Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

Afloat.ie reader, Chris, is trying to find out what the rules and limitations are for jet boating on Irish rivers. In particular, he was curious to know if there are any regulations governing speed limits.  A jetboat is a boat…

Could The Heritage Bill destroy the Navigations it should be protecting? That's the view of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI). In a long running campaign, the IWAI has received strong political support for its view that this proposed legislation…

#Tourism - ‘Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ is the new tourism brand for the Midlands region, with a particular emphasis on its inland waterways. More than 10,000 consumers gave their put to Fáilte Ireland on the development of the brand, which hopes…

Lough Derg RNLI launched yesterday afternoon following a request from Valentia Coast Guard to assist two people after their 40ft–cruiser grounded inside the red navigation mark by Hare Island. The lifeboat, with helm Ger Egan, Owen Cavanagh and Delia Ho…

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Royal Canal at the Clondra, Co Longford end that: Non-permitted vessels, as per Article 6(8) of the Canal Act 1986 (Bye-Laws) 1988 Non-attended and apparently abandoned vessels (Article…

Waterways Ireland is extending its Smart Card system to include lock passages on the River Shannon and Lower Bann. The service will be tested from a technical perspective at Albert Lock on the Shannon and the Cutts Lock on the…

#InlandWaters - Waterways Ireland has announced revised opening hours for the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway for 2018. From next Thursday 29 March to Wednesday 16 May, locks will open from 9am to 6pm daily, extending to the full summer…

The Newry and Portadown Branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) has just been presented with the Special Recognition Award by the Industrial Heritage Association of Ireland (IHAI). The presentation was made in Dublin on March 14th at…

#FishKill - Irish Water pleaded guilty to the discharge of deleterious matter to the River Vartry one year ago, at a sitting of Bray District Court this past Tuesday (20 February). The offence related to the accidental discharge of lime…

#InlandWaterways - An urgent health-and-safety audit of Shakey Bridge in Cork have been called for amid fears the iconic city structure could be one shake from collapse. As the Irish Examiner writes, historian and city councillor Kieran McCarthy said it…

Waterways Ireland advises masters, owners and the general public that recent rains have caused flooding at many harbours making them unsafe for pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the immediate surrounds of the harbour infrastructure. Banagher, Shannon Bridge, Mountshannon, Scarriff and Limerick harbours are severely…

#Jobs - Waterways Ireland is currently recruiting for an Inspector of Navigation based in Athlone, and an engineer based in Dublin. The Inspector of Navigation will be responsible for a number of strategic work areas, including the monitoring and management…

#InlandWaters - The Waterways Ireland 2018 Event Programme is open for 2018 and welcoming applications from waterways and waterside communities seeking support to start and grow sustainable events. Taking place annually for the past 12 years, the programme has supported…

#LoughErne - The PSNI is investigating the death of a former Lough Erne Yacht Club commodore whose body was found in the lough last week. As BelfastLive reports, the remains of Michael Beattie, 55, were discovered on the shore at…

#RoyalCanal - In news you may have missed from this year, the first lock house on the Royal Canal in Dublin is set for a new lease of life. A familiar sight for locals and commuters in the city’s North…

The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) will appear today before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht which is examining the Heritage Bill 2016 Part 2 Canals. In a long running campaign, the IWAI will be…