The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
Northern Ireland Beaches Plagued By Plastic Litter, New Survey Reveals
10 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Discarded plastic is the predominant form of litter on Northern Ireland’s beaches, according to a new survey by a local environmental group. As the Belfast Telegraph reports, the survey by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful estimates that plastic — most of…
Cadet Summer Sailors at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Ready for the Off
9 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Cadet Summer Sailing at the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough is proving popular with much interest in the scheme which starts on Monday next (13th July). Rear Commodore Sailing Jonny Millar, Cadet Officers John Driscoll and…
FunDay Fridays on the Water in Bangor on Belfast Lough
8 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last Friday was the first of July’s FunDay Fridays on Belfast Lough, a three-way collaboration between Bangor Marina, SUP HubNI and Citizen Sea who are together providing a fabulously educational and active two-hour session where all the children will have…
Bangor Marina Awarded International Blue Flag for 2020 Season
7 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Ards and North Down coastal area has done well by winning awards for excellence in facilities, environmental management, environmental education, accessibility and safety. Bangor Marina has been awarded the internationally renowned Blue Flag for the 2020 season. The Blue…
Dinghy Racing Resumes at Strangford Sailing Club
6 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strangford Sailing Club enjoys a stunning location on the northern shore of Strangford Lough Narrows in the Castleward Estate and has occupied that site for about 40 years. After the long layoff due to COVID 19, members have been back…
Last Thursday and Friday were busy days for Bangor Coastguard on Belfast Lough with an incident on both days. On Thursday evening the Coastguard and the Police Service investigated reports of concern for a kayaker seen the Ballywalter area in…
Rathlin Island Reopens to Visiting Boats on the North Coast
6 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Island of Rathlin in the Sea of Moyle off Ballycastle is now open to resident and visiting boat owners and overnighting is allowed. The ferry is also operating. This popular destination is six miles long, one mile wide, "L"…
The Brompton Goose & Sea Swimming on Belfast Lough
4 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland’s coastline is dotted with cold water swimmers who go out no matter what the weather or temperature. The group who swim near Jenny Watts Cave just past Wilson’s Point at Bangor on Belfast Lough are known as the…
RYA Northern Ireland Updates ‘Step 2’ Guidance For Boaters
4 July 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has updated its guidance for boaters following recent announcements by the NI Executive. Sport Northern Ireland officials confirmed that the sport sector remains in Step 2 of the Roadmap to Recovery until further announcements. The situation in…
The opening up of Royal Ulster Yacht Club on Belfast Lough has been long-awaited and tomorrow (Friday 3rd July) is the big day. During the past week bar and waiting staff have undergone training on the new way of working.…
Daniel Smith (39) and his partner Becky Jeffery (29) were set to be married this Friday the 3rd of July, the day travel restrictions are to be eased and overnight accommodation is allowed in Scotland in the wake of the…
Portrush Lifeboat Runs Aground While Assisting Boat In Stormy Conditions
29 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat ran aground temporarily as it assisted an angling boat in difficulty in the Foyle Estuary yesterday afternoon (Sunday 28 June). The volunteer crew had launched at 3.40pm to reports of a 24ft angling boat in difficulty…
The rescue services were so busy over the weekend that they have related several incidents together. A jetskier needed medical assistance after coming off his jetski. Donaghadee Lifeboat brought the casualty from Millisle into Donaghadee harbour and was met by…
Portaferry Lifeboat Launches Twice In Three Days To Reports Of Strangford Lough Breakdowns
28 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portaferry RNLI launched twice in three days to reports of broken down boats in the same area of Strangford Lough. Portaferry’s volunteer crew launched initially on Thursday evening (25 June) at 9.50pm to assist a five-metre cabin cruiser at the…
Bangor Town Regatta on Belfast Lough was a casualty of COVID-19 this year, (in fact the regatta would have been on the water last week), but a 2021 date has now been set for Thursday 24th till Sunday 27th June.…
Bangor Marina Now Accepts Visitors Travelling From Any Part of Common Travel Area
27 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Kevin Baird, Harbour Master and Marina Manager in Bangor, has posted a substantial update to the state of harbour and marina opening dates in the North of Ireland and beyond. The situation continues to be fluid. Among the notable changes…
Standup Paddleboarding, Sea Swimming, Kayaking & Windsurfing To Have A Voice at Ballyholme Yacht Club
27 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme Yacht Club is planning to form a Sub Committee to ensure members who are interested in Standup Paddleboarding, Sea Swimming, Kayaking and Windsurfing have a voice. Before the Lockdown the club had plans in place for a new Social…
Belfast to Build Zero Emissions Ferries Following £60m Funding Boost
26 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A Belfast Lough Maritime Consortium led by Artemis Technologies has won a £33 million UK Government innovation grant to develop zero emissions ferries in the city, that will revolutionise the future of maritime transport. With further investment from consortium partners,…
Newcastle RNLI Rescue Man Who Trapped His Foot Under Wheel of Vehicle
25 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
This morning Newcastle RNLI were tasked along with their colleagues from Newcastle and Kilkeel Coastguard to assist a casualty who had trapped his foot under the vehicle with an incoming tide while in the process of trying to launch their…
Donaghadee Lifeboat Launches to Jet Skier at Millisle, Co. Down
25 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Donaghdee RNLI volunteer crew launched their all-weather lifeboat this afternoon at the request of UK Coastguard after reports of a person in the water following a jetski incident at Millisle, Co. Down. At 1.45 pm UK Coastguard requested Donaghadee RNLI…
Coleraine Coastguard Volunteer Tied Up By Masked Burglars
25 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A volunteer with Coleraine Coastguard returned home from a callout to a masked gang who dragged him out of his car before tying him up and burgling his home, as BBC News reports. HM Coastguard confirmed the incident in the…
Three months of improvement works at Strabane Canal and The Gribben have begun this week. William Doherty Construction Ltd is contracted to carry out the works, which commenced on Monday 22 June and entail extensive resurfacing of the 1.2km of…
RYA Northern Ireland Women on Water Goes Online
23 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Women on Water became Women online for a festival which should have been held at Carrickfergus Sailing Club but had to be redesigned due to COVID 19. The festival brought together like-minded women who have been involved in sailing from…
‘Upturned Boat’ Spotted Off Ardglass Turns Out To Be Dead Whale
22 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
As Father’s Day (Sunday 21 June) wound down, Portaferry RNLI’s lifeboat volunteers were paged following reports of an upturned boat off Ardglass in Co Down, Northern Ireland. The crew launched promptly at 9.17pm in cloudy but good visibility conditions and…
Answering what was the Bangor Coastguard Rescue Team’s third shout of the day yesterday (Sat 20th), after a telephone call from former Lifeboat Operations Manager Kevin Byers, a volunteer RNLI crew was tasked with rescuing three kayakers in Ballyholme Bay…
Portrush Lifeboat Rescues Paddleboarder From The Sea At Portstewart
21 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Both Portrush RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch by HM Coastguard yesterday afternoon (Saturday 20 June) to reports of person on an inflatable paddleboard in difficulty in the sea just off Portstewart on Northern Ireland’s North Coast. The inshore lifeboat…
East Antrim Boat Club Quick off the Mark To Make the Most of Lockdown Easing
21 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Members of the Larne club will welcome its General Committee’s decision to make the most of the lockdown easing, for hot on the heels of RYA NI advice that Step 2 of the Northern Ireland Executive’s Pathway to Recovery has…
Bangor Marina Ease COVID Restrictions on Belfast Lough
20 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
On 15th June the Northern Ireland Executive announced further relaxations to the Coronavirus Regulations and subsequently Bangor Marina updated its information yesterday on Northern Ireland Marinas and Harbours. These developments make some changes to the information here. From 26th June,…
Northern Ireland Sailors Stay Connected Through RYA NI's Virtual Forums
18 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Many sailors are slowly returning to the water as the lockdown eases, but they have kept in touch by taking part in RYA Northern Ireland’s virtual forums, learning more about support, opportunities for funding and other important updates. The club…
RYA Northern Ireland Releases Guidance For Boaters In ‘Step 2’ Out Of Lockdown
17 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland has released guidance for boaters after a Sport Northern Ireland update confirmed that outdoor activity has moved into Step 2 out of coronavirus lockdown. However, this is limited to outdoors only and indoor activity/advice remains as it…
Teenager Dies In Swimming Incident Off North Coast
17 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RTÉ News reports that a teenager has died after a group of sea swimmers got into difficulty off the North Coast in Northern Ireland yesterday afternoon, Tuesday 16 June. The young man was part of a group that was reportedly…
Royal Ulster's O'Tiarnaigh Enters IMX38 in Round Ireland Race
15 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme's Ruan O’Tiarnaigh of Royal Ulster Yacht Club and Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough is the 44th entry into August's SSE Renewables Round Ireland Race. O'Tiarnaigh, originally of Sutton Dinghy Club on Dublin Bay, is a multi dinghy champion…
Offaly's Inland & Coastal Marina Systems Complete New Berths in The Hebrides
12 June 2020 Scottish Waters
Later this summer, local and visiting leisure craft to Stornoway Harbour in The Hebrides will be enjoying 75 new marina berths in its Newton Basin – increasing capacity for leisure craft to 155. The new facilities, designed and built by…
UK Sailing Clubs Struggle To Get Back On The Water
12 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
UK sailing clubs are still struggling to get back on the water under more relaxed coronavirus restrictions, according to SailWeb. While the blanket shutdown on sailing activity lifted in England four weeks ago, and rules amended in Wales, Scotland and…
Junior Strangford Lough Sailor Uses 3D Printers to Make PPE Equipment in Fight Against COVID-19
12 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Adam Fernor is a junior member of Strangford Lough Yacht Club and having not been able to sail his Laser dinghy during Lockdown, he joined a community of 8,000 volunteers, through 3D Crowd UK, who are using their 3D printers…
Man Fallen On Rocks At Portstewart Rescued By Portrush Lifeboats
11 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI’s lifeboats aided in the rescue of a young man who fell 30 feet onto rocks on the north coast last night (Wednesday 10 June). Both the inshore and all-weather lifeboats were launched as a precaution due to the…
Foyle Port Marina in the North West of Ireland is Now Open to Visitors
10 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Foyle Port Marina in the North West of Ireland is now open to visitors; however, the self-Isolating restrictions introduced on Monday 8th June by the Government will apply to vessels visiting from outside the UK and Ireland. These can be…
Some Northern Ireland Marinas & Harbours Open But Others Stay Closed
9 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The situation around the opening of marinas and harbours in Northern Ireland in COVID-19 appears fluid but the latest news is good for those wanting to relax, sail and visit. Bangor Harbour Master Kevin Baird says that Bangor, Carrickfergus, and…
Irish Diver Rory Golden Consulted on New Expedition to Recover Titanic's Wireless Marconi Telegraph
7 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Irish deep-sea diver Rory Golden is providing expertise to a new expedition to the Titanic which aims to recover the Marconi radio from the wreck, The Sunday Times reports. The wireless Marconi telegraph was instrumental in saving more than 705…
Harbours by their nature attract a myriad of marine wildlife and Bangor on Belfast Lough is no exception. Most people would associate Bangor with the guillemots that make their nests in holes in the marina wall but there is so…
Newcastle Sailor Luke McIlwaine Fifth In RYA eSailing Spring Club Championship
5 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Newcastle Yacht Club’s Luke McIlwaine has claimed fifth spot in the RYA eSailing Spring Club Championship after battling it out against nine other competitors. The other sailors came from right across the regional and home countries. Instead of taking to…
Cruising in the EU post 31 December 2020: Association Commences Lobbying
4 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A cruising issue that has been bubbling away for some time is the change in access rules for UK citizens travelling in the EU after the completion of our exit scheduled for the end of this year. At present, the…
Another water activity on the go again under Step 1 of the Northern Ireland Executive’s plan is Standup Paddleboarding. SuphubNI is a mobile venture based in Bangor on Belfast Lough run by Iain McCarthy and he is delighted to get…
Shannon-Erne Waterway: Roadmap for Re-Opening of the Locks
3 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland is advising masters and users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway of the following information regarding the reopening of the Locks from 8th June 2020: Lock Operating Hours 8th June - 19th July 9am – 5pm daily 20th July -…
Bangor RNLI Want To Get In Touch With Paddle Board Teen Rescued From Belfast Lough
1 June 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor RNLI is appealing to get in touch with the family of a teenage paddle boarder rescued at the weekend after he was blown out into Belfast Lough. The volunteer lifeboat crew were tasked on Friday afternoon (29 May) after…
Friends of 'Trasnagh' Island on the Shores of Strangford Lough
30 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
John McCann is a well-known farmer in Whiterock, on the west shore of Strangford Lough in County Down, and his late father, Thomas McCann farmed the land on which Strangford Lough Yacht Club now stands. John has a vision of…
RNLI Issues Important Safety Advice In Northern Ireland
30 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The RNLI has urged the Northern Ireland public to exercise caution when visiting the coast and be aware of the dangers while lifeguards are currently not deployed on the region’s beaches. Rollout of the normal seasonal lifeguard service was halted…
Lough Erne & Lower Bann Navigations Reopen on May 29th
28 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
More good news for boat owners on the Erne System, the Shannon Erne Waterway within Northern Ireland and the Lower Bann Navigation, in the form of a Marine Notice from Waterways Ireland. It is planned to open the navigations tomorrow…
Lough Erne Charter Boat Firm To Reopen on June 5th
28 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Cruise Ireland, the umbrella brand for Locaboat, Carrickcraft, Waveline and Linnsen Boating holidays, says it will open for business on the 5th June on Lough Erne following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland. It follows the Waterways Ireland…
You have probably heard of the Women on Water festival but as this will not happen this year, RYA Northern Ireland is running an alternative - a Women off Water event. In March, RYA Northern Ireland celebrated when they clinched…
Newcastle Yacht Club Sailor Ready for RYA eSailing Spring Championships
27 May 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Since the RYA announced the launch of the RYA eSailing Spring Club Championship at the start of April this year, thousands of club sailors have been taking their tactics and strategies onto the virtual waters in an attempt to represent…
Good news for those boaters keen to get back on the water in Ards and North Down in Northern Ireland. All the Harbours and slipways operated by Ards and North Down Council will be open from this morning (Wed 27th…
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…
