Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the National Monuments Service will be carrying out diving operations this week.

From tomorrow, Monday 11 to next Sunday 17 October, dives will be taking place in Portumna in Co Galway, from 500m north of Portumna bridge to Lough Derg, and at Ballymacegan Island within the old navigation channel in Co Tipperary, 7km north of Portumna bridge.

All vessels are asked to take additional care when underway in these areas. A safety boat will be in attendance and Flag Alpha will be flown during diving operations.

Boat removals from Ireland’s canals jumped in 2020 — with the total for the year at 150% of the previous four years combined.

The figures were revealed by Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan in his response to a Dáil question from Dun Laoghaire TD Cormac Devlin requesting a breakdown of the number of boats removed from rivers, canals and inland waterways between 2016 and 2020.

Across the canals network (and excluding the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway) under the jurisdiction of Waterways Ireland, a total of 45 boats deemed to be in breach of bye-laws were removed in 2020.

This compares to just seven the previous year, 17 in 2018, none in 2017 and seven in 2016 — a total of 31 in the four years leading to 2020.

On the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway, the figures over the last three years were more consistent, with 17 removals in 2020, 12 in 2019 and 15 in 2018. There were no removals on these waterways in 2017 or 2016.

Minister Noonan noted that the rise in removals on the canals last year can be credited to a compliance programme initiated by Waterways Ireland “to remove abandoned, sunken and non-compliant boats, vessels and structures from the canals network”.

He added: “This programme by the agency has resulted in improved water quality, improved compliance, and removed many unsightly boats, vessels and structures from the waterways.”

The Canals Bye Laws 1988 and the Shannon Navigation Bye Laws 1992 provide Waterways Ireland with the powers to remove boats, vessels and other structures that are in breach of the bye-laws.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a number of live-aboard barge owners on the Grand Canal feared losing their homes under last year’s removal drive.

But they were spared at the 11th hour when Minister Noonan stepped in to promise engagement with Waterways Ireland on a long-term solution.

The 130km Royal Canal Greenway from Maynooth to Cloondara was launched in March this year and proved a big hit with locals and visitors alike over the summer months, according to Waterways Ireland.

Now the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways has commissioned Tracsis Traffic Data to gain feedback and delve deeper into who the greenway’s users are and how they’re using it via an online survey this month.

“We want to understand how the Royal Canal Greenway is contributing to the visitor economy across the counties of Kildare, Meath, Westmeath and Longford,” Waterways Ireland says.

If you have recently visited the Royal Canal Greenway anywhere between Maynooth to Cloondara, the short five-minute survey asks you to share your thoughts on the experience.

The link is also available via QR codes placed along the greenway, and there’s a chance to win a €100 shopping voucher for those taking part. The closing date for the survey is Sunday 31 October.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway will commence on Monday 1 November and will end on 31 March 2022.

Masters wishing to avail of winter mooring on these inland waterways are required to pay the €63.50 fee prior to 1 November. Online registration must be made on the Waterways Ireland website HERE.

To apply, the following steps are involved:

1. Apply online for Winter Mooring at a specific harbour.
2. Receive email approval/rejection/alternative location of application.
3. Follow link on approval email when received to pay winter mooring fee online.

Masters are reminded that Bye-law 17 — the “five consecutive days/seven days in one month” rule — continues to apply for masters 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 2022 boating season.

Masters are also reminded that vessels are moored in public harbours at the owner’s risk at all times and may be directed to other harbours as required.

Inspections and repairs will be taking place on the Erne System later this month, according to Waterways Ireland.

On Upper Lough Erne, inspection work on the underside of Lady Brooke Bridge in Co Fermanagh will begin next Monday 11 October, continuing until Friday 22 October.

Pontoons will be in used to carry out the inspections and the bridge will be partially closed off to vessels during this period.

Masters of Vessels and waterways users are also advised that Corradillar Slipway and jetty will be used for assembly of the pontoons on 11 October and for disassembling the pontoons on 22 October.

Elsewhere, on Lower Lough Erne, major works will be taking place at Portora Lock gates outside Enniskillen on Thursday 14 and Friday 15 October.

The lock gates will be closed over these two days, from 8am on the Thursday to 7pm on the Friday.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that Offaly Rowing Club will be holding its Tullamore Time Trial on the inland waterway in the Cappincur area on Saturday 2 October.

The event will take place between Ballycommon and Daingean between 9am and 4pm. Navigation will be restricted during this period, and masters of vessels are requested to comply with event stewards.

Waterways Ireland confirms it has been advised by DfI Rivers in Northern Ireland that users of the Erne System can expect reducing water levels throughout the navigation from this weekend.

It follows from the planned lowering of water levels on Lower Lough Erne from this Friday 1 October to a minimum of 149 feet (above Poolbeg Ordnance datum) in anticipation of increased rain during autumn and winter, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

If water levels do fall, masters of vessels on the inland waterways of the Erne System should be aware of the following:

• 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.
• Mooring of Vessels — Masters should be aware that water levels may change rapidly and that mooring lines will require adjustment therefore these should be checked regularly.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that dredging operations are taking place on the Shannon-Erne Waterway in Co Cavan until next Thursday 30 September.

Dredging works are in the vicinity of Lock 1 at Corraquil, Lock 2 at Ballydonnell and upstream of Ballyconnell Bridge.

During these operations, 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 requested to comply with safety signage and obey all instructions from safety personnel who will be in the area.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Grand Canal that Lock N1 on the Naas Branch is closed to boat passage until further notice due to a recent vehicle collision with the adjacent Osberstown Bridge.

The lock cannot currently be operated as it is unsafe to pass underneath the bridge until repairs are carried out, the cross-border body for the island’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Lower Bann Navigation that routine dive inspections are being carried out on all locks and waiting jetties until this Friday 24 September.

All vessels are asked to take additional care while approaching and departing locks during this time. Flag Alpha will be flown during diving operations and a safety boat will be in attendance.