Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

#BELFAST LOUGH - Inappropriate actions by the bridge teams of two vessels contributed to their collision in Belfast Lough earlier this year, according to the official report into the incident by the UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MIAB). BBC News…

#icra – A series of feeder races to Kerry for the 2013 Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) Nationals at Tralee Bay Sailing Club (TBSC) could swell numbers to 70 boats or higher for the Fenit event according to estimates coming…

#boatofthe year – The NUI Galway campaign sailing Martin Breen's Galway Reflex 38 yacht has been named ICRA's Boat of the Year. The prize was presented in Kilkenny this afternoon and applauded by a wide cross section of delegates at…

#CRUISE LINERS – In 2013 Cruise & Maritime Voyages are to charter Discovery (1971/20,216grt) for the UK cruising season to directly replace Ocean Countess, writes Jehan Ashmore. The charter of the 700 passenger Discovery from Voyages of Discovery will see…

#MARITIME TV PROGRAMMES - Footage from the rescue of the only survivor of the Tit Bonhomme tragedy in West Cork last January will feature in the first of a new series of Ireland's Search and Rescue tomorrow evening on RTÉ…

#COASTGUARD - Campaigners for the Clyde coastguard station in western Scotland have suffered a blow with the news that all calls are now being routed to Stornoway and Belfast as of last night. BBC News reports on a document leaked…

#FISHING - Marine scientists working in the Celtic Sea have discovered a natural refuge for the critically endangered flapper skate.   Many elasmobranchs (sharks, rays and skates) are highly vulnerable to over-fishing, but a new paper in the open access…

#icra – The Irish Cruiser Racing Association's (ICRA) annual conference today is in a place better known for its hurling prowess. But over the years Kilkenny has proven a popular venue for the meeting - ICRA has an understandable fondness…

#islandnation – Denying ships refuge when in trouble is a questionable policy... a sea watch tower in Dun Laoghaire... Two World Presidents from Ireland ... Angling is good this November and the people of Malin to Mizen, all in this…

#marinelitter – Marine litter is a serious threat to the coastal and marine environment. Marine habitats are contaminated with man-made garbage and other waste, posing growing environmental, economic, health and aesthetic problems. Marine litter is composed of up to 80…

#DALKEY ISLAND – St. Patrick's Church of Ireland, Dalkey will be the venue for the Dalkey Island Forum, on 24 November between 9:30am - 1:30pm. The forum will comprise of a panel of leading experts with presentations providing an overview…

#dbsc – In the two weeks of the DBSC Turkey Shoot sponsored by Viking Marine 28 non-sailors have participated as crew on some of the 70 competing boats. The initiative to get new people involved in the sport counts towards…

#NAVY– The Naval Service has detained a fishing vessel off the south-east coast over alleged breaches of fishing regulations, reports the Irish Examiner. The L.E. Emer (P21) detained the Irish-registered boat around 19 nautical miles from Mine Head in Co…

#icra – Top handicap cruisers from the popular sailing centres of Howth, Rush, Cork, Galway and Dublin Bay are in the running for ICRA's Boat of the Year award on Saturday and competition judges have already stated a 'special performance'…

#WATERFRONT PROPERTY - New to the market is an impressive two-bed townhouse adjacent to Galway Bay Sailing Club in Oranmore, which should appeal to anyone with dreams of sailing out west. As highlighted in the Galway Independent, 15 Renville Court…

#ATLANTIC SALMON - About 39% of salmon mortalities were attributable to the impact of sea lice on wild salmon fisheries, according to a new international study. The research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, involved experts from Inland…

#LECTURE – Captain Bligh is the topic of the next lecture organised by the Dublin Bay Old Gaffers Association, held in the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club, Dublin Port on 20 November. The illustrated talk (8pm) is to be presented…

#surfing – Surf regular on Afloat's homepage Al Mennie from Coleraine is back on the water again. Although from the angle we're watching this 50-foot waves does not look that impressive it's very clear from Mennie's reaction just how big…

#shipwrecks – In Dublin's Custom House today a stunning new book that showcases some of the more spectacular and important shipwrecks in Irish waters was unveiled. Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Jimmy Deenihan, TD together with Fergus O'Dowd…

#xyachts – X-Yachts is inviting all owners to the 2013 X Yachts Gold Cup, in Copenhagen from July 17-20 The 2013 X-Yachts Gold Cup will be hosted by the KDY (Royal Danish Yacht Club). The Gold Cup was last sailed…