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Belfast Lough
Topper Traveller Series at Ballyholme Yacht Club
In what is understood to be the first open event in Northern Ireland this year, 41 Toppers including two from Dublin Bay, raced at Ballyholme YC on Belfast Lough yesterday (22nd August) for what turned out to be a lively…
Multihull action on Belfast Lough
The last of three Irish Multihull events this year will be the Northerns at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough on 17th and 18th October. It also has the grand title of Weekend of Speed, rescheduled due to COVID 19.…
'Don't Rock The Boat' Sets Sail from Bangor Harbour
Twelve celebrities are taking part in the challenge of a lifetime, to row the entire length of Britain, in a brand new, epic adventure series called 'Don't Rock The Boat'. The 5 x 60-minute series will see 12 famous faces…
Minehunter HMS Ramsey arrives into Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough
The minehunter HMS Ramsey under the command of Lieutenant Commander Joel Roberts, arrived into Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough over last weekend on an exercise visit. The 53m vessel is moored alongside the Eisenhower Pier, so-called as before departing for the…
The Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies, has hosted a visit to the city by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, pictured centre at Belfast Harbour Commissioners Office with Joe O’Neill, CEO, Belfast Harbour, left, and Iain Percy OBE, CEO, Artemis Technologies. Representatives of the 13-partner syndicate met the minister to discuss their plans to develop zero emissions ferries in Belfast that will revolutionise the future of maritime transport. The project recently won a £33 million Strength in Places Fund grant from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a BEIS funded body
The Belfast Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies, has hosted a visit to the city by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP.  Representatives of the 13-partner syndicate met the…
Cyclists take in the Maritime Mile in Belfast Harbour with the backdop of H&W shipyard. Remember to practise social-distancing & stay 2 metres apart from those not in your household.
A new Maritime Mile Treasure Trail has been launched in Belfast Harbour bringing an exciting outdoor family experience aimed at encouraging locals and visitors to explore the city port's historic waterfront. The joint initiative is between the Titanic Foundation and…
A start for Laser dinghies at the 2020 Ballyholme Regatta on Belfast Lough
 Ballyholme Yacht Club‘s ‘Regatta’ last weekend went a long way in these ‘new normal’ times, to fulfil the usual criteria for a standard regatta, but minus the visitors and the usual socialising and tea and buns afterwards. It was a…
This special duck is ironically called ‘Goose’ after Tom Cruise’s wingman in the 1986 blockbuster, Topgun
Recently the Brompton inflatable goose featured in a story about open sea swimmers near Bangor on Belfast Lough. Now round the corner from Brompton, the Helen’s Baywatch swimmers have a real ‘Goose’ to swim with! The reddish-brown female eider duck…
This twitter photo was posted about one month after the first of Viking Cruises three ships (of a larger fleet) arrived in June at the famous Belfast shipyard. AFLOAT had tracked them also last month (see below) and as of today the cruiseships remain at the shipyard. Viking Sun is docked in Belfast Dry-Dock while berthed at the fit-out quay are Viking Sky astern of the final trio the Viking Sea.
Owner of Belfast's iconic Harland and Wolff shipyard, InfraStrata, is set to move forward with its plans to raise £9m. The company, reports InsiderMedia, first outlined its proposals in early July, with the motion having now been passed by shareholders.…
This year's Ballyholme Regatta will run with a change of format this weekend
Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough has taken a big step and will hold a two-day club regatta this weekend, (1st and 2nd August), for members only, but it will be an adapted ‘regatta’, run to the new normal within…
Robin Walker Minister of State (left) with Harbour Master Kevin Baird
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough had high profile visitors last week. Three naval ships, HMS Biter, HMS Charger and HMS Express docked at the marina. All are Archer class patrol and training vessels and attached to Universities in the North…
Belfast Lough Sailablity on the water
Belfast Lough Sailability was due to host the President’s Cup in August but sadly, due to COVID 19, this event has had to be postponed. This interprovincial regatta was Inaugurated by Paralympian John Twomey, promoted by Sailability Ireland and provides…
Topper training at Ballyholme Yacht Club
The Cadets at Ballyholme Yacht Club in Bangor Co Down on Belfast Lough are split into two sections; the beginners called Dolphins and those who have completed Stage 3 – Sharks. In order to reduce the numbers on the slipway…
A solid performance by Belfast Harbour in 2019 provides a strong platform to help drive NI’s economic recovery from Covid-19. AFLOAT adds above Arklow Accord (see Ports & Shipping, Nov.2019) is a newbuild which entered service earlier this year, is berthed at the port. The Irish flagged bulk orientated cargoship is the second of six 'A' series to be completed in a Dutch yard for Arklow Shipping
A sound financial performance is how Belfast Harbour has reported figures for 2019 and this in line with expectations of providing a strong platform from which to respond to challenges posed by the impact of Covid-19 on the local and…
Long distance traveller - the Mediterranean gull in Bangor Marina
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough in County Down welcomes visitors from far and wide, but this Mediterranean gull must be one of the most interesting, having travelled from Poland, Spain, and France before flying into Bangor. Berth holder, wildlife expert…
The Cruising Association of Ireland Crusie in Company takes in Carlingford Lough (above) in County Louth
It is just over three years since the Cruising Association of Ireland fleet visited Belfast Lough. And now another trip north is planned for the middle week of August. The CAI has managed to keep active through the COVID 19…