A temporary maritime exclusion zone covering the River Liffey and Dublin Bay will operate for three days in November as part of a major security operation requested by An Garda Síochána.
The Department of Transport has issued Marine Notice No. 51 of 2026, confirming that the restrictions will apply from 00:01 on Wednesday, 11 November, until 23:59 on Friday, 13 November.
The measures, introduced under Section 38 of the Maritime Safety Act 2005, as amended, establish an inner exclusion zone along the River Liffey and a much larger outer area extending into Dublin Bay.
River Liffey Closed to Unauthorised Leisure Traffic
The inner exclusion zone extends from the East Link Bridge to Sean Heuston Bridge, with restrictions also applying to adjoining navigable waters, including the River Dodder from its confluence with the Liffey to Ringsend Bridge.
Entry will be prohibited to all vessels unless specifically authorised.
Liffey Limits – The inner exclusion zone extends from East Link Bridge to Sean Heuston Bridge, with leisure craft requiring express Garda permission to transit during the three-day operation. Map: An Garda Síochána
Commercial maritime activity may be permitted to transit with the approval of An Garda Síochána, but leisure craft will not be allowed through without express permission.
Vessel operators may apply to An Garda Síochána for an exemption, which the Marine Notice states shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Dublin Bay Subject to Security Controls
The outer exclusion zone extends eastwards from the East Link Bridge to the limits of the Dublin Port Pilotage Area, encompassing a substantial area of Dublin Bay.
Unlike the inner exclusion zone, the outer area will not be subject to a blanket prohibition on vessel movements. Instead, vessels considered a potential security risk may be controlled, while other craft will be permitted to enter.
The Department states that the security arrangements will not impede commercial shipping movements through Dublin Port.
For recreational sailors, motorboaters and other marine users operating in Dublin Bay, the notice means that movements within the designated area may be subject to security directions during the three-day period.
Naval Service Picket Ship on VHF Channel 67
Vessels wishing to enter the designated zones during the operation are instructed to contact the Naval Service Picket Ship Shannon on VHF Channel 67.
All vessels must comply with directions issued by the picket ship. Failure to do so may result in prosecution under the Maritime Safety Act 2005.
Requests for permission to enter or transit the restricted areas should be directed to An Garda Síochána at [email protected].
The Department has published maps showing both the inner River Liffey exclusion zone and the larger Dublin Bay area. Marine Notice No. 51 of 2026 is dated 28 October and can be located through the Department's 2026 Marine Notices collection.
The Marine Notice concerns navigational restrictions only and does not provide further details of the security operation.
Similar temporary maritime restrictions were introduced earlier this year off the Wicklow coast and on the Shannon Estuary and at Doonbeg.
