Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RNLI lifeguards on Portrush West Strand came to the rescue of a swimmer caught in a rip current on Tuesday evening (7 July). At 5pm, senior lifeguards Annie Jagoe and Jack Devenney were alerted by a member of the public…
Larne RNLI rescued two people aboard a disabled fishing boat off the County Antrim coast on Sunday evening after the vessel suffered mechanical failure. The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat Machiko Nancy at 7.42 pm on 6 July at…
British Coastguard Engulfed in Controversy Over Decision To Drop Volunteer Payments
6th July 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
A controversy has erupted in the UK Coastguard over a decision to drop payments to volunteers involved in emergencies. As The Times UK reports, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) opted to strip volunteers of payments in response to a…
The Loughs Agency welcomed tens of thousands of people to Derry’s riverfront during the Foyle Maritime Festival at the end of June, delivering a packed programme for visitors of all ages. Activities included canoe races, paddle boarding, kayak tours, boat…
Twenty-six Sea Cadets from across the UK will represent their country in this summer's Tall Ships Races aboard the sail training brig TS Royalist. With an average age of just 17, the crew will be among the youngest in the…
A 15–20-knot southwesterly provided a fitting finale to Bangor Regatta 2026 as several championships went down to the final race on Belfast Lough. The four-day Royal Ulster Yacht Club regatta concluded on Sunday after a varied programme of windward-leeward and…
Stephen Penney successfully defended his Ruffian 23 National Championship title at Carrickfergus Sailing Club after four challenging races in widely contrasting conditions. A fleet of 16 boats contested the championship on June 26-27. Competitors included visitors from Mayo, Wicklow and…
Carrybridge RNLI volunteers were called out in the early hours of Thursday morning after an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) was activated on Upper Lough Erne. The inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards launched at 6.26 am at…
'Storm' Holds Narrow Bangor Regatta Lead Ahead of Fresh Weather Test
26th June 2026 Bangor Town Regatta
Another day of light but tactical racing on Belfast Lough has left several Bangor Regatta titles finely balanced on Belfast Lough heading into Saturday's forecast stronger winds. Race Officer Con Murphy completed the full programme in sunshine and a shifty…
Bangor Regatta Delivers Full Opening-Day Programme in Light Shifty Breeze
26th June 2026 Bangor Town Regatta
A light and shifting north-easterly breeze of 5–10 knots provided a tactical test on the opening day of Bangor Regatta 2026, but race officials completed the scheduled programme across a combined fleet of almost 50 boats. Race Officer Con Murphy…
The Galeón Andalucía has arrived in Derry for the first time as part of its 2026 European tour. The 55-metre replica Spanish galleon is berthed at Meadowbank Quay and will be open to visitors from June 24 to June 28…
Two sailors were rescued in separate overnight incidents off St John’s Point after getting into difficulty in challenging conditions. Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI launched shortly before midnight on Friday after Belfast Coastguard received reports of a yacht aground and taking…
Kilkeel RNLI has entered a new chapter in its lifesaving history with the arrival of a Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat. The new vessel, Bobby Cameron, was officially declared a search-and-rescue asset by Belfast Coastguard at 7pm on Friday, 5 June. Within…
Bangor RNLI, on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland, has congratulated five of its volunteers who successful passed assessments at the station this week following a period of dedicated training in their station roles. Tom Bell passed out as a launch…
A body has been recovered in the search for a person missing after a fishing boat sank in Carlingford Lough on Tuesday afternoon (2 June), as BreakingNews.ie reports. A major multi-agency search and rescue operation was launched after the alarm…
Donaghadee RNLI volunteers rescued a man from the water in Donaghadee Harbour on Tuesday afternoon after reports he was struggling to stay afloat. The volunteer crew was paged at 3.46 pm on 2 June by HM Coastguard following a call…
