Afloat.ie Team
Afloat.ie is Ireland's dedicated marine journalism team.
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As Irish sailing prepares to honour the team that brought the Commodores' Cup home after a ten year wait, the fact Ireland previously won the Cup 32 years ago will be news to many involved, wrote David O'Brien in last…
The Kilmore Quay lifeboat crew are currently undergoing intensive training on their new €3 million Tamar lifeboat, which only arrived on station last Wednesday. The lifeboat was on scene in twelve minutes and took the fishing vessel under tow into…
Bob Bateman's latest photos from yesterday's Royal Cork's October League are over the fold. Having sailed six races in the O'Flynn Exhams Autumn League and, with a discard applied, a trend is emerging writes Claire Bateman. The exception to this is…
Dedicated Search and Recovery Divers Honoured for Voluntary Service to the State
18th October 2010 Diving
After decades of selfless service to the state, Dermot Ahern TD and Minister for Justice recently awarded long service medals to 96 voluntary search and recovery divers from all over Ireland at a ceremony in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.…
This year's Howth Yacht Club Autumn League – sponsored by WD-40, Crystal Holidays and The Food Room – ended on a high note from a competitive viewpoint, with moderate northerly winds and plenty of sunshine to complete the series with…
After the publication of the MCIB investigation report into the sinking of Asgard II the dive team lead by Eoin McGarry have released further photos of the wreck, showing different aspects of the boat including new shots of the hole…
And they're off! With the sun shining brightly and a fresh breeze blowing, the five international skippers in the Velux 5 Oceans blasted across the start line beginning a 30,000-mile adventure around the globe. It was the start of an…
HOWTH YACHT CLUB. AUTUMN LEAGUE (O'ALL) 16/10/2010 Class 1 IRC: 1, Storm P Kelly HYC (6.00); 2, Equinox R McDonald HYC (12.00); 3, Crazy Horse Chambers/Reilly HYC (14.00); Class 1 ECHO: 1, Equinox R McDonald HYC (7.00); 2, Storm P…
EquipmentWarps and ropes should be left somewhere dry, whilst fenders can be cleaned and stored safely. If a dinghy is carried on davits, one winter left hanging can equate to four seasons of normal wear, so take it home. The…
Wash the bilges and dry them thoroughly. This has the two-fold effect of eliminating nasty bilge smells and makes the task of checking the interior mouldings and laminates for stress fractures easier. Ventilation is very important to stop mildew forming…
Of all the equipment on the boat, electronic gear can cause the most trouble if not winterised. WD40 can be used in most instances and for battery connections, exposed sockets and plugs, Vaseline is a great protector.The batteries must be…
Just before hauling the boat from the water, run the engine for 10–15 minutes until it reaches operating temperature, then change the lube oil and filter, as contaminates in the old oil can cause corrosion. Disconnect the cooling water supply…
At least every six months, all lifejackets should be inflated orally or by hand pump to avoid moisture build up inside the jacket, and left inflated for 24 hours to ensure they hold their pressure and to see if there…
It’s good to know that there’s several sectors finding an increased demand for their services. For instance, boat transport is not always something that owners can do themselves, especially the movement of large boats. What might look small on water…
Marinas are keen to attract new business and will offer attractive rates to get new clients. Most marinas will aim to entice you with a short term deal in the hope that if you enjoy the experience they might turn…
The Captain and the of Asgard II are highly praised for their professionalism in today's publication of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board's report of the investigation into the loss of the sail training vessel "Asgard II". The impact assumption and…
It is great to report more Irish success on the world sailing scene, where our sailors have done well this season, lifting the country’s reputation internationally. SCHULL will stage the Youth World Team Racing Championships next year, which is a…
Collision with Submerged Container Most Likely Cause of Asgard II Sinking - Report
15th October 2010 Asgard II
This morning's report into the sinking of Asgard II will indicate that collision with an underwater object such as a submerged container was the likely cause of the ship sinking. The final report of the Marine Casualty Investigation Board into…
SB3 Class captain Justin Burke admits he's not sure how to measure the success or otherwise of last weekend's Open Day but he is sure everyone enjoyed themselves. "We had 31 people that sailed, got fed and watered and got…
Cruisers, cruising boats, one-designs and boats that do not normally race are invited to participate into Dublin Bay Sailing Club's annual Turkey Shoot series of seven races held on Sunday mornings from November 7th. The popular format is under modified…
