Shannon Navigation

14th September 2010

Portumna Bridge Not Opening and Closing Correctly

Waterways Ireland has advised that technical difficulties are presently preventing the Portumna bridge on the Shannon navigation on the inland waterways from opening and closing correctly. Corrective action is being taken to rectify the problem. Any master planning a voyage on this stretch of the navigation should first contact the Bridge Keeper on 090-9741011 for the most recent information.

Published in Inland Waterways

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10th September 2010

Waterways Ireland Commences Work on Killaloe Canal

Waterways Ireland has announced the commencement of the second phase of the improvements at the Killaloe Canal on the inland waterways.

The works on the Shannon Navigation at Killaloe involve the repair and widening of the canal wall. Flow Control Gates will be installed in the canal and new moorings have already been put in place to provide greater capacity. A further outcome of the flow control gates is the incorporation of a pedestrian footbridge creating a looped walk along the canal. The entire walkway will be resurfaced as part of the project.

The works have been designed by Waterways Ireland and will be undertaken by a contractor. The work will commence on the 13th September 2010 and is expected to be completed in March 2011. During this period the footpath between the R463 Killaloe to Scarriff Road and the canal will be closed.

The remedial works to the canal wall include the installation of approximately 400 m of sheet piles to incorporate the extension to the moorings and underpin the existing canal wall. The installation of boat pump-out facility and new mains pump chamber has been included in the programme.

When complete three walkways will link the newly installed floating moorings to the canal wall. The 250m of floating moorings were installed by Waterways Ireland earlier in the year in preparation for this work to take place.
Waterways Ireland would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused during the contract period. Queries about this work can be directed to the Waterways Ireland Western Regional Office in Scarriff, Tel 061 922033.

Published in Inland Waterways

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23rd August 2010

Take Care Navigating Abbey River When Turbines Operate

Waterways Ireland has issued a reminder to users of the inland waterways on the Shannon Navigation that it is advised not to undertake a voyage if more than one turbine is operating, due to increased velocity of flow in the navigation which can be dangerous. The situation may also arise when flood conditions prevail.

Contact the lock keeper at Ardnacrusha (tel: 087-7972998) for information on the number of turbines in operation at Ardnacrusha before commencing transit of this part of the river.

Published in Inland Waterways

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2nd August 2010

Lough Derg Lifeboat Assists Vessel Aground

This afternoon at 15.47hrs, Lough RNLI Derg lifeboat Toshiba Wave Warrior launched to assist eight persons on board a 31ft cruiser aground on Lough Derg.

At 15.30hrs on Monday afternoon August 2, Derg RNLI lifeboat was requested to launch following a sighting of a vessel aground off Crane Island close to Church Bay on the south-western shore of Lough Derg. The lifeboat with helm Eleanor Hooker, Peter Clark and Colin Knight on board, launched at 15.47hrs. Winds were south-westerly, Force 2 to 3. The lifeboat was alongside the casualty vessel at 15.58hrs and found all passengers to be safe and unharmed. They were asked to put on their lifejackets. The RNLI Lifeboat Training Officer, Fergal Kerney was afloat at the time and stood-by to reassure the persons on board until the lifeboat arrived. A RNLI crew member climbed aboard the cruiser and after he established that the vessel was not holed or damaged, it was taken off the rocks and towed out into safe water, where another check of steering and rudder was carried out. The cruiser then continued on its journey.

Lough Derg RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Charles Stanley-Smith commended the "the swift response the lifeboat crew and the professional manner in which the rescue was carried out".

The lifeboat returned to station and was ready for service again at 16.40hrs