Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Harland & Wolff, the national strategic asset, with four leading shipyards and fabrication facilities based in Belfast, Appledore, and Scotland is proud to be celebrating its 160th anniversary. Founded on April 11 1861 by Sir Edward James Harland and Gustav…

The PSNI has confirmed that a man's body was recovered from a river in Co Fermanagh after what is believed to have been a tragic jet ski accident, reports Belfast Live. The Emergency services attended the scene on the River…

Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team was paged on Saturday along with Newcastle Coastguard after a report that seven people were stranded by the tide on Guns Island, off the southeastern County Down coast near Ballyhornan. Two Coastguard Rescue officers in water…

Lough Neagh Rescue was called last Friday evening to a 24ft cruiser that had lost power. The vessel was located about 1.5 nautical miles to the east of Ballyronan on the west side of Lough Neagh. Lifeboats were launched and…

Coastguard and Lifeboat rescue teams have been extremely busy over the Easter Weekend and of course, answer distress calls without hesitation. But Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre has reported a hoax call. Both Bangor and Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Teams were tasked…

With the Easter holidays now begun in Northern Ireland, Larne RNLI is encouraging anyone planning to visit the coast to know the risks to protect themselves and their families and to heed key sea safety advice. Larne RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat…

Northern Ireland surfing pro Al Mennie was among the volunteers who joined fire fighters battling a gorse blaze on Castlerock Beach in Co Derry last night (Tuesday 30 March). As the Belfast Telegraph reports, 40-year-old Mennie was out catching the…

The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) in the UK has responded to a consultation, launched by the Department of Transport (DfT), on the disposal of pyrotechnic flares. The consultation sought views on the safe disposal of marine pyrotechnics, looking for a…

The Loughs Agency says it shares its stakeholders’ concerns about the impact of cormorants predating on juvenile salmon during the annual smolt migration. Unlike other salmon predators, cormorants are a protected species under Article 4 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland)…

Two ex-presidents of the UK’s Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) have been tasked with carrying out a study on the feasibility of an Irish Sea crossing between Britain and Northern Ireland. As industry publication New Civil Engineer reports, Douglas Oakervee…

One of the smallest clubs in Northern Ireland, Cockle Island Boat Club at Groomsport on the North Down coast certainly isn't lacking in enthusiasm. A Lift - In of about 20 boats is planned for Thursday 15th April with a…

The RYANI has broadly welcomed the news of easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland from 1 April, as announced last week by First Minister Arlene Foster. The sailing and boating body saidL: “This is very welcome news and follows…

The ‘stay at home’ rule in the UK will end on the 29th March allowing the Royal Ocean Racing Club to organise a Spring Series of racing in April and early May. With some government restrictions still in place, three…

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, James Nixon's Strangford Lough Yacht Club's River Class history was published in December last and has proved so popular that a re-print of another 100 copies has been ordered. Already 50 of these have been…

A survey carried out amongst Cruising Association (CA) members who keep their boats on the rivers and canals of Schengen countries has revealed that 80% are likely to sell their boats and give up cruising altogether, or move their base…

Seven sailing clubs in Northern Ireland have been awarded funding totalling £174,343 through the Department of Communities Sports Sustainability Fund. They are Ballyholme who got the largest sum at £49,138, Carlingford Lough - £3,957, Carrickfergus SC - £29,716, Down Cruising…