Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Ireland’s increasing exposure to “shadow fleet” shipping is among the risks prompting a review of the State’s preparedness for a major marine pollution incident. The Irish Coast Guard has opened a five-week public consultation on a review of Ireland’s National…
Tributes Paid To Bravery Of Rescue 118 Winchman and Fire And Rescue Crew Over Poll na bPéist Incident
30th September 2026 Coastguard
Tributes have been paid to the bravery of a Rescue 118 winchman and members of the Aran Fire and Rescue for their safe recovery of a man swept off the cliff at Poll na bPéist on Inis Mór last weekend.…
A number of animal welfare groups have issued Irish Ferries, the operator of the Dublin to Cherbourg, France, route, with a legal notice. The groups allege breaches of animal welfare legislation in the transportation of unweaned calves from Ireland to…
Removal of Dams from US River Leads To Return of Thousands of Salmon
30th September 2026 Marine Wildlife
Removal of four dams from a north American river has led to such large runs of salmon that they have exceeded researcher expectations. The findings published in the journal Scientific Reports say that thousands of chinook salmon have been recorded…
Irish Mainport Survey Research Ship on Project within the Eastern Canadian Arctic
30th September 2026 Marine Science
Cork-based Irish Mainport Holdings research vessel Mainport Geo, in recent weeks, arrived in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, from where it set off to embark on a project survey of approximately 60 days, writes Jehan Ashmore. The former offshore supply vessel (OPV)…
The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) has published its annual classification list for commercial shellfish production areas across Ireland. The list assesses production areas against strict food hygiene standards. The SFPA, in collaboration with the shellfish industry, conducts regular shellfish sampling…
Irish sports clubs are being invited to apply for a share of €130,000 under the sixth annual Texaco Support for Sport initiative. The 2026 scheme will provide €5,000 to one successful sports club in each of the 26 counties, with…
Colin Breen challenges the image of Ireland’s western seaboard as an isolated Gaelic world, revealing a medieval maritime society connected by trade, politics, religion and warfare across Ireland, Scotland and continental Europe. The development of the Wild Atlantic Way has…
Replacement for Isle of Man Fast Ferry will Be ‘Slower’ and of Conventional Design
30th September 2026 Ferry
The Isle of Man Steam Packet's high-speed craft (HSC) ferry Manannan, which is to be replaced in a plan to modernise such operations, will not be faster, as it is likely to add an extra 45 minutes on the Douglas-Liverpool…
The skipper of a French-registered fishing vessel has been fined €500 over a defective boarding ladder which broke as a fisheries inspector began climbing it during an inspection in Irish waters. The Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) said Alberto Barreiro Faria,…
It was a proud moment in the 800-year history of the famous Mersey ferry, which celebrated the new £26 million Royal Daffodil, which set out on its maiden sailing following a special naming ceremony held recently, reports UKInbound. Liverpool City…
Marine Notice: Bathymetric Survey Operations Along Dublin and Wicklow Coast
30th September 2026 News Update
The Department of Transport has been advised that Hydrographic Surveys Limited will undertake a geophysical survey on behalf of Iarnród Éireann under Maritime Usage Licence MUL240023. Work will commence on Thursday 1 October for a duration of four weeks, depending…
Royal Irish's Searcher 2 Takes Third at Les Voiles as Goodbody Calls Tactics on SPIIP
30th September 2026 Royal Irish Yacht Club
Pete Smyth’s Royal Irish Yacht Club Ker 46 Searcher 2 took third place in IRC1 at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez on Tuesday (September 29), while fellow RIYC sailor and former Irish Olympian Tim Goodbody was calling tactics aboard the Swan…
Irish interest in international ILCA racing continues in Portugal this week, where Conor Cronin lies sixth overall after six races at the 2026 ILCA 6 Men’s World Championship in Vilamoura. The championship follows a particularly busy period for Irish ILCA…
With 23,500 miles still to sail back to the finish at Les Sables-d’Olonne, it is surely premature to talk about the rich getting richer in the early stages of the Golden Globe Race 2026. But nevertheless there’s no doubting, going…
The Department of Transport as been notified by AWJ Limited that a pipeline survey will be conducted on behalf of Gas Networks Ireland (GNI) in the Irish Sea. The works will take place from Wednesday 30 September to Tuesday 6…
EU fisheries ministers have agreed a common Council position on key rules governing future financial support for fishing and aquaculture between 2028 and 2034, including investment in fishing vessels. The agreement was reached at Tuesday’s Agriculture and Fisheries Council under…
Irish Lights has appointed five new members to its Board, bringing experience across shipping, offshore renewable energy, public administration, governance, finance and regulatory affairs. The new Board members are Aideen McGinley OBE, Dave Ronayne, Gary Connolly, Louise O'Byrne and Vincent…
The Treasury Minister Chris Thomas said that Manx taxpayers are not handing the Isle of Man Steam Packet £2.5 million to fix technical problems with the flagship Manxman. In 2023, the newbuild ferry entered service on the Douglas-Heysham route, the…
Irish Ports Among Shortlist for European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) Award 2026
29th September 2026 Ports & Shipping
Two Irish ports are among those that have been shortlisted for the 18th European Sea Port Organisation (ESPO) Award on Societal Integration of Ports. They are in (alphabetical order) the Port of Cork, Dublin Port Company, along with the Icelandic…
