Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Jean Pierre (JP) Mleko, a familiar figure in Irish sailing circles through his associations with Poolbeg Yacht Club, Howth and Dún Laoghaire, died at sea on 30 July 2026, aged 73. Born in France to Polish parents, he made Ireland…
Irish offshore sailor Shane Hughes has described Black Jack 100 as an “absolute weapon” after helping the maxi take monohull line honours in the Rolex Middle Sea Race for the second successive year. As Afloat reported following the finish, the…
Haulier Says Isle of Man Steam Packet's Latest Fuel Surcharges Can't be Absorbed
23rd October 2026 Ferry
A Manx-based haulier says now it's impossible for his business to absorb the latest ferry fuel surcharge imposed by the government-owned Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Marty Kneen, an agricultural haulier owner, JW Kneen & Son said that the…
Irish traditional boat owners and crews are being invited to take part in the Brest Maritime Festival in Brittany, which returns from 9 to 14 July 2027. The organisers have issued an early call for traditional vessels, skippers and maritime…
Offshore Bat Surveys Extend Dublin Array Planning Timeline
23rd October 2026 Dublin Array Offshore Windfarm
Additional offshore bat surveys are behind an extension to the planning timetable for the proposed Dublin Array offshore wind farm off the Dublin and Wicklow coasts, developer RWE has confirmed to Afloat.ie. The company has secured an extension until 31…
Four Flying Fifteen keelboats donated by Irish sailors are to be shipped to Canada's Pacific coast this weekend, helping an expanding community sailing initiative on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia. The boats and associated equipment are due to be loaded…
The Irish Coast Guard, Water Safety Ireland and RNLI have issued a joint water safety warning ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend as Storm Austen approaches Ireland, bringing the prospect of strong winds and heavy rain. The three organisations…
East Wall community volunteer Willie Dwyer has received the inaugural Dublin Port Local Community Hero Award in recognition of his longstanding contribution to the Docklands community. The award was presented by Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD and Dublin…
Five Irish research institutions have been awarded a combined €1.25 million to investigate challenges facing the aquaculture industry, from tubeworm fouling on mussels and salmon health to new uses for seaweed and the environmental value of oyster farming. University College…
Recruitment Target in Defence Forces Will Not Reach 11,500 Personnel by 2028 Despite Commitments
22nd October 2026 Navy
The Irish Defence Forces will not reach 11,500 troops by 2028, said the Minister for Defence, as it will break a key target promised by the organisation and government. In a report from the Commission on the Defence Forces, it…
'Looming Retention Crisis' Faces Defence Forces Over Removal of Supplementary Pension
22nd October 2026 Navy
A “looming retention crisis” faces the Defence Forces due to changes it made in 2013 for new recruits, which then removed a supplementary pension between retirement age and that of State pension age. The comment was made at the annual…
The Irish Multihull Association (IMA) is inviting other high-performance sailing classes to combine their provincial and national championships in 2027, in a move aimed at increasing participation and reducing the financial burden on host yacht clubs. The initiative would allow…
The Route du Rhum – Destination Guadeloupe race village opened in Saint-Malo this week, bringing together 115 solo skippers and their boats ahead of the 3,542-nautical-mile transatlantic race starting on Sunday, 1 November. The 71,000-square-metre village, described by organisers as…
Royal Cork Yacht Club's Dylan O’Sullivan finished eighth as Ireland's official representative in the Junior Gold Cup in Bermuda, where Strangford Lough Yacht Club's Ollie Gundersen also competed, finishing 22nd after receiving a wildcard entry. The two young sailors joined…
A new 63-page report from the Cruising Club of America (CCA) examines 28 yacht-to-yacht crew rescues, offering practical lessons for offshore sailors who may find themselves the nearest — or only — vessel able to answer a Mayday. Produced with…
Wicklow-based Mills Design is preparing to launch a new 40-foot racing yacht aimed at the Admiral's Cup, with sailing trials scheduled for January. A new 40-foot Admiral's Cup racing yacht designed by Wicklow-based naval architect Mark Mills is nearing completion…
UAE Kidzinc Youth took an early lead at the 2026 SB20 World Championship in Hyères, France, after three races sailed in strengthening westerly winds on Wednesday, 21st October. As conditions built from 12–15 knots in the opening race to 22…
Django 7X Wins Overall Rolex Middle Sea Race as Class Winners Emerge
21st October 2026 Middle Sea Race
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati's Italian Wallyrocket 71 Django 7X has been confirmed as the overall winner of the 2026 Middle Sea Race, following a closely fought contest with defending champion Balthasar. The Royal Malta Yacht Club confirmed the overall IRC victory at 11.30…
Ireland-France Routes Ropax Cotentin Sold to Interests in the Middle East
21st October 2026 Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries, only ropax, which was withdrawn from the Rosslare-Cherbourg link just last week, has been sold, along with its renaming taking place at the French port where it was originally registered, writes Jehan Ashmore. Afloat at the time of…
Storm Austen is forecast to bring storm-force winds to Ireland's south coast and southern Irish Sea on Thursday night, with Met Éireann issuing a Status Orange marine storm warning for winds reaching Force 10 at times. The warning covers waters…
