#ISLAND NEWS - The Irish Times reports that pontoons are to be installed at Portmagee in Co Kerry to provide easier access to ferry services for Skellig Michael. http://afloat.ie/resources/island-news http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/ferry-news Some 10,000 people visit the Unesco world heritage site every…

#WEATHER - Met Éireann has issued a weather warning for the Irish Sea for the next 24 hours due to expected gale force westery winds. http://www.afloat.ie/resources/weather http://www.afloat.ie/resources/weather A small craft warning has also been issued, with west to southwest winds…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Some 14 Marine Conservation Zones in the Irish Sea are among the network of planned marine wildlife sanctuaries around the UK that has been postponed. http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/item/16797-proposals-unveiled-for-marine-conservation-zones-in-england-and-wales The Liverpool Echo reports that the UK Department for the…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Last Tuesday heralded an incredible eight whale sighting reports off the Waterford coast, according to the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ Sightings co-ordinator Pádraig Whooley writes that most of the sightings have been confirmed to…

#JOBS – 250 jobs could be created over a three year period across five key maritime areas in Killybegs according to a report launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney TD, Minister Coveney set up…

#COASTAL NOTES - A new book detailing the "colourful history" of Helen's Bay and Crawfordsburn in north Down has been launched, the News Letter reports. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/coastal-notes Twixt Bay & Burn features a number of rare photographs among interesting and little-known…

#ISLAND NEWS - Cork County Council has set up a working group to examine the future of the Dursey Island Cable Car. http://afloat.ie/resources/island-news http://afloat.ie/resources/island-news The group, established with the objective of securing the future sustainable operation of Ireland's only cable…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Conservationists in the UK have voiced their concern that Westminster will enact fewer than a quarter of the proposed Marine Conservation Zones in British waters. http://afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ The Press Association reports that some 127 such zones - including…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - "Until a mere couple of decades ago, virtually all we knew of the variety and distribution of the whales and dolphins around Ireland was judged from the catches of a short-lived Norwegian whaling station in north Co…

New developments in Ireland's capacity to uncover its past and explore its future economic potential will be revealed today and tomorrow (16th and 17th November) at a seminar on underwater mapping at the Marine Institute in Galway. Map of the…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - A stranded dolphin was rescued at Duncannon on Monday last week, the New Ross Standard reports. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ http://afloat.ie/safety/rescue http://www.newrossstandard.ie/news/lifeboat-saves-dolphin-2935153.html After being spotted by a member of Fethard-on-Sea RNLI, the dolphin was aided by the lifeboat crew, with…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - The Evening Herald has highlighted the work of a new union of wildlife protection groups which is training volunteers to act the event of serious environmental threats to Ireland's sea bird population. http://www.afloat.ie/port-news/marine-wildlife/ http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/saving-sea-birds-from-spills-2933117.html Wildlife rescue volunteer…

#MARINE WILDLIFE - Seal pups Rebecca and Emma had a curious audience of tourists at Malahide Castle earlier this month as they prepared for their relocation to Dingle, where they will be cared for by Irish Seal Sanctuary (ISS) volunteers.…

#AQUATIC TOURISM - Charter yacht trip firm GoSailing.ie is weathering the recession, as the Sunday Business Post reports. http://afloat.ie/resources/business/aquatic-tourism http://www.businesspost.ie/ The venture - which provides daily and corporate yacht excursions since setting up in 2000 - reacted to a shortfall…

#AQUATIC TOURISM - Scotland looks to Ireland for inspiration in growing its sailing tourism industry, a new report shows. http://www.afloat.ie/resources/business/aquatic-tourism Tourism Intelligence Scotland's comprehensive Sailing Tourism in Scotland guide outlines opportunities for businesses already involved in sailing, as well as…

#MARINE RESCUE EXERCISE-By coincidence two separate emergency exercise practise drills took place yesterday off Dalkey Island, the first involved a 12,921dwt tanker in broad daylight while the second exercise involved lifeboats under pitch-dark conditions, writes Jehan Ashmore. The tanker Cumbrian…