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]

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Uisce Éireann will be installing an outfall downstream of Killaloe and Ballina from next Monday 21 August to the end of September.

A work barge will be launched from the carpark adjacent to the Waterways Ireland building in Killaloe and will operate south of the bridge adjacent to the Ballina wastewater treatment plant for the duration of the works.

The outfall will extend from the Ballina plant into the river for a distance of 90 metres.

Two temporary special markers will be installed to mark the limits of the in-river works area downstream of Killaloe and Ballina. A permanent navigation marker will be installed when the works are completed.

Masters of vessels should proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the works, 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 advises all masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that Dromod Harbour in Co Leitrim will be without power supply on Wednesday 9 August due to a notified ESB power supply interruption from 9.30am to 4pm.

This planned power outage will affect the service block and pump-out facilities during this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that Connaught Harbour in Portumna will be closed from this Thursday 10 August for a period of one month to facilitate works in the area.

The area of closure will be from the inner wall of the slipway towards Connaught Harbour, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Masters of vessels currently moored in Connaught Harbour are requested to remove their vessels from the harbour before Thursday 10 August. Vessels remaining in the harbour after this date will be removed by Waterways Ireland.

Waterways Ireland wishes advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation of high water levels and fast flows throughout the inland waterway.

Masters of vessels and other water users should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind when on the water during high-water conditions:

• Air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines.
• Water velocity is significantly increased.
• Access to jetties can be difficult as gangways and pontoons are elevated.
• Navigation markers, pontoons and jetties may be submerged.
• Mooring lines should be checked regularly if it safe to do so.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the in-river works for the construction of the Killaloe Bypass bridge continue to progress as planned.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, the bridge is being constructed around 1km downstream of the current Killaloe–Ballina bridge.

Three bridge piers will be constructed in the navigation by December. The first 10 piles were installed on the east side of the river by early June with 10 more on the west side by late June.

Barges and piling moved from the west side to the centre of the river in early July and will be relocated to the west side of the navigation from Monday 7 August.

The crane barge will move to the east jetty and load out precast shells on Tuesday 8 August. It is intended to lift precast concrete shells into position on Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 and Friday 11 August. This is a heavy-lift operation and deemed high-risk work, requiring calm waters.

A buoyed navigation channel is being provided for 100 metres either side of the in river works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at slow speed (5 knots, no wash) with additional caution in the vicinity of the works and to follow the instructions of the safety boat crew as there are hazards such as steel piles and mooring lines to navigate.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters on and users of the Shannon Navigation of mooring and navigation restrictions in Carrick-on-Shannon to facilitate the rowing club regatta on Sunday 6 August.

The regatta will be held on a 500-metre stretch of water immediately south of the town bridge commencing at 9am and finishing at around 6pm.

Craft wishing to make a through passage will be facilitated approximately every two hours during the regatta.

Masters should note that only vessels of an overall length of 6.8m (22ft) or less will be permitted on the floating jetties from next Wednesday 2 to Sunday 6 August. This is necessary in the interest of marine safety and to facilitate the laying of the competition course.

Vessels berthed from next Wednesday at 4pm will be required to remain in place until racing finishes on the Sunday, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Masters are advised to proceed at slow speed and with due caution and to take note of advice from course marshals when passing through the area.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Grand Canal in Co Tipperary that the waterway will be closed from Campbell’s Bridge in Ballycommon adjacent to Lock 21 as far as Lock 22 for a short period before and after noon on Tuesday 25 July.

This temporary closure is to facilitate the removal of the RTÉ mast at Ballycommon. The towpath and navigation will be closed from 10.30am to 1pm and there will be an exclusion zone around the work site, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.