Scottish Waters
British Coastguard Engulfed in Controversy Over Decision To Drop Volunteer Payments
6th July 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
A controversy has erupted in the UK Coastguard over a decision to drop payments to volunteers involved in emergencies. As The Times UK reports, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) opted to strip volunteers of payments in response to a…
Howth Yacht Club's Peter Freyne and Tris Nelson claimed victory in the Classic & Vintage International 14 POW Cup Race at Largs after the fleet finally enjoyed racing following two weather-disrupted days. Old Meets New — A classic International 14…
Twenty-six Sea Cadets from across the UK will represent their country in this summer's Tall Ships Races aboard the sail training brig TS Royalist. With an average age of just 17, the crew will be among the youngest in the…
One of Shetland's best-known historic fishing vessels has returned to Dublin Bay, with the restored Maggie Helen currently lying at anchor in Scotsman's Bay off Sandycove. The 42ft wooden Zulu drifter, built in 1904 by Hay & Co. Ltd. at…
More than 90 young sailors from 22 clubs across Scotland gathered at Loch Lomond Sailing Club on 20–21 June for the 2026 RYA Scotland Pathway Championships. The two-day regatta brought together youth and junior racers from across the country to…
Perfect spring weather provided an ideal backdrop as Royal Highland Yacht Club members launched their 2026 sailing season with two popular gatherings on Scotland's west coast. The season opened with a Social Sailing Network cruise to the annual Mull Music…
Members of the Royal Highland Yacht Club gathered for a busy winter and spring programme ahead of the 2026 sailing season. Winterfest 2026 took place in Perthshire, with 30 members attending over the weekend at Murrayshall Country Estate. The event…
DFDS, the large Danish ferry company, is working on a new service between Rosyth, east Scotland, and Dunkirk in northern France. The proposed North Sea service, as Afloat previously reported, has since received a boost as a £3m funding pledge…
Scotland has increased its targets for offshore wind energy to up to 40GW of generating capacity by 2035 to 2040. This represents a significant increase on the target of 8GW to 11 GW by 2030, which had been identified in…
Long-serving Cramond Boat Club volunteer Andrew “Drew” Pratt has been recognised with an RYA Scotland Impact Award. The honour celebrates more than 40 years of service to sailing, training and community development on the Firth of Forth. Pratt has also…
A new strategy to grow Scotland’s marine tourism sector by a further £100 million by 2030 has been launched. The framework, titled Giant Opportunities (2026–2030), sets out a roadmap to expand the industry while supporting coastal communities and protecting marine…
UK water safety agencies have launched a new campaign urging recreational boaters to prepare thoroughly before the start of the boating season. HM Coastguard, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) are jointly promoting the…
For most sailing people, the nearest our sport gets to the Olympically-trendy ice sport of curling is when we race round the distinctive granite plug of Ailsa Craig in the mouth of the Firth of Clyde. For it’s The Craig…
Mariners are being advised that redevelopment works have begun at the ferry terminal on Great Cumbrae. The project includes the construction of a new slipway and land reclamation for terminal infrastructure. A rock armour revetment will support the reclaimed area.…
Scotland's First Minister Deems Cost of Much-Delayed New Ferry MV Glen Rosa ‘Unacceptable’
6th February 2026 Shipyards
Across the North Channel, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, MSP, has deemed the cost of the much-delayed newbuild CalMac ferry, the Glen Rosa, as ‘unacceptable.’ As IrelandLive reports, the 7,040-ton ferry under construction by the government-owned Ferguson Marine shipyard in…
Great Cumbrae Ferry Terminal Redevelopment Works Under Way
3rd February 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
Mariners are advised that redevelopment works are underway at the Ferry Terminal on Great Cumbrae, Scotland. The project includes the construction of a new slipway and land reclamation to support new terminal infrastructure. A new rock armour revetment will be…
