News Update
World's Largest Charity Hospital 'Mercy' Ship Sails to Africa in 2021 (Volunteers Required & Ashore)
25th October 2020 News Update
The World's largest and newest charity hospital ship operated by Mercy Ships announced plans to sail to Africa in late 2021 under the name of Global Mercy. Mercy Ships, a faith-based global organisation powered by charitable donors and volunteers, has…
Strong Irish Interest in Proposal that Sailing Has Done Enough to Return to Paralympic Games at Los Angeles 2028
7th October 2020 News Update
World Sailing President Kim Andersen has claimed that the sport is in a strong position to lobby for a return to the programme at the Paralympic Games in time for Los Angeles 2028. This rings many bells in Ireland, as…
RYA & British Marine: Boat Owners Left In Limbo By UK Government ‘Inaction’ On Brexit Customs & VAT Issues
2nd October 2020 News Update
British boaters face a choice between extra costs rising into four figures or seeing their vessels being stranded in the EU after the end of the Brexit transition period, unless the UK Government acts now. That was the warning in…
Texaco has launched a support for sport initiative which sets aside a fund of €130,000 for distribution to sports clubs on a twenty-six, county-by-county basis, with successful applicants receiving €5,000 each. At a time when many sports clubs may be…
‘World’s Largest Sloop’ Unveiled By Dutch Yacht Builder Royal Huisman
24th September 2020 News Update
Following the launch earlier this year of its biggest ever yacht, Dutch builder Royal Huisman has unveiled what’s being touted as the world’s largest sloop. Designed by Malcolm McKeon — who is also responsible for the BlackCat catamaran among others…
World Maritime Day "Lá Mara" to be Marked by Udaras na Gaeltachta Marine Webinar
23rd September 2020 News Update
Ireland’s “blue economy” and the opportunities for Gaeltacht communities will be debated at a marine “webinar” hosted by State agency Udarás na Gaeltachta on Thursday to mark world maritime day. Offshore renewable energy, standards for sustainable harvesting of both wild…
The next legs of the Mobility of Sediment Waves and Sand Banks in the Irish Sea (MOVE) Survey begin tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September, according to the latest Marine Notice from the Irish Maritime Administration. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the…
Sligo Yacht Club Awarded €33k in Fisheries Local Action Groups Grant Awards
21st September 2020 News Update
County Sligo was a big winner in the Fisheries Local Action Groups awards announced today with Sligo Yacht Club getting €33,465.00 to improve the facilities and Sligo County Council were awarded €32,396.84 for a Temporary Pontoon Project. On the East coast, Greystones Sailing Club got…
Sea Kayaking & Mountaineering Lawyer, Judge & Father Remembered by Spiddal Sailing Club with Annual John & Stephanie Hannan Award
21st September 2020 News Update
A special tribute has been paid to the late sea kayaker, mountaineer and circuit court judge John Hannan with a new annual trophy for sailors in An Spidéal, Co Galway. John Hannan, who died after an illness in Galway in…
Dublin Bay Weekend Sailing Events Await Guidance Over Looming Level 3 Restrictions
17th September 2020 News Update
Several Dun Laoghaire Harbour sailing events scheduled for Dublin Bay this weekend are awaiting Government guidance as Level 3 Covid-19 pandemic restrictions loom for the capital. Four events planned for the Bay may need to be reconfigured – or even…
Transatlantic Un-Crewed Ship? Why Not Ocean-Crossing Unmanned Nuclear Submarines?
16th September 2020 News Update
Today (Wednesday) in Plymouth in England, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is expected to have her official launch, though the word is she has been test floated in advance. If that's the case, it was a prudent move, for although un-manned…
Royal St. George's Marshall King Fighting to Defend J70 UK National Title on the Solent
13th September 2020 News Update
Dublin Bay and Greystones sailor Marshall King of the Royal St. George Yacht Club, who is the corinthian World Champion in the J70 class, has some work to do in the Class's British National Championships if he is to move…
Southampton's BOATS2020 & Ocean Village Show Cancelled Just Hours Before Opening Over City Council Fears
10th September 2020 News Update
At 6.34 pm this evening, Thursday 10 September, on the eve of opening day, British Marine received the devastating news from Southampton City Council that the BOATS2020 show could no longer go ahead due to the rising risk of COVID-19…
Wicklow Superyacht Designer Mark Mills Wins Another International Award
10th September 2020 Superyachts
County Wicklow-based international superyacht designer Mark Mills has scooped another major trophy at the stratospheric end of the global sailboat design spectrum. Back in April, he was an Afloat.ie "Sailor of the Month" awardee when his very advanced prototype Wally…
Formula 1's Lewis Hamilton Creates New Team in Extreme E Which is Converting Former 'RMS' Ship
8th September 2020 News Update
Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, reports BBC Top Gear, has announced the creation of a new team to compete in the inaugural season of Extreme E with a team called ‘X44’. Now, Hamilton you might be familiar with (six F1…
A call for applications has been launched for the latest three-year panel of radio surveyors. As with previous iterations, this panel will carry out statutory radio surveys on Irish seagoing vessels, including fishing vessels greater than 15m LOA, for compliance…