Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

UK government rules out any new customs infrastructure at ports on either side of the Irish Sea to implement the post-Brexit Northern Ireland protocol. In a paper outlining how it will implement the protocol, which was agreed alongside the withdrawal…

Safehaven Marine has emerged from ‘lockdown’ with the launch of its new pilot boat for the Port of San Ciprian in Spain. The Cork-based performance boat specialists put production on pause at the end of March, following strict Government restrictions…

As well as Bangor Marina opening, also nearly back to normal is Carrickfergus across Belfast Lough, Glenarm on the Antrim Coast Road and the inland marina at Portglenone on the River Bann.  In a Notice to Mariners Harbour Master Billy…

A small oil terminal in Bantry Bay has become an unlikely magnet for US tankers searching for places to store crude as supply outstrips demand in the coronavirus pandemic. In the last month, as gCaptain reports via Bloomberg, the terminal…

A new hour-long documentary following the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) on a unique research expedition to the Arctic Circle is now available to rent and watch on demand. On The Trail Of The Humpback Whale tells the story…

Domestic coastal and marine tourism could help to “reboot” a sector which has been badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report by NUI Galway (NUIG) finds. “Marine-active” holidaymakers tend to stay longer and spend more than the average…

‘Cruising Scandinavia’ is the subject of this evening’s (Wednesday 20 May) online talk presented by Prof Andrew Curtain and hosted by the Royal Irish Yacht Club. The Nordic region provides a huge variety of sailing opportunities and a single presentation…

As of yesterday (Tuesday 19 May), permits are available for Loughs Agency permit waters on the River Foyle, River Finn (approx six miles) and Greenbraes Fishery. DAERA has also opened, with limitations, the Public Angling Estate in Northern Ireland — which in…

At Port Aleria on Clew Bay in Mayo, Alex and Daria Blackwell can see their Bowman 57 ketch Aleria when she’s on her moorings off their house. But at the moment, their minds are often elsewhere, as Daria is Vice…

The Aran islanders may have a ban on visitors, but they are already critically short of drinking water.  Irish Water and Galway County Council have introduced restrictions on water use lasting 17 hours a day on both the largest island…

The National Yacht Club re-opened its platform at Dun Laoghaire Harbour yesterday, for the purpose of preparing boats for Lift in on Saturday 30th May. The original annual lift-in date on April 11 was postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. The…

Portmagee Rowing Club was one of the first coastal rowing clubs in Ireland back on the water on Monday morning. The restrictions were lifted to allow single sculling to begin while using set precautions and observing distancing. Portmagee owns a…

The restored Limerick trading ketch Ilen may have already voyaged to Greenland in 2019, but this year the distinctive vessel – or at least a model of her – has also been seen sailing on the Rhine in Germany. For…

SSE Renewables has welcomes the publication today by the Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Damien English, T.D, and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, T.D. of those seven offshore renewable energy projects in the Irish…

RYA Northern Ireland has today welcomed the NI Executive announcement permitting outdoor activity. The announcement paves the way for the boating community to return to the water, where social distancing and other parameters can be strictly adhered to. The guidance…

“For the first time since1972 we must sadly announce that we are unable to run our Junior Sailing Course this year as planned,” Monkstown Bay Sailing Club announced this week. “After completing a risk assessment in line with Irish Sailing’s…

Seven offshore renewable energy projects have been designated as ‘Relevant Projects’ by the Ministers for Urban Development and Climate Action and approved for transition to the upcoming new marine planing regime. These are offshore wind projects that either applied for…

O’Sullivans Marine has reopened its doors on a phased basis, with some restrictions, following the first moves to reopen the country amid the Covid-19 situation. The Tralee firm, which supplies essential safety equipment to the marine industry, joined hardware stores…

Seafarers union the National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers (RMT) reacted (yesterday) with concern to the UK Government's £35m funding (reports The Loadstar) to support six ferry companies, including P&O Ferries operating critical freight routes during the Coronavirus…

Coastguard rescue teams around Great Britain and Northern Ireland were called to nearly 200 incidents over the weekend, to come to the aid of those who found themselves in difficulty in the sea or at the coast. The 194 incidents…