Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Defending champion Allie Blecher will lead the four-team battle for the 2026 Santa Maria Cup title after qualifying concluded in Annapolis, Maryland. Blecher and Team BAAM topped the standings following the completion of the double round-robin stage at the second…
Dún Laoghaire RNLI volunteers rescued six people during two incidents off the Dublin coast on Friday afternoon. The station's all-weather lifeboat, Anna Livia, was first launched at 3.35 pm to assist two adults and a child aboard a four-metre RIB…
The second leg of this weekend's ISORA Isle of Man double-header has been cancelled following a recommendation from the race safety team. Race Nine, scheduled to take the fleet from Douglas to Dún Laoghaire on Sunday, was called off after…
A select number of buoyancy aids made by Helly Hansen have been recalled by the company on safety grounds. A recall issue notice by Helly Hansen Ireland says that due to “product manufacturing failures”, the listed buoyancy aids do not…
Offshore islands and the Gaeltacht are among the areas that may apply for grants under the €20 million Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS). Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, launched the 2026-2027 ORIS while in…
"Mindful Steps By the Sea" - World Ocean Day Events with Galway Atlantaquaria
6th June 2026 Maritime Festivals
Galway Atlantaquaria is marking World Ocean Day with a series of “mindful steps by the sea” between June 8th and 13th “What the ocean teaches us” is the theme of the events, which are funded by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts…
Registration is open for the Inishbofin Summer School in Connemara, now in its 42nd year. Described as Ireland’s longest-running outdoor environmental school, the course from July 6th to 10th on Inishbofin is led by marine biologists Dr Noirín Burke and…
Tom Dolan's 2026 La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec campaign may have ended in disappointment, but it also reinforced why the Irish skipper remains one of the leading figures in offshore solo racing. The County Meath sailor's race contained all the…
Atlantic Oarswoman Karen Weekes Publishes Second Edition of Book On Her Extreme Adventure
6th June 2026 Book Review
Atlantic Ocean solo rower Dr.Karen Weekes has just published the second edition of her book on her voyage, after the success of her first run. The initial edition of Turbulent Waters–Coping in Extremes sold out in just six weeks. New Edition…
The interiors of the new locally built Mersey Ferry, Royal Daffodil, show glimpses of a sophisticated, contemporary lounge on the main deck near the attractive cruiser stern. The design of the lounge forms a versatile function space available for private…
Surfer, author and marine social scientist Dr Easkey Britton is the keynote speaker at an Irish Ocean Literacy Network (IOLN) community dialogue in Strandhill, Sligo, on June 12th. Entitled “Marine Identity: Atlantic horizons”, it is the second event under the…
In the secret world of sailing, we readily use terms like “One Ton Cup” and its offshoots in a way that assumes total awareness by the listener of its multiple meanings, thereby further excluding those who find the language of…
A confirmed case of plague in White-Clawed Crayfish has been confirmed on Dublin’s Camac River. In a post on LinkedIn, the National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDS) appeals to anglers and others to report any dead or dying crayfish to its…
As The Irish Times reports, Mr Martin suggested a possible referendum to increase the number of Government ministers, ensuring the creation of a full marine ministry and associated department. At the Fair Seas environmental umbrella group conference in Cork earlier…
Women At The Helm 2026 will return to Dún Laoghaire from 12-14 June, combining competitive sailing with discussions on leadership, resilience and performance. Held as part of the National Yacht Club Regatta weekend, the event is expected to attract its…
Sweden's Anna Östling and Martina Carlsson boosted their semi-final hopes with strong performances on day two of the 2026 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, Maryland. With the second round-robin stage now past the halfway mark, the battle for the top…
Sligo Bay RNLI’s Wild Atlantic Shanty Festival returns from 19 to 21 June, bringing three days of music, maritime heritage and community celebrations to the north-west coast. Now in its 16th year, the volunteer-led festival combines traditional sea shanties with…
With power hoses, shovels, and lots of elbow grease, members of Grainne Uaile Sub-Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit in Mayo have cleaned a public slipway that was at risk of a serious incident. Kilcummin slipway in north Mayo is…
Discarded and lost fishing gear remains a serious and often invisible hazard for cruising sailors in Irish and nearby waters. A recent near‑miss in the St George’s Channel, when viewed alongside a previous Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) investigation off the West Cork coast,…
New Isles of Scilly Freight Ferry Arrives in France Before Completing Delivery Voyage
5th June 2026 Ferry
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s new 45m freight ferry, Menawethan, has arrived at Concarneau, in France, for the final stop on its delivery voyage to the UK. The newbuild was welcomed in Brittany by Marine Superintendent Tom Weise and…
