#SHANNON - Waterways Ireland has just released details of its scheme for renting berths for houseboats on the Grand Canal at Shannon Harbour.

Under the scheme, boaters can rent one of eight fully-serviced berths for their houseboat on a 12-month extended term licence running from 15 March 2012 to 14 March 2013.

Amenities on-site include electricity supply, access to pumps and clean water, shower facilities and limited car parking. Pre-paid smart cards are required to utilise some facilities.

As space is limited, the berths will go to the highest bidders, with the minimum acceptable bid set at €1,250 (a security deposit of €250 is required).

It is expected that licence holders will live on board their vessels as their main residence. Winning bidders are also expected to arrange their own refuse collection from the site.

The closing date for bids is 23 February 2012. The Waterways Ireland website has the application form plus more information about the scheme and details of the licence agreement.

#INLAND WATERWAYS - The site of the former graving docks at Grand Canal Dock has been transferred to NAMA in a deal which frees the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) from a €29 million plus bank guarantee.

Plot 8 at Sir John Rogerson's Quay is one of a suite of nine sites that have been transferred to the Government's 'bad bank' in a negotiated loan settlement that extricates the Docklands body from loan guarantees given by banks that financed the "disastrous" Dublin Glass Bottle site deal in 2006.

Sites handed over in the deal include the former 'U2 Tower' and the historic BJ Marine premises on the banks of the Liffey, as well as the aforementioned Dublin Glass Bottle site.

The Dublin branch of the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) had been hoping to embark on a restoration of the graving docks at Plot 8 to their former working order (a detailed history of the docks and restoration plans is available HERE).

This project had been given the blessing of the DDDA and Waterways Ireland, which owns the freehold lease on the site, with a view to its restoration helping to fund the Ulster Canal scheme.

However with the transfer of the DDDA's interest in the site to NAMA, the authority has now withdrawn permission for the IWAI to do any restoration work, leaving the future of the graving docks in limbo.

#INLAND WATERWAYS - The Ulster Canal restoration project will be funded by Waterways Ireland alone, at least for the time being, according to the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Responding in the Dáil to a written question from Cork East Sinn Féin deputy Sandra McLennan, Minister Jimmy Deenihan said that while the previous Government had committed in 2007 to covering the full capital costs of the project, estimated at €35 million, such was no longer viable in the current climate.

"Government accounting procedures do not provide, in that sense, for the ’ring-fencing’ of funds for projects of this nature," said the minister, who added that he was "advised that it was always the intention that the Ulster Canal project would be funded from the Waterways Ireland annual allocations" as well as "projected income from the commercialisation of certain Waterways Ireland assets", though he admitted this had been affected negatively by the economic downturn.

However, Minister Deenihan noted that the project - involving restoration of the canal between Clones in Co Monaghan and Upper Lough Erne - is "progressing incrementally" and that a planning application submitted in October was a "significant milestone".

He also confirmed that he intends "to continue to explore all possible options that may assist in the advancement of this project", which may involve an inter-agency group between the relevant county councils and interested bodies to examine ways of advancing the scheme.

The Barrow Line of the Grand Canal will be closed at the 25th Lock, Monasterevin for a period of two weeks starting next Monday (28th November).

Waterways Ireland say the closure is required to carry our essential maintenance on the lock gates and chamber.

#INLAND – The black starboardhand marks on Lough Derg will be changed over to the colour "Green" during the course of the winter period say Waterways Ireland. Work will commence immediately at the northern end of the lough in the vicinity of Portumna and will continue southwards to Killaloe until completed.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the Grand Canal at Sallins that dredging will commence on Monday 7th November for approx. two weeks.

Dredging will commence on the north bank west of town bridge for approx. 200m

Master of vessels should proceed at slow speed and comply with instructions from dredger crew.

Waterways Ireland wishes to thank all boaters for their cooperation in this matter.

#INLAND WATERWAYS - Waterways Ireland has announced details of its sponsorship programme for 2012.

Under the scheme, the authority for Ireland's inland waterways provides funding and support to groups, associations, clubs or other appropriate bodies to assist with events that enhance the use of the waterways for recreational purposes.

The sponsorship programme cannot be used to fund or contribute towards capital projects such as acquiring or developing new or existing buildings or infrastructure, nor acquiring or maintaining equipment.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 programme, and any interested parties can apply by reviewing the guidelines for eligibility and downloading the application form from the Waterways Ireland website.  

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 13 December 2011 at 3pm. Incomplete or late applications will not be assessed.

For further details contact Damien McWeeney at 071 96 50622 or [email protected].

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters of vessels and users of the Shannon - Erne Waterway that the stretch of navigation between Lock 14 Drumduff and Lock 15 Tirmactiernan will be closed from 7th November 2011 to the end of March 2012 to facilitate essential maintenance works. Waterways Ireland regrets any inconvenience that this may cause its customers.

A search and recovery operation is being conducted from Banagher bridge downstream towards Meelick Lock. A number of vessels are involved including a dive vessel and a sonar search craft.

Waterways Ireland request masters of vessels to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash when in the area to avoid hindering or upsetting the search craft.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels and boats of the Shannon Navigation that the schedule of lock and bridge opening times below will take effect from Nov 2 2011until 13 Mar 2012 inclusive.

Locks.

Weekdays: 0900 to 1230

Sunday: 1000 to 1230

Portumna Bridge.

Weekdays: 0945 1100 1200

Sunday: 1100 1200

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