Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Irish Pair Hold Sixth as Kiwis Seize 49er Euros Lead Today
10th July 2026 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
Ireland's Robert Dickson and Seán Waddilove remain firmly in contention after the opening day of Gold Fleet racing at the 49er Europeans Championship. The Irish crew sits sixth overall, level on points with Uruguay, as New Zealand's Seb Menzies and…
A record 38 boats and 140 sailors took to the water for Howth Yacht Club's Women at the Helm regatta, making it Ireland's largest gathering of female sailors this year. Three races were completed in sunny, breezy conditions, with competition…
European Environmental Organisations United To Press for Legal Action Over Protecting Marine Ecosystems
10th July 2026 Marine Planning
A new coalition of European environmental organisations has been formed to pressure the European Commission into taking legal action against member states for failing to protect marine ecosystems. The coalition involved Blue Marine Foundation, BUND, ClientEarth, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening, Défense des Milieux…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is reminding all shellfish harvesters operating in Ireland of their legal obligation to be registered as food business operators. Registration is a legal requirement under Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs. …
Decision on €5.9 billion Uisce Éireann Shannon Pipe Project Delayed to 2027
10th July 2026 Shannon Estuary
An Coimisiún Pleanála has deferred its ruling on the controversial Shannon pipeline for a year. As RTÉ reports, Uisce Éireann's Strategic Infrastructure Development application to extract water from the River Shannon and pipe it to Dublin and the greater eastern…
Coastal residents have been asked to assist BirdWatch Ireland in its survey to locate nest sites of the endangered Swift. “In an uncanny echo of our own housing crisis, we have created a housing crisis for Swifts, in many cases…
Harland & Wolff Pitching for UK-Dutch Navy Transport Ships - Part of Huge £2.4bn Deal
10th July 2026 Shipyards
Shipyard Harland & Wolff, Belfast, is pitching to build a major fleet of transport ships for the navies of the UK and the Netherlands as part of a huge £2.4bn deal. The Queen’s Island-based yard’s owner, Navantia UK, says Harland…
French offshore sailor Alexia Barrier is set to become the first woman to compete in the ULTIM class at the Route du Rhum–Destination Guadeloupe. Barrier will line up for the 2026 transatlantic race at the helm of the legendary IDEC…
After Wednesday's spectacular Harbour Race produced one of Cork Week's defining moments, Thursday's penultimate day was a test of patience before becoming a test of tactics. Competitors spent almost four hours under AP before a light southerly finally arrived, allowing…
A fleet of approximately 150 boats raced across the AIB sponsored DBSC Thursday programme on Dublin Bay, where a light south-westerly of 5–10 knots and a flooding tide provided classic midsummer conditions for Ireland's largest regular yacht racing programme. The turnout…
Dickson and Waddilove Into Gold Fleet at 49er Europeans
9th July 2026 Robert Dickson & Sean Waddilove
Robert Dickson and Sean Waddilove have secured a place in Gold Fleet at the 49er European Championships in Eckernförde, Germany, after finishing sixth among the European crews at the end of the qualifying series. The Irish Olympians remain firmly in…
One of France's best-known traditional sailing vessels, Fleur de Lampaul, has departed Dublin Bay and is now underway in the Irish Sea. The 20-metre sailing vessel, which sails under the French flag (MMSI 227794000), was reported in the Irish Sea…
Carrybridge RNLI launched on Tuesday evening after a six-metre sailing yacht with two people on board ran aground south of Kilmore Quay on Lough Erne. The inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was requested by Belfast Coastguard at 8.23…
Newcastle RNLI launched a search off Newcastle Beach on Tuesday evening after members of the public reported seeing a small inflatable drifting out to sea. The volunteer crew launched the inshore D class lifeboat, Cameronian, at 6.35 pm following a request…
Ireland has confirmed its place at the 2026 Team Racing World Championship, joining 11 other nations for the first edition of the keelboat championship to be held in Europe. The event will take place in Stockholm from 12 to 16 August,…
A lone sailor was brought safely to Wicklow Harbour after their yacht became entangled in pot ropes off the Codling Bank late on Tuesday night. Wicklow RNLI launched its all-weather lifeboat, RNLB Bridie O'Shea, shortly after 11pm on 7 July,…
50 Year Study of Coral Reefs Theme of Audiobook Version of Dr Peter Vine's Work
9th July 2026 Book Review
The complexity of the richest coral reefs on the planet is the theme of an audiobook version of marine scientist Dr Peter Vine’s authoritative work.Growth and Decay of Coral Reefs: 50 Years of Learning is a summary of how reefs…
A public consultation has been launched on proposed changes to the management of brown crab and spider crab fishing by vessels over 10 metres in Ireland's Biologically Sensitive Area (BSA). Minister of State for Fisheries Timmy Dooley TD announced the…
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has officially named its new freight vessel Menawethan, marking a major milestone in the modernisation of the islands' lifeline transport services. The naming ceremony took place on the Isles of Scilly and brought together…
The Barcelona International Boat Show will return to Port Vell from 14 to 18 October with an expanded programme designed to appeal to a broader boating audience. Now in its 63rd edition, Spain's leading boating exhibition will introduce new exhibition…
