Safety on the water must be improved as demand for staycations on the inland waterways increases.

That’s the warning from boat operators on the Shannon, as reported in The Irish Times, who have raised various issues such as a lack of qualified mechanics for maintenance, poor boat handling and a lack of enforcement of existing bye-laws.

“The Government have a huge thing about water safety at the minute,” says Leslie Shaw, proprietor of Portumna Marine, “but it seems to be only for swimmers.”

The Irish Times has much more on the story HERE.

The Shannon’s cruising fleet is in line for a ‘green overhaul’ as Fáilte Ireland seeks consultants to advise on a more sustainable future for the inland waterway.

According to The Irish Times, the new strategy seeks to reverse the decline of the fleet on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway to half of its numbers in the 1980s.

And it’s been given a boost by renewed domestic interest in tourism on the waterways since the Covid pandemic.

“On top of that it’s about greening the fleet,” said Paddy Mathews, head of the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand. “Looking at new propulsion systems, potentially new fuel sources, potentially looking at how the boats can be converted.”

The Irish Times has more on the story HERE.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of all craft on the Shannon Navigation that there is a sunken vessel on the western side of the navigation some 200m upstream of the N6 bridge at Athlone.

Afloat.ie previously reported on the rescue of 10 people from the speedboat on Saturday evening by Lough Ree RNLI.

A temporary red buoy is in place to mark the location, and masters are requested to proceed with additional caution in the area.

Elsewhere, on Lough Derg the Green Cage Buoy No 1184 northwest of the Corrikeen Islands has moved from its correct position.

A temporary green buoy has been installed at this location until the cage buoy can be repositioned.

Masters of vessels are urged to proceed with additional caution in the area. The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways assures that the marker will be replaced as soon as possible.

Waterways Ireland advises that further diving operations will be conducted on floating breakwaters along the Shannon Navigation from this coming Tuesday (16 August).

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the works at Spencer Harbour and Cleighran More on Lough Allen in Co Leitrim, Derryvunny and Rockingham on Lough Key and Kilglass in Co Roscommon until Tuesday 23 August.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways previously announced diving operations taking place from 11-19 August at Ballyleague on Lough Ree, Castle Harbour in Portumna and Garrykennedy on Lough Derg, and Limerick city.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels and waterways users on the Shannon Navigation that restrictions around the construction of the new pedestrian and cycleway bridge in Athlone will continue until the end of next month.

Additionally, the first section of the bridge will be floated downstream from Wansboro Field on a large pontoon from Tuesday 30 to Wednesday 31 August.

Two tugs will be manoeuvring the 18 sqm pontoon, and two safety boats will be on the river during the bridge moving operation.

In preparation for the bridge moving operation, the three upstream sections of the new Waterways Ireland jetty at the railway bridge will be removed from Thursday 25 August.

All power and water to the remaining sections of the jetty will be disconnected for safety reasons from this date, and the red navigation markers at the railway bridge will also be removed.

No vessel will be allowed to moor on this jetty from 8pm on Monday 29 August until 8pm on Wednesday 31 August.

Masters of vessels are advised to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the works and to follow the instructions of safety craft and personnel in the area, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that diving operations will be conducted on the floating breakwaters in four locations between Lough Ree and Limerick from Thursday 11 August until next Friday 19 August.

Masters of vessels are requested to proceed with additional caution in the vicinity of the diving operations taking place at Ballyleague on Lough Ree, Castle Harbour in Portumna and Garrykennedy on Lough Derg, and Limerick city.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that eight small green navigation markers will be installed at the Hexagon Shoal in Lough Ree from Monday 1 August for a trial period.

Four of these markers will be installed on the north side of Marker 615, with the rest installed on the east side of that marker.

Waterways Ireland also advises boaters to always use an up-to-date navigation guide when boating on the Shannon Navigation.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the Shannon Navigation of navigation and mooring restrictions in Carrick-on-Shannon to facilitate the Carrick Rowing Regatta on Sunday 31 July.

The regatta, hosted by Carrick-on-Shannon Rowing Club, will be held on a 500-metre stretch of water immediately south of the town bridge commencing at 9am and finishing at around 6pm.

Craft wishing to make a through passage will be facilitated approximately every two hours during the course of the regatta.

Only vessels of an overall length of 22ft/6.8m or less are currently permitted on the floating jetties until the completion of the regatta. This is necessary in the interest of marine safety and to facilitate the laying of the competition course.

Vessels berthed from 4pm on Wednesday 27 July will be required to remain in place until racing finishes on Sunday.

Masters are advised to proceed at slow speed and with due caution and to take note of advice from course marshals when passing through the area.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland’s (IWAI) Lough Derg Rally will take place from this coming Saturday 9 to Sunday 16 July and will visit the following locations:

• Saturday 9 July: Dromann
• Sunday 10 July: Dromann
• Monday 11 July: Mountshannon
• Tuesday 12 July: Mountshannon
• Wednesday 13 July: Anchor Out
• Thursday 14 July: Terryglass
• Friday 15 July: Terryglass
• Saturday 16 July: Terryglass

Masters of vessels should be aware that a significant number of vessels will be participating in the rally. For more details see the IWAI website HERE.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that low water levels exist in all areas of the waterway.

Water levels are currently at or below ordinary summer levels, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways warns.

All masters are requested to observe the 5km speed limits to prevent squat in shallower areas.

Masters of vessels, particularly those with deep drafts, are also advised to navigate with additional caution and to remain within the navigation at all times.