Waterways Ireland has reminded all Masters and users of the Grand Canal on Ireland's inland waterways that it intends to move vessels double or tripled berthed on the Grand Canal and Shannon Harbour that contravene the five day rule.

The enforcement of SI No. 24/1988: Canals Act, 1986 Bye Law (25 ,1 (d)) applies to all hard edged moorings in the harbour area with effect from 17th March 2011.

At Tullamore this area is deemed to be between White Hall Bridge and Waterways Ireland Offices.

At Shannon Harbour The area is deemed to be between 35th Lock Eastwards to Griffith Bridge.

This enforcement will clear the channel for navigation and facilitate the movement of both visiting and Shannon Harbour based vessels. Alternative berthing is available upstream of Griffith Bridge. Boats should only be moored singly on either side of the canal to permit the safe passage of craft. Bye Law (25, 1 (b) states that sufficient space must remain so that two vessels can pass at the same time. Berthage is also available on the North Bank between 35th and 36th Lock.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved East or West of the area as space becomes available. Non permitted vessels will also be moved.

This enforcement will facilitate the movement of visiting vessels. Vessels should only moor directly onto quay walls and not double and triple berth. Alternative berthing is available on the main line.

Vessels in contravention of this bye-law will be moved onto the main line. Non permitted vessels will also be moved.

Owners and Masters of vessels are requested to assist in this enforcement in order to open the area to more vessels and facilitate the proper use of the harbour.

Masters and owners on inland waterways have been advised that the winter mooring period ends on Thurs 31 Mar 2011 thereafter Navigation Bye-law No. 17(3) applies i.e. Vessels should not be berthed in the same harbour for longer than the statutory period of five consecutive days or more than a total of 7 days in any one month.

Waterways Ireland, as part of a planned inland waterways programme of improvement works, has installed a floating Weir Boom across the weir at Clarendon Lock, Knockvicar on the Shannon Navigation.

Installing the 20m boom was initiated with assembly of the boom off-site in Rooskey. In early December, the drilling for the piles was facilitated by floating a piling rig to the site on pontoons. Piles are required to hold the Weir Boom in place. The boom was then floated to the site and secured in place. The works cost approximately €55,000.

Installation of the boom improves the amenity at Knockvicar in addition to lock gate replacement and upgraded lockhouse facilities which have been completed by Waterways Ireland in recent years.

The Weir Boom is a preventative measure installed by Waterways Ireland to protect boaters and their craft from being drawn over the weir. Space has been left to allow for the passage of canoeists. There will be no environmental impacts on fish or other wildlife from the installation or operation of the Weir Boom.

Waterways Ireland, the body in charge of Ireland's inland waterways will host the fourth Waterways Forward Interregional Meeting in September 2011. Waterways Forward brings together 17 partner organisations from 11 EU countries plus Norway and Serbia lead by Stichting Recreatietoervaart Nederland (Dutch Recreational Waterways Foundation) to work co-operatively on issues around inland waterway management and development. The 2 day event will introduce over 50 European waterway professionals to Ireland's inland waterways and will include workshops, master classes and a site visit.
Waterways Forward is a European Union INTERREG IVC programme. It aims to improve the management of regional inland waterway corridors for recreational boating & amenity use through an integrated, sustainable and participatory approach, taking account of the multi-functional role of our waterways.
Previous meetings have been held in the Netherlands and Italy with the 3rd Interregional meeting scheduled to be held in Spain on 19th to 21st January 2011.
The project began in 2010 with the development of a regional analysis in each partner area in relation to the themes of Governance and Environment & Climate Change. This work has now been completed and the results of the analyses are being brought together in a Synthesis Report which will inform how the Thematic Groups organise their work in the next two years of the project. The €2.8m project runs from 2010 – 2012.
Waterways Ireland was involved in the preparation of the funding application and the approved implementation plan and is actively involved in its delivery.

The black Starboardhand marker "E" at Goat's Road and the Red Porthand marker in the middle of Coose Bay on Lough Derg on the inland waterways have been reported out of position. Waterways Ireland has asked Masters to navigate with due caution until these aids have been re-positioned.

Waterways Ireland has issued a warning to advise masters of vessels and all other users of the need to take extreme care if visiting the inland waterways navigations during the present cold weather.

Snow bound harbours and ice covered jetties in particular are dangerous to walk on or near because of the risk of slipping, tripping or falling near to the water's edge.

Sections of the Royal and Grand Canals and the Shannon Erne Waterway have restricted navigation due to ice accumulation.

Where water in lock chambers has frozen the public is warned not to attempt to cross over a lock in this state due to the great danger of ice cracking underfoot and being drowned in the lock.

Waterways Ireland is undertaking improvement works by way of installation of new floating moorings and realignment of aids to navigation at the public mooring facility at Terryglass harbour, Lough Derg on the inland waterways. The work is due to commence tomorrow 2nd. Dec and is expected to be finished by 24th December.

The Lakelands & Inland Waterways Strategic Plan will be launched at four locations along the inland waterways from the 25-30th November 2010. Invitations have been issued to trade and industry, elected representatives, local authorities and the media. The launch will be followed by an information seminar to build on attendees awareness of the Lakelands & Inland Waterways and the current and future priorities of the partners.
The Lakelands and Inland Waterways Initiative is a marketing, product and destination development initiative providing a targeted and coordinated approach to tourism, recreation and hospitality, focused on attracting people to enjoy and experience the area.
Covering an area from Belleek in Northern Ireland to Limerick in Ireland and encompassing a wide corridor along the Erne, Shannon-Erne and Shannon, the unique landscape of the region has lent itself to the creation of this highly attractive initiative. A partnership has been established lead by Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland with Shannon Development, Tourism Ireland, Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism and the many Local Authorities making a full and ongoing commitment to the initiative.
Joint chairmen of the partnership Kevin Kidney, Fáilte Ireland and Martin Dennany, Waterways Ireland, stated "Waterways Ireland and Fáilte Ireland have made a full and ongoing commitment to the Lakelands & Inland Waterways initiative. Working together has provided significant advantages to Fáilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Shannon Development and Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism and facilitated a huge step forward for the marketing of this entire region"
The Marketing Manager of Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism stated "The Lakelands and Inland Waterways initiative has offered an additional marketing platform for Fermanagh. It has provided opportunities to showcase the area to a wider audience. In particular it has been instrumental in funding and promoting a number of events in the County including the Lough Erne Challenge, Discover Days in Enniskillen and Lisnaskea and the Enniskillen Family Fun Day. By working with other strategic partners, the initiative reflects the importance that all of the partners place on this specific region and its excellent product portfolio"

Waterways Ireland have advised all owners and masters of inland waterways vessels that the Barrow Line of the Grand Canal between the 21st Lock at Ballyteague and the 22nd Lock at Glenaree, will be closed to navigation from 16th Nov 2010 until 17th Mar 2011 to facilitate Waterways Ireland's winter dredging programme.

The Minister for Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Pat Carey T.D., today announced the approval of the granting of leases for a number of proposed developments on Dublin's canals on the inland waterways.

The developments include the construction of a cycle bridge across the Royal Canal at Spencer Dock, a boardwalk along the Grand Canal at Leeson Street and a pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Grand Canal at Lynches Lane.

The decision to grant leases to Dublin City Council and South Dublin County Council for the proposed developments was taken at a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Armagh this morning. Speaking after the meeting, Minister Carey said the decision to approve the leases had the potential to further transform Dublin's waterways for the benefit of the citizens of Dublin.

Minister Carey said, "Developments like those proposed by Dublin City Council will add to the regeneration of the city and will strengthen the environmental, social and economic fabric of the capital. They will add to the quality of life of all and especially to the quality of life of pedestrians and cyclists."

John Martin, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, the cross-border body charged with the all-island promotion and development of waterways is delighted that the Ministers have approved the granting of the leases at the NSMC.

He said "Waterways Ireland is happy to facilitate the development of these waterside amenities in the Dublin Area. We hope to work with all the local authorities on many projects in the future right across the Dublin Region."