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Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Historic departure – the ill-fated Titanic is manoeuvred out of her berth in Belfast Harbour on April 2nd 1912 to sail for Southampton and her maiden Transatlantic voyage, brought to a tragic end by an iceberg in mid-ocean just twelve days later
An ambitious project to retrieve the most famous marine radio in the world from 2.5 miles down in the Atlantic has finally secured legal approval. The saving of the Marconi radio which sent out the distress signals from the sinking…
Glenarm Marina
As well as Bangor Marina opening, also nearly back to normal is Carrickfergus across Belfast Lough, Glenarm on the Antrim Coast Road and the inland marina at Portglenone on the River Bann.  In a Notice to Mariners Harbour Master Billy…
Anglers can bow avail of permits for Loughs Agency fisheries as Northern Ireland’s Public Angling Estate reopens
As of yesterday (Tuesday 19 May), permits are available for Loughs Agency permit waters on the River Foyle, River Finn (approx six miles) and Greenbraes Fishery. DAERA has also opened, with limitations, the Public Angling Estate in Northern Ireland — which in…
RYANI Welcomes Executive Announcement Permitting Outdoor Activity
RYA Northern Ireland has today welcomed the NI Executive announcement permitting outdoor activity. The announcement paves the way for the boating community to return to the water, where social distancing and other parameters can be strictly adhered to. The guidance…
File image of a HM Coastguard rescue helicopter
Coastguard rescue teams around Great Britain and Northern Ireland were called to nearly 200 incidents over the weekend, to come to the aid of those who found themselves in difficulty in the sea or at the coast. The 194 incidents…
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough
A good news story tonight for berth holders in Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough. In a Notice to Mariners issued this evening (Monday 18th May), Harbour Master Kevin Baird has stated that it is planned to open Bangor Marina tomorrow,…
John Blair is the Alliance Party’s MLA for South Antrim
A South Antrim MLA says fisheries staff in Northern Ireland have not been given enough time to prepare for the safe return of angling in the region, as the Belfast Telegraph reports. Alliance’s John Blair was responding to the decision…
McIlwaine Wins RYA eSailing Northern Ireland championships
Luke McIlwaine from Newcastle Yacht Club in County Down was the winner of the Northern Ireland region eSailing Championships held yesterday. McIlwaine will now go on to represent the area at the finals on 30th May. Luke is a software…
Orca Killer Whales Spotted in Strangford Lough (VIDEO)
A pod of orcas or killer whales caused great excitement in Strangford Lough, County Down yesterday. As reported by BBC News NI, local skipper Richard Connor from Causeway Boats said that it may be unusual but not unheard of. It…
Bangor Marina staff prepare for reopening
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough may still be closed but Harbour Master Kevin Baird has given berth holders a very clear and concise set of guidance notes detailing what to expect when it reopens and indeed something to look forward…
Ballyholme Yacht Club
In response to the pathway to recovery strategy published by the NI Executive on 12th May, the Executive Committee at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough is planning a return to water-based activities. With the dinghy parks dormant and the…
A HM Coastguard Helicopter crew
With significant numbers of people expected to take to the water this weekend in England, HM Coastguard is asking everyone to take extra care in extraordinary times. Boating, swimming and other sea-based activities are now allowed once again in England…
2020 J-Cup Postponed Until September
In the light of recent UK Government announcements, it has become clear that the 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup will be postponed and not take place in July. The new date, confirmed by an amendment to the Notice of Race, will…
A Glimmer of Hope for a Return to Boating in Northern Ireland?
The RYA Northern Ireland has welcomed the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive in its Coronavirus recovery strategy published today, (12th May), which provides an outline of the approach that will be taken to any potential modifications going forward. RYANI…
The Coastworker is 19.5m long with two Caterpillar engines and has a maximum speed of 11 knots
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough may be closed but the Harbour is certainly not out of bounds to commercial traffic and the 120-ton displacement tug Coastworker arrived yesterday afternoon. She will tow the modular barge currently berthed alongside the commercial…
The plans for John & Adam Brennan’s new Redbay Stormforce 1450 as they were in March. But with a third eco-friendly centreline economy engine since added to the specification, the boat has now become the Redbay Stormforce 1650, 54ft long with an additional 0.5 metres of beam, and due for delivery in April 2021
Renowned hospitality specialist John Brennan of Dromquinna Manor and the Park Hotel in Kenmare in County Kerry is best known for his entertaining and informative “At Your Service” double act on television with his brother Francis. In it, the brothers…