https://maritime-mile.com/belfast-maritime-weekender/on-the-water/
This year we welcome a host of visiting vessels and boats to the quayside as part of the Belfast Maritime Weekender. Across the weekend the waters will be awash with lots of displays and demos with some spectacular boats on show. Due to Covid, a number of the vessels will not be opened to the public but come on down to the Maritime mile to catch a glimpse of them.
Queen's Quay
Last here in 2018, Granuaile is coming back to Belfast and we can’t wait. Built in 2000, Granuaile is a versatile Class 1 dynamic positioning vessel and capable of working in difficult sea conditions. The vessel’s primary function is to place and service offshore buoys, which warn mariners of the location of sand banks, reefs and other offshore hazards near shipping routes. The vessel also serves as a helicopter platform for servicing offshore lighthouses and is available to assist government agencies with search & rescue, emergency towing, oil pollution control, surveying and offshore data collection. Whilst ILV Granuaile is not open to the public she will be docked along Queens Quay for you to come down and see.
City Quays
1960’s old style tug boat ‘Brocklebank’ located on City Quays – Tug boat Brocklebank returns to Belfast and is famously known for escorting the Royal Yacht Britannia into the Mersey and towing countless liners, warships freighters and tankers around the docks. Following its retirement in 1989, she is now the only seagoing vessel owned by a UK national museum.
We are very much looking forwarding to welcoming the Royal Navy back to Belfast in support of the Belfast Maritime Weekender. A Sandown Class Minehunter will be visiting the city over the weekend but unfortunately due to ongoing Covid restrictions the ship will not be open to the general public. Come on down and catch a glimpse anyway.
Members of the Irish Drascombe Association will sail into Belfast Harbour for the Belfast Maritime weekend and will put on display some of their much loved boats. The Drascombe story started back in the early 1960s with John Watkinson, a former Royal Navy officer, building a boat for himself and his family. Over the weekend the boats will be berthed in Abercorn basin and on display for everyone to see.
Abercorn Basin
We welcome the East Belfast Sailing Club who will have their 23ft long remote control Titanic boat on display in Abercorn Basin. East Belfast Sailing club was founded by workers from the Belfast Shipyards in 1904 and told us their Titanic model boat, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic, took 3 months to build and is of Ply and GRP construction. We can’t wait to see it.
Belfast Lough Sailability brings the joy of sailing and boating to disabled and disadvantaged people across Northern Ireland. Docked for the weekend, there will be a wide range of boats for everyone to enjoy including three Hawk 20’ sailing day boats and two safety boats. There will also be opportunities for community groups across NI to have their own adventure on the high seas, with pre bookable community group participatory Taster Sessions on board Hawk and water taxi tours of Titanic Quarter aboard Rosy or Sea Rover.
To find out more and book a taster session for your community group, please contact Community Development officer, Stephen Tate via email tatestephen@belfastcity.gov.uk or telephone 07584 112272.
Abercorn Basin
Lagan Search and Rescue’s 8.5m ribcraft Lifeboat powered by two 150HP outboards. Capable of 42 knots, the custom built Lifeboat is packed full of Search and Rescue technology including; Ullman suspension seats, AIS, Radar, Thermal Imaging, Augmented Reality, Search Lights, Wireless Communications and a Salvage Pump. Lagan Search and Rescue’s Lifeboat is one of over 80 independent Lifeboat charities operating in the UK and Ireland. The team train every Tuesday night and Sunday morning. Please give them a wave if you see them out on the water.
Belfast Harbour Police will also have their new state of the art Police safety patrol boat on display. Launched in June this year their primary role is to improve water safety along Belfast’s popular waterfront.
Abercorn Marina
Citizen Sea, Northern Ireland’s first boat based environmental charity will dock in Abercorn Marina alongside their vessel ‘Seabird’. The Research & Education Vessel is a beautiful wooden hulled traditionally built ‘Ringnetter’ type vessel, descended from the legendary sailing drifters of the late nineteenth century.
Lagan Dragons, Northern Ireland’s first ever Dragon Boat team will showcase some of the spectacular 20 seater dragon boats as part of the weekend’s water activities. Made up of over 50 members, and founded back in 2015, the team is primarily those who have been directly or indirectly affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. We look forward to welcoming them.
Vessel opening times including any displays or sails are daily from 11am but will be subject to tide, weather and ship restrictions. Terms and Conditions of entry to vessels will apply. ID may be required.
Why don't you visit our events calendar page to see what else is coming up on Maritme Mile?
Get ready for a weekend of mini moments along the Maritime Mile on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September at the Belfast Maritime Weekender.
Find Out MoreJoin an array of nautical themed street performers and musicians as they bring the Maritime Mile to life.
Find Out MoreHere's a list of events and tours you can join in during the Belfast Maritime Weekender, Saturday 4 September and Sunday 5 September.
Find Out MoreHead down to the historic slipways and check out the NI Pop-up Maritime Street Food Market, with food vans, trucks, stalls and plenty of picnic tables.
Find Out MoreDiscover Belfast's Maritime Mile by night as we bring to you an evening of lights & illumination as part of the Belfast Maritime Weekender. 8pm-11pm Sat & Sun.
Find Out MoreYou can join in on the festival after getting here by walking, cycling, bus, car and train.
Find Out MoreCheck out some of the amazing exhibitions from National Geographic, Out of Stores, Irish Coastal Rowing Federation and more.
Find Out MoreThe Belfast Maritime Weekender is brought to you by Belfast City Council and Maritime Belfast Trust in partnership with Belfast Harbour, Titanic Quarter Limited, the Odyssey Trust, Department for Communities and Maritime Mile partners - energising Belfast together.
