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The Irish Marine Federation is the national organisation representing both commercial and leisure sectors of the marine industry in Ireland.

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Irish Marine Trade Networking Event


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The IMF are hosting a Marine Trade Networking Event to include industry guest speakers on Friday, 21st February at 2pm at the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire.

Scan the QR code and RSVP to ensure that you are on the guest list!

Accommodation: Corporate rate for the Royal Marine for the Friday 21st if people want to stay the night for €135 B&B.  Contact : ciara for the promotional code.

Irish Marine Trade Event Discussed at Dusseldorf Boat Show

A new Irish marine trade event was on the agenda at this week’s Irish Marine Federation board meeting at the Düsseldorf Boat Show in Germany.

With plans to feature offshore renewables and the blue economy, the key topic in a round table discussion, following on from December’s Cork meeting, was the new industry showcase event scheduled for later this year, as well as this week’s upbeat Irish participation in Europe’s largest boat show on the Rhine.

Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats chaired the meeting. It included Damien Offer of Malahide Marina, Cronan O’Donnell of POD Marine, Jonathan Moneley of Carlingford Marina, Paal Janson of Dun Laoghaire Marina, Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats, Porick Murray of Pontoons Ireland, Kenny Rumball of the INSS, Ian O’Meara of Viking Marine and James Kirwan of BJ Marine.

“The aim in 2025 is to bring together as many Irish marine businesses as possible to discuss how we build and grow our trade organisation”, Salmon told Afloat after the meeting.

The Irish trade is reporting buoyant trade at the ten-day show, with several new boat sales and a strong Irish presence this weekend, thanks to convenient and affordable flight connections.

Ireland was represented at this week’s European Boat Industry General Assembly, also at Düsseldorf, by Dun Laoghaire’s Paal Janson.

This article originally appeared on Afloat.ie

Irish Marine Industry Gathers in Cork for 2024 Review and Future Event Planning

The Irish marine industry gathered at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Cork Harbour, on Monday, December 9th, for a pre-Christmas review of its activities in 2024.

A key topic on the agenda was the establishment of a new marine industry showcase event scheduled for 2025, as well as Ireland’s participation in Europe’s largest boat show, Boot Düsseldorf, taking place next January.

The meeting was chaired by Gerry Salmon of MGM Boats (pictured centre) and included notable attendees such as Ian O’Meara of Viking Marine, Cronan O’Donnell of POD Marine, Paal Janson of Dun Laoghaire Marina, Porick Murray of Pontoons Ireland, David O’Brien of Afloat, Mark Ring of Royal Cork, and James Kirwan of BJ Marine.

Additionally, the gathering featured a meetup with local marine businesses at the Crosshaven clubhouse.

This article originally appeared in Afloat.ie

Irish Marine Federation and British Marine Collaborate on Marina Certification

IMF & BM Cooperation

Following a new agreement between the British Marine and the Irish Marine Federation (IMF), the first IMF member has taken advantage of this agreement to complete a British Marine-hosted course.

James Kirwan completed the Intermediate Marina Managers course, representing both the IMF and Greystones Harbour Marina, during the four-day programme at Hayling Island. This is seen as the first step in what is a fantastic opportunity for IMF members to access the British Marine training programme, which is widely regarded as the gold standard for marine businesses. The training programme covers all aspects of marine businesses.

At the Southampton Boat Show in September 2024, a delegation of board members from the Irish Marine Federation met with their British Marine Federation counterparts to explore the benefits of working closely together on various subjects. The goal was to provide the opportunity to support and strengthen Irish Marine businesses and, by doing so, improve the experience for those who use Irish waters.

Training became a focal point for a mutually beneficial arrangement and both the BMF and IMF are delighted to have this partnership up and running.

This article originally appeared in Afloat.ie

Irish Marine Federation Gives ‘Cautious Thumbs-Up’ to the Resumption of Recreational Boating

The Irish Marine Federation has given a cautious thumbs-up to the resumption of recreational boating in line with the Government’s COVID-19 Restrictions ‘Roadmap’.

The IMF, the national organisation representing both commercial and leisure sectors of the marine industry in Ireland, has been working with Government, industry and marine trade associations worldwide during the Covid19 pandemic to ensure that our members are kept informed of the necessary measures to help to come through this most difficult of times.
With the publication of the Roadmap for reopening society and business, the IMF believes that the time for safe and responsible recreational boating is very near.

Internationally it has shown that it is possible for family-units to return to outdoor recreation in compliance with both medical and government guidelines. In addition, boats require regular safety and maintenance checks which can be best carried out by owners or qualified contractors.
The IMF says it is strongly encouraged that these actions can be carried out in accordance with the government roadmap and that Monday, May 18th is the earliest date at which there should be a limited return to recreational boating. The government guidelines are clear and restrictions such as travel distances must be adhered to for the greater public good.

As part of the industry-wide promotion of recreational boating, the IMF and its members will support the international #back2boating campaign to encourage marine recreation once again with the easing of Covid19 restrictions.

The Irish Marine Federation will continue to monitor the situation and make further updates as appropriate in line the Government’s Roadmap for reopening society and business.

Marine based tourism and leisure a billion Euro industry in Ireland.

The 2019 Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth Summit was another highly successful gathering and illustrates again the extent to which the government supports the marine sector.

Key note speakers at the summit included the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, Ministers Michael Creed and Damien English, as well as the former US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

The most prominent themes this year included the environment, sustainable fisheries and emerging technologies. A big shift from the focus on Oil and Gas that featured so heavily in previous sessions.

Integral to the government strategy is the National Marine Planning Framework on which the IMF gives advice and support to the Ministerial committee.

Also launched during the summit was the latest economic report entitled ‘Ireland’s Ocean Economy’. Of interest here is the marine tourism and leisure sector, truly the sleeping giant of the marine sector. According to the report, compiled by Semru, the social-economic marine research unit, the marine tourism and leisure sector has an annual turnover in excess of €1bn and employees almost 16,000 people.

The Irish Marine Federation is a key player in this sector and was at the summit to ensure that the voice of its members is being represented and heard. We will continue to work with the various State bodies involved in the marine sector and ensure that proper recognition and support is giving to our thriving coastal communities and businesses.