Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

A West Cork-based whale-watching tour business has ended its 2023 season early, blaming overfishing of sprat for the absence of the usual whale visitors to the South Coast. In a social media post on Monday (27 November), Cork Whale Watch…

Mersey Maritime's 9th Annual Industry Awards were hosted at the iconic Liverpool Cathedral, marking a significant highlight in the UK maritime sector’s calendar. More than over 550 distinguished guests (YouTube highlights) on 2nd November from across the United Kingdom and beyond…

The final day of the Carrigaline Court Frostbite league at Royal Cork Yacht Club looked like it could live up to its name on Saturday, Nov 25th, as a large anticyclone settled in over the south coast, leaving clear skies…

The annual general meeting of the Bantry Marine Activities Centre on Friday, December 8, is to hear the details of a feasibility report proposing a major maritime facility in the West Cork town. Known as ‘Bmac,’ the Bantry Marine Activities…

Explore the depths of Dublin Bay, from Killiney to Howth, in remarkable detail thanks to a new addition to INFOMAR’s Bluescale Map Series. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the collection when complete will comprise 18 high-resolution bathymetric maps highlighting the…

The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) sets out its strategic programme every three years and is currently preparing its Statement of Strategy for 2024–2026. This will focus on what the SFPA wants to achieve during this period to ensure effective regulation…

BJ Marine has confirmed a massive Beneteau display at boot Düsseldorf which takes place 20-28 January 2024. On the power stand will be a combination of the Swift Trawler, Gran Truismo, Antares and Flyer ranges. The Grand Trawler 62 will…

Sail Training Ireland has added to its 2024 tall ship voyages now available to book on its website, following last month’s openings for Transition Year/Gaisce adventures on the seas. Become a trainee crew member on board the tall ship Maybe…

It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of Brendan Connor of Howth, who was Howth Yacht Club’s most senior member, having joined what was then Howth Motor Yacht Club as a Junior Member in 1947. In…

Veteran sailor Dave O’Connell has been chosen as the Monkstown Bay Sailing Club Sailor of 2023. Having dominated Class 1 dinghy racing with several league wins during the season, he was given the award at the club's annual laying-up dinner.…

Winners of the National Historic Ships UK 2023 Photography Competition, Marsh Volunteer Awards, and Excellence in Maritime Conservation Award were revealed on Wednesday 22 November, during an Awards Ceremony filmed at The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith Docks, Edinburgh and…

Thursday 30th, November at midday local time (0800hrs UTC), more than 30 solo skippers on their IMOCA 60s will start the 3,500 nautical miles inaugural Rétour à La Base race from Martinique in the French Antilles across the Atlantic to…

Dave and James Dwyer were presented with the Royal Cork Yacht Club's Keelboat Racing Sailor of the Year Award at the Cork Harbour club's annual laying up supper at the weekend. The premier prize was one of 12 handed out…

Dublin Bay's Cian Guilfoyle and Donaghdee's Oisin McClelland aboard Aleph Racing have won the final round of the 2023 44Cup Calero Marinas in Lanzarote. The class act this week was Hugues Lepic's Aleph Racing, on which Louis Balcaen was stand-in helmsman. Under…

Pam Lee and Tiphaine Ragueneau, the Irish-French duo, who raced the Atlantic under the Cap pour elles initiative, crossed the finish line of the Transat Jacques Vabre Normandie Le Havre off Fort-de-France, Martinique on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon at…

For the fourth round of the Viking Marine-sponsored DMYC Frostbites at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, there were no surprises with the strength of the wind. From early in the week, the projected windspeed was in single figures, and there was little…

For the fourth instalment of the RS400 Winter Series on Belfast Lough the mood in the Royal North of Ireland boat park was less than cheery. Spells of rain and glassy conditions that morning led most sailors to believe that…

Over seven years after her death off the Clare coast, the inquest into the death of Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas resumes today in Kilmallock court, Co Limerick. The Sunday Independent reports that the full inquest is expected to…

RYA Scotland has welcomed Philippa Howie to the team as Communication and Engagement Officer. Howie has a longstanding passion for sports, including sailing through her involvement with the Cadets at Solway Yacht Club. Her wider interests led to an education…

Kilkenny Live reports that Graiguenamanagh Canoe Club has lodged plans to construct an accessible floating pontoon and disabled kayak launch at The Quay on the River Barrow. The application can be viewed on the Kilkenny County Council website and a…