Belfast Lough

Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough is switching its electricity to a renewable source with immediate effect. Marina Manager Kevin Baird said the marina takes its responsibility to the environment seriously and is constantly looking at ways in which it can reduce…

The Maritime Mile is an initiative developed by Maritime Belfast Trust and is a curated experience that connects and celebrates Belfast's vibrant heritage waterfront. It was set up originally to deliver the Titanic Belfast Visitor attraction and now includes many…

Why Native Oysters Have Returned to Belfast Lough After a Century (Podcast)
21st January 2021 Wavelength Podcast
“Good news everyone”, the natives have returned...” It’s not your average title to a scientific paper, but this one has reason to celebrate - hailing the return of native oysters to Belfast Lough after a century. The paper by Bangor…

Peter Bullick is well known in sailing circles in Northern Ireland and has long been a familiar face associated with volunteering for the RNLI. He enjoys cruising to the west coast of Scotland and has ventured as far as St…

Coastguard Discovers Dolphin Washed Up on Crawfordsburn Beach, Belfast Lough
7th January 2021 Marine Wildlife
Last Wednesday (January 6th) Bangor Coastguard Team answered a report of a cetacean washed up on Crawfordsburn Beach on Belfast Lough. It was identified on social media as a Common Dolphin and it was suggested that the find should be…

Belfast Lough's Sailing History Given Added Insight by Regatta Portrayal of 1829
4th January 2021 Belfast Lough
The history of sailing in Belfast Lough became so hectic in the 1890s, with the pioneering development of One-design keelboat classes and the first of Thomas Lipton's five America's Cup challenges going forth from Royal Ulster Yacht Club in 1899,…

Marine scientists have been baffled by the unexpected return of wild oysters to Belfast Lough, as the Guardian reports. The threatened shellfish species was last recorded in the Northern Ireland lough in the late 1800s before overfishing destroyed the native population.…

Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough will host the British Topper Nationals, scheduled for early August next year, a few days after the World Championships in Cork Harbour. With the Irish Nationals in Northern Ireland at Strangford Lough Yacht Club in…

Cadet Sailing Event at Ballyholme Before New COVID Restrictions Begin in Northern Ireland
23rd December 2020 Belfast Lough
Thirty young sailors managed a final outing at Ballyholme yesterday (December 22nd) before Covid 19 restrictions would put paid to their activities at the Club for six weeks. And the event was blessed with a bright sunny day, albeit with…

Shipyard Owner of Harland & Wolff Working on Wind Farm Project to Build Vessels
23rd December 2020 Shipyards
Belfast shipyard Harland & Wolff now owned by InfraStrata, has signed a letter of intent to build two wind farm development vessels. The potential deal, writes BBC News, is being worked on with Triumph SubSea Services. InfraStrata said that once…

Ballyholme Yacht Club's Junior Icebreaker Sailors Get Racing on Belfast Lough
15th December 2020 Belfast Lough
Saturday 12th December saw an early Christmas present for Ballyholme Yacht Club junior sailors as racing returned for the first time since the end of the summer. A steady 10-12 knots from the West allowed a windward-leeward course to be…

Deep Sea Angler Ronald Surgenor Wins Marine Conservation Award
14th December 2020 Northern Ireland Waters
Ronald Surgenor is a Project Officer with the Ulster Wildlife Trust and has been awarded the Marsh Volunteer Award for Marine Conservation. As well as caring for nature reserves and peatlands, Ronald is a dedicated volunteer sea-angler for the shark…

Last week Jersey Coastguard was asked to go to the aid of a man dressed in red who reported that he had fallen out of his sleigh during a routine test flight and was stranded on a sandbank. Both RNLI…

A supervisory board has been appointed to oversee the Belfast Maritime Consortium’s project to develop revolutionary zero-emission ferries in the city. Earlier this year, the 13-partner syndicate, headed by Artemis Technologies, won a £33 million government innovation grant for the…

Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough – The First 50 Years Book is Published
26th November 2020 Belfast Lough
Eric and Barbara Mayne had been active sailing and committee members of Ballyholme Yacht Club for many years. Eric had been a past Hon Secretary and Commodore and Barbara held many and various positions on Committees. They undertook the mammoth…

Bangor's favourite band, Snow Patrol, are well known for the lines in their hit 'Run' - Light up, Light up. And that's what, in this year of endless restrictions, Kevin Baird Manager of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough, would like…