Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

#GermanCorvetteCancels – A German Navy corvette due to make a four-day visit to Dun Laoghaire Harbour including as previously reported, scheduled public tours this weekend have been cancelled, writes Jehan Ashmore. According to the ships agent, the 1,850 tonne corvette…

#TankersOrder – d’Amico International Shipping S.A. (Borsa Italiana: DIS), an international marine transportation company based in Dublin operating in the product tanker market, has announced through operating subsidiary d’Amico Tankers Ltd Ireland for newbuild orders and sale of vessels. The…

#WorldMaritimeDay - Today is World Maritime Day and the theme for 2015 is “Maritime education and training”. World Maritime Day is been celebrated today at the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) headquarters in London, but other events and activities focusing on…

#Beckett2Med - Due to depart her base in Haulbowline, Co Cork, this morning, LÉ Samuel Beckett (P61) is to take over refugee rescue missions in the Mediterranean from LÉ Niamh. According to The Irish Examiner, it’s expected that she will…

With a strong following wind off the coast of Portugal, Ireland's sole entry in the Mini–Transat race made a gain overnight in his mid-fleet position. County Meath's Thomas Dolan lies 18th overall from 44 starters in the solo race and…

#Women&TheSea - Almost a month ago Afloat reported on the forthcoming Women and the Sea Symposium which is a ticketed event held this week on the Friday 25th and Saturday 26th September. In advance of the lecture (see more details…

#WinterBerths - With the winter mooring period for 2015-2016 fast approaching, what are the berthing options for Ireland's sailing and boating communities? Howth Yacht Club, for one, has got a head start on the competition with their comprehensive winter package,…

Anyone feeling a bit despondent about the future of Irish sailing, what with the disappointing weather for periods of the 2015 season, plus the lack of some really high profile international racing successes, would have had their sprits lifted mightily…

Ballyholme Yacht Club in Belfast Lough was chosen not just for its exemplary history of race management and churning out National Champions, and its excellent access to open waters with minimal tide, but also for its ease of access for…

A 10–metre catamaran type yacht that ran aground two miles north of Hook Head, in County Wexford, Ireland is believed to have drifted free from its moorings. Volunteer lifeboat crew launched yesterday morning following reports of the grounded cruiser. On arrival,…

#DaringDestroyer – One of the most modern high-tech UK naval destroyer's, the Type 45 HMS Dauntless (D33) is to make a first visit to Dublin Port this weekend, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat understands this will be the first ever visit…

Work has been carried out at the UK Government–funded search and rescue coordination centre to upgrade the technology and introduce new systems. This means Belfast CGOC will be connected to the National Maritime Operations Centre (NMOC) in Hampshire and other…

#Lifeguards - As RNLI lifeguards prepare to bring the 2015 season to a close this weekend in Northern Ireland, the charity that saves lives at sea has appealed to anyone planning a trip to the beach during the autumn and…

#RNLI - Wicklow RNLI's all-weather lifeboat slipped her moorings shortly before midday yesterday (Tuesday 22 September) to assist a fishing vessel with mechanical problems about nine miles offshore. The fishing vessel with four crew lost propulsion and was unable to…

It seems to me that, without dedicated volunteers, there would be a lot of work not done in the marine sphere, so I like when possible, to highlight what dedicated people are doing. Publicity can help them to raise funding…

The 2015 edition of the Grand Pavois La Rochelle, organised by the association Grand Pavois Organisation was a great hit as much for the many new products on show (more than 100 new boats exhibited out of the 750 present)…

#HSSberthRemoval - A planning application from Stena Line to remove its idle HSS fast-ferry berth in Dun Laoghaire Harbour, has been declared invalid due to failing to comply with articles in the planning procedures, writes Jehan Ashmore. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County…

An Irish Finn sailor is part of a new Olympic sailing team initiative set up by the International Finn class. The idea is to establish a multi-national sailing team promoting synergy, collaboration, fair play, tolerance and cultural diversity. The concept…

#BiggestBoxBoat - The title of the world’s largest container ship which recently transferred to UASC Barzan, saw the giant ship arrive at DP World London Gateway yesterday evening from the Dutch Port of Europoort. According to Ships Monthly, she unloaded…

#Surfing - A new surfing exchange programme for young people is promoting cultural relations between the UK and Ireland. As the Cornish Guardian reports, up to 15 local teenagers will be selected to take part in the Wave Project exchange…