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Irish Cruising News. Sailing, Offshore, Ocean and Bluewater
Lead-acid and lithium LiFePO4 batteries shown side by side for comparison
The UK's Cruising Association (CA) and Inland Waterways Association (IWA) have published new practical guidance for boat owners considering installing lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄ or LFP) service batteries. The two organisations warn that switching from conventional lead-acid batteries to LFP…
Frank Cassidy's Ocean Blue entering Dún Laoghaire Harbour after a 2,500-mile voyage home from the Canary Islands
Dún Laoghaire sailor Frank Cassidy has completed a 2,500-mile homecoming voyage from the Canary Islands aboard his Pacific Seacraft 40 Ocean Blue, bringing to a close a three-and-a-half-year Atlantic island odyssey covering almost 10,000 miles. The National Yacht Club's Cassidy…
Irish cruising yacht under sail on the Irish coast
Irish Sailing is inviting southern cruising skippers to help identify the obstacles facing coastal cruising in Ireland at a meeting in Crosshaven later this month. The Irish Sailing Cruising and Representation Policy Group (IS CRPG) will hold the meeting at…
West Coast Challenge — RHYC yacht Celerity competes during West Highland Week, where Royal Highland Yacht Club crews recorded several strong class results in this year's regatta.
The Royal Highland Yacht Club (RHYC) has reflected on a busy summer programme, with its annual Mid-Summer Muster, West Highland Week, and the arrival of the Clipper Round the World Race fleet all contributing to a successful season. The club's…
French yacht ROZAVEL, a Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, whose skipper requested overnight shelter at Rosslare Europort after a rough crossing from the Isles of Scilly
A French yachtsman's account of being unable to enter Rosslare Europort after a difficult crossing from the Isles of Scilly has prompted the port to explain how requests for temporary shelter from recreational craft are handled. Francis Aubertin, skipper of…
Island Escape — ARC Baltic yachts gather in a sheltered anchorage in Sweden's Stockholm Archipelago, where crews enjoyed traditional Scandinavian cruising at the close of the World Cruising Club rally.
The ARC Baltic rally has returned after a six-year absence, with a fleet of cruising yachts completing a 1,000-nautical-mile voyage through some of northern Europe's best-known cruising grounds. Organised by the World Cruising Club, the rally began in Kiel, Germany,…
“Martin
The Irish Cruising Club – currently MG Motor “Sailing Club of the Year” under the active and imaginative leadership of Commodore Alan Markey – is approaching its Centenary in 2029 with the intriguing knowledge that many boats of the “First…
Pot Luck — Lobster pot marker buoys float in Dublin Bay. Irish Sailing is encouraging sailors to report sightings of poorly marked or hazardous fishing gear to help improve safety afloat. Photo: Afloat.ie
Irish Sailing has renewed its appeal for sailors to report sightings of floating or poorly marked fishing gear as part of an ongoing campaign to improve safety afloat. The governing body is asking racing, cruising and recreational sailors to report…
Atlantic Arrival — Mistral of Portsmouth arrives in Horta, Faial, after completing the 1,800-nautical-mile ARC Europe crossing from Bermuda. Crews are now enjoying the Azores stopover before sailing on to Portugal.
The first boats in the ARC Europe fleet have arrived in Faial, Azores, after completing a demanding 1,800-nautical-mile Atlantic crossing from Bermuda. The passage formed the second leg of the World Cruising Club's multi-stage rally and tested crews with a…
“Fresh
The new Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 415 is now in stock and on display in Dun Laoghaire. Designed for family cruising with an emphasis on performance and comfort, the latest model from MGM Boats builds on the proven hull design of…
Artist’s impression of a potential multi-modal transport interchange at Kent Station, including a light rail bridge across the River Lee
A voice from one of Europe’s biggest cruising industry networks has repeated his fears that Cork city could be cut off from its maritime heritage by the proposed Luas Cork project. The light rail scheme, which was first revealed in…
Family Legacy Susan Gray and Jennifer Hudson, daughters of noted sailing figure Toby Millar, are remembered for their lifelong contribution to Irish sailing afloat and ashore.
Afloat.ie regrets to record the deaths of senior sailing sisters Susan Gray and Jennifer Hudson of Dun Laoghaire. They were the daughters of Toby Millar, architect to the Bank of Ireland, who was a leading sailing figure in Howth in…
“Ocean
The ARC Europe 2026 fleet has departed Sint Maarten for Bermuda on the opening leg of this year’s transatlantic cruising rally. A total of 36 yachts and more than 170 sailors are taking part in the multi-stage event, which offers…
Ocean opening — Young sailors can gain long-distance passage experience through the OCC Youth Sponsorship Programme. Photo: OCC
The Ocean Cruising Club has opened applications for its Youth Sponsorship Programme, offering young sailors the chance to gain offshore experience. The scheme supports people aged 18 to 25 to join long-distance voyages of at least 1,000 nautical miles. Funding…
“The
The Irish sailing community may think of John Gore-Grimes of Howth, who has died at the age of 84 after a long and very fulfilled life, as primarily being one of our own. We think of him as a “sailing…
Global Finish Line – World ARC fleet arrives in Saint Lucia after a 26,000 nautical mile circumnavigation, celebrating 15 months at sea with a Parade of Sail and final gathering at Rodney Bay.
The World ARC 2025–26 fleet has completed its global circumnavigation cruise, arriving in Saint Lucia after a 15-month voyage. Sailors covered 26,000 nautical miles, visiting more than 25 destinations across 18 countries. A total of 35 boats took part, with…