Tom MacSweeney
Tom MacSweeney writes a column for Afloat.ie. He is former RTE Marine Correspondent/Presenter of Seascapes and has a monthly Seascapes Podcast on the Community Radio Network and Podcast services
The environmental organisation, Greenpeace, has issued a statement saying that activists on board its ship, Arctic Sunrise, have dropped boulders weighing several tons onto the seabed off the UK coast, in the Southern North Sea, which it describes as “the…
The chairman of the board of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG), Dr Patrick Hartigan, has said that a new research vessel is essential to meet the organisation's objectives of gathering data through citizen science. In the Group's 2025…
Europêche, the leading representative organisation for commercial fishing enterprises in the European Union, has called on the European Commission to include a targeted revision of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) in its 2027 Work Programme, expressing disappointment with the EU’s…
Both spinnaker and non-spinnaker (whitesail) divisions will be available in Royal Cork Yacht Club's November/December Winter League, which starts at Crosshaven on Sunday, 1 November. In recent years, the league has been whitesail-only. The change follows a poll of interested…
Drawing Lines on Maps Not Enough for Marine Protection – Fair Seas
29th October 2026 Marine Planning
The environmental organisation Fair Seas has responded to a European Court of Auditors special report about marine protected areas across the EU, with Ireland one of three countries selected for closer examination. “While the report found progress in France and…
The concept of converting former cruise ships into residences has become increasingly popular, but the experience of those who lived aboard Villa Vie Odyssey, which left Belfast Port two years ago, has shown that it can be financially difficult, with…
Ronan Kenneally leads Class 1 of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club's October League after three races, sailing his Laser 7 to third, second and first places for a total of six points. Ewen Barry and Sandy Rimmington are second in their…
The International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouses (IALA) has asked the Nautical Institute, the worldwide professional mariners’ organisation, to carry out a new survey of user feedback on how mariners “use and value” AtoN (Aids to Navigation)…
The Port of Cork Company's cruise liner season will end tomorrow (Friday) when the 16-deck MSC Virtuosa arrives at Cobh Cruise Terminal. It has capacity for 6,300 passengers and 1,700 crew and is a regular visitor to the port. The…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has reminded the fishing industry of the prohibition on trawling by vessels over 18 metres in length within six nautical miles of the Irish coast, which came into effect on 1 October. While described as…
New Challenges Facing Seafarers to be Examined at Cork Maritime Conference
5th October 2026 Ports & Shipping
The increasing number of new risks and challenges facing seafarers is causing considerable concern. Earlier this year, the World Maritime University published a new report, In Search of a Sea-Life Balance in an Adverse Environment. It shed light on the…
The Port of Cork Company (PoCC) has published its Annual Report for 2025, reporting higher cargo throughput, turnover, and profitability as it continues to invest in the infrastructure needed to support Ireland’s trade, connectivity, and energy transition. Total consolidated traffic…
The RNLI has revealed what its new Coastal Lifeboat will look like. In the Autumn edition of its Lifeboat magazine, it has published an image of what the boat will look like. “The nature of the RNLI’s lifesaving is changing,” it…
Judy Moynihan and Therese Loesberg claimed Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s September Dinghy League Class 1 after a close final race in Cork Harbour. The Laser II pairing secured overall victory with a final race win on Friday night, 25th of…
O’Connell Leads Tight Monkstown Bay Finale as Club Honours Youth
24th September 2026 Monkstown Bay Sailing Club
Davy O’Connell takes a one-point Class 1 lead into the final race of Monkstown Bay Sailing Club’s September league, as the Cork Harbour club also celebrates its young sailors’ success at the Optimist Connacht Championships. Davy O’Connell in his Laser…
Royal Cork Yacht Club’s Autumn League gets underway at Crosshaven this Sunday, September 27, with racing continuing each Sunday through October. The Autumn League starts at the Royal Cork in Crosshaven this Sunday, formerly known as the ‘October League’ but…
Schull in West Cork will celebrate its maritime history in the inaugural Schull Land & Sea Heritage Weekend at the end of this month on Saturday and Sunday, September 26/2. Announcing the details, Tim O’Connor of the organising group told…
“Making the leap to travel to international events with much bigger fleets and a higher standard allows sailors to hone their sailing and racing skills at another level,” says Bill Thullier of the 420 National Association in an analysis, along…
The Rankin ‘Worlds’ Championships were called off for the second time at the weekend as strong winds again prevented the Cork Harbour fleet from racing. The Cobh-built dinghies had been due to race on Saturday and Sunday from the Royal…
The Secretary-General of the United Nations maritime safety agency, the IMO (International Maritime Organisation), has issued a strong warning about the deterioration of maritime security worldwide. "From the Black Sea to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, this…
