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 all masters of vessels on and other users of the Shannon-Erne Waterway that Inland Fisheries Ireland will be conducting a fish stock survey on Lough Scur between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 August.

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 Scur during this period.

Waterways Ireland informs masters of vessels and waterway users on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that the waterfront jetty in Leitrim village is now owned and managed by Waterways Ireland.

This jetty is located upstream of the slipway on the northern side of the waterway. The Shannon Navigation Bye Laws apply to this jetty from Monday 17 April, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway that the 2022-23 winter mooring period for public harbours on these navigations has ended as of Friday 31 March.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds that Shannon Navigation Bye-law No. 17(3) now applies: vessels should not berth in the same harbour for longer than the statutory period of five consecutive days nor more than a total of seven days in any one month.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon-Erne Waterway that all 16 locks on the inland waterway will be out of service from Friday 23 December to Monday 2 January inclusive.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period. Normal service will resume at 9am on Tuesday 3 January.

The service blocks at Aghalane and Haughton’s Shore are closed until Wednesday 15 March. Service blocks at Ballyconnell, Ballinamore, Keshcarrigan and Leitrim shall remain open.

All associated land-based and water-based Blueway trails shall remain open.

Further information is available during normal business hours from Waterways Ireland’s Carrick-on-Shannon office at +44 (0)71 965 0562.

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 along the waterway during the winter period from now until February 2023.

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 cooperation of masters is requested at this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway that the winter mooring period for public harbours on these navigations will commence on Tuesday 1 November.

Masters wishing to avail of winter mooring — which continues until 31 March 2023 — are required to register online and pay the winter mooring fee of €63.50 prior to 1 November.

Masters must apply for winter mooring at a specific harbour. They will then receive by email their approval, rejection or an alternative location of application. Upon approval, follow the link in the email to pay the required fee online.

Masters are reminded that Bye-law 17 of the Canals Act — the “5 consecutive days/ 7 days in one month rule” — continues to apply for those not availing of winter mooring.

Waterways Ireland says it will be disconnecting its electricity supply points and water supply at public moorings for the winter period. Both services will be reinstated prior to the commencement of the 2023 boating season, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Owners are urged to note that vessels are moored in public harbours at the owners risk at all times and may be directed to other harbours “as operational exigencies require”.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of all craft that maintenance dredging will be taking place on the Shannon-Erne Waterway in Co Cavan until Friday 30 September.

The dredging will take place on the inland waterway in the vicinity of Lock 1 in Corraquill and Lock 2 at Ballyconnell.

During this operation a floating pontoon will be located on the water with mechanical dredging plant operating. The navigable channel will remain open outside of the immediate area being dredged.

Masters of vessels are asked to comply with safety signage and heed all instructions from safety personnel who will be in the area. 

Safety on the water must be improved as demand for staycations on the inland waterways increases.

That’s the warning from boat operators on the Shannon, as reported in The Irish Times, who have raised various issues such as a lack of qualified mechanics for maintenance, poor boat handling and a lack of enforcement of existing bye-laws.

“The Government have a huge thing about water safety at the minute,” says Leslie Shaw, proprietor of Portumna Marine, “but it seems to be only for swimmers.”

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

The Shannon’s cruising fleet is in line for a ‘green overhaul’ as Fáilte Ireland seeks consultants to advise on a more sustainable future for the inland waterway.

According to The Irish Times, the new strategy seeks to reverse the decline of the fleet on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway to half of its numbers in the 1980s.

And it’s been given a boost by renewed domestic interest in tourism on the waterways since the Covid pandemic.

“On top of that it’s about greening the fleet,” said Paddy Mathews, head of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand. “Looking at new propulsion systems, potentially new fuel sources, potentially looking at how the boats can be converted.”

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.