The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
Dun Laoghaire Harbour Crew Saskia Tidey Drops to Fourth in 49erFx Tokyo Battle
30 July 2021 Scottish Waters
Unstoppable and steadier through high-speed manoeuvres in the stronger winds, Charlotte Dobson and her Dun Laoghaire Harbour crew Saskia Tidey have ruled the waves of Sagami Bay this week for Team GB but light winds on Friday dropped the pair…
Invasive Species Cost UK Economy Over £5 billion Over Past 40-50 years
29 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Research led by Queen’s University Belfast has shown that invasive species, such as the grey squirrel, European rabbit and Japanese knotweed, have cost the UK economy over £5 billion over the past 40-50 years, making the cost one of the…
Ballycastle Coastguard Launches to Reports of ‘Dolphin Harassment’ Off North Antrim Coast
28 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballycastle Coastguard joined officials from Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in responding to reports of dolphins being potentially harassed by personal water craft and other leisure vessels. The teams launched on Sunday afternoon (25 July)…
Royal Irish's Saskia Tidey Consolidates Lead for Team GB in 49erFX with Charlotte Dobson
28 July 2021 Scottish Waters
Dun Laoghaire's Saskia Tidey and Scotland's Charlotte Dobson consolidated their top position in the 49er FX with three top-five finishes in today's racing at the Olympic Regatta in Tokyo. There was sun, plenty of breeze and waves with 14 knots…
Restorer of MGRS 34 'Twenty Twenty' Has Round Ireland Race Ambition
26 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The MGRS 34 Twenty Twenty, originally owned by Bangor man, Jimmy Mackey, lay unused in the river Liffey at Poolbeg, Dublin for about seven years and now, like another Humphrey's design, Juno, will have a new lease of life. Rex…
Last Race Decider at Flying Fifteen Northern Championships at Portaferry Sailing Club
26 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
For those who were unable to make the first Flying Fifteen "away" regatta since the summer season of 2019, you missed glorious sunshine, great hospitality, fickle winds, and challenging tides! The venue was Portaferry on the northern shores of the…
McCarthy Leads Flying Fifteen Northerns at Strangford Lough
24 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
14 Flying Fifteens enjoyed glorious sunshine and light winds just inside the narrows of Strangford Lough for their Northern Championships on Day 1. Race Officer John McAlea had his hands full with fickle winds and a strong tide but still…
Personal Locator Beacon Activated on Lough Neagh
24 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday (23rd July) Lough Neagh lifeboats were paged in the mid-afternoon by Belfast Coastguard to reports of a Personal Locator Beacon being activated. Lifeboats launched quickly and a search area within the Antrim Bay at the north end of the…
Portaferry Lifeboat Rescues Two After Boat Breaks Down on Strangford Lough
22 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of two people early yesterday afternoon (Wednesday 21 July) after their leisure boat broke down and was left adrift at the Narrows on Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland. The volunteer lifeboat crew’s pagers sounded…
Ballyholme Yacht Club Regatta Had Something for Everyone on Belfast Lough
19 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
There was non-stop activity at Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough at the weekend (July 17th/18th) for the Regatta which enjoyed day-long hot sunny weather. Though lacking any decent breeze on a Saturday morning for the Cadet racing, just enough…
Royal North's Toy for the Boys Takes the Squib Lead at Kinsale
17 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Wins in the second and third races in the Squib Southern Championships at Kinsale Yacht Club this afternoon has handed the overnight lead to Northern Ireland's Peter Wallace and Fiona Ward. The Wallace and Ward partnership from Royal North of Ireland…
Five People Get into Difficulty at Ballycastle Beach
16 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 1.2 km Ballycastle Beach is a popular tourist destination on the Causeway Coast Route on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. It was the scene shortly before midday yesterday (15th July) of a serious incident, when as reported by…
Over 140 Boats for Strangford Lough Narrows Regatta
16 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The long-established Narrows Regatta held in that fast-flowing stretch of water between the towns of Portaferry on the east side and Strangford on the west side of Strangford Lough in County Down brought together last weekend over 140 boats for…
Emergency Response to Engine Room Fire on Belfast Lough Ferry
13 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A multi-agency response was launched last night (Monday 12 July) to battle a fire on board a Stena Line ferry in Belfast Lough. As BBC News reports, the fire broke out in the engine room of the Superfast VIII around…
Several rescue teams went to the aid of a man trapped in mud near Holywood on the south coast of Belfast Lough this morning. (13th July). The tide was flooding, and Mud Rescue Technicians worked rapidly to free the man,…
Famous Belfast Lough GP14 Dinghy 'Ventura' is Restored & Sailing Again at Newtownards
10 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A year and a half ago, Afloat reported on a famous GP14 called Ventura, which had been saved from destruction and was being restored by Derek McCune of Newtownards Sailing Club. Now Ventura, no 796 built in 1955 and once…
Waverleys on the Move from Ballyholme to Strangford Lough
10 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 18-foot Waverley open racing yacht has for many years been a Ballyholme Yacht Club class, and those which are still sailing have been berthed in Bangor Marina, which from when it was opened in 1989 proved to be something…
American Mega Yacht 'Liquid Rehab' Docks in Bangor on Belfast Lough
8 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Megayacht, superyacht – certainly bigger than any craft in Bangor Marina. Lying alongside the Eisenhower Pier in Bangor Harbour on the North Down coast on a recent visit, after a passage from the Clyde, the 39.62 m motor yacht, Liquid…
Carrickfergus Sailing Club's J80 Jezebel Takes First Gun at East Antrim Boat Club Regatta
6 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Despite a smaller than usual turnout at Larne last weekend for the East Antrim Boat Club Regatta, racing was keen, and on Saturday, the fleet enjoyed perfect conditions, with the breeze picking up for the second race on the Sunday.…
Royal Cork's Rian Collins Wins Topper Northerns at Donaghadee Sailing Club
6 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Donaghadee Sailing Club on the north County Down coast heard the first gun fired in the Topper Northern Championships on Saturday 3rd July with a sense of relief and excitement. Race Officer Aidan Pounder, Commodore of Ballyholme YC, assisted by…
Royal Ulster Beneteau 31.7 Victory for John Minnis & 'Final Call' Crew on Dublin Bay
4 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Royal Ulster's 'man on a mission' John Minnis lived up to his pre-championship word and delivered a perfect scoreline to win the Beneteau 31.7 Irish National Championships 2021 at the National Yacht Club this afternoon with five straight wins. The Gareth…
Lough Neagh Rescue of Speedboat Made Easier Through Lat & Long Position
4 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ardboe Point south of Ballyronan on the west side of Lough Neagh was the Lough Neagh Rescue team's call on Friday (2nd July). A speed boat had broken down about two miles off the Point with five people on board,…
Royal Ulster's Minnis on Dublin Bay Mission for Beneteau 31.7 Honours at National Yacht Club
2 July 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The only competitor in the nine-strong fleet from the Northern waters and the only Beneteau 31.7 from outside Dun Laoghaire, John Minnis's Final Call, has made the long haul south for the National Championships at the National Yacht Club this weekend.…
56 Lasers Enjoy Great Sailing for Ulster Honours at County Antrim Yacht Club
30 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The 56 strong fleet of Laser sailors competing for the Ulster Championships was greeted last weekend with steady northerly winds of 12-18 knots on Saturday and 18-25 knots and sunshine on Sunday, for the first The ILCA (Laser) regional event…
Submerged Speed Boat Causes Concern on Lough Neagh
29 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Shortly before 9 am yesterday, HM Coastguard received a call from a concerned member of the public who had seen a submerged speed boat with potential casualties in the water in Castor Bay in the south east corner of Lough…
Come summer and Lough Neagh Rescue is busy on Northern Ireland waters. The lifeboat was paged yesterday evening (Saturday 26th June) to a 30ft-cruiser with ten people aboard, six adults and four children, which had broken down near Rams Island.…
Lough Neagh Rescue Tasked to Broken Down Motor Boat
25 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In the early evening of last Sunday (20th June) Lough Neagh rescue was tasked to a broken down motorboat with two children, three adults and a dog on board. The vessel had been making its way from Battery Harbour on…
Cadet Courses & Fun Sailing Afternoons at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club
25 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club still has places available for sailing courses and fun days this season. The club lies on the North Down coast, near Holywood and enjoys safe waters in Belfast Lough. The courses start on 5th…
RNLI Lifeguards in Northern Ireland Rescue 3,701 People in a Decade of Patrolling Beaches
23 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RNLI in Northern Ireland has reached 10 years of delivering a world-class lifeguard service to coastal communities and their visitors along the Causeway Coast and in County Down. From this Saturday, 26 June, RNLI lifeguards will provide a full-time…
Carrickfergus Set to Welcome Hundreds of Sailors for Summer Events
22 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrickfergus Sailing Club in Northern Ireland looks forward to welcoming 500 competitors across its scheduled summer series of racing, as The News Letter reports. August will be an especially busy month for the Co Antrim club, with its home regatta…
Ger Owens & Mel Morris Crowned GP14 Ulster Champions
22 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ger Owens and Mel Morris were crowned Ulster Champions in the first event of the GP14 dinghy calendar at Newtownards Sailing Club at the weekend writes Andy Johnston Day 1 of the Ulster Championships at Newtownards Sailing Club and 3 great…
Busy Olderfleet Rowing Club Gets Teens Out on the Water at Larne
21 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The only similarity between the Viking ships that raided Larne Lough in the ninth century and the boats used by the Olderfleet Rowing Club is that they are slender. The name 'Olderfleet' is thought to be a corruption of Ulfrecksfiord…
Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team Discover Boat on Rocks
21 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team didn't have far to travel to answer a report today (21st June) of a vessel aground on the rocks at Brompton on the opposite side of Bangor Bay from the Belfast Lough station. Winds were strong…
Portrush RNLI Launches to Reports of Injured Teenager Near Ballintoy Harbour
20 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard yesterday morning (Saturday 19 June) at 11.52am to reports of an injured teenager near Ballintoy. Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were requested to launch as…
New Non-Motorised ‘Safe Play’ Zone on Lower Lough Erne at Castle Archdale Country Park
18 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland has announced the creation of a non-motorised ‘safe play’ zone at Castle Archdale Country Park on Lower Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh.Echoing a similar scheme currently in operation at Muckross Bay in Kesh, Enniskillen, the new zone will…
Larne Lifeboat Assists Kayaker in Difficulty Near Portmuck
16 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI was requested to launch by Belfast Coastguard on Saturday (12 June) to reports of a kayaker in the water north-east of Skernaghan Point, close to Portmuck in Islandmagee on Northern Ireland’s East Antrim coast. Launching the inshore lifeboat…
Tough Going in the Rathlin to St Kilda Challenge
16 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
As skipper of second-placed overall Derry/Londonderry/Doire in the 2015/2016 Clipper Round the World Race, the Atlantic Ocean to the west of the British Isles probably wouldn't have thrown anything worse at the crew of Sailing InTuition on the Rathlin to…
Video Shows Young Man Encouraged to Jump off Lagan Weir Footbridge
16 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last weekend Lagan Search and Rescue were made aware of a video circulating on social media of a young man encouraged to enter the water off the Lagan Weir footbridge as a dare. Lagan SAR is a provider of Belfast's…
Reports of Belfast Lough Inflatable Boat Leaving But Not Coming Back at Midnight
14 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Just before midnight on Thursday 10th June, Lagan Search and Rescue, along with Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team, Portmuck CRT, the Police Service and a PSNI spotter plane, were all called to Hazlebank, Newtownabbey. Hazlebank Park lies on the northern shore…
The Fortunes of the Two Northern Ireland Yachts in the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race
12 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
"Brutal" said the Harrington, O'Tiarnaigh, Mulholland trio in the IMX 38,eXcession, after the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race; "fantastic – a great collective learning curve," said Shaun Douglas in the First 40.7 Game Changer. eXcession had an excruciatingly long passage…
Rathlin Island Welcomes Yacht for Start of 2021 St.Kilda Challenge
9 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Rathlin is Northern Ireland's only inhabited offshore island. It has a population of about 150 and lies opposite Ballycastle on the world-famous North Antrim Coast. Today (9th June) the marina in Church Bay is buzzing with yachts raring to start…
Larne Lifeboat Rescues Two on Fishing Boat With Engine Trouble
8 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne RNLI’s inshore lifeboat Terry was launched yesterday (Monday 7 June) at the request of Belfast Coastguard to assist two people in a 17ft fishing boat with suspected engine issues. Launching the lifeboat into a strong sea breeze, the volunteer…
Two Belfast Lough Yachts Competing for the Dun Laoghaire Dingle Race Top Prize
8 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The National Yacht Club's Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race which starts on Wednesday, 9th June should go some way this season to compensating two Belfast Lough boats for the cancellation of the Bangor Town Regatta. The IMX 38 eXcession, under…
Topper British Nationals Event at Ballyholme Yacht Club is Cancelled
7 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme Yacht Club would have relished hosting the Topper Nationals in August, but sadly this event has suffered the same as the Worlds in Cork and been cancelled. The joint Organising Authority for the 2021 Topper National Championships has been…
Victorious Royal Ulster's Minnis & Crew Win Scottish Series Causeway Cup
4 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Afloat Sailor of the Month for May John Minnis from Royal Ulster YC in Bangor on Belfast Lough has added yet another prize to his winnings with his First 31.7 Final Call taking the Causeway Cup for the best performance…
Portrush Lifeboat Launches to Paddle Boarders In Difficulty Off Ramore Head
3 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat was launched this afternoon (Thursday 3 June) to reports of stand-up paddle boarders in difficulty off Ramore Head. Due to the fact that the crew had already assembled for some training, they were able to launch…
Red Diesel Update: Delay for Northern Ireland as Deadline Extended to October 1
2 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
HMRC has issued Excise Notice 554 which contains details about fuel used in private pleasure craft. For Northern Ireland (NI), private pleasure craft users will no longer be able to use red diesel to propel their craft, but the deadline…
John Minnis of Belfast Lough is Afloat.ie "Sailor of the Month" for May
2 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
We can only hope that next week's up-grading of our sailing from training events to official racing will hold up through a steadily developing season, despite the many challenges to continuing emergence from the pandemic. If it does, then when…
Carrybridge RNLI Assists Four People on Two Separate Call Outs
1 June 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
At 6.30 pm on Saturday 29 May, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards was launched to a vessel with two people on board, which had run aground approx. 1 mile North East of Tiraroe public jetty. Winds…
40-Boat Limit Set for GP14 Ulsters at Newtownards Sailing Club
31 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Irish GP14 fleet has confirmed its Ulster Championships will go ahead in Newtownards Sailing Club on the weekend of June 19/20 as planned. It's buoyant news for one of the country's leading dinghy classes that had to scratch its…
Portaferry Lifeboat Launches After Person Falls at Ardglass Sea Wall
31 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of a person who had fallen at Ardglass Harbour, on Northern Ireland’s east coast, early yesterday morning (Sunday 30 May). Pagers sounded for the volunteer lifeboat crew at 6:54am after HM Coastguard requested the…
Pagers sounded for Largs RNLI’s volunteers yesterday afternoon (Thursday 27 May) after reports over VHF radio of a vessel on fire off Inverkip, on the Firth of Clyde in western Scotland. The inshore lifeboat made best speed to the scene…
RNLI & HM Coastguard Launch Beach Safety Campaign as Coastal Visits Expected to Soar this Summer
27 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend the RNLI and HM Coastguard are launching a new safety campaign, urging everyone to choose lifeguarded beaches when they visit the coast. With continued uncertainty over foreign holidays and international travel, the RNLI is…
Ballygally Open Water Swimmers Caught in Rip Current Raise £1,000 for Larne RNLI
26 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A group of open water swimmers who were rescued after getting caught in a rip current have raised over £1,000 for Larne RNLI. The swimmers were safely recovered to the shore before action was required by the station’s lifeboats in…
Two Sailors Rescued by Portaferry Lifeboat After Yacht Breaks Down
26 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI launched to the aid of two sailors late last night (Tuesday 25 May) after their yacht broke down a mile off the mouth of Strangford Lough. Pagers sounded for the Northern Ireland volunteer lifeboat crew at 11.10pm after…
Kilkeel Lifeboat Launches to Fishing Boat with Fouled Propeller on Carlingford Lough
24 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Kilkeel RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat to the aid of two fishermen stranded in Carlingford Lough on Saturday (22 May). The fishermen had been lifting creels just off Cranfield Point on the Northern Ireland side when the 25ft boat’s propeller…
It was multi shout four days for Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team on Belfast Lough when they covered calls some of which resulted in rescue action. On Thursday (20th) the team attended a yacht offshore reported to have a broken mast…
Newcastle RNLI Assists Group of Laser Dinghy Sailors in Difficulty in Challenging Seas
24 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle RNLI in County Down came to the aid of a group of sailors yesterday afternoon (Sunday 23 May) after two vessels got into difficulty off the South Promenade. The inshore D class lifeboat was requested to launch shortly after…
Snipe Sailing Dinghy Restoration is Bringing People Together from Both Sides of Ulster
24 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Snipes, the feathered sort, inhabit wetlands and lakes but in Ireland the breed is on the Red List, meaning it is of high conservation concern. Snipe dinghies (the wooden version) were common in Northern Ireland from the 1930s till the…
Oban RNLI in Western Scotland launched to the aid of a yacht that has dragged its anchor in strong northerly winds on Friday afternoon (23 May). The 30ft yacht with two people on board had run aground in the popular…
NI Leisure Boaters Get Reprieve from Red Diesel Ban Until Autumn
22 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The British Government has announced a three-month delay in the implementation of the red diesel ban for private pleasure craft in Northern Ireland. The move follows lobbying by Bangor Marina and others in the NI leisure boating industry who emphasised…
Harland & Wolff Welcome The Prince of Wales as Part of 160 Year Celebrations
19 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Harland & Wolff, the iconic shipyard on Belfast Lough with over 160 years of maritime and offshore engineering pedigree, welcomed The Prince of Wales on 18 May 2021 to mark its 160th anniversary. Arriving at Harland & Wolff (Belfast), His Royal…
Bangor's Stephen Milne Competing on Artemis in the RC44 Cup
19 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland yachtsman Stephen Milne from Bangor in County Down is currently in Slovenia as part of the eight-man Swedish Artemis racing team taking part in the RC44 Cup in Portoroz. Co-incidentally another Bangor man Bill O'Hara is the Class…
Beneteau 40.7 'Game Changer' Takes Top IRC Prize in Belfast Lough to Strangford Lough Race
18 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It could be construed as an encouraging sign that half of the twelve-boat entry for the inaugural Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough to Strangford Lough Race was from that destination. Boats from the local fleet which would have…
Loughs Agency Looks Forward to 2022 Foyle Maritime Festival & Return of Clipper Race Fleet
12 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Loughs Agency says it welcomes the news that Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Business and Culture Committee have endorsed the proposal to host the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race in 2022. Northern Ireland was previously scheduled to…
Lerwick has been selected for the third time to be a host port for the spectacular Tall Ships Races. Sail Training International, the operator of the Tall Ships Races, has today (Tuesday 11 May) announced the selected host ports for…
Second Day Lost at Finn Gold Cup Following Unstable Conditions in Porto
11 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Whilst different storms rage elsewhere in the sailing world, for the second day running, no racing was possible at the 2021 Finn Gold Cup after offshore Atlantic storms brought very unstable conditions to Porto. Northern Ireland's Oisin McClelland is seeking…
Donaghadee Sailing Club's Oisin McClelland Lying 31st After First Race of Finn Gold Cup
10 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Donaghadee Sailing Club's Oisin McClelland is lying 31st after the first race sailed at the 2021 Finn Gold Cup in Porto, Portugal where the Northern Ireland sailor is bidding to take the last available place at the Tokyo Olympic Regatta. …
Northern Ireland Marine Survey Start-Up Gets Seed Funding
9 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
An underwater surveying start-up recently spun out from Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland has secured £316,000 in seed funding, as Silicon Republic reports. FjordStrong has developed a specialised system called Auto-release Baited Underwater Video, which is designed to survey…
Good Turnout for May Day Dinghy Racing at East Antrim
9 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It was back to dinghy racing at the Larne club, East Antrim, for the May Day regatta on Sunday 2nd under current NI Covid restrictions. There was a good turnout of 21 in four classes – Optimist, Toppers, Single and…
French Government Announces a Process to Allow Entry to UK Cruisers at any French port
8 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Cruising Association, through its local representatives, has helped to make cruising to France easier, post-Brexit. Since leaving the EU, boats arriving in France from the UK or Channel Islands are required to sail to one of a small number…
13 IRC Entries for 2021 Scottish Series as Late Entry Fee is Deferred for Scotland's Top Sailing Event
2 May 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
With less than four weeks to go to the first race of Scotland's top sailing event, the revamped Scottish Series on the Clyde has received only 13 IRC entries received so far. Entry is due to close on May 14th…
Not Enough Lifejackets on Boat Hired to Lough Erne Murder Accused, Trial Hears
30 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The trial of a man accused of murdering his wife on a boating holiday in Co Fermanagh has heard the company that hired out the boat to the accused had failed to supply enough lifejackets on board, as BBC News…
Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Two People Cut off by Tide at Kirkistown Spit
28 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team had a busy evening yesterday (27th April) with a callout to Kirkistown Spit, near the village of Cloughey on the east Co Down coast The crew were on station training when called to the scene where…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club's Opening Day is May 1st
28 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It has been a long time coming. Royal Ulster's Opening Day will be on Saturday 1st May. Although this is an annual event, it will have its own particular difficulties this year due to the Covid restrictions. Opening Day is…
Portrush Athlete to Put In Mayday Miles for Local Lifeboat
27 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush athlete David McGaffin is taking the RNLI Mayday Mile challenge to a whole new level to raise funds for his local lifeboat station. The McGaffin family has a long association with Portrush RNLI on Northern Ireland’s North Coast. David’s…
Two Callouts for Carrybridge RNLI Lifeboat on Lough Erne
27 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
At 3.45 pm on Sunday 25 April, Carrybridge RNLI’s inshore lifeboat, Douglas Euan & Kay Richards and Rescue Water Craft (RWC) was launched to a vessel with two people on board, which had encountered engine difficulties approx. 2 miles north…
Red Bay RNLI Rescues Three After a Fishing Boat is Grounded on Rocks Near Glenarm
24 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Red Bay RNLI launched their B class Atlantic 85 lifeboat at 9.20 am this morning (Saturday 24 April) after reports that a small fishing boat with three crew onboard was grounded on rocks one mile south of Glenarm Marina on…
Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre Will Reopen in May
24 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Rathlin RSPB (Royal Society for Protection of Birds) has announced the Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre will re-open on Saturday 29th May in line with the NI Executive's indicative date for visitor attractions. This, of course, may be subject…
Yacht Call Out for Portaferry RNLI Lifeboat on Strangford Lough
24 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI lifeboat crew was called out on 22nd April to a yacht with engine failure at the entrance to Strangford Lough. The entrance at the southern end of the Ards Peninsula leads to the Strangford Narrows through which the…
RYANI Youth Forum Celebrates Inspirational Young Leaders After an Extraordinary Year
21 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A group of inspirational young leaders who took part in RYANI’s Youth Forum have come together for a celebration event marking the progress they have made during an extraordinary year. RYANI’s Youth Forum began in 2019 as a pilot project…
Donaghadee RNLI Volunteers Receive Long Service Recognition
20 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Three Donaghadee RNLI Lifeboat volunteer crew members in Northern Ireland have had their long term service to the institution recognised by RNLI headquarters in Poole in the form of long service medals. The three crew members have together accrued over…
Windfoiling Joins British Youth Sailing's Olympic Performance Pathway
20 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The iQFOiL youth windfoiling class has become a British Youth Sailing Recognised Class in recognition of the exciting new discipline's inclusion at the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. After windfoiling was chosen to replace the RS:X windsurfer for…
Kilkeel Lifeboat Assists Five on Yacht in Difficulty on Carlingford Lough
19 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Kilkeel RNLI came to the aid of five people on Saturday (17 April) when their 10m yacht became stranded at Narrow Water Castle on the Northern Ireland side of Carlingford Lough. The volunteer crew launched their inshore lifeboat at 4.05pm…
Paddleboarder in Difficulty at Ballygally Leads to RNLI Lifeboats Callout
18 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday's strong southerly wind resulted in a spate of paddleboarding incidents involving lifeboat call outs at Larne and Bangor. Larne RNLI launched both of their lifeboats today to reports of a paddleboarder in difficulty at Ballygally, a village and holiday…
Pollution Risk at North Down Coast Beach Following Diesel Spill
18 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday evening (17th April), Ards and North Down Council notified the public about a diesel spill and pollution risk on the beach at Millisle. Millisle is about three miles south of Donaghadee on the North Down Coast and is a…
Lagan Search & Rescue Aim To Build Floating Boat House at Belfast Harbour Marina
18 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Sunday Life recently highlighted the decision by Downtown Radio Star Neil McClelland to support Lagan Search & Rescue. Lagan S&R is an independent Lifeboat covering the seaward River Lagan and Belfast Lough; It relies on the generosity and support…
48-Mile Fundraiser Raises £800 for Kilkeel RNLI
16 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Craig Boucher of Hybrid Health and Performance in Kilkeel recently completed a 4x4x48 challenge to raise funds for his local RNLI lifeboat station in the Co Down town. Craig ran four miles every four hours for 48 hours and was…
Carrickcraft Set To Resume Operations on Lough Erne from 30 April
16 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Carrickcraft has announced that with the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland, it will start operating for the 2021 cruising season on Lough Erne from Friday 30 April. The cruising firm’s website features a sample itinerary of the attractive…
Harland & Wolff Awarded of Major Wind Turbine Generator Fabrication Contract
16 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Harland & Wolff, the iconic shipyard with over 160 years of maritime and offshore engineering pedigree has announced it has been awarded a contract by Saipem Limited for the fabrication and load-out of eight wind turbine generator (WTG) jacket foundations.…
Foyle Search & Rescue Upgrades Drone Programme to Include Thermal Imaging Device
14 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last month Foyle Search and Rescue announced the refresh and upgrade of its drone programme following a £39,000 donation from supporters in the local video games industry. It operates on the River Foyle, which flows through the City of Derry…
Donaghdee Finn Sailor McClelland Yet to Find Form at Euro Championships
14 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Donaghadee's Olympic campaigner Oisin McClelland has had a difficult start to the opening four races of the 2021 Open and U23 Finn European Championship in Vilamoura, Portugal and is currently placed in the bottom quarter of his 49-boat fleet. The…
Royal Ulster Yacht Club Racing Rules Refresh with Bill O'Hara
13 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In anticipation of an eagerly awaited easing of the Lockdown in Northern Ireland, and looking forward to a return to racing, the Royal Ulster Yacht Club Sailing Committee has arranged for Bill O'Hara, OBE, to lead a Zoom session to…
The Duke of Edinburgh's Links to Irish Sailing Were Many & Varied
13 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
When the Duke of Edinburgh died aged 99 on Friday, it took a while before the hundreds of public appreciations of his remarkable life began to mention the fact that sailing played a very important role in it. Yet although…
Dog Chasing Seagulls Ends Up With Coastguard Call Out at Portaferry
12 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday afternoon (11th April) Portaferry Coastguard Rescue Team had what turned out to be an Accident Prevention call out. At Cloughey on the east coast of the Ards Peninsula in Co Down, a dog had entered the water to chase…
Lough Neagh Solo Sailor Brought Back to Harbour at Kinnego Bay
12 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Lough Neagh Rescue was paged on the 9th April to the aid of a lone yachtsman whose vessel had engine difficulties just outside Kinnego Bay on the southern shore of Lough Neagh in Northern Ireland. On scene, the lifeboats found…
Update on Access to Waterways Ireland Navigations in Northern Ireland
9 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Following yesterday’s update on the upcoming easing of Level 5 restrictions on waterways in the Republic, Waterways Ireland has issued an advisory on access to navigations and availability of services in Northern Ireland. As in the rest of the island…
Stornoway Port Doubles Yacht Berths in £11m Investment in Newton Basin/Goat Island Development
9 April 2021 Scottish Waters
Stornoway Port Authority, the primary port for the Outer Hebrides on the West coast of Scotland, will significantly increase the number of available berths for visiting leisure craft. As part of the wider £11 million Newton Basin/Goat Island development, the…
Harland & Wolff Shipyard Celebrate 160 Year Anniversary
9 April 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Harland & Wolff, the national strategic asset, with four leading shipyards and fabrication facilities based in Belfast, Appledore, and Scotland is proud to be celebrating its 160th anniversary. Founded on April 11 1861 by Sir Edward James Harland and Gustav…
The PSNI has confirmed that a man's body was recovered from a river in Co Fermanagh after what is believed to have been a tragic jet ski accident, reports Belfast Live. The Emergency services attended the scene on the River…
