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Coronavirus and Boating
Stormont Minister Closes Northern Ireland’s Angling Waters In Efforts To Control Covid-19
All DAERA angling waters in Northern Ireland have been closed with immediate effect in efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, as the Newry Times reports. The confirmation comes from Edwin Poots, Stormont’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs,…
Inisturk Harbour
Islanders on Inishturk, Co Mayo, say they cannot risk essential repairs being carried out to a storm-damaged mobile phone transmitter for the west coast due to the risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus. Inishturk development manager Mary Helena O’Toole said…
Four people have died on the MS Zaandam, though none of the deceased is Irish. The ship has 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board.
On board a Dutch flagged cruise ship is where a coronavirus outbreak has occurred with several Irish citizens travelling is expected to dock in Florida, USA in the coming days, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said. Four…
The 2020 Cork Harbour Festival has been postponed
Cork Harbour Festival and the Ocean to City Race have taken the decision to cancel this year’s events. The festival was due to take place 15 May – 8 June, with the flagship Ocean to City – An Rás Mór…
A Water Safety Ireland life ring
Water Safety Ireland has warned that children are at greater risk of drowning during the current period of Covid-19 restrictions. The organisation points out that over half a million primary school-age children are confined to an area within 2km of…
Irish Sailing Office Closes Following Government Covid-19 Measures
Following the Government’s “Stay At Home” for two weeks announcement, the Irish Sailing office will be closed and some of the Irish Sailing services will be unavailable. Irish Sailing staff will all continue to work remotely and are available on…
Óglaigh na hÉireann personnel collecting medical supplies for delivery to Irish Hospitals, supporting the HSE in the fight against COVID-19. AFLOAT adds the Irish Army truck is seen with a shipping container trailer at a port's lo-lo container terminal.
The Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS) has issued transport related measures (incl. Maritime) currently in place in response to Covid-19 which are set out below. DTTAS added given that this is a rapidly evolving situation this page (click…
The maritime scene in Derry during the last Clipper Race visit
The postponement of the Clipper Race 2019 – 20 will have a huge effect on the City of Derry where the fleet was due to have its penultimate stop-over at the end of July. Derry City and Strabane District Council…
The pandemic has not affected operations to date, and there is no disruption to the supply chain according to RTE News. Above AFLOAT's (file photo) taken in Dublin Port from on board ropax freight ferry Norbank when departing for Liverpool, while container ships BG Ireland and Manfred were berthed along the South Bank Quay. This location of one of three Lo/Lo terminals throughout the capital's port estate.
Dublin's sea trade which is around 17% could be affected by the coronavirus pandemic according to the Dublin Port Company. It a statement the company says it "fully expects" a fall-off when the next quarterly results are published. It says…
Loughs Agency Updates On Operations Due To Covid-19
Following the UK Government’s advice in relation to Covid-19, the Loughs Agency has put in place a number of measures to maximise capacity to continue to deliver business and statutory services to the public. The public are still encouraged to…
Wet wipes and disposable household wipes must be binned and not flushed
Improper disposal of wet wipes could cause the coronavirus to spread via Ireland’s recreational waters, it’s being claimed. The Green News reports on Coastwatch Ireland’s warning over the use of wet wipes, which are linked to around 90% of wastewater…
A previous edition of Royal Cork Yacht Club's Cork Week Regatta fleet moored at Crosshaven
A bumper 2020 Cork Week Regatta planned for July to celebrate Royal Cork Yacht Club's 300th birthday has been cancelled over the Covid-19 emergency. All events scheduled in July for the Cork300 events series, which were to run across Cork…
Irish Exporters Association with Dept. of Transport is tomorrow (Friday, 27 March at 1300hrs) to hold a webiner to discuss the latest COVID-19 situation including invitation to join in the discussion. Noting Registration is required to participate in this event.
The Irish Exporters Association (IEA) announced yesterday in conjunction with the Department of Transport that tomorrow (Friday, 27 March at 1300) they are to hold a webiner to discuss the latest COVID-19 situation. A Q&A session will be part of the…
Stephane Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers
A major west coast retail fish supplier has pledged to sell only Irish-caught fish and shellfish during the current Covid-19 restrictions to support the Irish inshore fleet. Parisian-born Stefan Griesbach of Gannet Fishmongers in Galway says that he is “out…
Temporary Measures To Minimise Impact Of Covid-19 On Ports & Shipping
Temporary measures are being put in place in relation to the validity of both seafarers’ documents and the survey and certification of Irish-registered ships impacted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Marine Notice No 14 of 2020 outlines measures…
The former ferry terminal at Dun Laoghaire Harbour
A Dun Laoghaire senator has suggested that the currently vacant ferry terminal at the south Dublin harbour be employed as a Covid-19 testing centre. In a letter to Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council chief executive Philomena Poole, as seen by Afloat.ie,…

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Irish Sailing & Boating

Since restrictions began in March 2020, the Government is preparing for a 'controlled and gradual return to sport' and the 2020 sailing fixtures are being tentatively redrafted by yacht clubs, rowing clubs angling and diving clubs across Ireland as the country enters a new phase in dealing with the Coronavirus. The hope is that a COVID-19 restrictions might be eased by May 5th as Sport Ireland has asked national governing bodies for information on the challenges they face. 

Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called coronavirus.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) everyone has been asked to stay at home. But some people may need to do more than this.

You may need to either:

You do these things to stop other people from getting coronavirus.

Read advice for people in at-risk groups

Read advice about cocooning.

Restricted movements

Everybody in Ireland has been asked to stay at home. You should only go out for a few reasons, such as shopping for food.

But you need to restrict your movements further if you: 

  • live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, but you feel well
  • are a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus
  • have returned to Ireland from another country

You need to restrict your movements for at least 14 days.

But if the person you live with has had a test and it is negative, you don't need to wait 14 days. You should still follow the advice for everyone - stay at home as much as possible.

Close contact

This is only a guide but close contact can mean:

  • spending more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact within 2 metres of an infected person
  • living in the same house or shared accommodation as an infected person

How to restrict your movements 

Follow the advice for everybody - stay at home.