Displaying items by tag: Portora Lock

18th October 2023

Waterways Ireland Confirms Daily Operation of Portora Lock on Erne System

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and inland waterways users that Portora Lock on the Erne System is currently operation.

The lock will be operated daily from 8am to 10.30pm. During these times, a lock-keeper will be present and will complete the operation of the lock gates.

Published in Inland Waterways

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18th January 2021

Erne System: Portora Lock Closure for Maintenance This Week

File image of Portora Lock outside Enniskillen

Waterways Ireland advises that Portora Lock on the Erne System near Enniskillen will be closed to boat traffic on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 January to accommodate essential maintenance works to the lock gates.

Masters of vessels on this inland waterway are asked to heed all instructions from safety personnel who will be in the area.

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25th September 2013

Restricted Erne Navigational Access Through Portora Lock Gates

ERNE NAVIGATION

ENNISKILLEN

PORTORA LOCK

Restricted Navigational Access Through Portora Lock Gates on 2nd & 3rd October 2013.

Waterways Ireland has been advised by the Rivers Agency that due to essential maintenance works, navigational access through Portora Lock Gates will be restricted on Wednesday 2st & Thursday 3nd October 2013 between 8am & 5pm. The lock gates at Portora will be in operation during the maintenance works. Whilst navigational access will be facilitated, delays of up to 1 hour can be expected as the works involve the use of an underwater dive team. Access for emergency services will be prioritised should the need arise.

Rivers Agency apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and will endeavour to keep disruption to a minimum. Anyone wishing to discuss this matter can contact Rivers Agency on 028 6638 8529.

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
25 Sep 2013

Tel: 353 90 6494232
Fax: 353 90 6494147

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25th February 2013

Essential Maintenance at Portora Lock Means Some Disruption to Boat Traffic

#inland – Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels that The Rivers Agency are undertaking essential lock gate maintenance at Portora lock in Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, the only lock on the Erne system. There is expected to be some disruption to traffic over the period of maintenance. Masters are requested to follow instructions given by the onsite safety boat.

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18th January 2012

Fast flow at Portora, Enniskillen

#Erne – As a result of fast river flow On the Erne system at Enniskillen, Portora Lock is presently closed. Also, a defective sluice gate on the weir means there are fast flow rates in the vicinity of the lock. Waterways Ireland has issued a warning to Masters to proceed with caution if navigating in the vicinity of the lock.

Published in Inland Waterways

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The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium.