#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

View Larger Map

Waterways Ireland has confirmed that work will begin on the Royal Canal to excavate and reline 410 metres of the canal that runs between Lock 6 and 7 in the Phibsborough/Cabra area. The work is key to keeping the Canal navigable for a range of boats and will also address seepage through the canal embankment adjacent to Shandon Gardens.

The work which requires the dewatering of the canal will remove sediment and rubbish deposits from the central navigation channel before the construction of a new impervious lining to the canal. All material removed from the canals will be transported to licensed disposal facilities. Restoration of the existing towpath walls will also be undertaken to heritage approved standards.

Environmental surveys have been undertaken in full compliance with the regulatory authorities along with the planned removal of all fish to be carried under licence before onsite work begins.
A Traffic Management Plan will be agreed with Dublin City Council and implemented to keep traffic disruption to a minimum. Works are due to be completed by year end.

To facilitate works, the Royal Canal will be closed to navigation from 19 September 2011. The towpath from Lock 6 to the Liffey Junction Bridge on the north side and the Shandon Park area on the south side of the Canal will be closed for the duration of the contract. Following consultation and agreement with residents, a temporary roadway and bridge will also be constructed to provide access for the Coke Oven Residents through Shandon Park. This access will be suitable for emergency vehicles.

An engineer will be full time in attendance for the duration of the contract to ensure that issues which arise are dealt with in a prompt and efficient manner. For further information on the project please visit the Waterways Ireland web site www.waterwaysireland.org and check out the 'Navigation Information, Planned Works' page.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that there will be a regatta of "DRAGON BOATS" in Grand Canal Dock on 10th and 11th September 2011 between 10:00hrs and 18:00hrs daily.

Racing will be on the North Side of the outer dock. Masters and owners of vessels operating in Grand Canal Dock should refrain from entering the race course and comply with guidance instructions from race officials.

Waterways Ireland apologises for any inconvenience caused by this restriction and thanks its customers for their cooperation.

A triathlon swim event will take place on the Shannon Navigation in the vicinity of the recreational facilities in Lough Key on Sun 4th Sep from 0900 hrs until 1200 hrs.

Masters of vessels are requested to note the advice of marshals when passing near the course and to proceed at slow speed with minimum wash.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the Royal Canal that the above National Championships will take place in Richmond Harbour on Sat 23rd. and Sun 24th. July.
The following timetable will apply:

Date	Time	Event
Fri 22 Jul	14.00hrs onwards	Course set up
Sat 23 Jul	09.00hrs to 13.00hrs	Competitions
	13.00hrs to 14.00hrs	"Harbour open to through traffic
	14.0hrs to 19.00hrs	Competitions
Sun 24 Jul	09.00hrs to 13.00hrs	Competitions
	13.00hrs to 14.00hrs	"Harbour open to through traffic
	14.0hrs to 17.00hrs	Competitions

All vessels will be required to be clear of the harbour by 14.00hrs on Fri 22 July to facilitate the setting up of the course but may return after 17.00 hrs on Sun on completion of the event.Further information may be had from Mr Ciaran Clinton , North Kildare Canoe Club on 00-353-87-8482191.

The Docklands Summer Festival takes place this weekend in Dublin's 'Docklands' and it is to host the Waterways Ireland Inter-County Sailing Championship, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Other events taking place on the River Liffey and throughout the docklands range from a Dragon Boat display in the Grand Canal Dock (outer basin) and a Boat Show (inner basin) see map. In addition the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre will be open, noting all these activities and venues are to take place between 10am-6pm on Saturday.

On the following Sunday the Waterways Ireland Inter-County Sailing Championship Races are  scheduled between 10am-4pm in the Grand Canal Dock's outer basin. City Canal Cruises will operate each day as well as an International Food Market, held in the Grand Canal Square, opposite the Grand Canal Theatre.

The pristinely kept M.V. Cill Airne, now a floating restaurant and bar will be open at her berth alongside North Wall Quay, close to the striking Samuel Beckett Bridge and The Convention Centre.

The historic veteran vessel built in Dublin at the Liffey Shipyard in the early 1960's was launched as a passenger tender to serve trans-Atlantic liners that called to Cobh. During her tender-duties she brought the rich and famous ashore to include Laurel & Hardy and US President Eisenhower.

The festival is sponsored by Waterways Ireland and the Docklands Business Forum. To see the full festival programme and a map of the docklands click HERE and www.ddda.ie

Carrick-on-Shannon - Rowing Regatta

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all Masters and users of the Shannon Navigation of mooring and navigation restrictions in Carrick-on-Shannon on Sun 31st July 2011, to facilitate rowing competitions.

The regatta will be held on a 400 metre stretch of water immediately south of the town bridge commencing at 08.00hrs and finishing at approx. 18.00hrs on Sun 31st July 2011.

Craft wishing to make a through passage during the course of the regatta will be facilitated every 2 hrs approximately.

Waterways Ireland will commence monitoring access to the public floating jetties on Mon 25th of Jul.

Masters should note that ONLY vessels of an overall length of 22ft. / 6.8m or less will be permitted on the floating jetties from Fri 29th July to Sun 31st of July

This is necessary in the interest of marine safety and to facilitate the laying of the competition course.

Vessels berthed from Fri 16.00hr will be required to remain in place until racing finishes at approx 18.00hr on Sun 31st of July

No vessels should approach the jetties between 16.00hr Fri and approx. 18.00hr Sun as the entrance to the berths will be closed off and manoeuvring room will be severely restricted due to the proximity of the course.

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 takes this opportunity to thank its customers for their co-operation with these arrangements.
C.J.Lawn
Lt Cdr RNS
Inspector of Navigation
22 Jun 2010
Tel: 353 90 6494232 Fax: 353 90 6494147