Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the Quest Lough Derg event takes place around Killaloe, Co Clare and Ballina, Co Tipperary on Saturday 9 September.

To accommodate the event, the Shannon Navigation will be closed from noon on Friday 8 to Saturday 9 September at 7pm.

A floating pontoon will be placed across the Shannon Navigation some 100 metres upstream of Killaloe bridge. The pontoon will be lit during the hours of darkness and safety boats will be in the area while the pontoon is in place. No vessel or craft should come within 50 metres of the pontoon while it is in position.

The slipway at Ballina will be closed while the pontoon is being constructed. Construction will take place from Tuesday 5 to Friday 8 September and the pontoon will be dismantled on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.

There will be restricted access to the Waterways Ireland jetties and pump-out facility in Killaloe from 3pm on Friday 8 to 7pm on Saturday 9 September. Mooring space will be available upstream of the pump-out facility.

The flow gates on the Killaloe Canal will be manned from 6am to 7.45am on Saturday 9 September to facilitate anglers and smaller vessels that wish to proceed upstream or downstream on Saturday morning while the pontoon is in place.

Some 1,500 athletes will move along the Waterways Ireland jetties and cross the flow-gate walkway in the morning and will return by the same route in the afternoon of Saturday 9 September 2023. Care should be taken when using the jetties and flow-gate walkway as there will be significant pedestrian traffic in these areas.

The kayaking element of Quest Lough Derg will take place at Twomilegate, Co Clare. Masters are requested to take heed of advice and directions from safety craft monitoring the event and to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash in the vicinity of Twomilegate and Killaloe during the event.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks its customers for their cooperation.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that Inland Fisheries Ireland will be conducting a fish stock survey on Lough Garadice in Co Leitrim next week between Monday 4 and Thursday 7 September.

All nets will be clearly marked by orange buoys marked “IFI Survey”, adds the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Masters of vessels and all water users should proceed with additional caution when operating on Lough Garadice during this period.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway that tree trimming and hedge cutting will be carried out at various locations during the autumn/winter period from September 2023 to February 2024.

During this operation, floating pontoons will be located on the water with mechanical plant operating. Mechanical plant will also be in operation along the banks of the waterway.

Masters will be advised by Waterways Ireland staff when making a passage and the co-operation of masters is requested at this time.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience caused to its customers.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that diving operations will be taking place between Lough Scur and Lock 9 on Wednesday 30 August to remove debris from the navigation channel.

Masters of vessels and all water users should proceed with additional caution in the area during this period, adds the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that dredging operations on the Kesh River in Co Fermanagh are continuing.

Dredging at the mouth of the Kesh River (West Section) has been completed as of this week, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Dredging on the two other river sections (Central and East) was scheduled to commence on Tuesday 29 August and will continue until Friday 22 September.

During this time the river will be closed to boating traffic from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays, adds the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of all craft on the Grand Canal that the lifting bridge at Monasterevin on the Barrow Line will be closed for canal traffic on Thursday 24 August only to facilitate emergency road repairs. The bridge will return to normal operations on Friday 25 August.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon Navigation that the Rooskey Dry Dock facility is closed for use by the public from Monday 21 August until 1 August 2024 to facilitate upgrade works.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users that the Grand Canal’s Circular Line in Dublin (Lock C1 through to Lock C7) is currently closed to navigation due to fallen trees across the canal in the aftermath of Storm Betty at the weekend.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways did not provide a timeframe for the line’s reopening but said it “apologies for any inconvenience caused”.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Shannon Navigation that there will be diving activities taking place in the river around Tarmonbarry Bridge, lock and quay on Thursday 17 August.

The bridge and lock will remain open but delays may be expected. Masters of vessels can divert via the Camlin River if desired.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways also advises that two additional temporary green markers have been placed on the east side of Long Island, south of Athlone, to prevent boating traffic veering off the main navigation channel.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the area as high-water levels and fast flows continue to exist.

Waterways Ireland advises all recreational users of the Erne System and Lower Bann Navigation that blue-green algae is present in a number of locations on these inland waterways.

Blue-green algae blooms can be toxic to humans and potentially lethal to animals under certain conditions. A number of serious incidents involving blue-green algae have been reported in Northern Ireland in recent week.

Waterways Ireland calls on all users of these waterways whether on or adjacent the water — and especially pet owners — to comply with any notices placed by their local authority and avoid contact or immersive activities in areas where blue-green algae is present.

Waterways Ireland’s jetties and slipways remain open, but the public is advised to refrain from immersive activities including swimming and not to allow pets to drink from or swim in affected areas.

The surface of slipways can become slippery due to algae build up, and Waterways Ireland advises additional caution when using slipway facilities in affected areas.

In addition, the public is encouraged to report encounters with blue-green algae blooms on the inland waterways via any of the following means:

• Their local authority’s environmental health section
• The Bloomin’ Algae App which is free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• The NIEA incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or email [email protected]