Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

The Spring Series at Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough ran over three Sundays in April and attracted 12 cruiser racers. IRC winner after six races was the local boat, five points ahead of Stuart Cranston’s Ker 32 Hijacker…

Bangor RNLI was involved in the rescue of a woman who fell onto rocks when out for a walk yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23 April). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat at 3.49 pm following a request…

Some 30 swimmers took to the waters of Larne Lough on Saturday (22 April) in protest over plans to store half a billion cubic metres of natural gas under its bed, according to BBC News. As previously reported on Afloat.ie,…

Despite a dreary, dull wet, windy morning, Bangor Marina’s first-ever Nautical Car Boot Sale was a huge success, and it raised £150 for Bangor RNLI. A section of the Marina car park was filled with cars, tables, and even a…

Eight unsung heroes of sailing and boating have been recognised by RYA Northern Ireland at its annual awards. The awards, which were hosted by Denise Watson, took place at the Crowne Plaza in Belfast with more than 80 guests. This…

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that remedial works are planned for Corradillar Jetty on Upper Lough Erne on Friday 21 April and from next Monday 24 to Friday 28 April. Access to…

Whether it be football or sailing, the people of Larne in County Antrim have plenty to celebrate, for the football club won the Irish League Cup on 15th April and East Antrim Boat Club’s ILCA 6 sailor, Tom Coulter began…

Portrush RNLI hosted a special ceremony on Saturday (15 April) at the harbour when their new D class lifeboat was officially named The Ken Blair by Sylvia Blair. The lifeboat, funded by Sylvia in memory of her late husband, arrived…

Heading into the new season, recreational boaters in Great Britain are reminded of their responsibility to ensure they make the correct declaration when purchasing red diesel. The RYA announced in March 2021 that recreational boaters would retain the right to…

With two more day’s racing to go in the Junior Icebreaker Ballyholme Yacht Club in Belfast Lough, Emily McAfee looks invincible in the Topper 5.3 fleet, which inclement weather has considerably reduced from the original 22. In the Feva division,…

It’s over 300 miles from Belfast to Baltimore in County Cork, and for many Northern Ireland Laser enthusiasts, it was a worthwhile trip last weekend for the ILCA Munster Championships. Twelve sailors from East Antrim, Portrush and Coleraine in Co.Antrim,…

Donaghadee Sailing Club is hosting a Women on the Water festival starting on 20th May; tickets are on sale now. This event is an opportunity for beginners and women who may have been active before but are looking to gain…

The events in Ireland this week with President Joe Biden and others marking the 25th Anniversary of the signing of Good Friday Agreement in Belfast on 10th April 1998 are a reminder that, at exactly the same time just a…

Strangford Lough in East County Down is the largest sea lough in the British Isles, and last week the lough's bottlenose dolphins were joined by a Scottish visitor called Squiggle, previously known as Tyler from Moray Firth. The dolphin with…

Lifeguards from the RNLI return to beaches in Northern Ireland this week as the charity, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council and National Trust prepare and get ready for another busy season. From this Good Friday (7 April) through to…

Two more Northern Ireland yachts have joined the 50-strong fleet for Scotland's West Highland Yachting Week, which celebrates 75 years in 2023 and runs from 29th July till 4th August. East Antrim Boat Club's Hydrology and Artemis from Larne Lough…