The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
Northern Ireland Navigator Ian Moore on The New Rolex Fastnet Race Course
26 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
One big overall win has eluded Northern Ireland navigator Ian Moore - in nine attempts at the Rolex Fastnet Race Moore’s team has made the podium twice but failed to win the Royal Ocean Racing Club’s flagship race. Ian is fascinated…
’30,000 Gallons Of Slurry’ To Blame For Fisk Kill In Co Derry River
24 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland’s Agriculture Minister has confirmed that a fish kill in a tributary of the River Moyola last week was caused by a spillage of 30,000 gallons of slurry, as BBC News reports. The incident on the Grange River in…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Returns to the Waters of Belfast Lough
23 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In what will be a welcome decision by the Ballyholme Yacht Club, members will now be able to proceed, albeit slowly and patiently, towards a return to watersports. Commodore Aidan Pounder has emailed members with the news that SportNI has…
'Lack of Advice' Poses Questions For Northern Ireland Sailing Clubs Over COVID-19
21 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The latest statement from the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland, the governing body for all water activities in Northern Ireland says “In the absence of any further guidance from Government Departments, our current interpretation is that this does permit all…
'Shaped By the Sea' Is Example of Northern Ireland's Literary Talent
21 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
There is a hidden wealth of literary talent in the North which deserves greater exposure and the book Shaped by the Sea produced by a team of volunteers in the East Antrim area is an excellent example writes Betty Armstrong…
The Lough Erne branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) welcomes the return to Lough Erne where boat owners with craft on the waterways can enjoy once more the beautiful scenery of this part of County Fermanagh, with…
Titanic’s Belfast & Dublin Links Remembered With Retrieval of Sunken Ship's Marconi Radio
20 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
An ambitious project to retrieve the most famous marine radio in the world from 2.5 miles down in the Atlantic has finally secured legal approval. The saving of the Marconi radio which sent out the distress signals from the sinking…
As well as Bangor Marina opening, also nearly back to normal is Carrickfergus across Belfast Lough, Glenarm on the Antrim Coast Road and the inland marina at Portglenone on the River Bann. In a Notice to Mariners Harbour Master Billy…
Permits Now Available For Loughs Agency Fisheries
20 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
As of yesterday (Tuesday 19 May), permits are available for Loughs Agency permit waters on the River Foyle, River Finn (approx six miles) and Greenbraes Fishery. DAERA has also opened, with limitations, the Public Angling Estate in Northern Ireland — which in…
RYANI Welcomes Executive Announcement Permitting Outdoor Activity
19 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has today welcomed the NI Executive announcement permitting outdoor activity. The announcement paves the way for the boating community to return to the water, where social distancing and other parameters can be strictly adhered to. The guidance…
Rescue Teams Called To Nearly 200 Incidents Over Weekend Around UK Coasts
19 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Coastguard rescue teams around Great Britain and Northern Ireland were called to nearly 200 incidents over the weekend, to come to the aid of those who found themselves in difficulty in the sea or at the coast. The 194 incidents…
Bangor Marina To Reopen to Boat Owners on Tuesday
18 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A good news story tonight for berth holders in Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough. In a Notice to Mariners issued this evening (Monday 18th May), Harbour Master Kevin Baird has stated that it is planned to open Bangor Marina tomorrow,…
Northern Ireland’s Return To Angling Has Come ‘Out Of The Blue’ For Fisheries Staff, Says MLA
17 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A South Antrim MLA says fisheries staff in Northern Ireland have not been given enough time to prepare for the safe return of angling in the region, as the Belfast Telegraph reports. Alliance’s John Blair was responding to the decision…
McIlwaine Wins RYA eSailing Northern Ireland championships
17 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Luke McIlwaine from Newcastle Yacht Club in County Down was the winner of the Northern Ireland region eSailing Championships held yesterday. McIlwaine will now go on to represent the area at the finals on 30th May. Luke is a software…
Orca Killer Whales Spotted in Strangford Lough (VIDEO)
16 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A pod of orcas or killer whales caused great excitement in Strangford Lough, County Down yesterday. As reported by BBC News NI, local skipper Richard Connor from Causeway Boats said that it may be unusual but not unheard of. It…
Bangor Marina Preps for Reopening on Belfast Lough
16 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough may still be closed but Harbour Master Kevin Baird has given berth holders a very clear and concise set of guidance notes detailing what to expect when it reopens and indeed something to look forward…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Ready for Return to Sailing on Belfast Lough
15 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In response to the pathway to recovery strategy published by the NI Executive on 12th May, the Executive Committee at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough is planning a return to water-based activities. With the dinghy parks dormant and the…
HM Coastguard Asks Everyone to Take Extra Care in These Extraordinary Times
15 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
With significant numbers of people expected to take to the water this weekend in England, HM Coastguard is asking everyone to take extra care in extraordinary times. Boating, swimming and other sea-based activities are now allowed once again in England…
In the light of recent UK Government announcements, it has become clear that the 2020 Landsail Tyres J-Cup will be postponed and not take place in July. The new date, confirmed by an amendment to the Notice of Race, will…
A Glimmer of Hope for a Return to Boating in Northern Ireland?
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYA Northern Ireland has welcomed the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive in its Coronavirus recovery strategy published today, (12th May), which provides an outline of the approach that will be taken to any potential modifications going forward. RYANI…
Coastworker Displacement Tug Arrives in Bangor Harbour
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough may be closed but the Harbour is certainly not out of bounds to commercial traffic and the 120-ton displacement tug Coastworker arrived yesterday afternoon. She will tow the modular barge currently berthed alongside the commercial…
Redbay Boats ‘At Your Service’ for TV Hospitality Ace John Brennan
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Renowned hospitality specialist John Brennan of Dromquinna Manor and the Park Hotel in Kenmare in County Kerry is best known for his entertaining and informative “At Your Service” double act on television with his brother Francis. In it, the brothers…
RYANI Gives Position On Return To Boating Activity In Northern Ireland
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYANI says it continues to support the Northern Ireland Executive’s guidance on coronavirus lockdown measures. It comes after the weekend announcement by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson easing lockdown restrictions in England only. The announcement, which followed the Republic…
Anglers’ Anger Over Fish Kill in Co Antrim River
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Anglers in Co Antrim have expressed their anger after more than 1,000 wild brown trout were killed in a pollution incident at the weekend. As the Belfast Telegraph reports, members of the Glenavy Conservation and District Angling Club spotted a…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club Members Produce Items for NHS
12 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
At this time of furlough and time filling, some Royal Ulster Yacht Club members on Belfast Lough decided not to squander an opportunity and found they could turn their hands to producing items for the NHS and friends. Claire Storey,…
Here is a chance to hone your social media skills and promote your Northern Ireland sailing club within your community at the same time. The RYA is running a free media workshop on Tuesday 12th May from 18-00 to 19-00…
UK Coastguard’s Plea As Incident Numbers Go Up By 50% In 24-Hour Period
10 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The number of recorded incidents dealt with by HM Coastguard yesterday has been the highest since the UK was put into lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic in late March, the service has warned. Friday 8 May saw 97 incidents…
An overdue vessel sparked a major search off Skye in western Scotland last night (Saturday 9 May) involving two RNLI stations, multiple coastguard teams and an SAR helicopter. The operation began at 8.40pm after a four-metre RIB, reportedly with two…
Portaferry RNLI Launch to Person Clinging to Small Dinghy
7 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday, Portaferry RNLI volunteer crew were requested to launch at 1225 to reports of a person in the water clinging to a small craft at Greyabbey Bay on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. Greyabbey is a small village about 11…
RYA Northern Ireland Affirms Guiding Principles Supporting its Return to Boating Strategy
7 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
As Northern Ireland sailors and boaters near the announcement by the Northern Ireland Executive that will outline a blueprint for the easing of lockdown restrictions and Boris Johnson’s anticipated announcement this Sunday, the RYA is working on a range of…
Cargo Removed From Vessel That Ran Aground Off Scotland After Sailing From Drogheda
5 May 2020 Scottish Waters
Salvors successfully offloaded the last recoverable cargo from the grounded MV Kaami in western Scotland last Thursday, 30 April. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the MV Kaami ran aground in the Minch between Skye and Lewis on 21 March, just…
Royal Navy Carry Out Controlled Explosion on WW II Bomb Caught in Fishing Net at Portpatrick
5 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Many sailors from this side of the North Channel count Portpatrick as a favourite destination, either for cruising or racing purposes but that pretty tourist village and harbour were sealed off by police and Coastguard yesterday after a scallop dredger…
Northern Ireland Sailors Compete for RYA eSailing Title
4 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In these lockdown days Club eSailing Champions from across Northern Ireland will have the opportunity to be named Northern Ireland eSailing Spring Champion and go on to compete in UK National final this month. Since lockdown measures were put into…
For those boat owners in Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough itching to have access to their boats and get afloat again, the latest communication from Dean & Reddyhoff and Quay Marinas will give some hope. They say that “we’re starting…
Royal Yachting Association Leads Call for Limited & Controlled Access to Marinas
28 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
With the current COVID-19 pandemic forcing Northern Ireland into lockdown, the RYA has received a considerable number of enquiries from members who are not able to gain access to their boats now that most marinas have closed. The governing body…
‘Restart Racing’ The Call Of Special Interest Group To Lobby For Sector’s Fair Treatment In Britain
27 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A British sailing industry figure is looking to form a Special Interest Group (SIG) of clubs, classes, sailors, trade and other stakeholders to lobby for the safe restarting of racing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. SailRacer managing director…
Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team Assists Youths in Inflatable Canoe
25 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team on Belfast Lough was tasked on Friday afternoon after a member of the public contacted the Belfast Coastguard Operations Centre raising concern about an inflatable canoe with two people on board. The team arrived on scene at the 'Long…
Northern Ireland Sailors Swap Scrubbing Boats to Scrubs for the NHS!
24 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Around the shores of Strangford Lough, two long-time friends, Thelma and Louise, set up the North Down & Ards Scrubs for NHS group. The group was set up to help support NHS workers such as Thelma’s son who is a…
20,000 Native Trees Planted In Northern Ireland To Help Improve Fishery Habitats
24 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In Northern Ireland, the Loughs Agency has been working in partnership with the Woodland Trust, NI Water, angling clubs, landowners and others to plant in excess of 20,000 native trees to help improve fishery habitats. Native tree planting is a…
Belfast Tokyo 2020 Umpire Chris Lindsay in RYA Racing Rules Webinar Line Up
24 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYA has launched a six-week series of racing rules webinars led by rules experts including Belfast Lough's own Chris Lindsay The webinars will be free for racing sailors and aspiring race officials to introduce and explain the racing rules…
The Royal Ocean Racing Club announces further cancellations and changes to some of its key events as the season progresses and the COVID-19 pandemic continues throughout April. The decision comes after continued close monitoring of Government and medical advice, and…
RYA Covid Support for Northern Ireland Sailing Clubs & Centres
23 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYA is offering guidance and advice to Affiliated Clubs and Recognised Training Centres to assist with emergency financial planning. The financial planning club guidance includes advice on reviewing income and expenditure, how to utilise savings, plus ideas to help…
Work Continues To Remove Cargo From Vessel Aground Off Scotland After Sailing From Drogheda
21 April 2020 Scottish Waters
Work continues at pace to remove cargo from the MV Kaami which ran aground off Skye in western Scotland after sailing from Drogheda Port last month. A further 22 skips of cargo were removed yesterday (Monday 20 April), meaning a total…
Emergency Hardship Fund For NI Sports Sector Could Be Lifeline To Region’s Sailing Clubs
21 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYA Northern Ireland has welcomed the announcement of a £500,000 Hardship Fund for the sports sector in Northern Ireland. As announced last Tuesday 14 April by Stormont Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey, sports clubs and sporting organisations from the voluntary…
People may not be able to go to sea at present due to the Government restrictions but dolphins and porpoises clearly can’t read and so we are seeing reports of their activity in Belfast Lough. Recent sightings include about eight…
Royal Irish Yacht Club's Saskia Tidey 'Reconfirmed' for Team GB Tokyo Olympics
15 April 2020 Scottish Waters
The 15 sailors already named to represent Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will remain the same for the rescheduled Games in 2021, the British Olympic Association (BOA) and the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) have confirmed. The squad…
Surfers Urged To Stay Ashore Amid Pandemic & Avoid Risk To Lifesaving Crews
15 April 2020 Scottish Waters
Aberdeen RNLI has urged surfers to stay ashore during the Covid-19 pandemic to “protect emergency services and save lives”. The call came after the volunteer crew of the station in north-east Scotland were forced to break self-isolation and launch their…
Belfast Harbour Has Starring Role In New BBC Documentary Series
13 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A new TV series beginning tomorrow night (Tuesday 14 April) on BBC One Northern Ireland puts Belfast Harbour in the starring role. Today’s Belfast Telegraph features the three-part documentary, Belfast Harbour: Cruises, Cranes and Cargo, which was filmed in the…
Harland & Wolff Shipyard Horn Sounds After 20 Years in Appreciation of NHS Workers
10 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In Belfast’s world-famous Harland and Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was built, the horn which hasn’t been sounded for more than twenty years, reverberated loud and clear across the city on Thursday night at 8 pm in appreciation of NHS…
Larne RNLI Search For Dog That Fell Down Cliff Near Islandmagee
9 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI searched for a dog today (Thursday 9 April) when it was reported missing after falling over a cliff near Muck Island, close to Islandmagee in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. The volunteer lifeboat crew were requested to launch by…
Ballyholme's Laser Radial Euros Latest to Fall to COVID-19
8 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme Yacht Club was to have been the venue in early July for the huge Laser Radial European Championships but the Iatest news from the EurILCA team is that due to the COVID-19 situation and expected restrictions on travel during…
Covid-19: Ports and Airports in Northern Ireland Need ‘Urgent Help’
7 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ports and airports need urgent help to endure the coronavirus crisis, Northern Ireland’s Stormont ministers said. They asked Transport Secretary Grant Shapps to introduce special measures. Commercial air travel has dwindled with the demise of Flybe and easyJet’s decision to…
Thinking About Making Changes to Your Boat? IRC Rating Office Offers Discount
6 April 2020 Scottish Waters
The RORC Rating Office team is working remotely and continuing to provide the excellent service expected from owners, clubs and the industry around the world. As all sailors are looking forward to when they’ll be able to get out on…
Loughs Agency Advises Against Angling In Its Waters Under Covid-19 Restrictions
6 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Loughs Agency chief executive Sharon McMahon has contacted anglers, angling clubs, fisheries and angling governing bodies to update them on the impact of Covid-19. The letter urges the angling community to follow the guidance provided and to keep up to date…
Betty Amstrong explores past boatbuilding ventures in Ballyholme in the seaside town of Bangor on Belfast Lough. Did you know that before Enrico Caproni built his famous ‘Palais de Dance’ in 1928 on Seacliff Road that there was a shipyard…
Applause for Dockers, Hauliers, Stevedores & Harbour Police
3 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The clapping for carers expression of support during the COVID-19 emergency was repeated at 8 pm last night across Northern Ireland and included applause for NHS workers, as well as the frontline staff who work in the docks – hauliers,…
RYA Welcomes Business Grants & Rates Packages For Sailing Clubs In England
3 April 2020 Scottish Waters
Sailing clubs and centres in England are already beginning to benefit from the £22 billion grant and business rates package recently announced by the Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the RYA says. Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure industry, such as…
Bangor Marina's COVID-19 Concession to Berth Holders
2 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last week the Quay Marinas/Dean & Reddyhoff Bangor marina closed, a victim of the COVID-19 Government restrictions in Northern Ireland. As Afloat reported previously, the Five Anchor Marina on Belfast Lough announced that from this Spring it would become part…
Stormont Minister Closes Northern Ireland’s Angling Waters In Efforts To Control Covid-19
1 April 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
All DAERA angling waters in Northern Ireland have been closed with immediate effect in efforts to control the spread of Covid-19, as the Newry Times reports. The confirmation comes from Edwin Poots, Stormont’s Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs,…
RYA Urges British Boaters To Think Again Before Cancelling Payments & Support Local Networks
31 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
British boaters are being encouraged to support their local boating networks wherever possible during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. As Boating Business reports, the RYA is asking people to think again before cancelling payments to sailing clubs, marinas, class associations and…
Exclusion Zone Set Up At Cargo Ship Out Of Drogheda That Ran Aground In Western Scotland
27 March 2020 Scottish Waters
An exclusion zone was set up around a cargo ship out of Drogheda that ran aground in Scotland’s Hebrides earlier this week, as it was battered by persisting storm conditions. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, eight crew were airlifted from…
Belfast Harbour Marina Closes to Visitors Until Further Notice
25 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In a rapid spread of harbour and marina closures in Northern Irish waters, the next to suffer is Belfast Harbour Marina which is closed to visitors until further notice. The action has been taken in the light of current UK Government…
Vessels May Not Launch: Harsher Restrictions in County Down Harbours
25 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In a ramping up of curbs on the use of some harbours in County Down, Ards and North Down Council have issued a Notice to Berth Holders preventing the launching and mooring of vessels, apart from fishing boats, in its…
In the light of the latest UK Government announcement, the British Dragon Association (BDA) along with the Royal Forth Yacht Club (RFYC) has taken the decision to cancel this year's Scottish Dragon Championship and Edinburgh Cup event on the Forth…
Eight crew were rescued from a cargo ship out of Drogheda that ran aground off the Isle of Skye in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides early yesterday morning (Monday 23 March). The MV Kaami had left Drogheda Port on the evening of…
Bangor Marina Closes Under UK’s Three-Week Covid-19 Lockdown
24 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Following last night’s announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson of a full lockdown in the UK over the next three weeks, Bangor Marina in Northern Ireland has closed and is asking customers to stay away for the duration of the…
Members of Cockle Island Boat Club in Groomsport near Bangor on Belfast Lough have had to cancel indefinitely the lift-in planned for 27th April and organised by Terry Graham, due to restrictions on the size of gatherings in the current…
Bangor Town Regatta on Belfast Lough Falls Victim to Covid-19
23 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland's biggest sailing event, Bangor Town Regatta on Belfast Lough has been cancelled over Covid 19 concerns. A statement from the organising club, Royal Ulster, says: - “It is with deep regret that the Organising Committee of Bangor Town…
A local Shetland fishing trawler is now safely back in harbour after briefly running aground near Trondra in the early hours of yesterday morning (Saturday 21 March). The 26m whitefish trawler Sedulous had five crew on board when it went ashore around the…
The Scottish Series, Scotland's biggest sailing event scheduled for the Clyde on May 22 is the latest yachting regatta to become a casualty of Coronavirus restrictions. In a letter to competitors issued this morning, the 2020 cancellation stated that the decision…
Royal Ocean Racing Club Cancels Easter Challenge
19 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In line with the UK Government's latest advice, and the Royal Yachting Association's (RYA) announcement to suspend events in light of Coronavirus (COVID-19), The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has taken the decision to cancel the Easter Challenge which was…
MJM Marine Says Mass Layoffs ‘Unavoidable’ In Newry As Orders Postponed Over Covid-19
18 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newry ship refurbisher MJM Marine has told its staff that redundancies “in large numbers” are unavoidable after all future orders were postponed indefinitely amid the Covid-19 pandemic crisis. The Belfast Telegraph reports on an internal communication to staff yesterday (Tuesday…
Northern Ireland Sea Cadets Win Gold....At Football
18 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Sea Cadets in Northern Ireland excel at football as well as rowing and sailing, demonstrated by the junior girls' five-a-Side team winning Gold at the National Finals in England recently. The junior team, aged 12 to 15, was made up…
What Will Happen To This Summer’s Sailing Events?
18 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It was just a little more than a week ago that Irish Sailing issued its first statement over the coronavirus outbreak to the effect that ‘all events were going ahead as scheduled’. Then last Thursday (12 March) it cancelled its…
Tobermory Lifeboat Goes To Aid Fish Farm Support Vessel With Engine Fire
15 March 2020 Scottish Waters
Tobermory RNLI's volunteer crew rushed to the aid of a 23m fish farm support vessel with the misfortune to have an engine fire on the evening of Friday 13 March. After putting out a ‘Pan Pan’ alert, the crew managed…
Cruise Liner Bound For Belfast Rerouted From Italian Ports Over Nationwide Covid-19 Lockdown
13 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A cruise liner bound for Belfast in May has had its itinerary changed to avoid two upcoming port calls in Italy, following that country’s extraordinary national lockdown measures to control the coronavirus pandemic. According to the Belfast Telegraph, the MSC…
Red Diesel Subsidy Removal “Disappointing” says British Marine
12 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, delivered his first Budget setting out the UK Government’s fiscal priorities. Speaking to MPs in the House of Commons, he pledged greater funding and resources for the NHS…
Scottish Hunter 707 'Autism on the Water' Gets Free Ferry to Bangor Town Regatta
12 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A charity yachting organisation that was originally planning to sail from Scotland to Northern Ireland to save competition costs at Bangor Town Regatta this June has had its transport costs covered. Murray McDonald, skipper of the Hunter 707 Autism on the…
Dubarry Women’s Open Keelboat Championship Moves to Royal Southern Yacht Club
8 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Dubarry sponsored UK Women’s Open Keelboat Championship (WOKC) will be hosted on the 13th/14th June from the beautiful location of the Royal Southern Yacht Club. Ireland has previously been successful at the event with Howth Yacht Club helmswoman Laura…
Portaferry’s coastguard rescue team was paged yesterday morning (Saturday 7 March) to a report of multiple kayakers capsized in the water off Killyleagh on Strangford Lough. Portaferry RNLI were also tasked to the incident, recovering four individuals from the water…
Northern Ireland Women on Water Festival Launched for Second Year
6 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The second Women on Water Festival will take place at Carrickfergus Sailing Club with Belfast Lough Sailability on 6 June 2020, bringing together women from right across NI as they take to the water. The first festival was held in…
The route for the 5th Fife Regatta plans to visit historic hidden gems along Scotland's Clyde coast, celebrating the local craftsman William Fife, whose yachts still compete around the world with a number returning to home waters this June. The…
Carrybridge RNLI Assist One Person on Motor Cruiser Aground
4 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
At 4.17pm on Wednesday 4 March, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards, and Rescue Water Craft (RWC) was launched to a vessel with one person on board which had run aground approx. 2 miles North of Carrybridge.…
Three NI Sailors Prepare To Battle It Out For Their Place At Tokyo 2020
4 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The countdown is on for three Northern Ireland sailors campaigning for their place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in late July this year, writes Betty Armstrong. The athletes, who have been training for over four years, as part of their…
The RNLI lifeboat stationed in Aith in the Shetland Islands is to be led by local man John Robertson. He has been appointed by the lifesaving charity as coxswain of the RNLI Charles Lidbury, the regular lifeboat stationed in the…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club has extended its Early Bird entry discount for June's Bangor Town Regatta. The move comes after consultation with some of the competing classes who haven’t quite finalised their racing calendar for this year. As a result, the…
Minister Casts Off 2020 Angling Season In Northern Ireland
3 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland’s Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots has officially launched the 2020 angling season for more than 20,000 anglers in the region. Under the guidance of professional angler Joe Stitt at Shaws Bridge in Belfast, Minister Poots tried his hand…
Portrush Lifeboat Teams Bid Farewell To ‘True Legend’ As Coxswain Anthony Chambers Retires
2 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Lifeboat teams from Portrush and farther afield gathered in the North Coast town on Friday (28 February) to bid farewell to one of their own, as mechanic/coxswain and crew member Anthony Chambers retires after more than 40 years. The Chambers…
Scotland's 'Autism on the Water' Charity Aims for Bangor Town Regatta Entry
1 March 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor Town Regatta’s Class 3 sports a first-time entrant in Murray McDonald from Port Edgar, who confesses he has never been to the town before. Murray’s debut is in a Hunter 707 which has been raced competitively in the growing…
Scotland's 'Autism on the Water' Charity Aims for Bangor Town Regatta Entry
1 March 2020 Scottish Waters
Bangor Town Regatta’s Class 3 sports a first-time entrant in Murray McDonald from Port Edgar, who confesses he has never been to the town before. Murray’s debut is in a Hunter 707 which has been raced competitively in the growing…
Instructors Meet To Discuss Biggest Issues In Northern Ireland Sailing
28 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Instructors from clubs across Northern Ireland have met to discuss some of the biggest issues in sailing. The event, which was held at RYANI’s HQ at Sketrick House in Newtownards, attracted over 50 attendees. On the day there were workshops…
RYA Northern Ireland Recruiting Performance Manager
28 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RYA Northern Ireland is looking to recruit a Performance Manager to lead on the performance aspects of its strategy and support racing development in Northern Ireland. To support this ambition, the Performance Manager will: Be responsible for the ongoing…
Young Co Antrim Sailors Give Back To Their Community
28 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Young sailors from County Antrim Yacht Club have been making a positive difference to their community by fundraising £1,500 in just under two years. Junior captains Amy Armstrong and James Corbett, alongside vice captains Hannah Todd and Michael Rock, led…
Belfast Lough's Quay Marina at Bangor joins Dean & Reddyhoff
28 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Five Anchor Quay Marina in Bangor has announced that from Spring this year it will become part of a single marina group, boatfolk. This development follows last year’s announcement from Quay Marinas that they would form, with Dean &…
RS Elites Get Class Start at Bangor Town Regatta
27 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The six RS Elites entered for Bangor Town Regatta on Belfast Lough now warrant their own class and with three days of the early bird entry left, there is still time for more to join them at the bargain rate.…
Royal Yacht Bluebottle to Feature at 2020 British Open Dragon National Championship Edinburgh Cup
26 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The British Dragon Association (BDA) is proud to announce that this year’s Edinburgh Cup fleet will include the famous International Dragon Bluebottle. Hosted by the Royal Forth Yacht Club (RFYC) from 30 June to 3 July 2020 Dragon sailors from…
200 Applications for Laser Radial Youth European Championships at Ballyholme Yacht Club
25 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Preparations are well underway for the Laser Radial Youth European Championships to be held at Ballyholme Yacht Club this summer from 5th to 11th July 2020. Over 200 applications have been received from across the world already - although this…
Belfast Lough's Connection with the Round Ireland Yacht Race
20 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor has more of a link to the prestigious SSE Renewables Round Ireland Yacht Race than is at first obvious writes Betty Armstrong. This year Royal Ulster Yacht Club looks forward to tracking the progress of father and son duo,…
Council Pours Cold Water On Carp Anglers’ Demands For Loughgall Lake
17 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Plans by Armagh’s council to restock Loughgall Lake with £12,000 worth of carp have been deemed insufficient by local anglers. According to ArmaghI, the Loughgall Carp Anglers group believes night angling catch rates would rise — and its membership would…
Belfast Harbour Submits Planning Application For Major Film Studios Expansion
17 February 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Belfast Harbour has submitted a planning application for the development of six new purpose-built film and television studios at its existing Giant’s Park site. The harbour company says the plans represent an investment of £45m and will generate 250 construction…
