Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

RBC Brewin Dolphin proudly supporting Afloat and Irish Boating

Power From the Sea
Plans are being filed with An Coimisiún Pleanála (ACP) to dismantle and decommission the Arklow wind farm off the Wicklow coast. As RTÉ News reports, Arklow Energy Ltd is applying to dismantle and remove seven wind turbine generators and all…
Looking Offshore: EirGrid representatives survey the south coast as the grid operator opens consultation on infrastructure to connect future offshore wind generation
EirGrid has launched a 12-week public consultation on proposed electricity grid infrastructure in Cork and Wexford to connect future offshore wind generation off Ireland’s south coast. The consultation, which opened on Tuesday (15 September) and runs until 8 December, sets…
Future Afloat: Hydrogen-powered Energy Observer berthed at Crosshaven Boatyard in Cork Harbour last weekend during its latest European expedition. Photo: Robin Bateman
The pioneering hydrogen-powered catamaran Energy Observer made an eye-catching appearance in Cork Harbour last weekend, with the 30-metre experimental vessel berthed at Crosshaven Boatyard Marina. The French catamaran, which has already completed a round-the-world voyage powered by a combination of…
File image of the Marine Institute research vessel Tom Crean, which will be engaged in survey work for the DMAP from Friday 14 August
The Department of Transport has been notified by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) that they will undertake hydrographic and geophysical surveys in the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan (DMAP) to inform future offshore renewable energy…
Ready to Survey — Leask Marine's offshore support vessel C-Trojan alongside in Dún Laoghaire Harbour ahead of Codling Wind Park geotechnical investigations.
A specialist offshore support vessel that Afloat previously identified as the platform for the Codling Wind Park site investigations has arrived in Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The MV C-Trojan, operated by Orkney-based Leask Marine, was photographed alongside after making the journey…
Survey work will be conducted in the Celtic Sea off Co Waterford by the seismic vessel Ramform Vanguard
The Department of Transport has been advised that Helvick Head Offshore Wind Designated Activity Company (t/a Tonn Nua Offshore Wind Farm) intends to undertake a geophysical survey campaign of the Tonn Nua site off the coast of Co Waterford under…
Heavy Lift: Giant cranes dominate the Port of Cork's Ringaskiddy development, where Ireland's first offshore renewable energy deployment port is nearing completion as part of the State's offshore wind strategy. Photo: Afloat
Ireland's ports are set to play a pivotal role in delivering the country's offshore wind ambitions, according to Assistant Secretary for Maritime Transport at the Department of Transport, Eamonn Kelly. Writing in Eolas magazine, Kelly says port infrastructure is a…
File image of the offshore wind farm support vessel AMS Panther
The Department of Transport has been advised that a grab sample survey will be undertaken in the Irish Sea off the Wicklow and Wexford coast) to maintain an up-to-date understanding of sediment chemistry to facilitate the sustainable development of the…
Survey Area — Chart showing the location of the planned geotechnical investigation areas for the proposed Codling Wind Park off the Dublin and Wicklow coasts. Surveys are scheduled from 1 August to 5 September 2026, subject to weather and operational conditions.
Geotechnical site investigations for the proposed Codling Wind Park offshore renewable energy project will take place off the Dublin and Wicklow coasts from 1 August to 5 September 2026, subject to weather and operational conditions. The work, notified by Codling Wind…
Gateway Growth — Ireland's commercial ports remain central to national trade, international connectivity and future offshore renewable energy ambitions as Government seeks public input on a revised National Ports Policy.
The Government has launched an eight-week public consultation on a revised National Ports Policy designed to shape the future of Ireland's commercial port sector. Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for Ports Seán Canney announced…
Policy Focus — Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has called for guarantees that Irish waters, quotas and fishing opportunities will not be compromised in any future EU-Iceland fisheries negotiations.
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly has written to Taoiseach Micheál Martin and EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis seeking urgent clarification over reports that Iceland could be offered flexibility on fisheries rules if it resumes European Union accession talks. Mullooly said…
Middle Ground — Former Labour Relations Commission chief Kieran Mulvey has been appointed to mediate between Ireland's fishing and offshore renewable energy sectors
A Government mediator has been appointed to resolve an impasse between the commercial fishing and offshore renewable energy (ORE) sectors. As The Irish Times reports, Minister of State for Fisheries and Marine Timmy Dooley says the effort is “making progress”.…
Wind Power Picture — The new Europe Offshore Wind Projects map from La Tene Maps charts offshore wind developments from concept to operation, highlighting project activity and planning trends across European waters.
A new Europe Offshore Wind Projects map has been published by La Tene maps. The map was published as Wind Energy Ireland (WEI) also launched its offshore wind action plan which includes 18 recommendations. The new map, which is available…
Power Zones: Ireland’s draft South Coast DMAP identifies four proposed offshore renewable energy areas in the Celtic Sea as part of the State’s wider national maritime planning strategy.
Development of Ireland’s national designated maritime area plan (DMAP) is still “on track”, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment has confirmed. It expects the national D-Map to be adopted by the end of 2027, with offshore renewable energy…
Changing Harbours — Offshore energy support activity alongside leisure craft at Dún Laoghaire highlights the growing overlap between marine recreation, marina operations and offshore development.
The Irish Marine Federation (IMF) has raised concerns that parts of Ireland’s leisure marine and marina sector risk being overlooked within the evolving marine spatial planning process linked to offshore renewable energy development. In correspondence with the Department responsible for…
River Debate — Anglers fish the Galway canal system near the proposed hydropower project sites, as debate continues over the council’s WATERWAY renewable energy plans.
Galway City Council is holding workshops to seek the public’s views on its hydroelectricity project for the historic canal system. As Afloat has reported, the local authority has received funding under the European Urban Initiative (EUI) – Innovative Actions programme…