication of an important report by the Irish Maritime Development’s Office (IMDO) which reassesses Ireland’s Maritime Connectivity and concludes that there is sufficient capacity on existing continental services to accommodate displaced landbridge…

2020 has been a big year for Zodiac RIBs and its Irish agent MGM Boats. The year started with a big challenge; launching the Medline 9 in the middle of the COVID crisis.  Zodiac says its multiplied by five the…

When glassfibre boat construction started becoming mainstream, there were those who said it would never last as a manufacturing trend, for in those days plastic and longevity somehow weren't associated concepts. But then, as the builders overcame problems such as…

The deployment of an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) sub-surface installation by University College Dublin, which was scheduled to take place between 15 - 21 October 2020 as Afloat previously reported, will now take place on 7 November 2020. The…

In 1985, Jeanneau launched the Leader 850, the first unit of a new line and a new market segment: the 'Express motor yacht'. 35 years and 10,000 units later, the Leader Line continue to attract customers with boats offering high…

This weekend will see Canoe Slalom athletes compete behind closed doors at a World Cup race in Pau, France, where London 2012 Olympian Hannah Craig, and Tokyo 2021 confirmed Olympian Liam Jegou will both be racing for Ireland. After the…

Two surfers in west Donegal recently made a remarkable discovery in the form of a time capsule from a Russian polar expedition. As RTÉ News reports, Conor McClory and Sophie Curran initially believed the metal canister they found on the…

Ireland’s internationally important seabed mapping project has been profiled in The Irish Times as it enters the final years of its mission to fully chart the nation’s marine territory. INFOMAR, a joint initiative of the Marine Institute and Geological Survey…

After the disappointment of being forced to cancel its hosting of the Dragon Gold Cup due to coronavirus restrictions, Kinsale Yacht Club has expressed delight at being awarded the event again in 2024. Dragons recently returned to the waters at…

Improving stocks of wild salmon and trout in the West of Ireland in the goal of a new initiative launched by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Derek Evans writes in The Irish Times about IFI’s partnership with Co Galway angling federation…

The Vendée Globe will likely see a new record time set in the edition which starts this Sunday 8 November, with Hugo Boss skipper Alex Thomson suggesting a finish “between 59 and 70 days depending on the weather”. Such a…

Increasing the value and sustainability of aquaculture will be the focus of ASTRAL, a new EU funded research project, that involves the Marine Institute and partners across the Atlantic. Ireland’s aquaculture sector produces 38,000 tonnes annually, providing a valuable food…

Two researchers from Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) are among leaders of a €10.4 million project to assess the significance of marine resource exploitation over the past 2,000 years. Archaeology, history and environmental science experts will collaborate in the “4-Oceans” project,…

Green Rebel Marine, the Cork-based business established to service the future needs of offshore wind farms, has announced a new strategic partnership with Fisheries Liaisons Ltd. The partnership is seen as being a key factor in communicating with the wider…

While this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart has been given the go-ahead after lengthy consultation, at least two big names won’t be joining the 100-strong fleet next month. Sailing Anarchy reports that the legendary 100-footer Wild Oats XI will remain in…