Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that Athlone Lock will be temporarily closed from next Monday 1 November until Wednesday 3 November inclusive to facilitate flood relief works.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that Clarendon Lock in Co Roscommon will be closed from Tuesday 2 November until January.

This is due to essential works required to the lock in advance of replacement of lock gates planned for winter 2022/23.

Elsewhere on the inland waterway, masters and owners are advised that instream work on the new slipway south of the Athlone Lock have ceased (and on the east bank some 200m south of the weir).

Works will recommence in May 2022. Temporary yellow markers are in place around the extremities of the works area. Masters of vessels are advised to proceed with additional caution at slow speed and keep to the west bank while navigating in this area.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that an underwater archaeological survey adjacent to Wansboro Field, Athlone will take place this Friday 22 October.

The survey is expected to run from 9am to 2pm, and all vessels are asked to take additional care when underway in this area of the inland waterway within the aforementioned hours.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the Underwater Archaeology Unit of the National Monuments Service will be carrying out diving operations this week.

From tomorrow, Monday 11 to next Sunday 17 October, dives will be taking place in Portumna in Co Galway, from 500m north of Portumna bridge to Lough Derg, and at Ballymacegan Island within the old navigation channel in Co Tipperary, 7km north of Portumna bridge.

All vessels are asked to take additional care when underway in these areas. A safety boat will be in attendance and Flag Alpha will be flown during diving operations.

Boat removals from Ireland’s canals jumped in 2020 — with the total for the year at 150% of the previous four years combined.

The figures were revealed by Minister of State for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan in his response to a Dáil question from Dun Laoghaire TD Cormac Devlin requesting a breakdown of the number of boats removed from rivers, canals and inland waterways between 2016 and 2020.

Across the canals network (and excluding the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway) under the jurisdiction of Waterways Ireland, a total of 45 boats deemed to be in breach of bye-laws were removed in 2020.

This compares to just seven the previous year, 17 in 2018, none in 2017 and seven in 2016 — a total of 31 in the four years leading to 2020.

On the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway, the figures over the last three years were more consistent, with 17 removals in 2020, 12 in 2019 and 15 in 2018. There were no removals on these waterways in 2017 or 2016.

Minister Noonan noted that the rise in removals on the canals last year can be credited to a compliance programme initiated by Waterways Ireland “to remove abandoned, sunken and non-compliant boats, vessels and structures from the canals network”.

He added: “This programme by the agency has resulted in improved water quality, improved compliance, and removed many unsightly boats, vessels and structures from the waterways.”

The Canals Bye Laws 1988 and the Shannon Navigation Bye Laws 1992 provide Waterways Ireland with the powers to remove boats, vessels and other structures that are in breach of the bye-laws.

As previously reported on Afloat.ie, a number of live-aboard barge owners on the Grand Canal feared losing their homes under last year’s removal drive.

But they were spared at the 11th hour when Minister Noonan stepped in to promise engagement with Waterways Ireland on a long-term solution.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway will commence on Monday 1 November and will end on 31 March 2022.

Masters wishing to avail of winter mooring on these inland waterways are required to pay the €63.50 fee prior to 1 November. Online registration must be made on the Waterways Ireland website HERE.

To apply, the following steps are involved:

1. Apply online for Winter Mooring at a specific harbour.
2. Receive email approval/rejection/alternative location of application.
3. Follow link on approval email when received to pay winter mooring fee online.

Masters are reminded that Bye-law 17 — the “five consecutive days/seven days in one month” rule — continues to apply for masters not availing of winter mooring.

Waterways Ireland says it will be disconnecting its electricity supply points and water supply at public moorings for the winter period. Both services will be reinstated prior to the commencement of the 2022 boating season.

Masters are also reminded that vessels are moored in public harbours at the owner’s risk at all times and may be directed to other harbours as required.

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on the Shannon Navigation and Lower Bann Navigation that routine dive inspections are being carried out on all locks and waiting jetties until this Friday 24 September.

All vessels are asked to take additional care while approaching and departing locks during this time. Flag Alpha will be flown during diving operations and a safety boat will be in attendance.

Waterways Ireland advises users of the Shannon Navigation that a number of locations throughout the Shannon, in particular harbours and bays, have experienced or are likely to experience algal blooms.

This seasonal phenomenon is evident as a light pea-green and/or green, blue or blue-green colour in the water column on or near the water’s surface.

Information from the HSE’s Interim Fresh Water Algal Bloom Guidance is as follows:

• Affected waters may contain high levels of blue-green algae which may cause illness in humans and animals including pets.
• Avoid contact with scum, visible algae and surrounding water.
• Do not swim or partake in immersive watersport activities in water near visible algae.
• Do not touch scum on the shore.
• Wash hands if you touch the algal material.
• Keep children and pets away from the water’s edge.
• Do not let pets drink the water.
• Wash pets if they come into contact with water.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that low water levels and fast flows exist between Banagher and Meelick on the Shannon Navigation.

Water levels are currently at or below odinary summer levels in this area. All are requested to observe the 5km speed limits in the Meelick area to prevent squat in shallower areas.

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

Elsewhere, on the Barrow Navigation, masters and owners on the inland waterway are advised that Clashganny Lock in Co Carlow is temporarily closed for essential repairs.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that instream work will commence on the new slipway south of the Athlone Lock from tomorrow, Wednesday 4 August.

Works will also take place on the East Bank some 200m south of the weir on the Shannon Navigation. Temporary green navigation aids will be placed on the western extremities of the works area.

Masters of vessels are advised to proceed with additional caution at slow speed and keep to the West Bank while navigating in this area of the inland waterway.