The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
Afloat.ie regrets to record the death of Brian Buchanan, for many years a leading figure in the offshore racing scene in Northern Ireland and internationally. Although he became best-known as the owner of "The Special One", the remarkable Frers 49…
NI’s Bluefield Houseboats Welcomes New Partnership with Caley Cruisers Delivering M350 Houseboat for Rental in Scottish Highlands
17 November 2024 Scottish Waters
Northern Ireland company Bluefield Houseboats has announced a new partnership with Inverness-based Caley Cruisers Ltd that will see the addition of Bluefield’s M350 houseboat to the family-run marine business’ rental fleet. The M350 is scheduled to arrive in early 2025…
Portrush Yacht Club Prepares for Santa Visit by Jetski
16 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush Yacht Club was founded in 1894 and now has about 1000 members. It lies in the Town Harbour between two long beaches, the West and East Strands, on the spectacular northern Causeway Coast. This year on 15th December Santa…
Sunny Skies and Strong Breezes Make for Thrilling Racing at RS400 Frostie Series on Belfast Lough
12 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Day Two of the Frostie Series for the RS400s on Belfast Lough saw ideal sailing conditions that delighted participants and spectators alike. After nearly three weeks without sunshine, bright skies and a lovely westerly breeze breathed life into the event,…
Over the weekend of 2-3 November, RYA Scotland welcomed representatives from different organisations and backgrounds to the Regional Performance Centre in Dundee for a packed weekend, including lots of opportunity to network, ask questions and spark new ideas. The Connected…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club Celebrates Successful Racing Season with Annual Prizegiving Events
7 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The racing season ended at Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough at the end of October with the RUYC Autumn Series, after eight races on a variety of windward/leeward and round the lough courses. John Minnis's Archambault A35 Final…
Erne System: Restrictions at Portora Lock for Repair Works This Week
4 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that essential repair work is taking place at Portora Lock in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh from now until next Monday 11 November. During this time, the lock will…
Spanish State Shipbuilder 'Racing to Finalise' takeover of Harland & Wolff in Deal to Save 1,000 Jobs
4 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Navantia, the Spanish state-owned shipbuilding firm, is “racing to finalise a takeover” of Harland & Wolff, Sky News has reported. The Madrid based shipbuilder, with its three yards dedicated to civil and military naval construction, is purportedly close to confirming…
Portaferry Lifeboat Responds to EPIRB Activation on Strangford Lough
3 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer crew responded last Monday afternoon (28 October) after an emergency position indication radio beacon (EPIRB) was activated in Strangford Lough at a location between Kircubbin and Greyabbey. The lifeboat left Portaferry Marina in Northern Ireland at 2.15pm…
Next Generation Marine Turbine Deployed At Strangford Lough
1 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
ORPC Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) have announced the successful deployment and commencement of testing of a next generation marine hydrokinetic turbine at the Strangford Lough tidal test site. ORPC says the project “marks a significant milestone” as the…
Gordon Patterson & Ross Nolan of Cultra are "Sailors of the Month (Inshore Keelboats)" for October
1 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 42-strong fleet racing in the Squib Freshwater Championship at Lough Derg YC in Dromineer in mid-October may have seemed like a no-brainer as a thoroughly good idea. But like most overnight successes, it has been some time in the…
Robert Espey and Mike Ferguson of Ballyholme are October "Sailors of the Month (Inshore Racing)
1 November 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
There was a remarkable display of sometimes flamboyant sailing talent making the scene for the Championship of Champions 2024 in the Royal North of Ireland YC's RS400s at Cultra on Belfast Lough in October. Yet while other household names in…
Staggering £160m Debt at Harland & Wolff Revealed as Historic Shipbuilder Entered Administration
31 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The historic shipbuilder Harland & Wolff, famous for launching liners, was in a debt of £160m when the Belfast Harbour-based firm last month went into administration, following recent revelations. BusinessLive reports that Teneo took charge of the process at the…
RYA Scotland Issues Statement on Proposed Clydeport ‘Conservancy Fee’ For Leisure Boat Owners
26 October 2024 Scottish Waters
RYA Scotland says it is aware of concerns being shared within the Scottish boating community, particularly those in the Clyde area, regarding the proposal from Peel Ports Group for a ‘conservancy fee’ to be levied on leisure boat owners in…
RYA Northern Ireland Celebrates 50 Years of Sailing Achievements
22 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The enormous Barnett Room , with its curved ceilings, stained glass windows, and artwork, was the grand venue in the Belfast Harbour Commissioners office for the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland's 50th Anniversary celebrations. As explained in the event programme,…
Scottish Series 2025: Dates Announced for Sailing Event in Tarbert
21 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The British and Irish sailing calendars are so crowded that it's wise to jump in early, and the Clyde Cruising Club in Scotland has done this by setting the dates for the Scottish Series eight months ahead. Tarbert in Loch…
Northern Ireland Sailor Wins British Sailing Champion's Paris Olympic ILCA 7 in Charity Raffle
18 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
British Sailing Team member Micky Beckett, who raised over £18,000 for the Andrew Simpson Foundation by raffling his ILCA 7, which he had raced in the Paris Olympics, has handed over the dinghy at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough…
Howth Lifeboat Launches at Night to Investigate Flashing Beacon Floating Offshore
15 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The volunteer crew of Howth RNLI launched their all-weather lifeboat late on Saturday night (12 October) following a call from the crew of a fishing trawler which observed a flashing beacon floating in the water three miles east of Howth…
Bangor Lifeboat Crew Rescue Four People in Separate Weekend Call-Outs
15 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland came to the aid of four people in two separate call-outs over the weekend after a yacht and boat got into difficulty. The first call came at 5.54pm on Saturday (12 October) when the volunteer…
Exciting Start to Icebreaker Series at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough
9 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The long-running Icebreaker series at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough started Series One of the winter racing last Sunday with over 40 dinghies sailing in a damp, southeasterly breeze of 8 – 12 knots. The series began in the…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Receives Platinum Certification for Eco-Friendly ILCA 6 European Championship
6 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In late July, Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough hosted the huge ILCA 6 European Championship, with almost 370 youth sailors representing 27 European and 11 non-European countries participating. The hard work of the Club Green Team led by Charlie…
Ballyholme Yacht Club's Robert Espey is Irish Sailing Champions’ Cup Winner
6 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Robert Espey of Ballyholme Yacht Club is the winner of this year’s Irish Sailing Champions’ Cup which took place at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in Cultra, Co. Down after a string of strong results. Espey, who raced on…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club Will Present The Sir Thomas Lipton Memorial Cup in Barcelona Next Week
4 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Next week in Barcelona Belfast Lough's Royal Ulster Yacht Club will once again celebrate its links with Sir Thomas Lipton and the America's Cup. Sir Thomas Lipton famously challenged for the America's Cup in his five yachts, each named Shamrock…
Erne System: World Championship Predator Boat Fishing Competition This Week
2 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Erne System that the World Championship Predator Lure angling competition will take place from Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 October. The event will take place at the Share Discovery…
Residential Cruise Ship Remains at Belfast Lough Anchorage for a Second Day
2 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A residential cruise ship which finally departed on its inaugural around-the-world voyage on Monday after months of delays, however as Afloat highlighted yesterday only reached Belfast Lough where it still remains today. As BBC News reports, the US operator, Villa…
Irish Sailing Champions' Cup Returns This Weekend at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
1 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Irish Sailing Champions’ Cup makes its return this weekend, the 5 – 6 October, at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club in Co. Down. This annual event, renowned for showcasing Ireland’s top sailing talent, marks its 77th year.…
Luxury Residential Cruise Ship Stranded in Belfast for Four Months Departs – But only into Belfast Lough
1 October 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A luxury residential cruise ship has set off from Belfast Harbour having been docked for four months after unexpectedly spending that time in the city ahead of a maiden three-and a half year world voyage. As The Belfast Telegraph reports,…
Atlantic Youth Trust and Tall Ship Leader Arrive in Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough
30 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last week, the tall ship Leader arrived in Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough. This significant development will offer a fantastic opportunity to expand the Atlantic Youth Trust's development programme through maritime sail training voyages. Leader will serve participants from across…
Portaferry Lifeboat Launches to Rescue of Two People on Fishing Boat off Ardglass
16 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI were paged by Belfast Coastguard just after midnight on Friday night (13 September) to assist two people onboard a fishing vessel which had run aground close to the entrance of Ardglass Harbour on Northern Ireland’s east coast. The…
Northern Ireland Yachts Compete at Royal Irish's ICRA Nationals and IRC Euro Champs
16 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Two of the three prestigious events hosted by the Royal Irish Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire over the first half of September included five competing boats from Northern Ireland. John Minnis's Archambault 35 Final Call II and Paul Prentice's Sigma…
Belfast Harbour Hosts First European Space Agency Workshop on Port Decarbonisation and Environmental Sustainability
16 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has become the focal point for discussions related to innovative space-age ideas as it hosts the first-ever European Space Agency (ESA) Port Decarbonisation and Environmental Sustainability Workshop. The event, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 17th, will…
Ninety-Five Dinghies Gather for RYA NI Youth Championships at Strangford Lough Yacht Club
11 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ninety five dinghies from Northern Ireland and the Dublin area gathered at Strangford Lough Yacht Club at Whiterock on the western shore of the Strangford Lough for the annual RYA NI Youth Championships last weekend. Jordan Conway, Charlie O'Malley, and…
Carrybridge Lifeboat Crew Help Eight People in Three Separate Rescues Over Seven Hours
10 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a planned course to neighbouring Enniskillen RNLI lifeboat station on Saturday afternoon (7 September) to assess a six-metre vessel with engine difficulties some 2.5 miles downstream from Carrybridge. Winds…
Bangor RNLI Rescues Three People in Consecutive Call-Outs off the Coast of Down
10 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI came to the aid of three people in consecutive call-outs yesterday (Monday, 9 September) after a report of a sailing boat with engine difficulty close to Bangor harbour and again later that evening to a sailor in distress…
East Down Yacht Club Enjoys Annual Commodore's Cruise at Strangford Sailing Club
7 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last weekend seventy five members of East Down Yacht Club on the west shore of Strangford Lough made the trip either by boat or car to the annual gathering at Strangford Sailing Club on Audleys Roads near the Narrows at…
Irish 420 Sailors Compete at UK National Championships
3 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Two Irish crews were among the 41 entries for the UK 420 National Championships at Dale Yacht Club in southwest Wales. Cora McNaughton and Sean Cronin from Blessington SC and Malahide SC, and Daniel Copthorne and Matt Mapplebeck from Schull…
Gavin Vaughan's Round Ireland Sailing Voyage Raises £12,800 in Aid of Northern Ireland Charity
1 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
For Gavin Vaughan and his team, the fundraising voyage Round Ireland has now raised £12800 in aid of the Northern Ireland Pancreatic Cancer charity, NIPANC, which raises awareness of pancreatic cancer, provides support and helps fund research in Northern Ireland.…
River Foyle Prepares for Major Disabled Sailing Event
1 September 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Foyle Sailability Centre is set to become the location for one of Northern Ireland's largest disabled sailing competitions. On 7 September, over 60 boaters of all abilities will gather at the River Foyle for a day of fun-filled racing. This…
Loughs Agency Hosts Inclusive Surf Experience at Benone Beach
31 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland’s Loughs Agency recently held a day of inclusive surfing sessions at the North Coast’s Benone Beach, in collaboration with the Mae Murray Foundation and Long Line Surf School. The initiative welcomed participants of all abilities aged eight and…
Red Bay RNLI Rescues Two People and Two Dogs from 55-Foot Yacht in Rough Weather
28 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Red Bay RNLI in County Antrim completed a nine-hour callout in rough weather conditions to rescue two people and their two dogs after their 55-foot yacht got into difficulty off the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland in the early hours…
Porsche 911 Fundraising Challenge Stops By Newcastle RNLI
27 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A married couple in a Porsche 911 travelling the coast of Ireland and the UK, attempting to visit all RNLI lifeboat stations recently met volunteers from Newcastle lifeboat station in Northern Ireland as they continue their journey. Belinda and James…
Portaferry Lifeboat Rescues Six Kayakers on Strangford Lough
26 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI’s volunteer crew were paged at 1.10pm on Sunday afternoon (25 August) at the request of Belfast Coastguard following a report that three kayaks had been spotted, possibly in difficulty, by a member of the public walking their dog.…
Enniskillen Lifeboat Launches to Rescue of Two Injured Jet Skiers on Lower Lough Erne
26 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, the John and Jean Lewis, was launched on Saturday evening (24 August) at the request of Belfast Coastguard following reports that two people had come off their jet ski on the north side of Inish Davar.…
Bangor RNLI Receives Generous Donation From Local Children
24 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI received a donation from three local children following a recent garden sale. On Wednesday evening (21 August), Daisy Bailie, Daniel McGinty and Zoe Johnston visited the Belfast Lough lifeboat station and presented volunteer crew members James Gillespie and…
Portaferry Lifeboat Launches to Rescue of Three Young Adults and Two Dogs Cut Off by Tide
23 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI’s pagers sounded at 2.42pm on Thursday afternoon (22 August) to assist three young adults and two dogs stranded on Rough Island after the incoming tide covered the Island Hill causeway. Lifeboat helm Scott Blackwood, with volunteer crew members…
RS Feva Irish Nationals 2024: New Champions Crowned at Ballyholme Yacht Club
21 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RS Feva Irish Nationals attracted 25 sailors to Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough for three days of exciting racing for the overall title, the Irish Championship, and the RS Feva GP 1, the latter competition for sailors who…
Irish Sailors Showcase Strong Performances at ILCA UK Open & National Championships
21 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Irish sailors joined 252 competitors at the ILCA UK Open & National Championships at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA) in Dorset and raced over six days from 12th - 17th August. Conditions varied enormously from light to…
Entries Open for Next Month’s RYANI Youth Championships
20 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Entries are now open for the RYA Northern Ireland Youth Championships taking place at Strangford Lough Yacht Club on the weekend of 7-8 September. Eight fleets will be racing including Optimists, Toppers, ILCAs, RS Fevas and a regatta fleet, and…
Challenging RS 200 and RS 400 Irish National Championships at Carrickfergus Sailing Club
19 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 29 knot gusts and wind against tide on the first day of the RS 200 and RS 400 Irish National Championships at Carrickfergus Sailing Club on the north shore of Belfast Lough led to the cancellation of the first…
NI Anglers Advised Not to Eat Fish From Major Lough Neagh River
16 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Anglers in Northern Ireland have been advised not to eat any fish caught in Co Antrim’s Six Mile Water, which feeds into Lough Neagh, for the foreseeable future. As BBC News reports, Antrim & District Angling Association (ADAA) posted the…
Shareholders of Harland & Wolff Worried by 'Administration Plan'
13 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It is feared by a group of shareholders of Harland & Wolff that the shipyard business is being lined up for a "pre-pack" administration. That would see the east Belfast based shipbuilder group enter into administration, and its trading assets…
World Champions Expected at RS Feva Irish National Championship at Ballyholme
11 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
After the intense week of ILCA 6 European Championship racing at Ballyholme on Belfast Lough recently, the Club will find hosting the RS Feva Irish National Championship next weekend (15th, 16th and 17th) a somewhat easier but important task. The…
Newcastle Lifeboat Rescues Two on Broken-Down Yacht
11 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Leonard Kent was launched on Thursday evening (8 August) after the coastguard received a request for assistance from a yacht which had suffered engine failure. The volunteer crew were requested to launch at around 7.10pm following…
NI Sailors Take On the Best in the Netherlands at RS Feva Worlds
10 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Six Northern Ireland youth sailors competed at the recent RS Feva World Championships held in Bruinisse in the Netherlands from 26 July to 1 August. Emily and Annabel Ridout (Ballyholme Yacht Club, 25th overall), Matthew and Peter Ridout (Ballyholme YC, 45th)…
Lower Bann: Temporary Closure of Cutts Lock for Maintenance
7 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland advises users of the Lower Bann navigation in Northern Ireland that the Cutts lock will be closed for emergency maintenance works until this weekend (10-11 August). The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it apologises for any…
Donaghadee Lifeboat Volunteers Paged to Reports of Boater Unsure of Location
6 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The volunteer lifeboat crew from Donaghadee RNLI were paged by HM Coastguard at 7.11am on Tuesday morning (6 August) following a report of a man in a small boat in the vicinity of the Copeland Islands who was unsure of…
Carrybridge Lifeboat Assists Three on Vessel Run Aground
6 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a training exercise on Saturday afternoon (3 August) to assess a nine-metre vessel with three people on board which reportedly ran grounded some two miles north-west of the Share…
Former Belfast Lough Centenarian Classic Cruiser-Racer Wins Top Award In Cowes Week
6 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
When twin Brothers Billy & Brian Smyth of Royal North of Ireland YC at Cultra brought the Bermuda-rigged 35ft West Solent semi-OD Class Suvretta to Belfast Lough in the late 1950s, she was still very much as designed and built…
Howth's Sienna Wright Finishes Fifth Overall and Top Irish at Ballyholme's ILCA 6 Youth European Championships
4 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
After a week of mixed weather conditions in Ballyholme on Belfast Lough, the sun shone on the final day of the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships and Open European Trophy with exciting results after positions changed from the day before.…
Newcastle Lifeboat Launches to Aid of Dog in Distress
3 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI’s volunteer crew launched the inshore lifeboat on Wednesday evening (31 July) after the coastguard received a call about a dog in distress in the water close to Murlough beach on Northern Ireland’s Co Down coast. The lifeboat was launched…
Howth's Sienna Wright Lies Fourth Going into Final Races of ILCA 6 Youth European Championship at Ballyholme
2 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
After three days of light offshore winds and one day of none (which BBC weather forecaster says is not unusual in Co Down), Friday brought a complete change to the ILCA 6 Youth European Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough with a…
ILCA 6 European Championship Racing Cancelled at Ballyholme Due to Lack of Wind
1 August 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Racing in the ILCA 6 European Championship at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough was cancelled today at 1 p.m., as the Race Committee decided that there wasn't enough breeze to run a race. Meanwhile, the competitors resorted to watching…
Newcastle Lifeboat Rescues Three on Yacht That Suffers Engine Failure
31 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat, the Leonard Kent, was launched to assist three people onboard a 28ft yacht which had suffered engine failure some 13 nautical miles east of Ardglass on Sunday (28 July). At around 8.35pm on Sunday evening, the…
French and Australian Sailors Hold the Lead ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme
31 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Factor 50 was still needed on Wednesday, but the northeasterly breeze played ball and held, allowing the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme on Belfast Lough to launch 366 boats in 36 minutes. The Beach Team is reported to be going for…
East Antrim's Zoe Whitford Leads Irish Hopes at ILCA 6 European Youth Championships at Ballyholme
30 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Day two was definitely a Factor 50 day on Belfast Lough, and a lack of any breeze forced the ILCA 6 European Youth Championships Race Team at Ballyolme Yacht Club to postpone racing until 1400 hrs. Patience paid off and…
Bangor RNLI’s New Lifeboat Ruby Robinson Launches Twice in One Day
28 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland launched to the aid of two people last week in two separate incidents on a single day. At 10.46am on Tuesday (23 July), the volunteer crew launched their new Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Ruby Robinson…
2024 ILCA 6 Youth European Championships Are Ready for Ballyholme's First Race on Monday
27 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
All 370 competitors have arrived at Ballyholme for the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships, and with just one more day until racing starts, things are running smoothly; even the boat and sail inspection is half an hour ahead of schedule.…
Special CH Marine Offer on Ex-Charter Boats for ILCA 6 Youth European Championships at Ballyhome Yacht Club
26 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
CH Marine Chandlery, which is on-site to support today's opening of the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships at Ballyhome Yacht Club at Bangor in Northern Ireland, is offering a special price on ex-charter boats at the event and online. As Afloat…
Broad Welcome for Lough Neagh Action Plan as Stormont Gives Seal of Approval
24 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The long awaited action plan for Lough Neagh that was approved last week by the Northern Ireland Executive has been broadly welcomed, as BBC News reports. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said he would put his “shoulder to the wheel” to…
A Club Transformed as Ballyholme Yacht Club Hosts ILCA 6 European Championships on Belfast Lough
22 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newbies to the Ballyholme suburb of Bangor on Belfast Lough tend to call the shops at a crossroads The Village, and now there is another village at Ballyholme – at the Yacht Club – the ILCA 6 Euros Competitors' Village…
Newcastle RNLI rescues two sailors after catamaran gets into difficulty
22 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI came to the aid of two sailors on Friday afternoon (19 July) after their catamaran got into difficulty in Newcastle Bay. The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore lifeboat by Belfast Coastguard at 4.21 pm and…
Northern Ireland Sailor Embarks on Fundraising Circumnavigation of Ireland in Memory of Friend
21 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Gavin Vaughan of Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough has always wanted to sail around Ireland but not in the famous race. So spurred on by the death of his longtime friend and crew Neale McCullough, who…
Five Races Planned at Strangford Lough Yacht Club Two Day Event in August
20 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough Yacht Club, on the western shore of the Lough, is looking forward to a big turnout for its two-day event on Saturday and Sunday, August 24th and 25th. The competition is open to IRC and YTC…
Drascombe Raid From Carrickfergus To The Sands Of Solway
18 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The extensive Solway Firth, between Scotland and England in the northeast corner of the Irish Sea, has massive tides that are continually changing the nature of the place. In times past, this worked well for coastal raiders. And none more…
Larne Lifeboat Rescues Man on Inflatable Dinghy Drifting Out to Sea
18 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI came to the aid of a man who was drifting out to sea on an inflatable dinghy on Monday afternoon (15 July). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore D class lifeboat at 1.15pm at the…
200th Anniversary RNLI Exhibition at North Down Museum
15 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
An exhibition celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the RNLI is currently running in the Long Gallery at the North Down Museum in Bangor on Belfast Lough. Over the years, the charity’s volunteers have answered the call to rescue day or…
Jessika Robson Wins Bangor's Pickie to Pier Swim in Bangor for Third Time
14 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Jessika Robson from Hillsborough has won the annual Open House Festival Pickie to Pier Swim in Bangor on Belfast Lough for the third time. Previously winning in 2022 and 2021, Jessika was pipped to the post at last year's event…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Set to Host ILCA 6 Euros Championship Event
11 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
This week, the football Euros—in two weeks, it will be the ILCA 6 Euros at Ballyholme on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland on July 27th. The Club on the east side of Bangor on Belfast Lough has hosted many successful…
Foyle Maritime Festival Shines Despite the Showers
7 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It's been two years since the River Foyle in Ireland's northwest hosted one of the country's biggest nautical celebrations. Traditionally held in July, the Derry festival was brought forward a month to coincide perfectly with the start of the school…
British Marine Announces Robert Parton as New President
2 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
British Marine, the trade association for the UK leisure, superyacht, and small commercial marine industry, has appointed Robert Parton as its new President, effective from 18 July 2024. Having served as President-Elect for the past two years, Robert Parton is…
Belfast Harbour Reports Strong Financial Results in 2023
1 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has announced strong financial results for 2023, showing an increase in annual turnover and operating profits despite a challenging global trading environment. The Harbour's annual turnover reached £82.9 million, marking a 7% increase from the previous year, while…
Kearney and Nelson Win Irish GP14 Championship Title at Newtownards Sailing Club
1 July 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ross Kearney and Daniel Nelson (RNIYC) won the 2024 GP14 Championship of Ireland which concluded on Sunday after eight races sailed at Newtownards Sailing Club. Eight races across 3 days and a variety of conditions tested the 45-boat fleet. Friday…
Three in a Row for J109 Storm as Bangor Regatta 2024 Sees Thrilling Finish in Unpredictable Weather
30 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In like a lion and out like a lamb is said to mean that the month of March should end with quiet weather compared to a lion. But this is June, and the Belfast Lough weather hasn't reached the lamb…
Exciting Finale In Prospect at Bangor Regatta 2024 on Belfast Lough
29 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Patience is a virtue they say and that is what was needed this morning when Belfast Lough was like a mirror and the Bangor Regatta fleet was motionless in the Marina. However word was that this forced stoppage was very…
Kelly Family's J109 Storm Leads at Bangor Regatta 2024
28 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Never mind what's going on elsewhere In Ireland this weekend; with Shania Twain in Belfast's Ormeau Park, Taylor Swift at the Aviva, the All-Ireland Quarter GAA Finals in Croke Park and the Foyle Maritime Festival in Derry, there was plenty…
Antrim Boat Club Concludes Busy Month with Exciting Racing Events
28 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
June at Antrim Boat Club on the north shore of Lough Neagh has been a busy month with the conclusion of the Rolo's Summer Series, the annual regatta and the Interclub event The Cat's Cradle. Unfortunately, the scheduled Races 5…
RNLI Lifeguards Return to Causeway Coast and Co Down Beaches for Peak Summer Period
28 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RNLI lifeguards are returning to their full-time regime patrolling a total of 11 Northern Ireland beaches along the Causeway Coast and in Co Down. The charity along with the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, the National Trust and Newry,…
New Atlantic 85 Class Inshore Lifeboat Goes on Service at Bangor RNLI
28 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A new Atlantic 85 class inshore lifeboat has officially gone on service at Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland. The Ruby Robinson arrived at the Co Down station on Tuesday afternoon (25 June) and replaces the Jessie Hillyard, which has been…
Devenish Island’s East Jetty Extension Officially Opened
27 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland has officially opens the extension of Devenish Island’s east jetty, increasing mooring capacity to facilitate growth in visitor numbers to the island, one of Lough Erne’s premier tourist attractions. Following a £285,000 (€338,000) investment, Devenish Island’s east jetty…
Flying Fifteens British Isles Championships: Competitive Racing and Fair Conditions Prevail at Strangford Lough Yacht Club
27 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A 41-boat fleet of Flying Fifteens assembled at Strangford Lough Yacht Club, Whiterock, this past week to contest the British Isles Championships. This event was last held in these waters in 2018 when the regatta was condensed into three short…
Portaferry Lifeboat Responds to Emergency Beacon Alert
25 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI’s pagers sounded on Sunday afternoon (23 June) after Belfast Coastguard received an ermergency position indication radio beacon (EPIRB) alert close to Portavogie. The inshore lifeboat launched at 1.05pm amid good conditions on Northern Ireland’s Co Down coast, with…
Competitive Spirit Alive in Clyde Cruising Club’s North Channel Race
25 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The North Channel Race is a well established offshore event on the Clyde Cruising Club racing calendar, and it was great to see such strong support from the RC35 fleet, writes Jim Dervin. After an 8pm start off Inverkip Marina…
Royal North's Patterson and Nolan Lying Third at the Squib UK Nationals on the Firth of Forth
19 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland's Gordon Patterson and Ross Nolan from the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club are lying third after day three of the Squib UK Nationals at the Royal Forth Yacht Club. This morning (Wednesday) there was absolutely no wind…
Quoile Yacht Club's Mat 1010 Elixir is Ailsa Craig Race Winner
19 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Ailsa Craig race has for 62 years been the highlight of Royal Ulster’s offshore sailing programme. The 80-mile race from Bangor on the north down coast, round the Rock in the Firth of Clyde and back to Bangor, is…
'Largest' Sailing Ship 'Sea Cloud Spirit' Visits Belfast and Dublin
18 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 'largest sailing ship in the world' and probably one of the largest ships to anchor in Belfast Lough at 138 metres in length arrived in the Norhern Ireland port on Tuesday, (June 18th). She is the youngest of the…
Anglers ‘Fighting Uphill Battle’ Against Pollution of Northern Ireland Rivers
18 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Anglers in Northern Ireland say they are “fighting an uphill battle” against pollution incidents that have resulted in a spate of fish kills throughout the region. As BBC News reports, thousands of fish have been lost in incidents across Northern…
Campaigners Celebrate as Court of Appeal Rules Against ‘Irrational’ Decision to Approve Larne Lough Gas Storage Project
17 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Local campaigners shed “tears of joy”, as Belfast Live reports, after the Court of Appeal in Belfast ruled that Edwin Poots acted “irrationally” in approving unilaterally a major gas storage project under Larne Lough. Under the banner of No Gas…
Kennedy and Kane are Flying Fifteen Northern Champions at Killyleagh
17 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ten boats lined up on the start line for the Flying Fifteen Northern Championships 2024, held on June 15th and 16th at Killyleagh Yacht Club, on Strangford Lough. The first day of racing began with calm winds and shifting breezes, challenging…
Exciting Finale as Mocking-J Secures Victory at RC35 Scottish Championships
17 June 2024 Scottish Waters
The word of the weekend was “windy” as the seven competitors arrived at the Holy Loch to participate in the 2024 RC35 Championships. With the wind coming out of the west and funnelling over the hill and straight down the…
Killyleagh Yacht Club Hosts Annual Fund-raising Charity Event in Aid of RNLI's 200th Anniversary
17 June 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland's Killyleagh Yacht Club lies on the western shore of Strangford Lough on Cuan Beach, close to the town. On June 29th and 30th, it will host its annual fund-raising charity event. This year, the event will aid the…
