Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Deep-water quay works have begun this week at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre in Co Galway, just weeks after the contractor was announced for the €30 million project. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the new Ros an Mhíl development…

It says everything about Anthony O’Leary’s long and successful involvement with sailing to affirm that he puts even more back into the sport than he takes from it. Already a well-established national and international winner when he became the youngest-ever…

It has taken a while for regular success in ocean rowing to come Ireland’s way, but 2022 saw a massive leap forward with Galway Bay’s Karen Weekes and Damien Browne each completing the crossing, Karen east-west in April, and Damien…

After hitting the speed bump of the doldrums, the five IMOCA yachts competing in The Ocean Race 2022-23 are now eating up the miles on the race south to Cape Town in Leg 2. Defying conventional wisdom that says ‘west is…

In four months time the European Sea Ports Organisation (ESPO) is gathering in Bremen,Germany for the 19th edition of its annual Conference during 1-2 June. The conference is the annual highlight of the European port industry and community as ESPO…

The managing director of the Isle of Man Steam Packet has discussed a problem found during sea trials of the Manx operator's new ferry built in a shipyard in Asia.  The Island will have to wait longer to see the newbuild…

For Los Angeles 2028, sailing will not be a part of the Paralympic Games and sailing bodies from around the world have reacted with disappointment at the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) decision not to reinstate sailing. In announcing their decision this week…

Personnel working for Irish Ferries Rosslare-Pembroke Dock route have expressed growing concerns as rumours circulate that the company is to pull out of the Wexford ferryport and abandon the Ireland-Wales service. The ferry division of the Irish Continental Group (ICG) has…

The Department of Defence is seeking tenders to recycle decommissioned Naval Service Vessels. Three were decommissioned at the same time last Summer - LÉ Eithne and two coastal patrol vessels LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. This was described at the…

When it comes to reducing the area of your headsail (HSA) as a way to improve your IRC rating, Barry Hayes from UK Sailmakers Ireland has the low down. you’ll learn how complicated while also straightforward the process can be…

A large stretch of ocean off the south west coast of Ireland has been added to a list of ‘Hope Spots’ by a global marine conservation movement. Mission Blue is led by legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle and now has…

For the 2023 RORC Caribbean 600, around 70 teams from 16 different countries are anticipated, and the inaugural RORC Nelson's Cup Series is projected to feature at least 12 boats. On February 14—Valentine's Day—the new season's racing excitement gets underway.…

X-Yachts is sponsoring this year’s ORC World Championships, which will be held from 4-12 August in Kiel, Germany. Only one month after the opening of the registration portal, 70 yachts from 12 nations registered in January in the three divisions…

The first and second legs of this year’s Irish Anglerfish and Megrim Survey (IAMS 2022) will be carried out from Saturday 11 February to Tuesday 7 March. Surveys will be conducted to the West, Southwest and South Coasts of Ireland…

Afloat.ie in association with Dubarry brings you a bi-monthly nautical crossword competition (No. 201). Win a pair of Dubarry Commodore X LT or Sailmaker X LT deck shoes! Complete the crossword below and add your details below and the first…

The Melges 15 dinghy, a new double-handed dinghy taking the US by storm, is due to launch in Europe this summer, with its first European fleet set for Dublin Bay. Leading the class launch is John Sheehy of the Royal Saint…

As January comes to a close, so does one chapter of Leg 2 of The Ocean Race 2022-23. The IMOCA fleet has burst into the southern hemisphere, crossing the equator overnight and escaping the calms of the doldrums. GUYOT environnement…

Caroline Bocquel has been named CEO of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland's Seafood Development Agency. Marine Minister McConalogue welcomed the selection of the new CEO and said, "I am delighted to announce that Caroline Bocquel has been named as BIM's…

The Ballycotton RNLI fundraising calendar 2023 kicks off in style with a ‘Wild West’ entertainment-filled evening at the Blackbird, Ballycotton on Friday 3rd February from 7.30 pm until late. Dust off your cowboy hat and pull on your dancing boots…

149 days ago, on Sept 4th 2022, 15 men and one woman set out from Les Sables d’Olonne. Their dreams and aspirations were to circumnavigate solo in the extreme Golden Globe Race. In 1968, nine set out on the first…