Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Eliza, and all-weather lifeboat, Leonard Kent, launched on Thursday, (24 August 2023) to assist a man who took ill on Murlough beach. At approximately 1.40 pm, Belfast Coastguard requested assistance from Newcastle RNLI. The RNLI’s lifeguards…
NI Watersports Centre Closes After Nearly 30 Years Over ‘Unsustainable’ Blue-Green Algae Issue
23rd August 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
A popular destination for watersport on Northern Ireland’s North Coast has blamed governmental inaction over wastewater discharges for its decision to close after nearly three decades. In a statement on social media, Rob Skelly of the Cranagh Activity Centre said…
On Monday, as the international squads arrived at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland, the IODAI Development Squad - who are the newest sailors in the Main Fleet - took to the water with Head Coach Adam…
The volunteer crew from Portaferry RNLI were requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard shortly before 5pm on Friday (18 August) to assist a sailing yacht in difficulty. The 28ft yacht with two adults and a child on board had run…
RYA Northern Ireland has hailed the success of its junior sailors in the recent Topper Worlds as well as the Irish and British Nationals in the region’s largest junior single-handed class. In early July, four out of the top five…
Excellent Results for Northern Ireland Boats at West Highland Yachting Week
15th August 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Northern Ireland boats stamped their mark on the racing in West Highland Yachting Week in Scotland with excellent results, the best of which were Michael Petticrew's Nicholson 43 Magdaleyne from Strangford Lough YC, who took first overall in Class 3…
Two Men Rescued By Red Bay RNLI After Speedboat Catches Fire off Antrim Coast
15th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Two men were rescued by the Red Bay RNLI after their 18ft speedboat caught fire off the coast of Antrim. The incident occurred south of Rathlin Island, and the rescue team was quickly on the scene after being alerted by…
Lough Neagh ‘Dying’ From Uncontrolled Slurry and Sewage Run-Off, Anglers Claim
13th August 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Lough Neagh is “dying” due to the affects of pollution from untreated wastewater and agricultural run-off, angling groups have claimed. BBC News reports on the concerns which follow recent toxic algal blooms on the lough — which has an important commercial…
Two Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadets Praised for Quick Action in Helping a Kayaker in Trouble
12th August 2023 Belfast Lough
Two Ballyholme Yacht Club Cadets have been praised for their quick action in helping a kayaker in trouble in Ballyholme Bay on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland last Tuesday. Hunter Reddy and Joseph Robinson could see on the Club webcam…
Women have always featured prominently at East Down Yacht Club in Northern Ireland, with several holding club officer positions over the years. Now in an initiative by Margie Crawford, the New Members Liaison officer, and following a very successful Women’s…
Eccles and Wright Win Irish Squib Championships at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
12th August 2023 Squib
David Eccles and Mike Wright, in Inshallah from the host club, Royal North on the south side of Belfast Lough, are the new Irish National Squib Champions and lifted the trophy for the first time. Second were Ruan O’Tiarnaigh and…
Allen and Swanston Crowned Irish Open Multihull Champions 2023 at Antrim Boat Club
12th August 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Adrian Allen and Barry Swanston from Ballyholme regained the Irish title at Antrim Boat Club last weekend after an exciting high wind tussle with the 2022 Champions Matt and James McNicholl. Runner up was Wyatt Orsmonde, crewed by Tom Murphy…
Quoile Prepares to Welcome ISORA Fleet as Strangford Races To Decide Overall Wolf's Head Trophy
11th August 2023 ISORA
A small but potent ISORA fleet is racing to a Strangford Lough finish this Saturday morning, and ISORA's overall Wolf's Head Trophy for 2023 is at stake. The race got underway following a postponement due to poor weather conditions on…
Three Rescued from 28ft Yacht Grounded on Cockle Island by Bangor RNLI
11th August 2023 RNLI Lifeboats
Three people were rescued by the Bangor RNLI lifeboat after their 28ft yacht ran aground on Cockle Island, Groomsport. The incident occurred on Thursday evening, August 10th. The RNLI received a request from Belfast Coastguard to assist with the recovery…
Two Northern Ireland Boats Will Compete in ISORA's Holyhead to Strangford Lough Race
10th August 2023 Northern Ireland Waters
Two Northern Ireland boats are entered into the ISORA race from Holyhead to Strangford Lough, which starts on Friday at 19.30 hrs. Ross Boyd’s Elan 40 Evenstar from Royal Ulster Yacht Club (RUYC) on Belfast Lough, Quoile YC on Strangford…
The Moneley Oyster Pearl Dinghy Regatta in Carlingford Lough between Co Down and Co Louth was held last weekend, with racing on a windward/leeward course on both days. So close was the racing that Diarmuid and Aine Gorman, in their…