Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
![File image of East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough File image of East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000BpICxWOqx20/s/500/I0000BpICxWOqx20.jpg)
East Antrim Topper Sailor Among UK Youths Awarded Boats & Boards for 2022
29th December 2021 Youth Sailing
Topper racer Connie Wilson, who sails out of East Antrim Boat Club in Northern Ireland, is one of 14 young sailors across the UK who have been awarded their own boats and boards donated by the John Merricks Sailing Trust.…
![RYANI makes a special presentation to Bob Harper RYANI makes a special presentation to Bob Harper](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000_nmO5Kz3uQc/s/500/I0000_nmO5Kz3uQc.jpg)
Carrickfergus sailor Bob Harper has stepped down from his role of RYA Northern Ireland sailability coordinator. Harper took up the role in 2003 and over the last 18 years he has worked with clubs and centres across Northern Ireland as…
![Plastic guards were put in place to protect the mixed-species saplings on the River Roe Plastic guards were put in place to protect the mixed-species saplings on the River Roe](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000PUKQB53BE2k/s/500/I0000PUKQB53BE2k.jpg)
Between 2012 and 2014, each spring the Loughs Agency — in partnership with Woodland Trust and with the agreement of local landowners — planted 10,000 mixed-species native trees along both banks of the River Roe in Northern Ireland. This section…
![East Antrim Oppie winner Freddie Doig Christmas Regatta at East Antrim Oppie winner Freddie Doig with Commodore Lucy Whitford and Race Officer Richard Doig](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000v9nhvTWiWx0/s/767/I0000v9nhvTWiWx0.jpg)
Great Turnout for East Antrim Boat Club Christmas Regatta
28th December 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
A combination of rain, mist and flat calm meant a 30-minute postponement by Race Officer Richard Doig for the East Antrim Boat Club Christmas Regatta yesterday (27th). But that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 37 starters. As forecast, the…
![Air Ambulance NI in the skies above a HM Coastguard search and rescue vehicle Air Ambulance NI in the skies above a HM Coastguard search and rescue vehicle](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000A1YjtnX0Ei0/s/500/I0000A1YjtnX0Ei0.jpg)
Two open water swimmers who got into difficulty during their Christmas Day swim near Bangor in Northern Ireland have been praised for wearing kit that made it easier to find them. The pair were reported to be having problems in…
![Belfast Lough for the Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadets Christmas Regatta The wind was scarce on Belfast Lough for the Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadets Christmas Regatta](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000iS4ar36J698/s/767/I0000iS4ar36J698.jpg)
Persistence Pays off for Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadets at Christmas Regatta
24th December 2021 Belfast Lough
Great patience was required from the 44 youngsters competing in the 39 dinghies at the Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadet Christmas Regatta as wind was scarce on Belfast Lough. But persist they did in a variety of dinghies – Toppers, Picos,…
![Dave Nelson Icebreakers - Dave Nelson with Annabel and Emily Ridout 1st in the Feva](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000CYiIda1iK.A/s/635/I0000CYiIda1iK.A.jpg)
Gone are the days when sail racing was a summer sport and regattas only ran in the warmer months on Belfast Lough. Now even young sailors are afloat virtually all year. Forty-six entered Part One of the Junior Icebreaker series…
![Santa Claus returning to the mainland on the Rathlin Island Ferry Santa Claus returning to the mainland on the Rathlin Island Ferry](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00009byv5TfI4_k/s/500/I00009byv5TfI4_k.jpg)
Santa Takes Ferry Back From Rathlin Island as Red Bay Lifeboat Crew Are Diverted to Trawler Rescue
20th December 2021 RNLI Lifeboats
Santa Claus had to make his own way back from Rathlin Island yesterday afternoon (Sunday 19 December) after the volunteer lifeboat crew from Red Bay RNLI were diverted to go to the aid of a fishing trawler. The 25-metre trawler…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000GqqmkxkINOs/s/767/I0000GqqmkxkINOs.jpg)
Bangor Waterfront Project Envisages Development of Ballyholme Yacht Club as Watersports Centre
20th December 2021 Belfast Lough
Investment in a two-mile stretch of Bangor Waterfront on Belfast Lough is part of the recently announced £1billion Belfast City Deal funding. Plans already published for Bangor Waterfront aim to “reconnect the town with the sea through a range of…
![Hemlock Water-dropwort The Hemlock Water-dropwort, also known as Dead Man's Fingers, is a flowering plant in the carrot family](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000egcERuK63ZM/s/500/I0000egcERuK63ZM.jpg)
Council Advises Vigilance as Hemlock Water Dropwort Plant Washes up on Groomsport Beach
19th December 2021 Belfast Lough
Ards and North Down Council has warned the public that Hemlock Water Dropwort, also known as ‘Poisonous Parsnip’ has washed up on Groomsport beach where it was seen and reported by a member of the public. Groomsport is about two…
![File image of the River Bann at Coleraine File image of the River Bann at Coleraine](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000tgeUs6gnfWY/s/500/I0000tgeUs6gnfWY.jpg)
Stricter Standards Mean None of NI’s Rivers or Lakes Makes the Grade for Water Quality in 2021
12th December 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
None of Northern Ireland’s rivers, lakes or coastal waters has achieved a “good overall” status for water quality in a new report, as the Belfast Telegraph reports. The Water Framework Directive Statistics Report from NI’s Department for Agriculture, Environment and…
![GBR youth team The GBR youth team for the Oman World Sailing Championships](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000ZkEsa9HLU4A/s/767/I0000ZkEsa9HLU4A.jpg)
Sixteen of the UK's most promising young sailors are ready to take on the world’s best when they represent Great Britain at the Youth Sailing World Championships. The talented youngsters, all aged 18 or under, will represent the British Youth…
![Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat The Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat at Donaghadee Harbour](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00008xM1ROm0vU8/s/767/I00008xM1ROm0vU8.jpg)
Work Progresses on Historic Sir Samuel Kelly Lifeboat at Donaghadee Harbour
8th December 2021 Historic Boats
Take a walk from Donaghadee Harbour east towards the Commons on the North Down coast and you’ll see the 70-year-old Sir Samuel Kelly lifeboat in its purpose-built shed near the Harbour. Protected now from the elements, it is being restored…
![](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000siHIEQxN25k/s/767/I0000siHIEQxN25k.jpg)
Strangford Lough Ferry 'Carol Ship' to Create Magical Winter Atmosphere
30th November 2021 Northern Ireland Waters
It’s nearly two years since the Strangford Ferry was transformed into a Carol Ship in celebration of the Christmas Season, its last transformation being in December 2019 before Covid restrictions were imposed. There has been a ferry crossing the fast-flowing…
![Hannah Snellgrove, Daisy Collingridge and Matilda Nicholls Hannah Snellgrove, Daisy Collingridge and Matilda Nicholls - supported by British Sailing Team lead pathway coach James Gray](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I0000b3cUU8fynMM/s/500/I0000b3cUU8fynMM.jpg)
British Sailing Team Fields Three Entries at 2021 ILCA 6 World Championship
29th November 2021 Laser
As Afloat reported earlier, Ireland has two entries at the 2021 ILCA 6/Laser Radial World Championship while the British Sailing Team is fielding three – Hannah Snellgrove, Daisy Collingridge and Matilda Nicholls - supported by British Sailing Team lead pathway coach…
![Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat with the fishing vessel under tow Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat with the fishing vessel under tow](https://m.psecn.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00009IsuXIAjwIM/s/500/I00009IsuXIAjwIM.jpg)
Portrush RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard at 2.30pm yesterday afternoon (Tuesday 23 November) to reports of a fishing vessel in difficulty 800 metres east of the Barmouth. The 26ft vessel with two males on board was reported…