#SHANNON NAVIGATION – Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club "Head of River" race will take place on Sat 18th Feb 2012 from 09.00 hrs until 17.00hrs. Waterways Ireland has advised Masters of vessels to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash when passing this stretch of the navigation and to heed any advice or instructions issued by the regatta officials.

#INLAND – Waterways Ireland has advised masters and owners that a hazard to navigation exists abeam of the floating moorings downstream of the town bridge at Carrick-on-Shannon as a result of a transit van inadvertently entering the navigation from the vicinity of the car park.

A yellow marker indicates the general location of the hazard. Masters are advised to proceed at slow speed and with due caution when navigating and manoeuvring in the vicinity of the marker.

#INLAND WATERWAYS - Sluice gates have been opened at locks and dams along the River Shannon due to flooding concerns, The Irish Times reports.

The ESB confirmed that water levels in the upper Shannon had been rising significantly since September, and were just below those recorded prior to the flooding in Carrick-on-Shannon two years ago.

However the flooding threat has abated this week, with levels in Lough Allen dropping by around 300cm, although the situation is still subject to amounts of rainfall in the coming days as the Shannon drains slowly.

Levels in Lough Ree have also stabilised after rising throughout October.

The ESB continues to discharge from the Ardnacrusha power plant, while Waterways Ireland has commenced dredging at Meelick in Co Galway.

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Gardaí in Carrick-on-Shannon are investigating a serious raid at a marina that saw as many as 60 boats vandalised.

The Irish Times reports that the raid early on Tuesday morning involved a five-strong masked gang using a number of vehicles, who robbed at least 40 of the boats of nautical instruments and electrical equipment and damaged 20 others.

The vessels appear to have been targeted among the 300 boats moored at Butler's marina on the River Shannon. The cost of damage to the boats is not yet known.

A staff member at Butler’s marina told The Irish Times that the company was not in a position to comment on the case.

Meanwhile, there are plans to circulate a list of all stolen items among Ireland's inland boating community.