Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Loughs Agency Collaborative Tree-Planting Effort Enhances River Faughan's Biodiversity and Conservation
25th April 2024 Angling
Loughs Agency, in collaboration with Enagh Seniors Group and volunteers from River Faughan Anglers, recently organised a tree-planting event at Teenaght, situated along the scenic banks of the River Faughan near Claudy. Approximately 150 willow saplings supplied by Enagh Seniors…
Donaghdee RNLI Lifeboat Crew Rescues Fishing Trawler in Difficulty and 'Unsure of Location'
25th April 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
In the early hours of Thursday 25 April, the volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew from Donaghadee lifeboat station received a call from HM Coastguard to launch a rescue mission. A 40ft fishing trawler with one person onboard had contacted the Coastguard…
NI Sailing Community Celebrates at RYA Northern Ireland Annual Awards
24th April 2024 RYA Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland sailing community enjoyed a celebratory evening at Riddel Hall in Belfast last Friday (19 April) as people came together for the RYA Northern Ireland Annual Awards. The evening was “the perfect opportunity to recognise the achievements of…
Harland & Wolff Backed New Ferry Operator for Isles of Scilly Cancels May Start
24th April 2024 Ferry
Scilly Ferries, a division of Harland & Wolff Group, is a new ferry operator that was due to start running in May between the Isles of Scilly and Penzance, Cornwall, but has been delayed. The shipbuilder group announced on Friday that…
All-Female Crew to Compete in Northern Ireland Inshore Points Series on Sigma 33 Elandra
24th April 2024 Sigma
Victoria Dews, the owner of Sigma 33 Elandra based in Belfast Lough, possesses many of the characteristics associated with the name Elandra, such as a strong personality, energy, charisma, and focus. She is a great advocate of Women on Water,…
Dublin Bay Mermaids Set to Make Historic First Visit to Belfast Lough for Ulster Championships
19th April 2024 Mermaid
Dublin Bay has been the home of the Mermaid class since 1932 when they were designed by J B Kearney. They race regularly in Dun Laoghaire, Clontarf, Rush, Skerries, Wexford, Foynes, Dungarvan and Sligo. And for the first time ever…
Portaferry RNLI Assists Fishing Vessel with Engine Failure at Strangford Lough Entrance
19th April 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Portaferry RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched on Monday evening to assist a 6-meter fishing vessel which had suffered engine failure close to the Bar Buoy at the entrance into Strangford Lough. Belfast Coastguard requested the launch of the lifeboat at…
Erne System: Closure of Enniskillen’s Henry Street Jetty for Angling Event Next Week
19th April 2024 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on users of the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the downstream section of the Henry Street Floating Jetty in Enniskillen will be closed from this Sunday 21 to next Friday 26 April. This…
Bob Espey Dominates at Northern Irish Waszp Championships in Harsh Weather Conditions
17th April 2024 Waszp
Despite the Yellow Weather warning for County Down last weekend, six Waszp dinghies did turn up at Ballyholme Yacht Club for the first ever Northern Irish championships section of the Four Nations Cup. But with little respite from the North…
Puffins May Benefit From Closure of Industrial Sand Eel Fishery in North Sea and Scottish Waters
17th April 2024 Marine Wildlife
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) anticipates that puffins will benefit from the closure last month of the industrial fishery for sand eels in the North Sea and Scottish waters. The closure of the fishery from March…
Dunaverty Ltd Celebrates Successful First Year of Rathlin Island ferry service with expansion plans and sustainability focus.
16th April 2024 Ferry
Dunaverty Ltd, the operators of the ferry service to Rathlin Island off the coast of County Antrim, have successfully completed their first year in business. The company has announced that it has increased its team to 18 and transported thousands…
AC40 Sailing on Belfast Lough is Swedish Challenge Women's and Youth America's Cup in Training
15th April 2024 America's Cup
If you were wondering why an AC40 was sailing in Belfast Lough in the last few days, here is the answer. About a week ago, the AC40 arrived in Belfast for the Swedish Women's and Youth America's Cup teams for…
Erne System: Erne Predator Challenger on Upper Lough Erne This Weekend
12th April 2024 Inland Waterways
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that the Upper Lough Erne Predator Challenger boat pike angling competition will take place this Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April. The event will take place from…
Belfast Harbour Invests £1.5m in New Pilot Boat Equipped with Advanced Environmental Features
9th April 2024 Belfast Lough
Belfast Harbour has announced the arrival of its latest pilot boat, the Hibernia, marking a significant investment of £1.5m in its marine fleet. The new vessel will be responsible for ferrying pilots to and from ships at the port, helping…
Northern Ireland youth sailors Emma McKnight from Strangford Lough Yacht Club and Daniel Corbett from County Antrim Yacht Club are among just 20 across the UK selected for the Griffin Project 2024. The Griffin Project is a Royal Ocean Racing…
Bangor RNLI Launches Mayday Fundraising Campaign to Support Lifesaving Services
8th April 2024 RNLI Lifeboats
Bangor RNLI, the lifesaving charity on Belfast Lough based in Northern Ireland, has launched a Mayday fundraising campaign to support its vital services. The charity has revealed that it was called into action 36 times in 2023, highlighting the importance…