Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

An 'underwater kite' developed by a Swedish company could be a simple answer to harnessing the power of the sea, The Local reports. The Deep Green device looks like a toy kite with a turbine attached. But when tethered to…

Seaweed picking is just one example of many 'green' tourist breaks now available in Ireland, according to The Irish Times. Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa in West Cork offers a two-night 'seaweed experience' for those looking for a more responsible,…

Cork-based boat charter firm Whale of a Time has posted video on its YouTube channel of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) tagging a basking shark from its boat Mischief: Apart from whales, basking sharks are the largest species…

The Deparment of Transport's latest marine notice advises seafarers off the west coast to keep a lookout while a 3D seismic survey is conducted over the next three weeks. The vessel M/V Ramform Vanguard that will carry out the work…

Belfast Harbour's new corporate plan details investments worth £92m (€103m) in improving the port and supporting renewable energy. Handy Shpping Guide reports that the single biggest investment in the three-year-plan is a £40m (€44.7m) scheme for a logistics terminal to…

Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan is set to be quizzed over plans to deal with the toxic waste site on Haulbowline island in Cork Harbour, the Irish Examiner reports. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/cork-harbour-news/ As previously reported on Afloat.ie, two weeks ago the…

Waterford's business and tourism leaders have demanded "fair pricing" in the city during the Tall Ships Races this summer, The Irish Times reports. http://www.afloat.ie/sail/tall-ships/ Reports have circulated that local hotels and other businesses were planning to raise their prices for…

Three private islands off Ireland's west coast are now up for sale - with the cheapest being a snip at just €150,000. Irish Central reports that the three islands are currently offered via the website privateislandonline.com which aims at the…

Union leaders and seafarers have spoken out over the proposed closure of coastguard stations across the UK as a parliamentary committee begins its inquiry into the cutbacks. http://www.afloat.ie/safety/coastguard/ Northern Ireland's only full-time search and rescue centre at Bangor is one…

The body of a fisherman reported missing from a trawler at Castletownbere, Co Cork yesterday morning has been recovered. Local divers teamed with the Castletownbere Lifeboat and the Irish Coast Guard for a search that ended around 1.30pm when the…

The recent warm weather has attracted scores of basking sharks to feed in Irish waters weeks ahead of schedule, Metro reports. http://www.metro.co.uk/news/861530-basking-sharks-lured-to-uk-waters-early-by-warm-weather Video posted on YouTube by mackerel fishermen in Donegal Bay shows one of the sharks - the second…

On 21 May the Culwick Choral Society will present a very maritime-inspired evening of music at the National Concert Hall. The highlight of the show will be a performance of 'A Sea Symphony' by Ralph Vaughan Williams, with vocals provided…

Monaghan's Elaine 'Shooter' Alexander will soon begin her challenge to be come the first Northern Irish woman to circumnavigate the island of Ireland by kayak, the OutdoorNI Adventure Blog reports. http://www.afloat.ie/watersport/kayaking/ On 3 May she will set off from the…

Thousands of visitors are expected in the west Clare town of Miltown Malbay for the Cold Pro surf and music festival on the June bank holiday weekend. The Irish Examiner reports that Imelda May, Peter Hook (New Order) and Jamie…

Leitrim Guardian Person of the Year Brendan Harvey was on hand to launch Lough Rynn's new Wheelyboat last weekend, the Leitrim Observer reports. http://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/local/launch_of_wheelyboat_makes_stunning_lough_rynn_more_accessible_1_2612296 The boat is specially designed to meet the needs of people with disabilities in the area,…

Coastguards at Holyhead engaged in a frantic but fruitless search on Saturday after a distress call that was tracked to a stolen radio. Motorboat & Yachting reports that the north Wales rescue team picked up the automated distress call at…

Irish Water Safety (IWS) has launched a new TV awareness campaign to highlight best practice whether in, on or around water in an effort to cut the number of tragic drownings on our coasts and waterways. "Ireland is blessed with…

An Irishwoman who drowned while scuba diving in the Whitsunday Islands in Australia has been named, the Irish Examiner reports. Elaine Morrow, 23, from Ballintra in Co Donegal, had been on a three-day beginners diving course in the island chain,…

The director of the Irish Coast Guard has outlined the thinking behind its recent €500m deal for helicopter search and rescue services. Chris Reynolds told Rotorhub that a simplified model based on key critera was adopted when choosing a bigger…

The Department of Transport's latest marine notice reminds all bodies and individuals who have dealings with the department that it has now been renamed as the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. As a result of this, all departmental e-mail…