Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and water users that the Shannon Navigation, Erne System, Barrow Navigation and Northern Ireland’s River Bann are currently experiencing high water levels which are expected to continue to rise.

All users of these inland waterways should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind:

• Air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines.
• Water velocity is significantly increased.
• Access to jetties can be difficult as gangways and pontoons are elevated.
• Navigation markers, pontoons, jetties may be submerged.
• Mooring lines should checked regularly if it safe to do so.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System in Northern Ireland that the power bollards at the Round ‘O’ jetty and at Carrybridge will be isolated on Friday 4 November for the winter period.

Power will be reconnected at the start of the 2023 boating season, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland wishes to inform masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that works will commence on Monday 24 October to refurbish the walkway connecting the car park to the floating jetty at Geaglum on Upper Lough Erne.

The floating jetty will remain available for mooring. However, the walkway will be closed for the duration of the works and subsequently access to the car park for boaters will not be available.

The works are expected to last approximately three weeks, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System that site investigation works are continuing at the East Jetty on Devenish Island in Co Fermanagh from Monday 17 to this Friday 21 October.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, part of the public jetty is closed to mooring and a works exclusion zone is in place as of last week. The remainder of the jetty is still in use, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and users of the Erne System that site investigation works will be taking place at the East Jetty on Devenish Island in Co Fermanagh this coming week from Tuesday 11 to Friday 14 October. Update: works have been extended to Friday 21 October; see HERE.

Part of the public jetty will be closed to mooring and a works exclusion zone will be in place. The remainder of the jetty will be in use, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters and users of the Erne System that the channel east of Castle Island, Enniskillen will be closed from Monday 4 July to the end of September to create a water activity area.

The designated area will be clearly marked by floating buoys. Access to Castle Museum Jetty will be maintained when approaching from the north of Castle Island.

Mariners should use the navigation channel to the west of Castle Island and proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash adhering to any instructions or displayed signage. Mariners should be aware of small non-motorised craft also operating in the navigation.

Elsewhere in Northern Ireland, masters and users of the Lower Bann are advised that Carnroe Lock remains closed due to ongoing essential repair works.

“As we move towards completion of the remedial works, Waterways Ireland will further advise by means of a Marine Notice on a reopening date,” the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways said.

Updated Monday 4 July: A previous version of this article contained an incorrect link.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterway users on the Erne System that the Castle and Henry St jetties in Enniskillen will be closed for three periods in the upcoming week to facilitate the Erne Classic coarse angling competition in the Co Fermanagh town.

Mooring will not be permitted at these jetties on Monday 9 May between 7am and 7pm, Wednesday 11 May between 7am and 7pm, and Friday 13 May between 7am and 5pm.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that works to reduce river bed levels on the approach to Bellanaleck Slipway are ongoing as of 7am this morning (Monday 25 April) until 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday 26 April).

During this time the slipway, one half of the floating jetty and the area of water between the public jetty and private marina will remain closed for mooring and navigation.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that remedial works on the entrance to the Round ‘O’ public slipway in Enniskillen are planned from 8am on Tuesday 12 April to 7am on Friday 15 April inclusive. Access to the slipway will not be possible during these works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners on the Erne System that the Erne Head of the River rowing race will take place in Enniskillen on Saturday 5 March.

The event will run from noon to 3pm, with the official race start at 1.30pm, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

The route will start upstream of the Killyhevlin hotel and will race through to Enniskillen Royal Grammar School boathouse, a total length of 6km.

Entries are open until 7pm on Wednesday 23 February. For more see the race’s Facebook page.