The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
Newcastle RNLI Rescues Solo Sailor with Engine Failure at Harbour
11 June 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI came to the aid of a lone sailor yesterday evening (Tuesday, 10 June) after their sailing vessel encountered engine failure upon entry to Ardglass Harbour. The volunteer crew were requested by Belfast Coastguard to launch the all-weather Mersey…
Bangor Lifeboat Launches to Two on 30ft Yacht With Engine Trouble
5 June 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI’s volunteers were called on Saturday evening (31 May) to assist the crew of a 30ft yacht with suspected engine failure just off South Briggs in Groomsport. The inshore lifeboat Ruby Robinson launched shortly after 7pm and made best…
‘Amazing’ Experiences at RYA’s Women on Water Festival in Ballyholme
5 June 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland’s latest Women on Water Festival at Ballyholme Yacht Club has been hailed as a roaring success, with 42 women taking part in the event on Saturday (31 May). As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Belfast-based chartered accountants RBCA…
When Lasers Cost £466 - ILCA to Celebrate 50 Years of Laser Sailing in Ireland
3 June 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Sailing on Saturday last weekend told of Centenaries and suggested that 100-year fatigue may have set in. But one anniversary will not pass without huge celebrations, and that is the Golden 50 years of ILCAs or Lasers, as old hands…
Donaghadee Lifeboat Responds to Two Yacht Emergencies
2 June 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat volunteers in Northern Ireland responded to two emergency calls within 48 hours over the weekend. The first call came on Saturday, 31 May, at 6.35pm. HM Coastguard requested assistance for a 36ft yacht near Briggs Buoy at…
Unusually poor weather greeted Scotland's Royal Highland Yacht Club (RHYC) members when the club's Social Sailing Network gathered in Tobermory, Isle of Mull, for the annual Mull Music Festival. Yachts came together on Friday, 25th April, to make use of…
Ridout Sisters Secure Sixth in RS Feva Nationals at Dalgety Bay
28 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Emily and Annabel Ridout from Ballyholme finished a commendable sixth overall in the 42-strong Gold fleet racing in the RS Feva Nationals at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club, Scotland, over the weekend of May 24/25, according to provisional results. Their Black Flag in…
'Hot Orange' Dominates Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships
27 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The weekend of 24th – 25th May saw the Inaugural Ruffian 23 Ulster Championships hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club on Belfast Lough. Saturday morning started an overcast day with the wind 15 kts gusting into the late teens/early twenties. The…
Continuing Ireland’s prolific record of winning the historical regatta’s top overall award, the National Yacht Club’s J/109 Something Else, owned and steered by Brian Hall, lifted the historic Scottish Series Trophy on Monday (26 May) after counting a perfect scoreline…
Bill O'Hara Appointed Race Officer for IRC NI Championships
25 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor man Bill O'Hara has been appointed Race Officer for the inaugural IRC Northern Ireland Championships, scheduled for July 19th and 20th. This event marks the final of the Irish Sea Nations Cup inaugural challenge and will be hosted by…
Larne RNLI Rescues Three from Stranded Pleasure Boat
24 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
County Antrim's Larne RNLI in Northern Ireland rescued three people from a pleasure boat that broke down near Ballygally Head on Thursday evening, 22 May. The incident occurred around 4.49 pm after HM Coastguard received an alarm from the crew. Conditions…
National Yacht Club's 'Something Else' and 'Valentina' Shine on Day One of 2025 Scottish Series
23 May 2025 Scottish Waters
Dublin Bay yachts lead IRC 1 and Coastal divisions after the opening day of the 2025 Jura Scottish Series on Loch Fyne on Friday, May 23rd. Race organisers made the best of the beneficial wind and weather conditions on Loch…
Competitors at the Jura Scottish Series may not be assured of continued sunshine, the like of which has blessed the north of Britain for the last few weeks, but they should be blessed with breezes which seem set to build…
Exclusive French Cruise Ship Operator Visit to Warrenpoint Port Highlights Regional Tourism
22 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
On a visit to the scenic shores of Carlingford Lough was the small yet exclusive French-owned cruise ship Le Boréal, which was welcomed to Warrenpoint Port on Tuesday. The 264 guests of the cruise ship operated by French operator, Ponant…
Hall's 'Something Else' Eyes Scottish Series IRC Title Set to Start on May 23 with Strong Line-up
22 May 2025 Scottish Waters
The National Yacht Club's potent J109 Something Else (Brian Hall) from Dublin Bay starts the Scottish Series on Friday, May 23rd, along with Dun Laoghaire Harbour clubmates Johnny Treanor's J112 Valentina and Pat Hogan's Dehler 30, No Xcuse. Johnny Treanor's…
Kinsale’s Travers and O'Riordan Win Northern Squib Championship at Killyleagh
21 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strangford Lough was at its best for the Squibs hosted by Killyleagh Yacht Club on the western shore for the strong fleet of 30 at the Northern Championship last weekend. Bright sunshine and friendly winds persisted over the two days.…
Larne Lifeboat Launches to Report of Person in the Water at Glenarm Marina
20 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI in Northern Ireland launched to the aid of a person who had fallen into the water at Glenarm Marina in the early hours of Saturday morning (17 May). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their all-weather lifeboat…
Bangor RNLI Rescues Exhausted Kite Surfer in Ballyholme Bay
19 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI volunteers were called to action on Monday morning. At 8.49 am, Belfast Coastguard alerted them about a kite surfer in difficulty in Ballyholme Bay. Bangor lifeboat Ruby Robinson launched at 9.00 am, reaching the scene quickly. They found…
Owens and Morris Shine at Ulster Championships with Five Wins
19 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ireland's top-ranked GP14 pairing, Ger Owens and Melanie Morris of Wicklow and the host club, were on form in last weekend's 75th anniversary class Ulster Championships at East Antrim Boat Club, chalking up five wins from six races. The 25-boat…
Bangor RNLI Names New Lifeboat 'Ruby Robinson' in Ceremony
18 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A new inshore Atlantic 85 class lifeboat has been officially named Ruby Robinson during a special naming ceremony and service of dedication held at the RNLI lifeboat station on Belfast Lough on Saturday, May 17th. The event coincided with Bangor…
RYA Northern Ireland Partners With Disability Sport NI to Achieve Inclusive Sports Award
18 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has announced its partnership with Disability Sport NI to achieve the Inclusive Sports Award. This award “recognises a commitment to ensuring that sailing and boating is a welcoming, accessible and inclusive sport for everyone,” RYANI says. The…
Bangor RNLI’s 60th Anniversary Badge Designed by Keen Lifeboat Supporter
18 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Earlier this year, the children of the crew at Bangor RNLI on Belfast Lough were invited to submit designs for a logo for the station's 60th anniversary. All the designs received were fantastic and after a lot of serious deliberation…
Killyleagh Hosts Northern Championship for 30 Squibs
15 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Killyleagh is a small Loughside town on the western shore of Strangford Lough with its yacht club on Cuan Beach. This weekend, 30 Squibs will gather for the class’s first Regional event, the Northern Championship. Light winds are forecast. Reigning…
25 GP14s Set to Race at Ulster Championship This Weekend
15 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Up to 25 GP14s (and a last push for 30) will contest the Ulster Championship at East Antrim Boat Club at Larne, Northern Ireland, this weekend, 17th/18th May, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the class and the host club. Light…
Portrush Raft Race Returns: Join the Fun on May 24-25!
12 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
No sooner has the North Coast town of Portrush quietened down after the invasion accompanying the North West 200 MotorBike racing last weekend, than the crowds will return for the famous Portrush Raft Race on 24th and 25th May on…
Bangor and Donaghadee Lifeboats Respond to Report of Vessel Taking on Water
8 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Pagers sounded for the crews of both Bangor and Donaghadee RNLI at 8.55am on Monday morning (5 May) following a request from HM Coastguard to assist the crew of a 32ft vessel reported to be taking on water in the…
RYA Northern Ireland Partners With RBCA to Support ‘Women on Water’ Programme
8 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has announced Belfast-based chartered accountants RBCA as the first ever sponsor of its Women On Water programme. RBCA will support for three years with its investment, helping RYANI to build awareness and enhance sailing initiatives geared towards…
Afloat.ie regrets to record the death of Brian Law of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland, after a long illness which he defied by sailing to the end. In fact, when the terminal diagnosis was confirmed, he resolved to spend his…
Cranston's Purple Haze Takes Second in Solent Quarter Ton Series
6 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Stuart Cranston's Northern Ireland Quarter Tonner Purple Haze finished a creditable runner-up in a high-quality eight-boat warmup series for quarter tonners over the weekend on the Solent. Counting finishes all in the top three, modifications and upgrades during the winter have clearly…
Enniskillen Lifeboat Crew Assist Jet Skiers Off Ross Harbour
3 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Enniskillen RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was launched at the request of Belfast Coastguard on Wednesday evening (30 April) following reports that a jet ski with two males onboard had broken down in the area of Ross Harbour. The weather was good,…
Bobby Driscoll of Ballyholme is Sailor of the Month (Juniors) for April
1 May 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
With half a dozen classes racing, late April's Royal St George Yacht Club-organised Youth Nationals in Dublin Bay provided several champions. But few would argue that the ILCA 6 class is the crème de la crème. And it seems they're…
RS Spring Shakedown Kicks Off Northern Ireland Racing Season
30 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Northern Ireland RS racing season commenced on Sunday, 27th April, with the Spring Shakedown at Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Organised by Paul Robinson and his team, the event featured multiple races before the club's traditional opening-day BBQ and social gathering.…
To say the untimely passing on 24th April of Ayrshire's Alistair 'Storky' McLaughlin, 64, has robbed only the north of Britain of a truly outstanding sailing talent would be to underrepresent the dozens of regattas and championships he won. From…
Upgraded Navigation Routes Enhance Strangford Lough Safety
19 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
13,000 years ago, when the ice sheets finally melted, the drumlin field in the east of County Down was drowned and what was left of the drumlins formed islands. These islands are in various stages of erosion and pladdies, as…
Mercedes-Benz to Sponsor RS Eurocup and Nationals 2025 on Belfast Lough
15 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club has announced that Mercedes-Benz of Northern Ireland will be the title sponsor of the RS400 Eurocup and UK/Irish Nationals. The event is scheduled for 3rd–8th August 2025 on Belfast Lough. The championships are…
RYANI Partners With John Minnis Estate Agents for Northern Ireland Youth Championships
15 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
John Minnis Estate Agents have partnered with RYA Northern Ireland to sponsor the Northern Ireland Youth Championships in a three-year agreement supporting developing junior and youth sailing. This year the event will be hosted by Ballyholme Yacht Club on 13-14…
Carrybridge Lifeboat Crew Assist Two Aboard Vessel Run Aground
13 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Douglas Euan & Kay Richards diverted from a training exercise at 7.50pm on Thursday (10 April) at the request of Belfast Coastguard, to assess a nine-metre vessel with two people on board which had run aground…
Portrush Lifeboat Launches to People Caught in Rip Tide at West Strand
13 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
On Saturday afternoon (12 April), Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard to reports of persons in difficulty in the water at Castle Erin at the West Strand. Deputy launching authority Ben Durrant was out for…
Northern Ireland Sailors Shine at Ulster ILCA Championships
9 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Over half of the record-breaking 72 strong fleets at last weekend's Ulster ILCA championships hosted by East Antrim Boat Club were top-performing sailors from Northern Ireland in each of the three classes. East Antrim Boat Club celebrates its 75th anniversary…
Bangor Lifeboat Rescues Fisherman from Sinking Vessel at Helen's Bay
8 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI lifeboat on Belfast Lough was requested to launch and attend an incident at Helen's Bay where there were reports of a fishing vessel aground and taking on water on Sunday (6 April). At 7.15am, Belfast Coastguard requested the…
New Rescue Figures Reveal RNLI Came to Aid of 469 People in Northern Ireland in 2024
6 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RNLI has released its rescue figures for 2024, which show the charity came to the aid of 469 people in Northern Ireland last year, 16 of whom were lives saved. Lifeboats located across the RNLI’s 10 lifeboat stations in…
Bangor Lifeboat Crew Assist Two People on Yacht With Engine Trouble
5 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI assisted two people after their yacht had engine difficulty just east of Bangor Harbour last Sunday (30 March). At 12.57pm, just as volunteers were getting ready to have Mother’s Day lunch, pagers sounded calling the crew to assist…
New Alliance Is United in Bid for Clean Water in Northern Ireland
2 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Seven of Northern Ireland’s water-based sport national governing bodies have come together to tackle the growing issue of polluted water in the region. The Clean Water Sports Alliance NI represents over 22,000 club members and 300,000 participants. With six out…
FA2 Triumphs in Antrim Boat Club's Winter Series Finale
1 April 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Stormy weather delayed the start of Part 2 of Antrim Boat Club's Winter Series, and subsequently, inclement weather resulted in two of the scheduled nine being cancelled. The club lies at the mouth of the Six Mile River at the…
The Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to Oban, Scotland in the 2025-26 edition. The West Coast town aims to attract global visitors and investors. In the summer of 2026, the Clipper Race fleet of eleven yachts will…
Tree Planting Bolsters Muff River Restoration Works Following Major Pollution Incident
29 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Some 1,500 trees have been planted on the bank of the Muff River to complement a wide range of remediation measures carried out by the Loughs Agency following a fish kill incident in November 2023. The tree-planting event was attended…
Success for NI Sailing at Ards and North Down Sports Awards
28 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland sailors and volunteers were recognised for their recent successes at the Ards and North Down Sports Awards. The event at Clandeboye Lodge Hotel on 21 March featured participants from a wide range of sports across Ards and North…
Local Boats Sign Up as Northern Ireland Hosts First IRC Championship This July
27 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
For the first time, Northern Ireland joins the other UK Home Nations and the Republic of Ireland in hosting its own IRC Championship. Royal Ulster Yacht Club will run the event under the auspices of the Royal Ocean Racing Club…
Irish Sailor Philip Quinn Leads Clipper Race Team Again, Second Irish Skipper Racing Too
27 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A professional sailor from Ireland is set to take on one of the toughest jobs in sailing for a second time. Philip Quinn, who lives in County Down, Northern Ireland, has been selected to lead a team of non-professionals around…
Strangford Lough Spring Series: A Test of Coastal Rowing
26 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Those who have taken to the water in Strangford Lough will be very aware of the challenge posed by the tidal run through 'The Narrows' where in full flow it can add 8 or 9 knots to the speed of…
Portrush RNLI Says Thank You to Ballymoney Fundraising Team
16 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last month the Portrush lifeboat crew and operations team on Northern Ireland’s North Coast met the fundraising team from Ballymoney to thank them for their fundraising efforts during the 200th year of the RNLI. Ballymoney is a small but mighty…
RNLI and Girlguiding Ulster Join Forces for Water Safety
12 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RNLI and Girlguiding Ulster have announced a new partnership that aims to teach and empower young girls to stay safe in, on and around the water. The partnership, which was launched on Saturday morning (8 March), coinciding with International…
Kearney and Nelson Dominate at GP14 Spring Series in Belfast
12 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The weather Gods were kind at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough last Sunday for the GP14 Spring Series, treating us to much-needed blue skies and a light but building westerly breeze. Spirits were further lifted by…
Join the Leisure 17 Festival at East Down Yacht Club
11 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
East Down Yacht Club is a stronghold for the Leisure 17 class in Strangford Lough, with a fleet of 26. They are hoping that other Leisure 17s from within and outside of the Lough will join them on the Bank…
1720 Eastern Championship Returns to Belfast Lough in September
8 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Twenty-five years ago, Alan Espey's 1720 Sportsboat Red-Green from Royal Ulster Yacht Club secured the class win at the Scottish Series, but even before that, in 1997, another Bangor based 1720 was making its mark at that year's Bangor Week.…
WISTA Launches in Northern Ireland, Celebrating Women in Shipping
6 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A group representing women in the shipping and trading sector has flourished for 51 years since its inception in 1974 in a London pub. However, this week saw the Women in Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) launch for the first…
Native Oysters Return to Belfast Lough for Restoration Efforts
6 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Native oysters have made a return to Carrickfergus as part of efforts to restore Belfast Lough’s small but endangered population. Over 900 mature native oysters (Ostrea edulis) have been suspended in 30 purpose-built cages over the edges of Carrickfergus Marina’s…
First Call-Out of 2025 for Portaferry Lifeboat as Crew Assist 12 Stranded Sheep
3 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Pagers for Portaferry RNLI’s crew sounded at 9.12am on Sunday morning (2 March) after the alarm was raised that some sheep had become stranded on rocks close to Ballyquintin Point at the tip of the Ards Peninsula, where Strangford Lough…
Sorona: The Remarkable Restoration of a Classic S Cruiser
3 March 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The S Cruisers built at the Shipyard at Ballyholme on the east side of Bangor are synonymous with their designer and builder, Bertie Slater. Several of these S cruisers are still in existence. One in particular, Sorona, one of 22…
Golden Age of Scottish Yacht Design Gets Museum Focus
27 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
If you sail a classic wooden One Design in Ireland, there's a good chance it originated from the drawing board of one of the great Scottish yacht designers, geniuses who flourished internationally from 1870 onwards for almost a century as…
Larne Lifeboat Rescues Two on Small Fishing Boat After Breakdown
24 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI came to the aid of two people onboard a small fishing boat that broke down close to Ballylumford Power Station on Saturday evening (22 February). The volunteer crew were requested to launch their inshore D class lifeboat Terry…
Mowi Plans Salmon Farm and Tourism Development on Sanda Island
24 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Sanda Island, from the Scottish Gaelic: Sandaigh, is a small 453-acre island off the south end of the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland. It is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its importance for both migrating and breeding…
Lower Bann: Cutts Lock Closing for Maintenance for Next Six Weeks
19 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland advises users and masters of vessels that the Cutts lock on the Lower Bann navigation in Northern Ireland will be closed to all navigational traffic from this Thursday 20 February for approximately six weeks. This closure is to…
John Minnis Represents Northern Ireland Cruiser-Racer Interests on ICRA 2025 Committee
17 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
John Minnis who races the very successful Archambault A35 Final Call II out of Belfast Lough is the only person to represent Northern Ireland on the Irish Cruiser Racer Association (ICRA) 2025 Committee. He is one of thirteen members from…
69 Boats Registered for Scottish Series 2025, Four from Northern Ireland
16 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
There are 69 boats on the registered interest list for the Scottish Series Regatta in May 2025, and of these, four are from Northern Ireland. The Clyde Cruising Club, which organises the event, has said, "Interest has surpassed expectations at…
New Website Launched for Northern Ireland Sailing Team
16 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has launched a new website for its recently formed Northern Ireland Sailing Team. The association says the new platform serves as a 'comprehensive resource' for those interested in sailing and racing. The website includes the latest team…
Loughs Agency Issues Statement on Fish Kill at Glenmornan River
15 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Loughs Agency is investigating a pollution incident at the Glenmornan River in Artigarvan, Co Tyrone which has resulted in a significant fish kill. In a statement, the agency said the incident was first detected on Friday (14 February) when…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club Publishes 2025 Sailing Programme
14 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Royal Ulster's 2025 Sailing Programme covers all racing hosted by the club in Bangor on the south shore of Belfast Lough, and regattas classed under the Belfast Lough Regatta Conference and major sailing events. Among the standout fixtures are the…
Iain Percy to Speak at Down Cruising Club Event
13 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Down Cruising Club has an unusual clubhouse—an ex-lightship called Petrel, lying alongside an old pier at Ballydorn near Whiterock on the west side of Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. At this club, Iain Percy CBE, a British Olympian who now…
Enniskillen Lifeboat Launches Twice for Weekend Call-Outs
11 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Enniskillen RNLI responded to two calls for assistance at the weekend. The first was on Friday evening (7 February), when the inshore lifeboat John and Jean Lewis was called by the coastguard at 6.30pm to search for an object reported…
West Highland Yachting Week Transitions to New Handicap System
10 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
One of Scotland’s longest-running yacht regattas has announced that they will be changing from their traditional CYCA handicap system to the new RYA AERA YTC handicap system for their 77th annual event in August 2025. The event has seen a…
Countries Prepare For The Irish Sea Nations Cup 2025 - Notice of Race Here!
7 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The countdown is on for the Irish Sea Nations Cup 2025, the new sailing competition that promotes regional engagement. Organised by the founders of prominent events like the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, the IRC Welsh Championships and the Scottish Series,…
Details Revealed for the 2025 Irish Sea Nation’s Cup, Featuring Regattas Across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Ireland
7 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Organisers have formally announced details of the 2025 combined regatta initiative for teams from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, England and Ireland. Following an inaugural meeting last December, four 2025 regattas in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Wales have combined to…
Northern Ireland Sailing Team Wins Celtic Cup Title in Killyleagh
3 February 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Northern Ireland sailing team triumphed in the Celtic Cup, following a tight weekend of racing held at Killyleagh Outdoor Education Centre on the 1st and 2nd of February. The competition saw the top junior and youth sailors from Scotland,…
North West Angling Fair to Return to Banks of the Mourne in March
31 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strabane is set to play host to thousands of fishing enthusiasts in March when the North West Angling Fair returns to the Melvin Sports Complex. The annual celebration of angling will host some of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain’s…
Bangor RNLI Receives £2,000 Donation from Ballyholme Yacht Club
30 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI were presented with a cheque for £2000 by the members of Ballyholme Yacht Club following fundraising during their Boxing Day Regatta and open sea swim on Belfast Lough. Last night (Tuesday, 28 January), Bangor RNLI Visits Officers John…
January Sprints Showcase Competitive Dinghy Sailing at Ballyholme
30 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The fresh south-westerly breeze was chilly, but the sun shone, and the water was flat, giving the 24 sailors keen competition in the three divisions of the January Sprints at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough. Headed by Race Officer…
Espey and Ferguson Lead Home Contingent into RS400 Eurocup and UK & Irish National Championships
29 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RS400 Class Association has published the Notice of Race for its Eurocup and UK & Irish National Championships, from 3rd to 8th August 2025 on Belfast Lough in Northern Ireland. Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club (RNIYC) is gearing…
Controversial 1959 Plan for Strangford Lough Declassified
26 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A proposed barrage across the Strangford Narrows, making Strangford Lough into a freshwater lake, and an atomic power plant and airport on the reclaimed land were included in the astonishing 1959 plan to dam the Lough revealed under the recent…
Irish Sailors Appointed to Lead World Sailing Committees
24 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Irish sailors will chair two World Sailing Committees for 2025-2028 following the approval of the appointments by the World Sailing Council this week. Dublin match racer Diana Kissane will be vice–chair of the Equipment Rules Sub-committee. Kissane is a well-known Irish sailor, particularly recognised…
Bangor Lifeboat Launches Twice in One Night to Assist Angling Boat
23 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The volunteer crew of Bangor RNLI in Northern Ireland were tasked by HM Coastguard at 9.56pm on Wednesday evening (22 January) following reports that three people onboard a leisure fishing boat had run aground and were unsure of their exact…
East Down Yacht Club's Icicle Series: Ozarek and Stocking Lead After Week Two of Racing
21 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Halfway through East Down Yacht Club's six-week Icicle Series, Jacub Ozarek and Abbie Stocking, sailing a 29er, lead the good-sized handicap fleet of over 20 with an IlCA 7 (P Hamilton) in second place. Third is another ILCA 7 sailed…
Belfast Harbour Unveils £313m Strategy to Boost Offshore Wind Energy Capacity
21 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has unveiled a new strategy which sets out plans to position the port at the forefront of the clean energy transition as a key player in the development of offshore wind energy port capacity in the UK &…
Belfast Harbour's Harlander: Northern Ireland's First Autonomous Passenger Vehicle Set for Pilot Launch
15 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has visited its automotive engineering partner HORIBA MIRA to observe testing of the Harlander, Northern Ireland’s first autonomous passenger vehicle, before its delivery to Belfast in March. Harlander is Northern Ireland’s first self-driving vehicle and will operate in…
Ian Williams Triumphs at Inaugural Macao Match Cup, Secures First Title of 2025
12 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Great Britain’s Ian Williams and his Pindar by Manuport Logistics Team of Richard Sydenham, Jon Gundersen from Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland and Gerry Mitchell have been crowned champions of the inaugural Macao Match Cup, the opening event of the…
Junior Icebreaker Series Launches February 1st at Ballyholme Yacht Club
12 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The second series of the Junior Icebreaker or JIB will kick off on 1st February at Ballyholme Yacht Club on the Bay to the east side of Bangor on Belfast Lough. At that club, racing used to finish in early…
Pollution Incident Under Investigation at Ballyholme Beach
11 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
BBC News NI has reported that the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is investigating a pollution incident at Belfast Lough's Ballyholme Beach on Ballyholme Bay to the east of Bangor on the County Down coast. NIEA confirmed that it has…
Icy Conditions Don't Deter Competitors in East Down Yacht Club's Icicle Series
9 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The very cold snap in the New Year affecting all of Northern Ireland didn't deter the starters in the aptly named Icicle Series at East Down Yacht Club on the eastern shore of Strangford Lough. In fact, the -4 deg…
Northern Ireland Yachts Gear Up for Busy Racing Season on Irish Sea
7 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland yachts travelling up and down the Irish Sea this season to Howth, Dun Laoghaire, Tarbert and Oban in a crowded racing calendar As arrangements for the 2025 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta from 10th till 13 July hot up,…
Strangford Lough Racing Cruiser Association Announces 2025 Series Schedule
4 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strangford Lough Racing Cruiser Association was formed in 1973 by a group of like-minded sailors to promote the racing of cruising boats both inside the lough and offshore and to encourage cooperation between clubs in the lough and co-ordination of…
Portrush Lifeboat in Early Morning Launch for Medevac From Rathlin Island
3 January 2025 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by HM Coastguard shortly after 5am on Friday morning (3 January) to assist with a medical evacuation off Rathlin Island. The volunteer crew launched at 5.28am into a bitterly cold morning and…
East Antrim Boat Club Hosts Thrilling Post-Christmas Regatta in Larne Lough
31 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
After a lively, colourful few weeks at the Larne-based East Antrim Boat Club with activities getting members in the Christmas mood – Kids' party, wreath making and Christmas Eve nibbles and mulled wine, came the post-Christmas annual regatta. The pre-Christmas…
Ellie Aldridge Named MBE After Historic Olympic Gold in Formula Kite at Paris 2024
30 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Britain's Ellie Aldridge has been made an MBE in the King’s New Year’s Honours following her groundbreaking victory in the women’s kite competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Aldridge made history as the first-ever Formula Kite gold medallist, defeating 19…
Michael McKee – A Long Life in Boats and Sailing
30 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
We regret to record the death of Michael McKee of Bangor, who faithfully adhered to the highest standards of seamanship in an extensive sailing career in which competent offshore sailing – whether cruising or racing – was his paramount interest.…
Two Call-Outs for Portrush Lifeboat Crew to People in Difficulty
29 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI volunteers launched twice in recent days to two separate reports of people in difficulty off Northern Ireland’s North Coast. The all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch by the HM Coastguard at 10.24am on Saturday morning (28 December) to…
Extreme Weather Cancels Final Day of RS400 Frostie Series at RNIYC, Christmas Party Celebrated Instead
28 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Sadly, the final day of racing at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club RS400 Frostie Series on Belfast Lough was not to be. The forecast was for extreme wind, so it was called off the day before. On arrival at…
Belfast Harbour Invests £315,000 to Boost Community Initiatives in 2024
23 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has announced that it contributed a total of £315,000 to a diverse range of community organisations, charities, and initiatives in 2024 to help them deliver essential projects across the city and the wider region. Of that total, £109,000…
Bangor RNLI Crew Honoured with Gallantry Awards for Christmas Day Heroic Rescue
22 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The bravery of four members of Bangor lifeboat crew on Belfast Lough has been recognised by the RNLI for a rescue on Christmas Day 2021. Helmsman John Bell and crew Gavin Mitchell, Johnny Gedge, and Ewan Rathbone-Scott have all been…
UK Supreme Court Rejects Stormont’s Appeal of Larne Loughs Gas Cavern Ruling
21 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The UK Supreme Court has rejected a bid to overturn the recent ruling against Stormont’s approval of the proposed Larne Lough gas storage project. Three judges have refused DAERA’s application for permission to appeal June’s decision “because the applications do…
H Boat 'Final Fling' Leads Antrim Boat Club's Winter Series after Thrilling First Half of Races
20 December 2024 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The first part of Antrim Boat Club's six-race Winter Series started on 3rd November when ten competitors signed up for the series at the club in the northwest corner of Lough Neagh, with Alfie Mayrs winning the first half of…
