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Displaying items by tag: DMYC Regatta

For the fourth round of the Viking Marine-sponsored DMYC Frostbites at Dun Laoghaire Harbour, there were no surprises with the strength of the wind.

From early in the week, the projected windspeed was in single figures, and there was little variation in terms of direction. On the day, the question was whether it would stay steady direction-wise or would it turn through 180°, as advised by a late “on the morning” forecast. It had the Race Officer anxiously looking over his shoulder at the smoke from the incinerator to see if there were any tell-tale signs of change.

In the end, the forecasted change of direction didn’t materialise, and the wind stayed pretty steady direction-wise but faded as the afternoon wore on.

Initially, the wind strength was at 6 knots coming from a direction of 120° which allowed a three-lap Olympic course to be set, with a weather mark inshore of the obelisk on the upper wall of the East Pier, a gybe mark in the locale of the end of the East Pier and a leeward mark close to INSS’ green raft. However, while the wind was good enough at the start, it soon started its downward spiral and the committee boat abandoned its start position and motored (gently) to a position off the weather mark with an early intention of shortening after the second beat. However, in this new station, the RO decided, after consultation with the RIBS, that maybe we could squeeze another lap in.

The biggest fleet of the pre-Christmas series turned out with the ILCA6s boasting 23 boats, the PY Class 19 boats and the ILCA7s 10 boats.

ILCA7s

The 7s had their biggest fleet of the series thus far and had a clear start in the 5knots of breeze. The series leader, Theo Lyttle, didn’t have the best of starts, being tucked behind a few of his peers just off the committee boat. Gavan Murphy and Gary O’Hare had better starts in clear air, and these three led the fleet home with a finishing order of Murphy, O’Hare and Lyttle.

In overall terms, with five races completed, Lyttle (6pts) leads by two from Murphy with O’Hare 5pts adrift of Murphy.

ILCA6s

On a start line that was marginally too short for 23 ILCAs, the fleet got away cleanly, but only just. As the third start of the day, they had the least amount of wind to start, but by the time we got to the weather mark, they had started to infiltrate the 7s. Race 5 saw a partial return to the established pecking order with Sean Craig taking the win, followed by Daniel O’Connor, Conor Clancy and Owen Laverty, with Shirley Gilmore, Judy O’Beirne and Mary Chambers occupying the next three slots.

Sean Craig, DMYC Frostbite ILCA6 Frostbite Mug winner Sean Craig, DMYC Frostbite ILCA6 Frostbite Mug winner

In overall terms, Clancy (10) leads, with Gilmore (13), David Cahill (22), Justin Geoghegan (23) and O’Beirne (24) occupying positions 2 – 5.

PY Fleet

In a case of “you don’t know how good it is until it is gone” a high-profile Frostbiter, jokingly questioned the PY handicap of the two RS200s that finished second and third on the water behind the Fireball of Neil Colin & Margaret Casey (14775). The Tingles, Katie and Jamie, finished 0:56 behind the Fireball with Kenny Rumball, in a second RS200, a further 0:46 adrift. Noel Butler (Aero 6) was 6:07 astern of the Fireball and the IDRA 14 of Pierre & Remy Long finished 0:29 behind Butler. Rumball had led the fleet around the majority of the course, but I am not sure that he was leading at the first windward mark. He certainly led at the gybe and leeward marks but his spinnaker hoist at the second rounding of weather mark won’t have helped his cause. This allowed Colin & Casey to close and must also have helped the Tingles.

The RS200s each lost two minutes of their elapsed time on the water to take the first two places, with the Tingles winning by 0:44 on corrected time. In contrast, Colin & Casey had 2:13 added to their elapsed time, which relegated them to fifth on corrected time, with the Longs taking third and Butler fourth.

In overall terms, Butler still leads the PY fleet with 7pts on his scorecard, followed by Sarah Dwyer (Aero 6/14pts), the Longs (15), Brian Sweeney (Finn/18pts) and Alastair & Gordon Syme (Fireball/21pts).

Despite the fading wind, an attempt was made to get a second race underway with the wind keeping its direction, but for each start, there was that little bit less wind, and on seeing the ILCA6s come to a halt on their upwind passage to the weather mark and the balance of the fleet not doing much better going downwind, three sound signals were given, calling a halt to the proceedings.

At a pleasantly busy DMYC with Fireballs, Aeros, ILCA6s and ILCA7s in attendance post-race, two Frostbite Mugs were handed out – to Sean Craig for the day’s win in the ILCA6s and Theo Lyttle for previous wins in the 7s.

Absentees on the day were the winners in the ILCA7s and the PY Fleet.

Additional Class specific standings:-

Fireballs (9 boats): Court & Syme (5), Colin & Casey (8), Louise McKenna & Hermine O’Keeffe (11), Cariosa Power & Marie Barry (11).

Aeros (10 boats): Butler (4), Dwyer (8), Stephen Oram (12.5).

Published in DMYC
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After the Covid enforced hiatus, the first one-day regatta hosted by a Dun Laoghaire harbour yacht club in four years took place last Saturday, with the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club “breaking the ice” for the other three clubs.

Despite a good deal of sunshine on the day, the wind forecast wasn’t so benign and a South-Westerly of 15 knots gusting to 23/24 knots was “on the cards” from early in the week before. Indeed, on the morning of the regatta, the three Race Officers, Susanne McGarry (DBSC Hut), Barry O’Neil (Green Fleet), Cormac Bradley (Dinghy Fleet) and Regatta Co-ordinator, Ben Mulligan, contemplated an hour-long postponement in the hope that the predicted and apparent breeze might ease. It didn’t and the Race Officers and their RIB entourages set out to provide the day’s racing. The dinghies, comprising Fireballs (5), Aeros (4) and ILCA 6s (5) represented about half of the starting roster with Squibs and Mermaids absent and no other ILCAs coming out to play.

The dinghy course was set off Salthill inshore of the Green Fleet and well to the West of the DBSC Hut Fleet who initially set out westwards before peeling off on a spinnaker leg to the East. While a hand-held was recording regular wind speeds of 15 – 17 knots, the numbers went up on a routine basis to record gusts in the low twenties and their arrival was heralded by darker clouds passing overhead. A postponement was flown to allow the dinghy participants more time to get to the race area but even those who did make it decided that there was to much “oomph” on the water and hightailed it home almost as soon as they arrived.

Racing in winds in the high teens/low twenties can be challenging enough, but couple that with multiple gear failures and the day goes from potentially intimidating to downright frustrating. One well-known Fireballer suffered a broken main halyard before the racing started. Having taken some time to resolve that and present himself on the start line he would go on to suffer a broken spinnaker sheet and a shredded mainsheet, proving that even multiple throws of the dice by an experienced hand can still produce ones.

The five-boat Fireball fleet saw both races won by Josh Porter & Cara McDowell (14695), though they did get a slice of luck in the second race when the boat leading into the last leeward mark capsized giving them the win. Adrian Lee (14713) took second place ahead of Frank Miller & Neil Cramer (14915). On a day when staying upright was key, the level of competition within the fleet was modest and exchanging tacks on the course was not a primary activity. However, Porter & McDowell showed what a light crew can do on a heavy-duty day and looked very comfortable, both upwind and downwind. Spinnakers were flown in both races but not on both reaches of either race.

Another to score a pair of aces was Hugh Cahill (216594) in the ILCA6 fleet which also had five boats racing. Hugh was well placed in the first race, but not leading, when the lead boat went for a swim, allowing Hugh to take the first gun. In the second race he didn’t have to rely on others making errors in order to cross the line first. In overall terms he was followed home by Damien Delap (183295), and Michael Norman (219126).

The Aero fleet mustered 3 Aero 7s and an Aero 5, the latter sailed by Roy van Maanen. This added a bit of intrigue to their racing as it meant there was a handicap race going on within their fleet. Stephen Oram indicated that they enjoyed close racing by way of the lighter van Maanen in the smaller rig being competitive relative to the “bigger helms” sailing the Aero 7. Three of the four Aeros enjoyed relatively close racing with the fourth boat being off the pace. Brendan Foley took the regatta win in the Aero 7, followed by Roy van Maanen (Aero 5) and Stephen Oram (Aero 7).

With two races in the bag and a recent gust of 26 knots recorded on the handheld and given that the Green Fleet had shut up shop for the day, the dinghies were dispatched to the harbour where the day’s proceedings were assessed under a blue-sky afternoon.

DMYC Regatta 2022.

Fireballs
1. Josh Porter & Cara McDowell, 14695 (2)
2. Adrian Lee & crew, 14713 (5)
3. Frank Miller & Neil Cramer 14915 (6)

ILCA6s
1. Hugh Cahill 216594 (2)
2. Damien Delap 183295 (4)
3. Michael Norman 219126 (7)

Aeros
1. Brendan Foley Aero 7, 1321 (3)
2. Roy van Maanen Aero 5, 3822 (3)
3. Stephen Oram Aero 7, 3288 (6)

Published in DMYC

The National Yacht Club's Ann Kirwan was the winner of the Ruffian 23 class in Saturday's 2022 DMYC Regatta on a blustery Dublin Bay. 

Kirwan, at the helm of Bandit, took two wins from two races in the seven-boat one design fleet.

Gusting westerly winds reached over 20-knots for the annual races in over 20 different keelboat and dinghy divisions.

In a tie break for second overall, DMYC's Ruffles (Michael Cutliffe) scored a 4 and a 2 to finish on an equal six points as Ripples (Frank Bradley). 

In the big boat division, Patrick Burke's First 40, Prima Forte, from the Royal Irish Yacht Club was the winner of the IRC Crusiers Zero.

A 2,1 was sufficient for Burke's clubmate Tim Goodbody to claim IRC One victory in his J/109 White Mischief against a seven-boat fleet. 

Lindsay Casey's J97, Windjammer, from the Royal St. George Yacht Club won both races in IRC Two to claim the DMYC prize. 

Click here for results in all classes

Published in DMYC
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DMYC kicks off the 2018 Dun Laoghaire Regatta season this Saturday with their “King of the Bay” regatta. It looks as if the weather gods are still favouring this weekend's sailing activities, with a Northeasterly, 10–knots forecast and a likelihood of a sea breeze filling in, to make sailing more interesting.

Racing starts for the cruisers and yachts at 11.30 off the West Pier, and at12.00 for the dinghies in Seapoint Bay. While the Dublin Bay hut is still not in position, it is planned to be put in place on Saturday morning after alteration to the base structure. “We also have a Plan B”, says DMYC's Neil Colin.

In what the DMYC describes as 'an effort to shake up the traditional regatta format' and 'encourage entries from outside the traditional Dublin Bay Sailing Club classes', the cruiser/yacht racing is on a semi–coastal course, while the dinghies race initially in a pursuit race “hare & tortoise” style, where the leader at the time limit is the winner, followed by a traditional PY handicap race.

"Cruiser/yacht racing is on a 'semi–coastal' course"

Entries have been brisk over the recent days ranging from J109’s to Lasers, with the regular Dublin Bay One Design classes such as Ruffians, Flying Fifteens and Shipmans are well represented.

The entry is available on the club website here. As a special encouragement, the late entry fee has been waived.

Published in DMYC
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June is Dun Laoghaire Waterfront Regatta season for the town's four yacht clubs and the DMYC, who is first up, has launched its regatta with the opening of an online entry system.

The DMYC, based at the town's West Pier, is building on their alternative race format, pioneered two years ago, with a coastal race for yachts and cruisers and a combination of pursuit race and handicap races for dinghies based on the PY handicap system, culminating with a “King of the Bay” award to the best yacht on the day.

Organiser Neil Colin says the DMYC are keen to encourage all and any craft to take part in the day, racers and non-racers, both from the local clubs and from further afield, as the event is classed as “Open”. The club can facilitate some temporary moorings for visiting yachts.

Online entry is here

Published in DMYC
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DMYC has published the prizewinners of the first King of the Bay Challenge run as part of its annual regatta off Dun Laoghaire today. 

The Gods looked favourably on the bay in the earlier part of the day with sunshine and light winds, influencing the PRO for the cruiser courses to set a shorter course to ensure everyone got a result, which they did.

The dinghy pursuit was a great success, competitors noted the tragic increased as the race progressed, heightening interest, compared to the norm, and decline of traffic as competitors spread out. In the end Starfish (IDRA 14) was the winner, followed by a bunch of Flying Fifteeens.

Starfish repeated their performance in the PY Slow race, to be crowned "king of the bay" a well deserved effort for the travelling dinghy, which is now over 60 years old, and beautifully maintained.

The move was a change from the format over recent years, the DMYC has broken away from the combined clubs format which the DMYC considered to be a 'Dublin Bay “Deja Vu” race', and is offering a different format that it hope provides a novelty and encourage interest in to participation from the less competitive side of the sport. The emphasis is on 'fun and participation' with a less competitive element as the serious racers will be at Howth for the ICRA Championship.

'Overall commentary suggested the break from the regular format was well received' said the DMYC's Neil Colin.

Listings below are for boats that received prizes. 

In Class A, boats that have an ECHO rating from DBSC racing:

RankFleetBoatSailNoHelmNameRatingElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Class A Lively Lady IRL 1644 Rodney Martin 1.079 2:06:04 2:16:02 1.0
2 Class A BOOMERANG IRL 1367 Paul Kirwan 1 2:21:30 2:21:30 2.0
3 Class A Crazyhorse IRL 2004 Frank Heath 0.95 2:29:15 2:21:47 3.0

 

In Class B, boats that did not have an ECHO rating:

RankFleetBoatSailNoHelmNameRatingElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Class B RUFFLES IRL 57 Michael Cutliffe 0.835 2:18:49 1:55:55 1.0
2 Class B Alias IRL 525 David Meeke 0.835 2:21:22 1:58:02 2.0
3 Class B Ruff Rider IRL 401 Ronan Lee 0.835 2:26:40 2:02:28 3.0

 

In Class C, Sportboats and Dragons:

RankFleetBoatSailNoHelmNameRatingElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Class C ZinZan IRL 127 Pat McGettrick 0.900 1:42:42 1:32:26 1.0

 

In the Glen class:

RankFleetBoatSailNoHelmNameRatingElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Glen Glendun G9 Brian Denham 1 1:48:14 1:48:14 1.0
2 Glen Glenariff G10 Adrian Lee 1 1:49:33 1:49:33 2.0

 

IMG 0751DMYC Regatta

For the dinghies, two races were held - a pursuit race of 100 minutes, and a second race following the DMYC Frostbite setup, with two fleets by PY rating; Division F and Division S.

Pursuit was a winner-takes all race, won by Alan Carr in IDRA 14, sail number 14/38.

Division F:

RankBoatAltSailNoClubHelmNamePYElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Frequent Flyer 3970 NYC Alan Green 1013 0:52:00 0:51:20 1.0
2 The Gruffalo IRL3864 NYC Keith Poole 1013 0:52:38 0:51:57 2.0
3 Kooigjug IRL 3897 NYC Ken Dumpleton 1013 0:54:45 0:54:03 3.0

Division S:

RankBoatAltSailNoClubHelmNamePYElapsedCorrectedPoints
1 Starfish 14/38 tba Alan Carr 1145 0:59:05 0:51:36 1.0
2 Femme Fatale 24 RIYC vincent Delany 1142 0:59:27 0:52:03 2.0
3 Perfection 44 RIYC Jill Fleming 1142 0:59:47 0:52:21 3.0

 

Vincent Delany adds:

There are a large number of formats which can be used for regattas. Most split the entries up into classes, and each class sails in a different race. As a small club, the Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club wanted to do things differently for its 50 anniversary regatta.

The dinghy racing was organised off Seapoint, where the tide is weaker and generally the waves smaller. Using the skills developed in running the annual frostbite, the first race was a pursuit race over approx.100 minutes, which each class was given a start time based on its Portsmouth Yardstick.

For most of the race Alan Carr in Starfish (IDRA 14) led the fleet followed by Dart (IDRA 14). They felt that they had the winning of the race in the bag, but the Flying Fifteens were catching up very fast. After some 6 laps of the course, the time limit was achieved, so the fleet completed their round. Results:
1st. Starfish, IDRA 14, Alan Carr SDC
2nd. Dart, IDRA 14, Pierre Long DMYC.
3rd. Ffrequent Fflyer, Flying Fifteen, Sean Craig and Alan Green NYC.
33 competed.

For race two, the format was amended. The fleet was divided into two, those above and below a Portsmouth Yardstick of 1100. With four laps of the course in light winds the winners were.

1st. Starfish, IDRA 14, Alan Carr SDC

2nd. Femme Fatale, National Squib, Vincent Delany and Noel Colclough RStGYC/ DMYC.

3rd. Perfection, National Squib, Jill Fleming and Conor O’Leary RStGYC.
15 competed.

Who won King of the Bay? Alan Carr of course, he sailed very consistently, pointed higher than his classmates, made use of his trapeze when the wind increased. Is it time to verify the IDRA 14 Plymouth Yardship. Yes, it is, they should probably be dropped by 2 points. It is time for somebody to talk to the RYA.

 

Published in DMYC
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Radical new ideas are coming to the fore for next month's Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club (DMYC) regatta. The Notice of Race just published outlines a “King of the Bay Challenge” open event. (Downloadable below).

In a change from the format over recent years, the DMYC has broken away from the combined clubs format which the DMYC considered to be a 'Dublin Bay “Deja Vu” race', and is offering a different format that it hope provides a novelty and encourage interest in to participation from the less competitive side of the sport. The emphasis is on 'fun and participation' with a less competitive element as the serious racers will be at Howth for the ICRA Championship.

The features of our format are, for cruisers;

· A costal race for racing cruisers based on standard Echo, which disregards the personal performance of the crew and gives the more accomplished a chance to use the boat driven handicap.

· A costal race for non-racing cruisers, when DMYC awards handicaps, if there are none available.

· A sheltered costal race for the sports boats based on the DBSC Sports Boat handicap scheme

For Dinghies:
DMYC plan to run a pursuit race, for all monohull dinghies of approximately 100 minutes, a tortoise and hare type format, with the first home being the winner. Then DMYC will run a “frostbite” type handicap race divided into fast and slow boats. This format is successfully run in the UK, for events like the Tiger Trophy at the Bloody Mary SC.

As further encouragement DMYC are setting the entry fee low, with a late cut off, with a fully online entry system, for convenience.

The aim is to avoid class starts with only a handful of competitors, and give everyone a day on the water and someone to race against.

Published in Dublin Bay
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#flyingfifteen – The third of the waterfront clubs summer regattas turned out to be a fantastic day on the water after a wet morning, with a nice building breeze from N/NE and sunshine most of the afternoon. With a good Flying Fifteen turnout for the DMYC event there promised to be some exciting racing. Gerry Donleavy was back in action sailing with Alan Green, other favourites included National Champions Ian & Keith, the Meagher's, David Gorman & Chris Doorly who won last week's NYC regatta, Brian Maguire & Frank Burgess and Tom & Diego were also back after a rest weekend last week.

The wind was from the north at about 10-12knots, but was forecast to build during the day and flick more N/NW and for the first race the tide was still coming in.

In race 1 there was a bias to the pin so all the boats were blasting out to the left hand side, it was a short starboard tack and it looked like a procession in peeling off on the lay line, this was not good for those to leeward. Gorman made a quick decision to tack and duck four boats, as he pointed back up there seemed to be a small lift, enough to point him at the mark and stay above Alan Balfe and just ahead of Ben & Maryjane Mulligan, the others on the left had by now over stood the mark. The reach was a bit of a run really and some of the back places changed, on the next beat it was shifty and sloppy, Ben stayed close to Gorman, while Balfe dropped back as Tom & Diego made large gains by going left, Mathews & Poole came back up to fourth. This was how it stayed to the finish.

There was a very long break between races as all classes were given 3 laps, crews were getting cold with the northerly winds. With the winds now more northerly the PRO reset the course. Again the pin end was biased, Gorman mistimed his start and was left behind on the line, Maguire, Mathews and Donleavy were all flying up the beat out to the left. As in the first race there was actually very little time to be on starboard and soon all the boats were heading out to sea on a long port tack. Gorman had recovered and was sailing fast through the waves to somehow get his nose in front as the boats approached the weather mark. He was closely followed by Donleavy & Green, Murphy and Mathews. Down the reach (run really) and at the gybe mark Murphy started to take down his spinnaker to the surprise of those around him, on realising his mistake he had lost three places- expensive mistake! However he kept battling and soon caught up with the group ahead. On the second beat Donleavy went more right and was right up with Gorman, Gorman headed even further left while Donleavy went right, left paid as there was more wind and Gorman kept the lead to the gun. These two were well ahead of the rest, Mathews came in third with the Meaghe'rs fourth.

Overall then it was David & Chris in first place with two wins, Ian and Keith in second and Tom & Diego in third. Well done to all who participated and to PRO and his team, it was an interesting and challenging days racing. Once ashore it was down to the DMYC for the usual regatta festivities and prize giving, the club had a great bbq and music. Next week is the RStGYC Regatta. Details of that event are here.

Published in Flying Fifteen

General Information on using Waterways Ireland inland navigations

Safety on the Water

All users of the navigations are strongly recommended to make themselves aware of safety on the water for whatever activity they are involved in and to read the advice offered by the various governing bodies and by:

The Dept. of Transport, Ireland: www.gov.ie/transport and The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, UK, The RNLI – Water Safety Ireland for information in terms of drowning prevention and water safety.

Registration of Vessels

All vessels using the Shannon Navigation, which includes the Shannon-Erne Waterways and the Erne System must be registered with Waterways Ireland. Only open undecked boats with an engine of 15 horsepower or less on the Shannon Navigation, and vessels of 10 horsepower or less on the Erne System, are exempt. Registration is free of charge.

Craft registration should be completed online at: https://www.waterwaysireland.org/online-services/craft-registration

Permits for use of the Grand and Royal Canals and the Barrow Navigation

All vessels using the Grand and Royal Canals and the Barrow Navigation must display appropriate valid Permit(s) i.e A Combined Mooring and Passage Permit (€126) and if not intending to move every five days, an Extended Mooring Permit (€152).

Permit applications should be completed online at: https://www.waterwaysireland.org/online-services/canal-permits

Passage on the Royal and Grand Canals – Dublin Area

For boat passage through the locks east of Lock 12 into / out of Dublin on either the Royal or Grand Canals, Masters are requested to contact the Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office (M-F 9.30am-4.30pm) on tel: +353(0)1 868 0148 or email [email protected] prior to making passage in order to plan the necessary lock-keeping assistance arrangements.

On the Grand Canal a minimum of two days notice prior to the planned passage should be given, masters should note that with the exception of pre-arranged events, a maximum of 2 boats per day will be taken through the locks, travelling either east or west.

Movements in or out of the city will be organised by prior arrangement to take place as a single movement in one day. Boaters will be facilitated to travel the system if their passage is considered to be safe by Waterways Ireland and they have the valid permit(s) for mooring and passage.

Newcomen Lifting Bridge

On the Royal Canal two weeks’ notice of bridge passage (Newcomen Lifting Bridge) is required for the pre-set lift date, and lock assistance will then also be arranged. A minimum of 2 boats is required for a bridge lift to go ahead.

Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office (Tel: +353(0)1 868 0148 or [email protected] ) is the point of contact for the bridge lift.

A maximum number of boats passing will be implemented to keep to the times given above for the planned lifts (16 for the Sat / Sun lifts & 8 for the weekday lifts). Priority will be given on a first come first served basis.

On day of lift, boaters and passengers must follow guidance from Waterways Ireland staff about sequence of passage under bridge & through Lock 1, and must remain within signed and designated areas.

Events Held on the Waterways

All organised events taking place on the waterways must have the prior approval of Waterways Ireland. This is a twelve week process and application forms must be accompanied with the appropriate insurance, signed indemnity and risk assessment. The application should be completed on the Waterways Ireland events page at :

https://www.waterwaysireland.org/online-services/event-approval

Time Limits on Mooring in Public Harbours

On the Shannon Navigation and the Shannon-Erne Waterway craft may berth in public harbours for five consecutive days or a total of seven days in any one month.

On the Erne System, revised Bye Laws state that: No master or owner shall permit a vessel, boat or any floating or sunken object to remain moored at or in the vicinity of any public mooring, including mooring at any other public mooring within 3 kilometres of that location, for more than 3 consecutive days and shall not moor at that same mooring or any other public mooring within 3 kilometres of that location within the following 3 consecutive days without prior permission by an authorised official.

Winter Mooring on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon Erne Waterway

Winter mooring may be availed of by owners during the period 1 Nov to 31 Mar by prior arrangement and payment of a charge of €63.50 per craft. Craft not availing of Winter Mooring must continue to comply with the “5 Day Rule”. Winter Mooring applications should be completed online at : https://www.waterwaysireland.org/online-services/winter-moorings-booking

Owners should be aware that electricity supply and water supply to public moorings is disconnected for the winter months. This is to protect against frost damage, to reduce running costs and to minimise maintenance requirements during the winter months.

Vessel owners are advised that advance purchasing of electricity on the power bollards leading up to the disconnection date should be minimal. Electricity credit existing on the bollards will not be recoverable after the winter decommissioning date. Both services will be reinstated prior to the commencement of the next boating season.

Smart Cards

Waterways Ireland smart cards are used to operate locks on the Shannon Erne Waterway, to access the service blocks, to use the pump-outs along the navigations, to avail of electrical power at Waterways Ireland jetties.

Berthing in Public Harbours

Masters are reminded of the following:

  • Equip their vessel with mooring lines of appropriate length and strength and only secure their craft to mooring bollards and cleats provided for this purpose.
  • Ensure the available berth is suitable to the length of your vessel, do not overhang the mooring especially on finger moorings on floating pontoon moorings.
  • Ensure mooring lines, electric cables and fresh water hoses do not create a trip hazard on public jetties for others users.
  • Carry sufficient fenders to prevent damage to your own vessel, other vessels and WI property.
  • Allow sufficient space between your vessel and the vessel ahead /astern (c.1m) for fire safety purposes and /or to recover somebody from the water.
  • Do not berth more than two vessels side by side and ensure there is safe access/egress at all times between vessels and onto the harbour itself.
  • Do not berth in such a way to prevent use of harbour safety ladders, slipways or pump-outs.
  • Do not allow the bow of your vessel to overhang the walkway of a floating mooring thus creating a hazard for others with an overhanging anchor or bow fendering.
  • Animals are not allowed to be loose or stray at any time.
  • Harbour and jetty infrastructure such as railings, power pedestals, fresh water taps, electric light poles, safety bollards, ladders etc are not designed for the purpose of mooring craft , they will not bear the strain of a vessel and will be damaged.
  • At Carrybridge on the Erne System, Masters of vessels are not permitted to use stern on mooring. Masters of vessels must use the mooring fingers for mooring of vessels and for embarkation / disembarkation from vessels.

Passenger Vessel Berths

Masters of vessels should not berth on passenger vessel berths where it is indicated that an arrival is imminent. Passenger vessels plying the navigations generally only occupy the berths to embark and disembark passengers and rarely remain on the berths for extended periods or overnight.

Lock Lead-in Jetties

Lead-in jetties adjacent to the upstream and downstream gates at lock chambers are solely for the purpose of craft waiting to use the lock and should not be used for long term berthing.

Vessel Wake

Vessel wake, that is, the wave generated by the passage of the boat through the water, can sometimes be large, powerful and destructive depending on the hull shape and engine power of the vessel. This wake can be detrimental to other users of the navigation when it strikes their craft or inundates the shoreline or riverbank. Masters are requested to frequently look behind and check the effect of their wake / wash particularly when passing moored vessels, on entering harbours and approaching jetties and to be aware of people pursuing other activities such as fishing on the riverbank.

Speed Restriction

A vessel or boat shall not be navigated on the Shannon Navigation at a speed in excess of 5 kph when within 200 metres of a bridge, quay, jetty or wharf, when in a harbour or canal or when passing within 100 metres of a moored vessel or boat.

Vessels navigating the Shannon-Erne Waterway should observe the general 5 kph speed limit which applies along the waterway. This is necessary in order to prevent damage to the banks caused by excessive wash from vessels.

Vessels navigating the Erne System should observe the statutory 5kt / 6mph / 10kph speed limit areas.

A craft on the Royal and Grand canals shall not be navigated at a speed in excess of 6km per hour.

A craft on the Barrow Navigation shall not be navigated at a speed in excess of 11km per hour except as necessary for safe navigation in conditions of fast flow.

Bank Erosion

Narrow sections of all the navigations are particularly prone to bank erosion due to the large wash generated by some craft. Masters are requested to be vigilant and to slow down to a speed sufficient to maintain steerage when they observe the wash of their craft inundating the river banks.

Unusual Waterborne Activity

Unusual waterborne vessels may be encountered from time to time, such as, hovercraft or amphibious aircraft / seaplanes. Masters of such craft are reminded to apply the normal “Rule of the Road” when they meet conventional craft on the water and to allow extra room to manoeuvre in the interest of safety.

Sailing Activity

Mariners will encounter large numbers of sailing dinghies from late June to August in the vicinity of Lough Derg, Lough Ree and Lower Lough Erne. Sailing courses are marked by yellow buoys to suit weather conditions on the day. Vessels should proceed at slow speed and with due caution and observe the rules of navigation when passing these fleets, as many of the participants are junior sailors under training.

Rowing

Mariners should expect to meet canoes and vessels under oars on any part of the navigations, but more so in the vicinity of Athlone, Carrick-on-Shannon, Coleraine, Enniskillen and Limerick. Masters are reminded to proceed at slow speed and especially to reduce their wash to a minimum when passing these craft as they can be easily upset and swamped due to their very low freeboard and always be prepared to give way in any given traffic situation.

Canoeing

Canoeing is an adventure sport and participants are strongly recommended to seek the advice of the sport’s governing bodies i.e Canoeing Ireland and the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland, before venturing onto the navigations.

Persons in charge of canoes are reminded of the inherent danger to these craft associated with operating close to weirs, sluice gates, locks and other infrastructure particularly when rivers are in flood and large volumes of water are moving through the navigations due to general flood conditions or very heavy localised precipitation e.g. turbulent and broken water, stopper waves. Shooting weirs is prohibited without prior permission of Waterways Ireland.

Canoeists should check with lockkeepers prior entering a lock to ensure passage is done in a safe manner. Portage is required at all unmanned locks.

Canoe Trail Network – "Blueways"

Masters of powered craft are reminded that a canoe trail network is being developed across all navigations and to expect more organised canoeing along these trails necessitating slow speed and minimum wash when encountering canoeists, rowing boats etc

Rockingham and Drummans Island Canals – Lough Key

It is expected that work on Rockingham and Drummans Island Canals on Lough Key will be completed in 2021. Access to these canals will be for non-powered craft only, eg canoes, kayaks, rowing boats.

Fast Powerboats and Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis)

Masters of Fast Powerboats (speed greater than 17kts) and Personal Watercraft (i.e.Jet Skis) are reminded of the inherent dangers associated with high speed on the water and especially in the confines of small bays and narrow sections of the navigations. Keeping a proper look-out, making early alterations to course and /or reducing speed will avoid conflict with slower vessels using the navigation. Personal Watercraft are not permitted to be used on the canals.

Towing Waterskiers, Wakeboarders, Doughnuts etc

Masters of vessels engaged in any of these activities are reminded of the manoeuvring constraints imposed upon their vessel by the tow and of the added responsibilities that they have to the person(s) being towed. These activities should be conducted in areas which are clear of conflicting traffic. It is highly recommended that a person additional to the master be carried to act as a “look-out” to keep the tow under observation at all times.

Prohibition on Swimming

Swimming in the navigable channel, particularly at bridges, is dangerous and is prohibited due to the risk of being run over by a vessel underway in the navigation.

Age Restrictions on operating of powered craft

In the Republic of Ireland, Statutory Instrument 921 of 2005 provides the legal requirements regarding the minimum age for operating of powered craft. The Statutory Instrument contains the following requirements:

- The master or owner of a personal watercraft or a fast power craft shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who has not attained the age of 16 years does not operate or control the craft

- The master or owner of a pleasure craft powered by an engine with a rating of more than 5 horse power or 3.7 kilowatts shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who has not attained the age of 12 years does not operate or control the craft.

Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

Lifejackets and PFD’s are the single most important items of personal protective equipment to be used on a vessel and should be worn especially when the vessel is being manoeuvred such as entering / departing a lock, anchoring, coming alongside or departing a jetty or quayside.

In the Republic of Ireland, Statutory Instrument 921 of 2005 provides the legal requirements regarding the wearing of Personal Flotation Devices. The Statutory Instrument contains the following requirements:

- The master or owner of a pleasure craft (other than a personal watercraft) shall ensure, that there are, at all times on board the craft, sufficient suitable personal flotation devices for each person on board.

- A person on a pleasure craft (other than a personal watercraft) of less than 7 metres length overall shall wear a suitable personal flotation device while on board an open craft or while on the deck of decked craft, other than when the craft is made fast to the shore or at anchor.

- The master or owner of a pleasure craft (other than a personal watercraft) shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who has not attained the age of 16 years complies with paragraph above.

- The master or owner of a pleasure craft (other than a personal watercraft), shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person who has not attained the age of 16 years wears a suitable personal flotation device while on board an open craft or while on the deck of a decked craft other than when it is made fast to the shore or at anchor.

- The master or owner of a pleasure craft (other than a personal watercraft) shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that a person wears a suitable personal flotation device, at all times while – (a) being towed by the craft, (b) on board a vessel or object of any kind which is being towed by the craft.

Further information is available at: http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/si/921/made/en/print

Firing Range Danger Area – Lough Ree

The attention of mariners is drawn to the Irish Defence Forces Firing Range situated in the vicinity of buoys No’s 2 and 3, on Lough Ree on the Shannon Navigation. This range is used regularly for live firing exercises, throughout the year, all boats and vessels should stay clear of the area marked with yellow buoys showing a yellow "X" topmark and displaying the word "Danger".

Shannon Navigation, Portumna Swing Bridge Tolls

No attempt should be made by Masters’ of vessels to pay the bridge toll while making way through the bridge opening. Payment will only be taken by the Collector from Masters when they are secured alongside the jetties north and south of the bridge.

Navigating from Killaloe to Limerick on the Shannon Navigation

The navigation from Killaloe to Limerick involves passage through Ardnacrusha locks, the associated headrace and tailrace and the Abbey River into Limerick City. Careful passage planning is required to undertake this voyage. Considerations include: lock passage at Ardnacrusha, water flow in the navigation, airdraft under bridges on Abbey River in Limerick, state of tide in Limerick

Users are advised to contact the ESB Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power station (00353 (0)87 9970131) 48 hours in advance of commencing their journey to book passage through the locks at Ardnacrusha. It is NOT advised to undertake a voyage if more than one turbine is operating (20MW), due to the increased velocity of flow in the navigation channel, which can be dangerous. To ascertain automatically in real time how many turbines are running, users can phone +353 (0)87 6477229.

For safety reasons the ESB has advised that only powered craft with a capacity in excess of 5 knots are allowed to enter Ardnacrusha Headrace and Tailrace Canals.

Passage through Sarsfield Lock should be booked on +353-87-7972998, on the day prior to travel and it should be noted also that transit is not possible two hours either side of low water.

A Hydrographic survey in 2020 of the navigation channel revealed that the approach from Shannon Bridge to Sarsfield Lock and the Dock area has silted up. Masters of vessels and water users are advised to navigate to the Lock from Shannon bridge on a rising tide one or two hours before High Tide.

Lower Bann Navigation

The attention of all users is drawn to the “Users Code for the Lower Bann”, in particular to that section covering “Flow in the River” outlining the dangers for users both on the banks and in the navigation, associated with high flow rates when the river is in spate. Canoeists should consult and carry a copy of the “Lower Bann Canoe Trail” guide issued by the Canoe Association of Northern Ireland. Users should also contact the DfI Rivers Coleraine, who is responsible for regulating the flow rates on the river, for advisory information on the flow rates to be expected on any given day.

DfI Rivers Coleraine. Tel: 0044 28 7034 2357 Email: [email protected]

Lower Bann Navigation – Newferry – No wake zone

A No Wake Zone exists on the Lower Bann Navigation at Newferry. Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at a slow speed and create no wake while passing the jetties and slipways at Newferry.

Overhead Power Lines (OHPL) and Air draft

All Masters must be aware of the dangers associated with overhead power lines, in particular sailing vessels and workboats with cranes or large air drafts. Voyage planning is a necessity in order to identify the location of overhead lines crossing the navigation.

Overhead power line heights on the River Shannon are maintained at 12.6metres (40 feet) from Normal Summer level for that section of navigation, masters of vessels with a large air draft should proceed with caution and make additional allowances when water levels are high.

If a vessel or its equipment comes into contact with an OHPL the operator should NOT attempt to move the vessel or equipment. The conductor may still be alive or re-energise automatically. Maintain a safe distance and prevent third parties from approaching due to risk of arcing. Contact the emergency services for assistance.

Anglers are also reminded that a minimum ground distance of 30 metres should be maintained from overhead power lines when using a rod and line.

Submarine Cables and Pipes

Masters of vessels are reminded not to anchor their vessels in the vicinity of submarine cables or pipes in case they foul their anchor or damage the cables or pipes. Look to the river banks for signage indicating their presence.

Water Levels - Precautions

Low Water Levels:

When water levels fall below normal summer levels masters should be aware of:

Navigation

To reduce the risk of grounding masters should navigate on or near the centreline of the channel, avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers.

Proceeding at a slow speed will also reduce “squat” effect i.e. where the vessel tends to sit lower in the water as a consequence of higher speed.

Slipways

Reduced slipway length available under the water surface and the possibility of launching trailers dropping off the end of the concrete apron.

More slipway surface susceptible to weed growth requiring care while engaged in launching boats, from slipping and sliding on the slope. Note also that launching vehicles may not be able to get sufficient traction on the slipway once the craft is launched to get up the incline.

Bank Erosion

Very dry riverbanks are more susceptible to erosion from vessel wash.

Lock Share

Maximising on the number of vessels in a lock will ensure that the total volume of water moving downstream is decreased. Lock cycles should be used for vessels travelling each way.

High Water Levels:

When water levels rise above normal summer level masters should be aware of:

Navigation

Navigation marks will have reduced height above the water level or may disappear underwater altogether making the navigable channel difficult to discern.

In narrow sections of the navigations water levels will tend to rise more quickly than in main streams and air draft at bridges will likewise be reduced.

There will also be increased flow rates particularly in the vicinity of navigation infrastructure such as bridges, weirs, locks etc where extra care in manoeuvring vessels will be required.

Harbours and Jetties

Due care is required in harbours and at slipways when levels are at or near the same level as the harbour walkways' as the edge will be difficult to discern especially in reduced light conditions. It is advised that Personal Flotation Devices be worn if tending to craft in a harbour in these conditions.

Slipways

Slipways should only be used for the purpose of launching and recovering of water craft or other objects from the water. Before using a slipway it should be examined to ensure that the surface has sufficient traction/grip for the intended purpose such as launching a craft from a trailer using a vehicle, that there is sufficient depth of water on the slipway to float the craft off the trailer before the concrete apron ends and that the wheels of the trailer do not drop off the edge of the slipway. That life-saving appliances are available in the vicinity, that the vehicle is roadworthy and capable of coping with the weight of the trailer and boat on the incline. It is recommended that slipway operations are conducted by two persons.

Caution to be Used in Reliance upon Aids to Navigation

The aids to navigation depicted on the navigation guides comprise a system of fixed and floating aids to navigation. Prudent mariners will not rely solely on any single aid to navigation, particularly a floating aid to navigation. With respect to buoys, the buoy symbol is used to indicate the approximate position of the buoy body and the ground tackle which secures it to the lake or river bed. The approximate position is used because of the practical limitations in positioning and maintaining buoys in precise geographical locations. These limitations include, but are not limited to, prevailing atmospheric and lake/river conditions, the slope of and the material making up the lake/river bed, the fact that the buoys are moored to varying lengths of chain, and the fact that the buoy body and/or ground tackle positions are not under continuous surveillance. Due to the forces of nature, the position of the buoy body can be expected to shift inside and outside the charted symbol.

Buoys and perches are also moved out of position or pulled over by those mariners who use them to moor up to instead of anchoring. To this end, mariners should always monitor their passage by relating buoy/perch positions with the published navigation guide. Furthermore, a vessel attempting to pass close by always risks collision with a yawing buoy or with the obstruction that the buoy or beacon/perch marks.

Masters of Vessels are requested to use the most up to date Navigation guides when navigating on the Inland Waterways.

Information taken from Special Marine Notice No 1 of 2023