Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
One of the largest cruise ships visiting Cork Harbour this year, the 143,700-tonne Majestic Princess, made another call to Cobh Cruise Terminal on Tuesday (11 August). The 330-metre Princess Cruises vessel, which can accommodate around 3,560 passengers, arrived at Cobh…
Pat Lawless Among Golden Globe Race Skippers Set for Les Sables Press Conference
11th August 2026 Golden Globe Race
The 17 provisional skippers preparing for the 2026 McIntyre Golden Globe Race will meet the media in Les Sables-d’Olonne on Thursday, 13 August, less than a month before the solo round-the-world race starts. The press conference will take place at the…
RNLI's Atlantic 85 MK4 Upgrade Will Enable More Cohesive and Efficient Searches
11th August 2026 RNLI Lifeboats
The RNLI has published details about the upgrading of the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat to the Atlantic 85 MK4. “The Atlantic 85 is the third generation of B-class lifeboat. Its predecessors were the Atlantic 21 and Atlantic 75. With over…
Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds Returns Across Northern Ireland
11th August 2026 Northern Ireland Waters
Live Here Love Here's Healthy Oceans Healthy Minds campaign has returned for a sixth year, with a month-long programme of events encouraging people across Northern Ireland to connect with the region's coastline, rivers and waterways. Sponsored by Belfast Harbour and…
Ireland has set its sights on a semi-final place at the Team Racing World Championship in Stockholm, where racing gets underway this week. Team captain Jamie McMahon says the eight-strong Irish squad is "quietly confident" after a summer of J/80…
Navantia UK Launch New Barge to Transport Modular Blocks for RFA (FSS) Programme
11th August 2026 Shipyards
A new transport barge, built by Navanita UK's one of two facilities in Scotland, will carry shipyard-built blocks between Appledore, England, and Belfast, supporting the delivery of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships, writes Jehan Ashmore. The…
Registrations have opened for the 2026 Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean, with volunteers across Ireland invited to help remove marine litter from beaches, waterways and coastal communities between 18 and 20 September. Organised by An Taisce's Clean Coasts programme, the…
Ireland's first petrol-powered P5 offshore passenger tour boat is setting a new benchmark for marine tourism, combining twin Suzuki outboards with a purpose-built Redbay hull to deliver safe, efficient and sustainable operations along the country's rugged Atlantic coastline. Operating from…
At most gatherings of classic yachts, it would be thought quite an achievement to muster a dozen boats setting proper two-yard jackyard topsails. But as in everything they do, the 1898-vintage Howth 17s are different. They simply have to signal…
Final Call II delivered a near-perfect performance to claim the 2026 GBR IRC Northern Ireland Championship at Carrickfergus Sailing Club, winning five of six races to secure the overall IRC title in emphatic fashion. Eighteen boats contested the championship as…
James Neville and Karl Kwok will represent the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the 2027 Admiral's Cup after the club confirmed Ino Veritas and Beau Ideal as its official two-boat team. The campaign brings together two long-standing RORC members who both…
Blessington's Street and Lloyd Lead Irish Charge at GP14 World Championships in Belfast
11th August 2026 GP14
Blessington Sailing Club's Sam Street and Josh Lloyd have taken the lead at the GP14 World Championships on Belfast Lough after scoring back-to-back victories in Monday's two races. Reigning Irish champions Ger Owens and Mel Morris of Wicklow Sailing Club…
Great Britain's Saskia Tidey, a member of Dun Laoghaire's Royal Irish Yacht Club and helm Freya Black claimed the bronze medal in the 49erFX fleet as the San Pedro Olympic Classes Regatta concluded on the waters that will stage the…
Land's End Looms as RORC Round Britain and Ireland Fleet Faces Tactical Test
10th August 2026 Rd Britain & Ireland
The tactical battle at Land's End is beginning to define the second day of the 2026 RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race, with the leading boats choosing contrasting routes towards the Isles of Scilly. Twenty-four hours after the start, Johnny…
Liverpool's Historic Langton Dock Pumphouse Restored Following £1m Investment
10th August 2026 Ports & Shipping
At the Port of Liverpool, a landmark restoration project has given new life to the historic Langton Dock Pumphouse, demonstrating Peel Ports Group's commitment to preserving the region's industrial heritage. The Grade II listed building has undergone an extensive restoration…
The Cape 31 class underlined its growing reputation in handicap racing with a dominant showing at the 44th Copa del Rey MAPFRE, where Sönke Meier-Sawatzki's Niramo claimed the ORC C title in Palma. Five Cape 31s competed in the 21-boat…
Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre to Celebrate 120 Years of Route to Fishguard
10th August 2026 Rosslare Europort
This month the Rosslare Harbour Maritime Heritage Centre is proud to present a special exhibition of photographs and artefacts commemorating the 120th anniversary of the Rosslare–Fishguard ferry service (1906–2026). The maritime heritage centre welcomes those to join the official launch…
Wild Cards claimed the 2026 Elmo Trophy after edging Demons 3-2 in a dramatic best-of-five final that went to a deciding race following a marathon weekend of team racing. The 11th edition of the event produced 173 races before the…
Three cruise ship calls are expected to visit Foyleport this week, involving two inaugural calls and one return visit, writes Jehan Ashmore. The first of the scheduled cruise trio is Star Legend, operated by Windstar Cruises, which is due to…
A Galway RNLI lifeboat crew rescued a lone sailor after a 25ft yacht ran aground and began taking on water on the south shore of Galway Bay on Sunday. The volunteer crew was tasked by the Coast Guard shortly before…
