Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine

The 13th edition of the RORC Caribbean 600 is scheduled to start off Fort Charlotte, Antigua on Monday 22nd February 2021. “The RORC Flag Officers meet regularly and since July the overall commitment from the Club has been to provide…

Local residents have been disturbed by the discovery of decapitated seals on a Co Kerry beach, as the Irish Examiner reports. Speaking to Kerry Today on Radio Kerry, a local woman described coming upon the grisly scene on Banna beach…

Day 16: Charlie Dalin, Vendée Globe leader since yesterday morning, confirmed that he is in full ‘inshore mode, fighting for every metre I can gain,’ as he tries to break through to the southern ocean low-pressure train which should finally…

Celebrity Chef "Fish Fight" Campaign's Unintended Consequence - An Increase in Fish Quotas
24th November 2020 Fishing
A well-intentioned campaign by a celebrity chef to reduce dumping of unwanted fish in European waters has led to an increase in fishing quotas, according to new research. The “unintended impact” of the European ban on discarding fish may lead…

The UK's Ocean Youth Trust South announces the appointment of Holly Vint as staff skipper for the charity’s sail training vessel Prolific. Holly is taking over from Peta Koczy who, after four years with OYT South, is moving on to…

'Light Up, Light Up'; Bangor Marina's Call to Boat Owners
24th November 2020 Northern Ireland Waters
Bangor's favourite band, Snow Patrol, are well known for the lines in their hit 'Run' - Light up, Light up. And that's what, in this year of endless restrictions, Kevin Baird Manager of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough, would like…

Vendee Globe Record Possibilities Challenged by South Atlantic's Cussed Moods
24th November 2020 Vendee Globe
Before the 33 boats went off from les Sables-d'Olonne on November 8th to start the Vendee Globe, there'd been much talk of the possibility of reducing Armel le Cleac'h's notable record of 74 days established in the 2016-2017 event. It…

A new ferry terminal along with a promenade both multi-million pound projects funded by the Isle of Man government are facing further delays, reports BBC News. The terminal in Liverpool, which was originally scheduled to be completed in December, is now…

The charity responsible for promoting and preserving Belfast’s maritime heritage, Titanic Foundation Ltd is to be known now as Maritime Belfast Trust. The newly-named trust according to The Irish News, will broaden its remit to help deliver Belfast’s waterfront as…

Howth's November Sunshine Plays Tricks with Aoife Hopkins Laser Coaching Course
24th November 2020 Laser
November sunshine plays tricks with how we see things. Maybe it's because it's so rare. But at the weekend at Howth – with just a month to go to the shortest day of the year – a special coaching course…

"Mayhem" at Holyhead port is what hauliers have claimed there will be when the Brexit transition period ends. The north Wales ferryport is the second biggest "roll-on roll-off" port in the UK after Dover, carrying 1,200 lorries and trailers a…

Thinking Inside the Box is Theme of New Ilen Marine School Project in Limerick
24th November 2020 Ilen
The restored 1926-built 56ft Limerick trading ketch Ilen's project of education through action and involvement continues to be developed with the Ilen Marine School's Community and Cargo 2020-21 Programme. Transportation of cargo to coastal communities was the original purpose of…

Thomson Back in the Vendee Globe Race After Repairs, Charlie Dalin Leads
24th November 2020 Vendee Globe
On a sequence of gybes stepping downwind underneath the Saint Helena high-pressure system in the South Atlantic, Charlie Dalin (Apivia) became the new leader of the Vendée Globe yesterday. He outmanoeuvred his close rival Thomas Ruyant (LinkedOut) and went on…

New Investment in Connemara Seaweed Plant as Covid 19 Benefits Harvesting
24th November 2020 Aquaculture
Hand-harvesting seaweed on the Irish Atlantic coast experienced an unexpected boost due to Covid-19, according to Canadian-owned seaweed company Arramara Teo. Construction workers with coastal connections opted to supplement incomes on the shoreline, and there are now large quantities in…

Experienced open water swimmer Paddy McNamara has appealed to people to be mindful of sea safety after he rescued a young man from Galway Bay yesterday. McNamara pulled the man in his early twenties from the water after he got…

Sligo Bay RNLI’s volunteers were called to the rescue of four swimmers in difficulty off Rosses Point yesterday afternoon, Sunday 22 November. The four women, who were all seasoned swimmers, were caught in a swell when trying to get back…
Promoted

Viking Marine in Dun Laoghaire Harbour are offering 15% discount off its 2020 Helly Hansen and Crew clothing range. Large selection of Jackets, Mid-layers, fleeces and tops are included in the Black Friday Sale. Shop now for nationwide delivery or…

Ferry passengers of more than 400 people spent the night on board after it ran aground off the Finnish Åland Islands in the Baltic Sea. The Viking Grace became stranded close to the port of Mariehamn on Saturday. The Coastguard…

Richard Brydges-Beechey was one of those multi-talented people that the 19th Century produced in droves. Maybe they’d the time to be multi-talented because they didn’t have to spend time watching TV or using mobile phones or commuting or whatever, but…

Fifty-one Lives Saved in Near-Drowning Rescues Water Safety Ireland Honour Remarkable Rescuers
23rd November 2020 Rescue
Fifty-one lives were saved from drowning by rescuers who will receive recognition at Water Safety Ireland’s National Annual Awards Ceremony, broadcast online on Tuesday 24th November at 7 pm. The Minister for Rural & Community Development, Heather Humphreys will acknowledge…