Afloat – Ireland's Sailing and Boating Magazine
Ministers Issue Reminder for Fishers and Aquaculture Operators to Apply for Fuel Support Scheme
9th June 2026 Fishing
Marine Minister Martin Heydon and Minister of State for fisheries, Timmy Dooley are reminding owners of registered fishing and aquaculture vessels that the closing date for the Fuel Support Scheme is this Friday 12 June. “I’m delighted with the interest…
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Job Title: Water Sports General Manager Location: HQ2O Watersports, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1 Reports To: CEO Employment Type: Full-time, permanent role Salary: Competitive – Based on Experience and relevant qualifications Job Summary: Operated by Swan Leisure, HQ2O Watersports is a new urban water sports…
Tom Kneen of Plymouth, winner of the Rolex Fastnet Race 2021 with the Mark 1 JPK 11.80 Sunrise and, currently campaigning the successful Mark 2 JPK 11.80 Sunrise III, has entered the 2026 Round Ireland Race from Wicklow on June…
The 2026 DMYC Regatta introduced a new development for the Dun Laoghaire dinghy fraternity – a two-day regatta rather than just a single day. This was a consequence of the very early discussions between the four Dun Laoghaire clubs in…
Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) will host an evening with offshore sailor Pamela Lee on Saturday, June 13, as part of a planned visit by her Class40 yacht to Dún Laoghaire Harbour. The visit comes just days before the…
International foiling stars and Irish riders will gather in Dublin Bay later this month for the inaugural Dublin Bay Foil Festival. The two-day event takes place at Salthill on 19 and 20 June and will feature a mix of competition,…
New Oireachtas Report Makes Recommendations on Wexford's Lady's Island Lake
9th June 2026 Oireachtas
Regular publication of nutrient-level data is one of 11 recommendations from a Joint Oireachtas committee on restoring Wexford’s Lady’s Island Lake. As Afloat has reported, the lake’s environment has deteriorated significantly. The latest report by the Joint Committee on Climate, Environment…
Howth's waterfront pubs, harbour bars and historic venues will come alive this August as the Howth Roots and Blues Festival returns with 40 free live performances. The internationally recognised festival runs from 7 to 9 August, bringing Irish and international…
Iceland may be able to join the EU while securing exemptions from the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU Fisheries Commissioner Costas Kadis has indicated. “There is definitely room for flexibility,” Kadis said in a recent Financial Times interview, and indicated…
Two sailors were rescued in separate overnight incidents off St John’s Point after getting into difficulty in challenging conditions. Newcastle and Kilkeel RNLI launched shortly before midnight on Friday after Belfast Coastguard received reports of a yacht aground and taking…
The largest cruise ship ever to visit Lough Foyle has made a landmark call to the North West, bringing a record number of visitors to the region. Record Breaker: The 300-metre Nieuw Statendam, carrying almost 3,700 passengers and crew, became…
The 2026 International Moth European Championship has officially opened in L’Escala, Spain, with an institutional ceremony at the regatta village ahead of racing on 9 June. Representatives from sailing organisations and public authorities attended the event, which marked the start…
The 2026 Watersports Inclusion Games have been launched in Galway, with organisers expecting up to 400 participants and 300 volunteers for a weekend dedicated to accessible watersports. The free event will take place on 11 and 12 July at the…
Kilkeel RNLI has entered a new chapter in its lifesaving history with the arrival of a Shannon-class all-weather lifeboat. The new vessel, Bobby Cameron, was officially declared a search-and-rescue asset by Belfast Coastguard at 7pm on Friday, 5 June. Within…
Impact of Oil and Gas Surveying on Rice's Whales Published in New York Times Graphic
9th June 2026 Marine Wildlife
The extraordinary subsea communication sounds of Rice’s whales and the impact of oil and gas surveying have been published in a new graphic by The New York Times. There are fewer than 100 Rice’s whales in existence, and they live…
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MGM Boats has been appointed as the Irish dealer for Majesty Yachts, expanding the luxury yacht builder’s presence in the European market. The announcement strengthens Majesty Yachts’ reach in Ireland through one of the country’s longest-established marine businesses. MGM Boats…
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Fisheries and Maritime Affairs will meet on Tuesday to examine a revised proposal aimed at supporting Ireland’s inshore fishing sector. The committee will hear from National Inshore Fishermen’s Association (NIFA) chairman Michael Desmond and vice-chairman…
Cork Week 2026 returns to Cork Harbour from 6–10 July with two major championships added to the regatta programme and a packed week of racing planned across one of Ireland's premier sailing venues. Hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club…
The Port of Cork was where a newbuild’s maiden call took place, and it also marked a step forward in the sustainable evolution of the maritime industry. The vehicle carrier Grande Michigan, which was delivered to the Grimaldi Group, is…
The national broadcaster has turned its attention to Kerry sailor Pat Lawless as preparations continue for his second attempt at the solo non-stop Golden Globe Race. In a feature published this week, RTÉ charted Lawless's journey from Atlantic fisherman and…
