Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that a section of the navigation channel will be closed between the Killyhevlin Hotel and the Ardhowen for NIE works on the overhead power lines on Tuesday 5 March from 10am to 4pm.

Masters of vessels are advised to adhere to all signage and direction of safety boats, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland wishes to inform masters of vessels and waterway users on Lower Lough Erne in the Erne System that the East Jetty on Devenish Island will be closed from Wednesday 15 November for a period of around six weeks.

The closure period is to facilitate an upgrade to the existing jetty, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Erne System to expect reduced water levels throughout the navigation as the Lower Lough Erne is drawn down for the winter period.

In keeping with water level management protocols, levels will be reduced, weather permitting, to a minimum of 149 feet (above Poolbeg Ordnance Datum) in anticipation of increased precipitation during late autumn and winter.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways reminds masters to 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, mooring lines should be checked regularly.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the FEARmanagh endurance adventure race will be taking place this Saturday 30 September 2023.

The multisport event — involving running, cycling and kayaking — will utilise Magho Jetty on Lower Lough Erne, which will be temporarily closed to mooring boats from 8am on Friday 29 September to 5pm on Saturday 30 September.

Vessels operating in the area should be aware of safety boats and kayaks operating on the water in the vicinity of Magho Jetty from 8am to 2pm on Saturday.

Masters of vessels and inland waterways users are advised to proceed with additional caution, to be aware of small non-motorised craft involved in the event and to comply with the instructions of safety boats.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that dredging operations on the Kesh River in Co Fermanagh are continuing.

Dredging at the mouth of the Kesh River (West Section) has been completed as of this week, as previously reported on Afloat.ie.

Dredging on the two other river sections (Central and East) was scheduled to commence on Tuesday 29 August and will continue until Friday 22 September.

During this time the river will be closed to boating traffic from 8am to 6pm Mondays to Fridays, adds the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Erne System that dredging operations will commence on the Kesh River at Lower Lough Erne this Tuesday 18 July.

Dredging will occur at two locations along the Kesh River and at the mouth of the river in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.

Dredging on the two river sections (Central and East) will continue for approximately two weeks until Wednesday 2 August. During this time the river will be closed to boating traffic from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Dredging will then commence at the mouth of the Kesh River (West Section) on Thursday 3 August and will continue for approximately three weeks until Friday 26 August 2023.

The navigation will be open during the dredging at the mouth of the river but boaters should expect delays, advises the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Enniskillen RNLI volunteers launched their inshore lifeboat at 2pm on Monday (3 July), following a request from Belfast Coastguard to check a 17ft fishing boat reported to have all fishing equipment onboard and drifting close to Hare Island.

Winds were westerly, Force 4 at the time and visibility was clear on Lower Lough Erne in Northern Ireland at time of launching.

Arriving on scene, the crew observed the boat with no one onboard. The lifeboat, helmed by Paul Keown and with three crew onboard, subsequently conducted a search of all the islands in the area including the shoreline.

The owner of the boat was meanwhile contacted and found to be safe and well. It transpired that the boat had broken from its moorings.

Speaking following the call-out, Keown said: “While the boat had broken from its moorings, there was an initial concern that someone may be missing as the equipment was onboard.

“We would like to commend the member of the public who raised the alarm when they were concerned, that is always the right thing to do. We would always much rather launch and find that all is safe and well than not launch at all.”

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 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 all craft that diving operations will take place at Lough Erne Yacht Club on Lower Lough Erne from Monday 4 January for around seven days.

A diving alpha flag will be present at the location of the dive site, and masters of vessels on the inland waterway should proceed with additional caution when in the area.