The latest news from Scottish and Northern Irish waters produced by Yachting Life & Afloat.
SoundYard Added to Belfast's Maritime Heritage Experience
22 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Maritime Mile is an initiative developed by Maritime Belfast Trust and is a curated experience that connects and celebrates Belfast's vibrant heritage waterfront. It was set up originally to deliver the Titanic Belfast Visitor attraction and now includes many…
Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Review Advocates Marine Co-operation - But No Mention of Rockall
22 January 2021 Scottish Waters
A newly published Ireland-Scotland bilateral review advocates economic co-operation in areas including the marine and renewable energy. However, the issue of Rockall is not mentioned, although access flared up as an issue in early January when a Donegal vessel was…
Andrew 'Hammy' Baker Elected New Irish Flying Fifteen Class President
20 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Flying Fifteen Association of Ireland (FFAI) hosted their delayed AGM on the Zoom platform last Wednesday night (13th Jan) with a virtual attendance from Dun Laoghaire, Strangford Lough and Dunmore East and, refreshingly, Galway, where there is a significant…
Belfast Coastguard Alerted to Car on Portaferry Shore
14 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Portaferry Coastguard Rescue team was alerted by Belfast Coastguard yesterday to attend the scene of a serious incident when a car had left the Portaferry Road near Newtownards and ended up on the shore. The road which runs from…
Fresh Seafood Deliveries from Scotland to EU Stopped Amid Post-Brexit Backlog
13 January 2021 Scottish Waters
A crisis in Scotland’s fishing industry since the end of the Brexit transition period has only worsened as a leading logistics provider has called a halt to deliveries of fresh seafood to the EU amid a raft of delays. As…
Bangor RNLI's Safety Man Peter Bullick Awarded Long Service Medal
12 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Peter Bullick is well known in sailing circles in Northern Ireland and has long been a familiar face associated with volunteering for the RNLI. He enjoys cruising to the west coast of Scotland and has ventured as far as St…
The Scottish shipyard that was contracted to build a pair of duel-fuel ferries, Ferguson Marine is being closed down for a week with immediate effect. Bosses say they have temporarily closed their Port Glasgow yard and Greenock warehouse with immediate effect.…
RYA Postpones April's 2021 Youth National Championships
11 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The Royal Yachting Association has decided that in light of the current Covid-19 situation it is in the best interests of all parties to postpone its 2021 British Youth Sailing National Championships. The regatta, the UK’s premier youth racing event,…
Lough Neagh Rescue Warns Over Dangers of Jumping Through Frozen Ice
10 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Extremely low temperatures in Northern Ireland (it was -10.5 degrees in Katesbridge in County Down) caused many waterways and lakes and even Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough to ice over. Lough Neagh Rescue has reported that it received many calls…
Restrictions on where Northern Ireland Fishing Boats Can Land Catch Has Created a 'Hard Border'
8 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The BBC has reported that fishermen in the north-west are saying that Post-Brexit restrictions on where Northern Ireland boats can land their catch in the Republic of Ireland have "created a hard border on the island", A new Irish government…
Coastguard Discovers Dolphin Washed Up on Crawfordsburn Beach, Belfast Lough
7 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last Wednesday (January 6th) Bangor Coastguard Team answered a report of a cetacean washed up on Crawfordsburn Beach on Belfast Lough. It was identified on social media as a Common Dolphin and it was suggested that the find should be…
Young Northern Ireland Sailors Awarded Funding by Mary Peters Trust
6 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Five young sailors have been given a unique chance to boost their training and skills after they were awarded funding from the Mary Peters Trust. The Trust aims to help aspiring young athletes, whatever their sport or social background, to…
Early One Design Class Interest in July's New Format Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta is Strong
6 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A positive 25 one design entries received so far into ten divisions of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2021 has been welcomed by organisers as the combined Dun Laoghaire clubs regatta rolls out its new COVID-compliant format event that splits the…
Lough Erne Sea Plane Tenders To Feature on BBC NI Newsline Tonight
2 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Lough Erne Yacht Club on the Lower Lough is situated about six miles north of Enniskillen on Goblusk Bay and occupies a former WW2 RAF site built in 1941 for Catalina Flying Boats. It has the enviable facility of being…
GP14 Ventura – Another Classic Dinghy Soon to be Back Afloat
1 January 2021 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Think of the GP14 class in Ireland and among those uppermost in your mind, (depending on your age!) would be the late Ernie Mawhinney's Ventura, one of the earliest in the class at number 796. Ventura means 'fortune, chance or…
Irish Olympic Finn Sailor & Race Officer Bill O'Hara Awarded OBE in New Year's Honours List
31 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Among those in the New Years Honours List for 2021 is Bangor, County Down man Bill O'Hara who has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for services to Sailing. A long-time member of Ballyholme and Royal Ulster…
100-Year-Old River Class History is Published
30 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
John McVea, class captain of the now 100-year-old River Class which sails regularly at Strangford Lough Yacht Club, had been looking forward to a 2020 season of centenary celebrations. Covid 19 put paid to that, but one achievement which has…
Scottish Sailing Tourism to Get a Boost from Restart Funding Scheme
29 December 2020 Scottish Waters
Scotland’s struggling aquatic tourism sector is set to be boosted by a £2.5m pandemic support package from the devolved government, as Marine Industry News reports. Sail Scotland and Wild Scotland have secured the £2.5m restart grant scheme aimed at supporting…
The Name of the Late Don Clarke of Strangford Lough Yacht Club Will be on the New Clifden Lifeboat
27 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It's a long way from Whiterock on Strangford Lough to Clifden in County Galway where the new Shannon class all-weather lifeboat will be stationed in 2022. It will be the second such vessel to be part of the charity's 'Launch…
Oysters’ Return to Belfast Lough Surprises Scientists
27 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Marine scientists have been baffled by the unexpected return of wild oysters to Belfast Lough, as the Guardian reports. The threatened shellfish species was last recorded in the Northern Ireland lough in the late 1800s before overfishing destroyed the native population.…
New Lease of Life for 32-Year-Old GP14 Dinghy in Restoration Project
26 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Nigel McNeely was a motorboat man who had also enjoyed sailing a Leisure 17. But with two young boys reaching the age at which they could learn to sail, Nigel bought a second-hand GP14 called Alchemellia (no 12819) originally owned…
Single-Handers Race for Christmas Regatta Honours at East Antrim Boat Club
24 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Seventeen single-handers took advantage of a favourable day on Sunday last (20th) to hold a Christmas Regatta at East Antrim Boat Club on Larne Lough before the shut down in Northern Ireland on Boxing Day. The fleet consisted of two…
2021 British Topper Nationals Heads for Ballyholme Yacht Club Next July
24 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough will host the British Topper Nationals, scheduled for early August next year, a few days after the World Championships in Cork Harbour. With the Irish Nationals in Northern Ireland at Strangford Lough Yacht Club in…
Cadet Sailing Event at Ballyholme Before New COVID Restrictions Begin in Northern Ireland
23 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Thirty young sailors managed a final outing at Ballyholme yesterday (December 22nd) before Covid 19 restrictions would put paid to their activities at the Club for six weeks. And the event was blessed with a bright sunny day, albeit with…
Lough Neagh Tourism Projects get €66k Funding Commitment
23 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has agreed funding of £66,000 for tourism projects by the Lough Neagh Partnership over the next three years, as the News Letter reports. Current projects at the north end of Lough Neagh include a new…
Northern Ireland Marinas to Close From December 26 in Covid-19 Clampdown
22 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
From 26 December Northern Ireland marinas will close and all sport including sailing event an elite level must stop the Northern Ireland Executive has ruled. In response to the significant challenges facing the health service due to the Covid-19 pandemic,…
Larne Harbour is Base for 'MPI Resolution', World's First Purpose-Built Vessel for Offshore Wind Turbine Installation
21 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Larne Harbour on the east coast of Antrim in Northern Ireland is currently the base for the MPI Resolution, the world's first purpose-built vessel for installing offshore wind turbines, foundations, and transition pieces. The ship is working out of Larne…
East Antrim Boat Club Appoints Lucy Whitford as Commodore
21 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
East Antrim Boat Club in Larne has appointed Lucy Whitford as Commodore, only the third lady in the Club's 70-year history to enjoy that position. The others were Lilian Stewart and Anne Morris. Although Lucy is a regular sailor, and…
RYA Northern Ireland’s 2021 Cruising Conference Goes Virtual
19 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The countdown is on for the virtual RYA Northern Ireland Cruising Conference 2021, which will take place online over three separate evenings in the new year. The conference, which will be hosted via Zoom, will run on Tuesdays 19 and…
A car was moments away from plunging into the sea after it edged over the side of the pier at Portrush on the North Coast on Tuesday morning at about 9.30 am. The car moved forward from the council car…
Honour for Belfast Lough Sailor Chris Lindsay with SportMaker Technical Official of the Year Award
16 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Chris Lindsay from Carrickfergus on Belfast Lough has been awarded the Sportmaker Technical Official of the Year title through Sport Northern Ireland. Since July 2019, Chris has officiated at World Championships across various classes and countries, with the highlight of…
County Antrim Yacht Club Junior Sailor Awarded New Boat by John Merricks Sailing Trust
16 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Christmas has come early for 12-year-old Rory Pollard, who has been awarded a brand new boat by the John Merricks Sailing Trust. Rory, from Whitehead and a junior member of County Antrim Yacht Club, is the only sailor from Northern…
HM Coastguard N Ireland and South West Scotland have opened its recruitment window for volunteer 2021 Coastguard Rescue Officer Recruitment. The team of volunteers is made up of people from all backgrounds including other emergency services, government agencies, business owners,…
Volunteer 2021 HM Coastguard Rescue Officer Recruitment Opens
16 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
HM Coastguard N Ireland and South West Scotland have opened its recruitment window for volunteer 2021 Coastguard Rescue Officer Recruitment. The team of volunteers is made up of people from all backgrounds including other emergency services, government agencies, business owners,…
RYANI Recognises Strangford Lough Yacht Club for Volunteers’ Tireless Efforts Ensuring Safe Return to Water
15 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The second club to be celebrated in RYANI’s Recognition 2020 initiative is Strangford Lough Yacht Club, whose volunteers jumped into action to ensure the club was safe and ‘Covid-ready’ for when everyone could get back on the water. The club…
Jail for Jet Ski Novice Who Broke Isle of Man’s Pandemic Rules After Sea Crossing from Scotland
15 December 2020 Scottish Waters
A man has been jailed for four weeks on the Isle of Man after breaking coronavirus rules by riding a jet ski from Scotland to the island. As Sky News reports, 28-year-old Dale McLaughlan — who had never before used…
Deep Sea Angler Ronald Surgenor Wins Marine Conservation Award
14 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ronald Surgenor is a Project Officer with the Ulster Wildlife Trust and has been awarded the Marsh Volunteer Award for Marine Conservation. As well as caring for nature reserves and peatlands, Ronald is a dedicated volunteer sea-angler for the shark…
Stand Up Paddleboard Santas in Bangor Harbour
14 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last week Jersey Coastguard was asked to go to the aid of a man dressed in red who reported that he had fallen out of his sleigh during a routine test flight and was stranded on a sandbank. Both RNLI…
Northern Ireland Sailing Clubs Called for Submissions for New Sports Sustainability Fund
12 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYANI is encouraging sailing clubs across Northern Ireland to prepare for a joint application to the newly announced Sport NI Sports Sustainability Fund. Northern Ireland Communities Minister Carál Ní Chuilín launched the £25 million fund for Governing Bodies and affiliated…
Jude Armstrong Gets Topper Boost For Dinghy Sailing Ambitions
12 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Talented youth sailor Jude Armstrong (13) is from High Wycombe and has family in Co. Down including grandparents Rob and Betty Armstrong, Afloat's Northern Ireland correspondent. Jude is one of ten youngsters from across the UK who have been handed…
RYANI Recognises Foyle Sailability For Keeping Members Connected and in Good Spirits During Lockdown
10 December 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland’s Annual Awards have been put on hold this year due to coronavirus restrictions but this doesn’t mean that the celebrations have stopped. Virtually, RYANI will be celebrating clubs and the boating community right across Northern Ireland as…
Survey Vessel Finds Unexploded World War II Mine Off Western Scotland
5 December 2020 Scottish Waters
A World War II mine found in “remarkable” condition off western Scotland earlier this week contained 350kg of explosives, according to the Royal Navy. The unexploded ordnance was discovered by a Marine Scotland survey vessel in the Firth of Clyde…
Get Married on a Private Crewed Charter Gulet in the Sun in Turkey
27 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
2020 was deeply frustrating for those many couples planning to get married as their plans kept being altered by ever-changing COVID regulations. Legions of boat owners also found their racing and cruising plans frustrated. One local couple managed to resolve…
Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough – The First 50 Years Book is Published
26 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Eric and Barbara Mayne had been active sailing and committee members of Ballyholme Yacht Club for many years. Eric had been a past Hon Secretary and Commodore and Barbara held many and various positions on Committees. They undertook the mammoth…
Strangford Sailing Club Selected as Finalist for RYA/Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2021
25 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strangford Sailing Club has been named among the finalists for RYA and Yachts & Yachting Club of the Year 2021. Ten clubs across the UK have been selected by the RYA Awards Panel, with online voting now open. The Co…
Racing Rules of Sailing 2021-2024 RYA Edition is Out Now
25 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Make sure you're ready for the 2021-2024 changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing with the RYA rules books. The new editions are now available from the RYA shop - www.rya.org.uk/shop. Updated every four years by World Sailing, the Racing…
'Light Up, Light Up'; Bangor Marina's Call to Boat Owners
24 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Bangor's favourite band, Snow Patrol, are well known for the lines in their hit 'Run' - Light up, Light up. And that's what, in this year of endless restrictions, Kevin Baird Manager of Bangor Marina on Belfast Lough, would like…
UK-Owned Vessels Currently Overseas Subject to New Rules Post-Brexit
19 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Rules determining UK owned boats’ VAT status will be subject to change after 31st December 2020 and Global marine transport and logistics provider Peters & May has is reminding UK boat owners with vessels outside the UK that as the Brexit…
Extensive Winter Works Programme on Northern Ireland Inland Waterways
17 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Waterways Ireland says it is undertaking a “significant programme” of maintenance works on inland waterways in Northern Ireland over the winter period. On the Lower Bann, which connects Lough Neagh to the sea north of Coleraine, works will focus on…
Antrim Based 'Sea2it' Invests £18k Tackling Invasive Species & Litter in the Bann Estuary
17 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Sea2it is a Local Community Interest Company and brings together community groups and individuals as volunteers to tackle marine and freshwater litter, and the organisation has just announced that it has had some exciting news. Sea2it is investing £18k tackling…
RYANI’s Virtual AGM Reflects on Achievements in a Difficult Year
15 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland held its first-ever virtual AGM earlier this month, reflecting on a different but successful year for the sport leading up to April 2020. Guests at the meeting included RYA chief executive RYA Sarah Treseder OBE, chair Chris…
Upcoming Webinar Series to Discuss Scotland’s Strategy for Sailing & Adventure Tourism Post-Covid
14 November 2020 Scottish Waters
Scotland’s vast potential for sailing and adventure tourism post-Covid-19 is the focus of a new webinar series next week. Marine Industry News reports on the online inaugural Adventure Tourism Week, an initiative of VisitScotland, Wild Scotland and Sail Scotland. The…
Dead Swan on Lough Beg Found to Have Bird Flu
14 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The BBC has reported that a wild swan found dead earlier this week at Lough Beg near Toomebridge, a small village on the North West corner of Lough Neagh has tested positive for Bird Flu. Lough Beg is a small…
RNLI Newcastle locates Missing Swimmer in Dundrum Bay (Updated)
14 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Just three days after the return of Newcastle RNLI station's D class lifeboat, Eliza, after a refit, in the late afternoon yesterday, Belfast Coastguard requested the immediate launch of the both the station's Lifeboats to reports of an overdue swimmer…
Belfast Lough's Artemis Technologies Carbon Vision wins Maritime 2050 award
13 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Artemis Technologies has won the prestigious Maritime 2050 accolade at this year’s Maritime UK Awards. The award, sponsored by the Department of Transport, recognises the firm’s efforts to capitalise on the opportunities presented within the Government’s Maritime 2050 Strategy. Founded…
Bangor & Newcastle RNLI Welcome Their Lifeboats Home After Refit
13 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last Tuesday saw the return of the Bangor RNLI's Atlantic 85 Jessie Hillyard from her refit on the Isle of Wight, where she has been since February. Her replacement, 'Vivacious Atlantic' served the station well in the interim but the…
Anglers Express Concern Over Demise of Thornback Ray on Belfast Lough
12 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Alex Easton, MLA has called on the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DEARA) Minister to create Marine Protections Areas in Belfast Lough. Belfast Lough is a long, wide, and deep expanse of water, virtually free of strong tides…
Gordon Reid Returns to RYA Northern Ireland as Development Officer
11 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Gordon Reid has rejoined RYANI as development officer to cover Mary Martin’s maternity leave. An architect by profession, Reid is an experienced watersport enthusiast who has also worked in club and coach development with Rowing Ireland. The Belfast man has…
First Irish & Scottish Humpback 'Match' Made By Irish Whale & Dolphin Group
11 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The first Irish and Scottish Humpback 'match' has been made from images taken on the Shetland Islands at the weekend and then matched to photographs of the same whale off Ireland in 2015 and seen again off Irish coastal waters…
NI Boats May Head South for Winter in Bid to Secure VAT & Duty Status as Brexit Transition Ends
7 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ireland could see an influx after Christmas of visiting boaters from Northern Ireland seeking to secure the VAT and duty status of their vessels as the Brexit transition period ends. The suggestion comes after the UK’s Royal Yachting Association earlier…
Great Britain Wins eSailing Nations Cup Championship
7 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Great Britain have been crowned the world’s best eSailing nation following a 6-3 victory over Spain in the inaugural eSailing Nations Cup Final. After a month-long competition that featured 13 leading eSailing nations, Great Britain, captained by Mike O’Donovan aka…
Belfast Lough Teen Wins Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust T-Shirt Competition
4 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
A young Belfast Lough woman has been announced the winner of the national competition to design the official 2021 t-shirt for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, the charity that has continued to support her during the pandemic. Alysia, 20, has…
RYA Scotland currently employs 12 staff in a wide range of roles, from performance to training, to development alongside administrators. There are also around 60 volunteers contributing and leading its work for the boating community in Scotland. The organisation is…
Northern Ireland Olympian Ryan Seaton Says New Slipway at Carrickfergus Sailing Club is a 'Game-Changer'
3 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Olympic sailor Ryan Seaton is back training at his home club in Carrickfergus on Belfast Lough following the completion of a slipway widening project. In past campaigns Ryan has had to train away from home because the slipway at Carrickfergus…
Tall Ships & Newry Based Sailing Charity Carry Chocolate Under Sail & Oar
2 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
It's 7000 km from the Caribbean island of Grenada to London and somewhat farther if you travel via Den Helder in the Netherlands, Carlingford Lough, the County Down village of Killowen and Bangor in North Wales. And this is how…
Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Community Christmas Appeal
1 November 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
With club sailing and fund-raising events sadly curtailed due to Covid 19, the members of Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club on Belfast Lough have devised a safe way of helping the many families and individuals in the community who…
As Storm Aiden brought its gale-force winds and driving rain from Ireland to western Scotland, Oban RNLI launched to assist a fishing vessel in distress in Loch Etive. The 22ft fishing boat, with four on board, had broken down west…
UK Coastguard Responded to 31,000 Incidents at the Coast - Annual Report
22 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency's (MCA) annual report for April 2019 – March 2020 has been published this week, highlighting the work of the Agency for the 12 month period. Although the report doesn’t cover the period where the…
New Belfast Ferry Stena Embla Successfully Completes Sea Trials
21 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ferry company Stena Line has announced that Stena Embla, the last of its three new ferries destined for the Irish Sea, has successfully completed its sea trials in China’s Yellow Sea. Stena Embla is the latest new Stena Line next…
Northern Ireland Sailors Recognised By Royal Yachting Association
19 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Four inspiring Northern Ireland volunteers have been recognised nationally with awards from the Royal Yachting Association. Traditionally taking place at an awards ceremony in London, the RYA Volunteer Awards celebrate and say 'thank you' to volunteers who have made an…
Northern Ireland Olympic Sailor Ryan Seaton Preparing for Busy Training Season Ahead
19 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland sailor Ryan Seaton from Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough, took to the water at Lake Attersee, Austria, earlier this month to battle it out at the Europeans with the other half of his 49er duo Seafra Guilfoyle…
Lough Neagh Rescue Aid One person & Dog in Bayliner Speedboat
19 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Yesterday (Sunday 18th) Lough Neagh Rescue came to the aid of a Bayliner speedboat with one person and a dog on board in the vicinity of Rams Island on the Lough. The vessel was experiencing engine difficulties. Rams Island is…
Rediscover Sailing with Support from Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland
19 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
RYA Northern Ireland is giving sailing and boating clubs across the country the opportunity to access support for club membership and development by providing 'Rediscover Sailing Days'. Following lockdown and a challenging few months, many clubs have seen increased interest…
The RNLI recorded one of their more unusual launches yesterday evening (Saturday 17 October) after a World War II-era seaplane made a distress call from Loch Ness. It emerged that the aircraft, the PBY Catalina, had experienced engine issues while…
Topper Event at East Antrim Boat Club Cancelled By New Northern Ireland COVID Restrictions
18 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
As a result of the new NI Executive Covid restrictions announced on 14th October, East Antrim Boat Club at Larne has cancelled the Topper Northern championship event scheduled for 24th and 25th October. The EABC Covid team said, "The organising…
RYA NI Latest Advice Leads to Cancellation of Ballyholme Icebreaker Series Racing
17 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Less than 24 hours after posting that the Icebreaker event run by Ballyholme Yacht Club on Belfast Lough, could take place on the scheduled date (tomorrow Sunday 18th), the club has had to cancel racing. Rear Commodore Rob Milligan informed…
Belfast Lough Sailor Mikey Ferguson Racing on MOD70 in Middle Sea Race
17 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Mikey Ferguson from Bangor on Belfast Lough was looking forward yesterday (16th) to getting going on the MOD70 Mana in the 41st Edition of the Rolex Middle Sea Race which started today from the historic Grand Harbour in Malta's capital…
Personal Best For Liam Glynn At Laser Europeans In Poland
17 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Ballyholme Yacht Club’s Liam Glynn has secured a personal best and 43rd overall after six days of racing against 126 international competitors at the Laser European Championships in Gdansk, Poland. Northern Ireland sailor Glynn, who had been unable to train…
Youth Sailors Attend RYA Northern Ireland Selection Weekend
15 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
More than 30 youth laser sailors from 10 clubs across Northern Ireland travelled to Cushendall Sailing and Boating Club for the RYA Northern Ireland Performance selection weekend. The event, which took place on 10 and 11 October, saw the young…
Sailing & The Sea is Therapeutic for Our Mental Health
14 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Lydia Millar, a final year student at Queen's University Belfast, joined the university's sailing club to help improve her mental health. Describing herself as 'an emotional sponge,' Lydia believes that no matter how cold you may get on a winter…
The RYA Dinghy Show is to be a virtual event for 2021 due to the current escalation of Covid-19. The show had been due to take place over the weekend of 27-28 February at its new venue, Farnborough International Exhibition…
Sea Swimming Fatality at Bangor on Belfast Lough
13 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Skippingstone Beach is a popular swimming venue a short distance to the west of Bangor Harbour on Belfast Lough and sadly was the scene this morning (13th October) of a fatality. It is only a few hundred yards from the…
Lovers Of Watersports From NI Share Their Tips For Better Mental Health
11 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Northern Ireland surfer Al Mennie says conquering some of the world’s biggest waves has helped in managing his mental health. In the run-up to World Mental Health Day yesterday, Saturday 10 October, Mennie told UTV News how his preparation for taking…
Newcastle RNLI Seeks New Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer
9 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
The team at Newcastle RNLI in Northern Ireland is calling for a new volunteer lifeboat press officer to help them to save lives at sea. This role will help raise awareness of the RNLI through the promotion of the lifeboat…
Ballyholme Yacht Club's Junior Icebreaker Begins This Weekend
9 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Way back in the mid -70s the well-known and recently retired Bangor sailor who was Chair of Irish Sailing's Racing Rules & Appeals Board, Ron Hutchieson, introduced Laser dinghies to Ballyholme Yacht Club and persuaded the now SailCoach head, Trevor…
Belfast Lough's Liam Glynn Leads Irish Laser Men After Day One of European Championships
8 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
In the first day of racing in the 2020 Laser Senior European Men's Championships & Open European Trophy in Poland, Belfast Lough's Liam Glynn is 29th and top Irish sailor in the 126-boat fleet. After two races sailed in flat…
East Antrim's Tom Jobling Has a third Novel Out With a Nautical Backdrop
8 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
This is Thomas Jobling's third novel and as with the preceding books, Chasing Shadows and Arthur's Dead has a distinctly nautical backdrop which I suspect comes easily to a writer who was born and lived by the sea. Tom (as…
Lough Neagh Lifeboat Rescues Two on Yacht with Mechanical Difficulties
6 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last Sunday (4th October) Lough Neagh Rescue Lifeboat was tasked to two people stranded on Coney Island as their vessel had mechanical issues. Coney Island is owned by the National Trust and lies in the south-west corner of Lough Neagh…
GP14 'Hot Toddy' Event Cancelled at East Antrim
5 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
An important GP14 event, the Hot Toddy, first saw the light of day in the early eighties when the then GP14 Association of Ireland charged their East Antrim Boat Club based fleet with the creation of a new and suitable…
Strangford Lough 'Share the Shore' Panels Erected to Protect Brent Geese
4 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Strangford Lough is world-famous as the main arrival site for most of the migrating Canadian population (up to 80%) of pale-bellied Brent geese. Every autumn thousands of these birds leave their breeding grounds in eastern Canada and travel to Ireland…
Portrush Lifeboat Launches To Yacht In Difficulty Off Rathlin Island
3 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Portrush RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched to reports of a yacht in difficulty off Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland last night (Friday 2 October). The volunteer crew were in the water just before 9pm, half an hour after paging, and headed…
Irish sailing's September Song Made Sweeter by its Brevity
3 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Thank you, September. You did your best to provide us with good sailing as ingenious moves were implemented to run modified pandemic-compliant events which gave proper meaning to the season, and to our sailing traditions. It was neither your fault…
Campaigners Hit Out At Lough Neagh Sand Dredging Approval
2 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Environmental campaigners have hit out at a Stormont decision to approve sand dredging in Lough Neagh, as the Belfast Telegraph reports. Sand dredging has been practiced in Lough Neagh since the 1930s, with no permission needed until after the lough…
Beaked Whales Coaxed Out Of Scottish Loch Ahead Of Major Military Exercise
2 October 2020 Scottish Waters
Three northern bottlenose whales were the subject of special rescue operation in Western Scotland yesterday (Thursday 1 October) as boats worked to guide them out to sea ahead of a major military exercise. As the Guardian reports, rescue teams led…
Timothy Long Becomes Youngest Person to Sail Solo Around Britain
1 October 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Fifteen-year-old sailor Timothy Long spent his summer on a 1,600 nautical mile anti-clockwise voyage around the British coast. Now he has broken the record of Tom Webb, who sailed around Britain aged 17 in 2011. Timothy, from Aylesbury, has become…
Five RS Elites for Strangford Lough Frostie Series
30 September 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Five Elites again made it to the Battery start on Trasnagh Island on Strangford Lough last Saturday. Janice McCrudden's Bamboozled after some setup difficulties last week were keen to get some good quality racing. Unfortunately due to other commitments, Richard…
Aberdeen’s two RNLI lifeboats launched minutes apart around 9am this morning (Sunday 27 September) to a report of two surfers in danger at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour in Eastern Scotland. It emerged that the surfers had paddled out beyond…
1973 Mirror Dinghy Resurrected for Lough Erne
24 September 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Brian Osborne last sailed a dinghy in 1989 on the River Thames near Hampton Court so returning to a small boat this season on Lough Erne was something of a revisit for him. Brian bought a classic 1973 Mirror dinghy…
Ben Graf & Alexander Farrell from Lough Ree Crowned 420 Champions at RYA NI Youth Event
23 September 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Much to the satisfaction of RYA Northern Ireland and Ballyholme Yacht Club, splitting the 89 strong Youth Sailing Championship fleet over two days to mitigate risk in accordance with COVID – 19 guidelines, allowed the event to run smoothly with…
RS Elites Take to the Water for The First Time for Frosties at Strangford Lough
22 September 2020 Northern Ireland Sailing & Boating News
Last Sunday was the first day's racing for most of the RS Elites this year as a result of a Covid-19 hit 2020 season. Five boats made it onto Strangford Lough with the hope of another couple joining next weekend. …
