The Irish Sea Offshore Racing Association (ISORA) has amended the course for Saturday morning's Dún Laoghaire–Pwllheli offshore race following the introduction of a temporary maritime exclusion zone off the Wicklow coast.
Revised Supplemental Sailing Instructions issued for the penultimate race of the 2026 ISORA season introduce an additional passing mark specifically to keep competing yachts clear of the restricted area.
The fleet must now pass the north-east corner of the restricted area to starboard, at 53°08.3753'N, 005°59.295'W, after passing the existing ISORA Dublin Bay Virtual Mark to port.
Security Operation Off Wicklow
The course alteration follows the Department of Transport's Marine Notice No. 42 of 2026, which establishes a temporary maritime exclusion zone and associated outer control area off Newcastle Beach, Co Wicklow.
The restrictions, as reported by Afloat, introduced at the request of An Garda Síochána in support of what is described as a "major security operation", take effect from Friday, August 28th and remain in place until September 2nd.
Entry to the Inner Exclusion Zone is prohibited unless specifically authorised by An Garda Síochána or another State agency involved in the operation.
Significantly for Saturday's offshore fleet, the coordinates selected by ISORA for its new passing mark correspond to point 003 at the north-east corner of the Inner Exclusion Zone.
The accompanying chart in the Marine Notice shows the inner restricted area extending offshore along a substantial section of the Wicklow coastline between the Greystones/Kilcoole area and waters south of Newcastle.
Outer Control Zone Extends Further Offshore
A much larger Outer Control Zone has also been established around the restricted area.
Non-commercial vessels entering that zone may be directed to remain clear or be diverted, while vessels wishing to enter are instructed to contact the Naval Service picket ship LÉ Samuel Beckett on VHF Channel 67.
The revised ISORA course therefore takes the fleet from Saturday's 08.00 start at the Dún Laoghaire Outfall Buoy, past the existing Dublin Bay Virtual Mark and then past the newly designated north-east corner of the restricted area before continuing towards the finish at Pwllheli.
The race remains approximately 75 miles and carries a 1.2 weighting in the ISORA championship.
As previously reported by Afloat, defending champion and current ISORA leader Pata Negra will sit out Saturday's penultimate offshore after completing the RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race in style.
Conditions at Saturday's 8 am start are forecast to be very light and wet, with a southerly to south-south-easterly breeze of only around 2–3 mph (2–3 knots), temperatures near 14°C and overcast skies. Rain is forecast around the start period, with the wind expected to swing north and gradually strengthen as the fleet progresses across the Irish Sea.
