Afloat.ie Team
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Applications Open for Active Clubs Grants From RYA Northern Ireland
5th April 2024 RYA Northern Ireland
RYA Northern Ireland has launched its Active Clubs Grants scheme, which offers funding for Northern Ireland clubs aiming to grow and retain their membership. Priority will be given to clubs who are running programmes for women and girls, people with…
Dublin Bay's Van Steenberge and Riordan Take the 29er Lead at Irish Sailing Youth Nationals in Crosshaven
5th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Over 90 boats and more than 100 sailors competed on a wet opening Thursday at the Irish Sailing Youth National Championships ahead of Storm Kathleen's expected arrival in Cork Harbour this weekend. The Royal Cork Yacht Club-hosted event saw three dinghy…
Marker Buoy From Gulf of Mexico Washes Ashore in Wexford After 17 Years Adrift
5th April 2024 Coastal Notes
A marker buoy that washed ashore in Co Wexford this week has been traced to as far away as the US state of Louisiana. The large metal buoy was found on Wednesday (3 April) on the coast at Ballymoney near…
Classic Dublin Bay 'Colleen' Class Reproduction for Sale: Perfect for a Timeless Sailing Experience
4th April 2024 Boat Sales
A classic reproduction of the early Dublin Bay "Colleen" class is up for sale at €9,750. Doyle of Kingstown - Dun Laoghaire designed this stunning GRP boat, an absolute head-turner. With a gaff rig, main and jib, and simulated clinker…
Wicklow's Codling Wind Park Confirms 25% Reduction in Number of Turbines
4th April 2024 Power From the Sea
Ireland’s largest Phase One offshore wind project, Codling Wind Park, has confirmed a 25% reduction in the number of turbines required to deliver the project. The wind park will be located off the County Wicklow coast and was initially estimated…
ILCA Sailors Compete in Munster Championships with Over 100 Boats Represented in Baltimore
4th April 2024 Laser
For ILCA sailors Easter always means the Munster Championships in Baltimore Sailing Club in West Cork. Despite the early Easter this year the Munster Championships lived up to all expectations, with nearly a hundred boats travelling from around the country,…
Over 170 Young Sailors Compete in Ireland's Largest Youth Regatta in Cork Harbour
4th April 2024 Youth Sailing
Over 170 young sailors are set to compete in Ireland’s largest youth regatta, which starts today, April 4th at Crosshaven in Cork Harbour. The 2024 Irish Sailing Youth National Championships, which will be hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club…
ISORA Sailors Braced for First Coastal Race Cancellation at Dun Laoghaire Unless Forecast Improves by Friday Lunchtime
3rd April 2024 ISORA
ISORA's first Dublin Bay Coastal race of the season is in doubt due to this Saturday's forecasted strong southerly winds. A new JPK design is set to challenge reigning ISORA champion Rockabill VI in the Viking Marine-sponsored race to and…
Storied North Wales Marina Sold to Local Investors After Going Into Administration
4th April 2024 Irish Marinas
Marine Industry News reports that a company providing berthing and marine services at a storied North Wales marina has been sold after going into administration last year. Port Dinorwic Marina, on the Menai Strait south-west of Bangor, is now in…
Arklow RNLI in Co Wicklow were requested to launch early on Tuesday morning (2 April) following reports of a large yacht with four crew onboard in difficulty near the Arklow Bank. Shortly after 6.30am, Arklow volunteers launched the station’s all-weather lifeboat…
Irish Sailors All Racing in Gold Fleet at Trofeo Princesa Sofía Trophy in Mallorca
3rd April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Another sea breeze day kept the giant 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofia Mallorca by Iberostar rolling through a demanding schedule of races. Across the classes are some marked, understandable differences between the mindsets of those who are in the throes of…
Met Eireann Issues Small Craft Warning for All Coasts of Ireland as Breezy Weekend is Forecast
3rd April 2024 Weather
Ahead of a forecasted breezy weekend, Met Eireann has issued a small craft warning for all coasts of Ireland valid from Thursday afternoon. Easterly winds, veering southwesterly in southern sea areas, will reach force six or higher, the State forecaster…
Ballycastle to Host Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in 2024
3rd April 2024 Northern Ireland Waters
Ballycastle, Northern Ireland, is all set to host a leg of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2024. This July, the global event will witness the world’s best cliff divers competing against each other on the beautiful Causeway Coast.…
Finn Lynch Moves Up to 11th in ILCA 7 Dinghy on Day Two of Trofeo Princesa Sofía Trophy in Mallorca
2nd April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
Great Britain’s Olympic hopeful Micky Beckett took advantage of a dramatic change of conditions at the 53 Trofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca on the second day of the World Cup Series event. Ireland's Finn Lynch also made good on a lighter…
Cork Sailor and Former Marine Minister Simon Coveney Announces Surprise Step Down From Cabinet
2nd April 2024 Cork Harbour
Former Marine Minister Simon Coveney announced his surprise step down from Cabinet on Tuesday (2 April). The Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central said his tenure in Cabinet “has been an amazing experience for 13 years” but that “the…
Double-Handed Offshore Duo Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt Saluted by Kinsale Yacht Club
3rd April 2024 Kinsale
Cian McCarthy and Sam Hunt were honoured at home on the Easter weekend by Kinsale Yacht Club, the West Cork club joining a long list of organisations that saluted the duo's Christmas 2003 achievements competing in Australia's Sydney Hobart Race.…
Met Éireann has indicated that last month was among the “top ten” wettest months of March on record. Sea surface temperatures over the North Atlantic have also been at record high levels now for over a year. As RTÉ News…
Irish Government Criticised by Fair Seas for Missing Deadline on Marine Protected Areas Bill
2nd April 2024 Marine Planning
The Irish government has come under fire from environmental groups for failing to introduce the Marine Protected Areas Bill, which would commit to effectively protecting 30% of Ireland's seas by 2030, as promised since July 2023. The Fair Seas coalition,…
Strong Turnout of Cruisers for Axiom Spring Series at Kinsale (Photo Gallery)
2nd April 2024 Kinsale
The Axiom Private Clients Spring Series 2024 at Kinsale Yacht Club got underway on Easter Monday with a fine turnout of over 30 cruisers and 1720 sportsboats in both the Spinnaker and Whitesail divisions. The racing lived up to its…
Finn Lynch 20th, Eve McMahon 19th as 'Extreme' Monday Opens 53rd Trofeo Princesa Sofía Regatta in Malllorca
1st April 2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Sailing
With gusts to over 30 knots at times and a big, untidy swell which has been built up by nearly two weeks of strong winds in the Balearica Islands, of the ten Olympic scheduled events only the Formula Kite Men…