Three million containers and an estimated €135 billion worth of merchandise trade were handled at Irish ports last year, according to a report published last week by the Irish Maritime Development Office (IMDO) of the Marine Institute.

Yachtmaster Instructor Finbarr O'Regan and Navigator Mary Bergin who completed her winter training course at Bow Waves, pictured at the Yachtmaster Certificate Award Ceremony in the Harbour Hotel last Friday night.

Galway Surfers will hold a DVD night this Thursday, 24 April 8.30pm at Massimos. Galway Surfers will be showing '110 per cent Surfing Techniques' which is regarded as one of the best surfing instructional DVDs around. Whether you are just starting or have been plying the waves for years, this DVD is worth checking out! The DVD will be starting at 8.30pm to see as much of the DVD before the bar starts filling up.

Last week the NUIG had their final sail training session of the college year leaving plenty of time to now concentrate on their main exams!

Galway Bay marine events for the coming week.

Galway Bay Sailing Club, in conjunction with the Irish Disabled Sailing Association, will host a 'Come and Try It Day' at the club in Renville, Oranmore on Sunday 4 May.

Popular boy band Westlife have given their full support to Galway-based Irish Water Safety, the statutory body established to promote water safety in Ireland by filming a new TV campaign aimed at delivering water safety messages to youngsters so that our aquatic environments can be enjoyed with confidence and safety.

Last week saw Galway Swimming Club hosting the Blue Water Swimming Club, all the way from Brandon, Florida, for part of their week-long cultural and sporting visit to Ireland.

The latest water sports craze across the world has hit Galway. Stand-up paddle boarding is billed as "a cross between windsurfing, canoeing and surfing," and is now available to try out at Rusheen Bay.

Marine events for the coming week.