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Belfast Lough
The Swedish Challenge Women's and Youth America's Cup AC40 is craned into Belfast Lough for training purposes
If you were wondering why an AC40 was sailing in Belfast Lough in the last few days, here is the answer. About a week ago, the AC40 arrived in Belfast for the Swedish Women's and Youth America's Cup teams for…
The new Pilot Boat Hibernia underway on Belfast Lough
Belfast Harbour has announced the arrival of its latest pilot boat, the Hibernia, marking a significant investment of £1.5m in its marine fleet. The new vessel will be responsible for ferrying pilots to and from ships at the port, helping…
Members and guests of Cockle Island Boat Club at a Civic reception in Bangor City Hall marking their 50th anniversary
The Eagle Wing emigrant ship is reputed to have sailed from Groomsport on the south. shore of Belfast Lough in 1636 with 140 passengers and was the first attempt by Ulster-Scots folks to emigrate to America. At 140 tons, it…
The severity of the weather in the Irish Sea during Storm Isha was only a one notch away from being ‘hurricane force’ conditions according to the UK’s Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Above a weather map relating to the current Storm Jocelyn.
It was so stormy on the Irish Sea during Storm Isha that the shipping forecast had put the weather conditions just one notch away from being categorised as hurricane force, it has emerged. While on land, Storm Isha interrupted electricity…
Bill O'Hara racing as a Great Grand Master, finished eighth in the New Zealand National Laser championships in Napier
Bill O’Hara and Conrad Simpson from Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough are used to travelling far and wide to race their Lasers and in Bill’s case, to officiate at world events, but at the moment, they are both on…
Making a visit to Belfast Harbour today, the largest vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s HNLMS Karel Doorman, an auxiliary logistic support vessel was escorted into the port by a pair of tugs. The Dutch built ship is among several options the Irish Government is looking into as a basis to acquire a €200m newbuild Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service, enabling humanitarian missions overseas with medical facilities, etc. Above the naval visitor is seen as AFLOAT previously reported when calling to Cobh, Cork Harbour in 2021.
Of the news yesterday on the Irish Government’s plan to acquire a €200m Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service, is based upon options, among them a design similar to a Dutch Navy vessel which by coincidence was in the Irish…
The Belfast HUB-IN project with £120,000 in funding is to enhance, and preserve the Maritime Mile’s rich and unique heritage. The funding is part of a €7.9m European initiative that aims to transform historic urban areas through innovation and spread public benefits from urban regeneration. It’s funded by the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under a grant agreement.
Funding amounting to £120,000 has been awarded to six proposals from Belfast’s creative and digital businesses, artists and innovators to develop innovative visitor experiences to animate and enrich the city’s Maritime Mile and which over the year's has included a…
Ice forming in Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough in this week's cold spell
Bangor in County Down had a coating of snow and ice on Wednesday morning this week, and the Marina didn’t escape either. Temperatures are forecast to plummet as low as -8C over the coming days as Northern Ireland continues to…
Paul and Emma Prentice's Sigma 33 Squawk from Belfast Lough plans to compete in the 50th-anniversary edition of the Scottish Series on Loch Fyne in May
One hundred and ten and counting. The popular Scottish Series Regatta run by the Clyde Cruising Club out of Tarbert on Loch Fyne on the west coast of Scotland has, at the last count, 110 expressions of interest. The event…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Boxing Day Cheque for the RNLI:  (from left to right) John Bell (RNLI Helm), John Montgomery (RNLI Community Engagement Officer), Jo Rennie (BYC), Taqiq Qutteineh (BYC Club Captain), Barbara Polly (BYC), Stephen Polly (BYC Rear Commodore Sailing)
Bangor RNLI on Belfast Lough received a donation of £2,500 from the members of Ballyholme Yacht Club this Christmas. The funds were raised during the festive period over a series of events hosted by the club. The Christmas Prize Draw…
Frank McFarlane and Brian Conway from CSC negotiate some big gusts on Belfast Lough in the final race of the RS400 Frostie Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
The last Sunday of the RS400 Frostie Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club was raced on the 27th of December, and the excitement was building as it looked like it was going to be a big day, and…
Belfast based marine high-tech boat-builders, Artemis Technologies with its electric powered ‘flying’ craft, such as Afloat adds, ‘Pioneer of Belfast’ when underway in London at speed on the Thames. The company have secured £2m in funding from HSBC, UK to expand export markets.
Belfast based Artemis Technologies, which is a Northern Ireland company, is bringing its ‘flying’ electrical boats to international markets after receiving millions of pounds in backing. The financial development reports Belfast Telegraph, ushers in a new era for the city’s…
The new contract period for the operation of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough will run for 50.5 years from September 2024
It will be all change in the operation of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough from September 2024. This has been outsourced to a private operator since 1 April 2008, with the latest agreement expiring on 30 September 2024. An opportunity…
Belfast Harbour has begun work on a £3m project at City Quays Gardens, the above in an impression of the garden due to be completed in August, 2024. In the background is Belfast Harbour Commissioners' Office and the new City Quays 3 high rise office tower recently built.
A Belfast Harbour project costing £3m has commenced work on the City Quays Gardens, which is to be a vibrant new urban garden in the city and is expected to be completed by August 2024. The City Quays Gardens project…
13 boats were on the start line for the fourth day of the RS400 Winter Series on Belfast Lough
For the fourth instalment of the RS400 Winter Series on Belfast Lough the mood in the Royal North of Ireland boat park was less than cheery. Spells of rain and glassy conditions that morning led most sailors to believe that…
The 17-boat fleet prepares for a start on week three of the RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland YC on Belfast Lough
A cold and fresh westerly wind attracted a larger turnout for week three of the RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland YC on Belfast Lough. The lucky streak of glamour sailing conditions continued for another weekend. The forecasted…