Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine

Sixteen Fireballs travelled to Dromineer last weekend to take advantage of a special pre-worlds coaching session at Lough Derg Yacht Club. The programme, organised by the Irish Fireball Association was delivered by top dinghy coach Thomas Chaix. Many travelled down…

The Chairman of IFA Aquaculture has called for more Government support to be given to fish farming. Fish farmers are members of IFA Aquaculture, part of the Irish Farmers’ Association. There have been lengthy delays over many years in the…

Seafarers numbering in tens of thousands must be paid an equivalent to the UK National Minimum Wage in a major step forward on pay protection, confirmed the British Government today (10 May). Following P&O Ferries’ decision to sack 800 workers,…

Dublin Bay sailor Guy O’Leary is back in the water and challenging himself again to swim a mile each day during the month of May in aid of cancer research. Each day of the MileADayInMay! swimming challenge will see Guy…

Thames Estuary: Masts to be Axed In Safety Bid from Explosive-Filled Shipwreck
10th May 2022 Historic Boats
On the Thames Estuary and hidden below the waves, reports BBC News, is one of London's most unlikely tourist destinations. We've travelled about 30 minutes, along with a handful of day trippers from Southend, into the estuary. Slowly, a set…

At the Port of Dover a second P&O ferry has passed its safety inspection, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has said. The Pride of Kent can now join the Spirit of Britain, which the MCA cleared to sail on…

Howth's Rocco Wright Tops Radials at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club 'Connaught' Laser Championships
10th May 2022 Laser
Eighty Laser/ILCA dinghies from twenty clubs around Ireland returned to the sunny South East venue of Dunmore East this past weekend for the 'Connaught' Championships at Waterford Harbour Sailing Club. Although the wind God didn’t deliver the usual breezy/wavy conditions…

Olympic Medallist and Volvo Ocean Race Winner Named North Sails UK General Manager
9th May 2022 Marine Trade
North Sails is excited to welcome world-renown sailor Ian Walker to their management team. Walker is a two-time Olympic medallist, an America's Cup veteran, and winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2014-15 as skipper of Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. He…

Are You the 'Passenger' Port taking the ESPO Award 2022 Home? Submit Your Project Before 8 July
9th May 2022 Ports & Shipping
This year's European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) Award on Social Integration of Ports focuses on the “Role of maritime passenger transport in enhancing the city connectivity and bringing added value to the local community”. Are you an ESPO (observer) member…
Promoted

The Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School in Dun Laoghaire Co.Dublin is expanding their office team with a new part-time position for the weekday mornings. The team is growing in line with increasing participation numbers and demand for sailing and…

Bundoran RNLI Brings Surfer in Difficulty at Rossnowlagh Beach to Safety
9th May 2022 RNLI Lifeboats
A surfer who got into difficulty at Rossnowlagh Beach yesterday afternoon (Sunday 8 May) was brought to safety by the volunteer crew of Bundoran RNLI. The alarm was raised by a passer-by on the beach shortly after 3 pm. The…

The business of the City of London is business. Thus last week's visit there by the Limerick trading ketch Ilen saw many boxes being ticked in an efficient style, including a clear affirmation that The Dey of Kilcoe takes precedence…

A vessel of P&O Ferries is being examined for a fourth time, after failing three inspections since the operator sacked nearly 800 seafarers. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said a team of surveyors are reinspecting the detained ferry Pride…

“People who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers,” are being asked to tell the Council if they think “existing designated bathing waters” should be maintained or new ones identified.” Local authorities must identify official bathing areas in their area every…

On arrival at the sea-front late on Saturday morning, one might have been forgiven for thinking that Keat’s Ode to Autumn was in vogue as a mist had descended on Dun Laoghaire to the extent that there was shore-side speculation…

Sixth Boyne Boat Race a Big Success as Inver Colpa Men Win Inaugural Cassidy Cup (Photo Gallery)
9th May 2022 Coastal Rowing
From 6.30 am on a damp and drizzly Sunday morning May 1st, 29 boats of all shapes and sizes started to arrive on Clogherhead Strand to prepare for the sixth Annual Boyne Boat Race, taking place later that morning writes Sarah…

Blessing of Boats at Kilrush as Royal Western Yacht Club Season Kicks Off on Shannon Estuary
9th May 2022 Shannon Estuary
The Royal Western Yacht Club of Ireland at Kilrush on the Shannon Estuary opened its sailing season with a ‘Splash & Sail’ day of celebration to launch the dinghy sailing fleet and club kayaks. The event was attended by many…

Howth Yacht Club's Successful Dawn Patrol For "Sailing Into Light" in Support of Pieta House
9th May 2022 Howth YC
There was much movement ashore and afloat pre-dawn on Saturday, with many groups and crowds all over Ireland gathering in preparation to mark the Pieta House-supporting "Darkness into Light" initiative. At HowthYC, the nautical version was "Sailing Into Light", and…

Former Army Ranger Henry O'Donnell Completes First Solo Finswim Around Ireland
8th May 2022 Sea Swim
Donegal-born former Army Ranger, lifeguard, diver and swim instructor Henry O’Donnell has become the first man to finswim around Ireland. The solo swimmer completed 1,569 kilometres, equivalent to 847 nautical miles, when he landed at Carrickfin beach in the Donegal…

Lend a Hand to Howth Yacht Club’s Rescue and Mark-Laying Team for the Wave Regatta
8th May 2022 Howth YC
If you’re looking for a different way to get involved with this summer’s Wave Regatta, Howth Yacht Club’s rescue and mark-laying team may have a spot for you. The team will be active across the various courses, laying marks and…