Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Entries have opened for the 11th edition of the Elmo Trophy, with Ireland's biggest team racing regatta set to return to Dun Laoghaire Harbour on 8–9 August. Hosted by the Royal St. George Yacht Club, the event will bring together…
Two paddleboarders were rescued off the Waterford coast after becoming stranded by an offshore wind while paddling in Tramore Bay on Monday evening. The pair got into difficulty west of Great Newtown Head when a strengthening north-easterly breeze prevented them…
Bookings have opened for the ninth edition of Mayo Mayhem, with Ireland's flagship wave windsurfing competition set to return this autumn on the Atlantic coast of Co Mayo. The 2026 event will again carry three-star World Wave Tour (WWT) and…
A major new scientific study has confirmed that escaped farmed salmon have interbred with wild Atlantic salmon in Irish rivers, although researchers say the genetic impact remains absent or low in most populations. The report, published by the Marine Institute…
Two people and a dog were rescued after an inflatable drifted around half a mile offshore off the County Down coast on Sunday afternoon. Newcastle RNLI launched its relief Atlantic 85 lifeboat Enid Foster MBE at about 4pm after Belfast…
British Marine has launched a new accredited Foundation in Water Safety course aimed at reducing avoidable water-related incidents through practical training and improved awareness. Developed with Birmingham and Midland Marine Services Ltd, the two-hour course is accredited by the Institute…
The Grant Thornton ILCA Irish Championships have been officially launched at the Royal St George Yacht Club, with organisers expecting up to 100 sailors from more than 25 clubs when racing gets underway in Dún Laoghaire from 24–26 July. The…
Cork Harbour Wildfire Heatwave Also Alerts Harbour Tugs Fighting Major Blaze
14th July 2026 Cork Harbour
A 'significant' gorse fire broke out at Camden Fort in Crosshaven, in lower Cork Harbour, at around 5pm yesterday, as smoke was seen from as far away as Cobh. The affected area is below the main hilltop part of the…
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon has chaired the first Agriculture and Fisheries (Agrifish) Council of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The meeting in Brussels saw Minister Heydon present Ireland's Presidency work programme…
Wicklow RNLI launched twice on Monday afternoon after separate reports of people in difficulty in the water at Silverstrand and Magheramore beaches. Both incidents involved multi-agency responses coordinated by the Coast Guard, with RNLI volunteers, Rescue 116, Coast Guard shore…
Sean Craig and Stephen Boyle strengthened their lead in the DBSC Flying Fifteen Thursday night series after two contrasting evenings of racing on Dublin Bay. Warm weather and light to moderate winds tested crews across races held on 2 and…
Ireland will be looking to add another chapter to its proud Edinburgh Cup record after organisers confirmed entries from 11 nations for next month's Dragon championship in Cowes. A total of 45 teams have already entered the 2026 Edinburgh Cup…
Three Galway RNLI volunteers have been recognised for their long service to the charity, with two crew members receiving 30-year awards and a third honoured for 20 years of volunteering. The awards were presented at a recent RNLI volunteer recognition…
A Bristow Ireland winch paramedic based at Shannon has received one of search and rescue's highest honours for his role in rescuing all 14 crew members from a French fishing vessel driven onto rocks off Dingle in storm conditions. James…
Enniskillen and Carrybridge Lifeboats Assist 21 in Five Separate Call-Outs Over Busy NI Bank Holiday Weekend
14th July 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
Northern Ireland’s July Bank Holiday weekend got under way with two separate call-outs for volunteers at Enniskillen RNLI. On Thursday 9 July and Friday 10 July, the volunteer crew were tasked by Belfast Coastguard to two separate incidents in the…
The countdown is on in Bundoran as the local RNLI lifeboat crew prepare to host the much-anticipated Vintage Car Show this Sunday 19 July from noon to 4pm at the West End Car Park. This family-friendly event promises a fantastic…
The Department of Transport has been notified by the UK’s National Oceanography Centre that marine environmental surveys will be carried out for the purposes of scientific discovery or research in the Irish EEZ from Monday 13 to Sunday 28 July,…
For three members of the crew of HYC Xcalibur, the 2026 Aegean 600 represented unfinished business. A year earlier, Howth Yacht Club sailors Darren Wright and his brother Michael, together with Grace Murray, had competed in the same race. They…
Ireland's Pam Lee is back racing in the Drheam-Cup after emergency engine repairs in Baltimore, Co Cork, enabled the Class40 skipper to resume her Route du Rhum qualifying campaign. Lee diverted to Baltimore after her Pogo S4 EmpowHer suffered engine…
Noel Butler and Stephen Oram claimed a convincing victory at the Fireball Ulster Championship, hosted by Galway Bay Sailing Club in near-perfect sailing conditions. A fleet of 14 boats enjoyed six races over two days in sunshine, temperatures approaching 28°C…
