Captain’s Handbook

SHANNON NAVIGATION
Lough Key

Triathlon Swimming Training Course

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and users of the Shannon Navigation that a triathlon swimming training course is now set out in Lough Key between Castle Island and the mainland to the west, in an area off the navigable channel. It will be in place until the end of October and is marked by four yellow buoys.
When swimmers are on the course they will be accompanied by a safety boat and will be wearing high visibility swim hats.
Training will take place:
From 07.15hrs until 08.15 hrs on Monday, Wednesday and Friday From 18.00hrs until 20.00hrs on Thursday evening.
Masters are requested to navigate at slow speed and with a low wash when passing the area.
Further information may be had from :
Donal Kennedy, Secretary / PRO Lough Key Triathlon Club, 086 1092626
loughkeytriclub@gmail.com
Waterways Ireland thanks it customers for their cooperation in this matter.
C.J.Lawn,,Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation,18 May 2012

Lough Key; View of Castle Island 2012

Extract from a message of the White-Tailed Eagle Project · 17th May 12

A pair of rare White-tailed Eagles nesting near Mountshannon, Co. Clare, has failed in their nesting attempt. This was the first nesting of the species in Ireland in over 100 years and hopes were high the young pair would be successful on their first attempt at breeding. The pair had been continuously on the nest since eggs were laid in early April and hatching was anticipated between 16th and 18th of May. However, just before 6pm of 15 May both birds deserted the nest and spent the next few hours perched together in a nearby tree, returning to the nest for a short period before leaving again. At this point it was clear that something had happened and the breeding attempt had failed. A search of the nest by National Parks & Wildlife Service and Golden Eagle Trust staff on 16 May found the remains of an egg and a chick confirming ………..

read more on Website from Golden Eagle Trust Ireland.

Der Brutversuch der Whithe-tailed Eagles in Mountshannon ist vermutlich leider beim Schlüpfen gescheitert, so berichtet der “Golden Eagle Trust Ireland” auf seiner Webseite. Mehr über dieses Projekt  ist auf der Webseite vom “Golden Eagle Trust Ireland” zu lesen.

No. 44 of 2012
Shannon Navigation
Limerick City

Dredging and Associated Works in Vicinity of Hunt Museum and Custom House Moorings
Marine Notices 101 and 102 of 2011, 14 and 38 of 2012 refer.
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise customers that the navigation is now open and previous Marine Notices are withdrawn. Masters are also advised that an isolated rock obstruction a short distance upstream of Matthew’s bridge has been marked temporarily with a buoy prior to removal.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 1 May 2012

Custom House Quay; Limerick

No. 45 of 2012
Shannon Navigation
Ardnacrusha Lock

Marine Notice No. 42 refers.
Waterways Ireland has been further advised by ESB Energy International that Ardnacrusha Lock has been further fully pre-booked over the following periods:
Between midday on Friday 8th June and dusk on Saturday 9th June and also on Monday 11th June.
This is to facilitate a boat rally to Limerick and the Shannon Estuary.
Boat users that are planning to navigate between Limerick and Killaloe should schedule their passage through Ardnacrusha Lock outside of the periods listed above.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 3 May 2012

Ardnacrusha Lock; Limerick

No.  46 of 2012
SHANNON NAVIGATION
LOUGH KEY
FOREST PARK
MOORING CLOSURES AND NAVIGATION RESTRICTIONS
ADVANCE NOTICE - 2nd July to 13th July 2012

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and users of the Shannon Navigation of mooring closures and navigation restrictions in Lough Key from Mon 2nd to Fri 13th July 2012.
Mooring Closures
Please note that Lough Key Forest Park including amenities, activities and moorings will be closed to all visitors during this time to facilitate an international camp hosted by the Irish Girl Guides and in the interest of marine safety.
1)    Drummans Island moorings
2)    Fixed concrete moorings adjacent to the tree walk
3)     New floating moorings at the park building
Navigation restrictions – (4pm Mon 2nd July to 9am Fri 13th July 2012)
Navigation restrictions will also be in place throughout the closure with an exclusion zone for all craft extending into the bay adjacent to the forest park.  See area hatched in red below. No craft will be permitted to enter the exclusion zone which starts at the navigation point between Drummans Island and Orchard Island on Lough Key and will extend to the south and into the park bay.

Lough Key Map

Waterways Ireland will commence monitoring access to the public floating jetties on Mon 25th of June.
Waterways Ireland are working with management and staff at the forest park amenity to facilitate this closure and take this opportunity to thank our customers for their co-operation with these arrangements.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 8 May 2012

No.  47 of 2012
SHANNON NAVIGATION
Athlone
Charity Duck Derby

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and users of the Shannon Navigation that a charity duck derby will take place on Fri 18th May from 7 pm. until 7.30 pm between the Athlone Boat Club and the town bridge, a distance of approximately 300m.
Masters are requested to delay their passage through the area until this short  event has finished.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 8 May 2012

Athlone Boat Club; Athlone

Shannon Navigation
Lough Derg
Bushy Island

Waterways Ireland has been advised that a pair of very rare white-tailed eagles have recently built a nest and is breeding on Bushy Island, Lough Derg.
Masters are requested that that in order to protect the eagles that they observe a voluntary exclusion zone by not encroaching within 250m of the island.

Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.

White Tailed Eagle; Picture taken on 2 May 2012 Bushy Island

Shannon Navigation
Carrick-on-Shannon
Search and Recovery Operation

Marine Notice 31 of 2012 refers.
The search and recovery operation is now completed.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their co-operation in this matter.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 4 April 2012

Shannon Erne Waterway
Open for Passage
Marine Notice No. 118 of 2011 refers.

Masters and owners are advised that the Shannon-Erne Waterway which had been closed for maintenance at Lock 15 is now open for passage.
Waterways Ireland thanks it s customers for their cooperation in this matter.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation,

3 April 2012

All Navigations

Low Water Levels

Advisory Information

The extended period of unseasonal dry weather has meant that water levels in the navigations are presently lower than normal for this time of year.
As the boating season is about to get underway masters and users are advised of the following:

Navigation
If the dry weather continues and water levels fall below normal summer levels masters should be aware that their vessels may be at risk of grounding, particularly deep drafted vessels.
To reduce this risk masters should navigate where possible on or near the centreline of the channel and also avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers.
Proceeding at a slow speed will also reduce “squat” effect i.e. where the vessel tends to sit lower in the water as a consequence of higher speed.
Slipways
Low water levels will also impact on slipways with reduced slipway length available under the water surface and the possibility of launching trailers dropping off the end of the concrete apron onto the river /lake bed and causing damage to trailer, outboard motor or boat.  More slipway surface will also be susceptible to weed growth requiring care while engaged in launching boats.
Bank Erosion
Very dry riverbanks are more susceptible to erosion from vessel wash. Please ensure you adhere to the speed limits and maintain a reduced wash.
Lock Share
Where appropriate by maximising on the number of vessels in a lock the total volume of water moving downstream is decreased. This also reduces the volume of water used. Please be patient and wait for other boaters to share the lock with you rather than using locks for sole passages.
Efficient Lock Use
Make sure lock cycles are used for vessels travelling each way. Each lock cycle should take boats both up and down stream. Shut all sluice gates and paddles when leaving a lock.
Service Blocks
You are requested not to leave taps running at watering points or service blocks in the interest of water conservation.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 3 April 2012

Lower Bann Navigation
Portgelone, Kilrea and Agivey Bridges

Installation of Signage

Work is underway at Portgelone, Kilrea and Agivey bridges to install additional navigation signage. Users should approach bridges with caution and keep wash to a minimum when work barges are observed.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 29 March 2012

Kilrea auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen

Shannon Navigation
Carrick-on-Shannon

Search and Recovery Operation

Masters and owners are advised that a search and recovery operation is presently being conducted upstream of the Carrick-on-Shannon town bridge for a distance of approximately 400m.
The Garda Water Unit has divers in the water and both Garda and Civil Defence vessels are searching this area.
Masters are requested to approach this area at slow speed and note any directions or instructions issued by the Garda or Civil Defence.
Waterways Ireland thanks it’s customers for their cooperation in the matter.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 29 March 2012

Carrick on Shannon

Lough Erne Golf Resort

Lough Erne
Public Jetty Lower Lough Erne

Essential Repair Works

Masters of craft are advised of the temporary closure of Lough Erne Resort Public Jetty in Lower Lough Erne for essential repair works
The facility will be closed from Wednesday 28th  March for a week inclusive
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter and regrets any inconvenience caused.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 27 March 2012

Lough Erne Golf resort jetty; © Kona Ka

Shannon Navigation
Drumshanbo Lock
Temporary Closure

Clearance of Floating Debris

Masters and owners are advised that Drumshanbo Lock is presently closed to traffic and will remain so until Wed morning 28 Mar 2012.
Any inconvenience to our customers is regretted.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 23 March 2012

Lower Bann Navigation
Movanagher  Wood Mooring
Fallen Tree

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and navigation users that there is presently restricted access to Movanagher Wood moorings due to the hazard of a fallen tree.
The area has been taped off and is out of bounds to the general public.
Work to remove the hazard will commence shortly Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter and regrets any inconvenience caused.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 21March 2012

Movanagher Lock auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen

Lower Bann Navigation
Loughan Island to Drumaheglis (East Bank)

Tree Cutting Operations

Masters of craft are advised that tree cutting operations will take place from barges along the edge of the navigation in the watersports zone. Work will commence today, Wed 21 March for a period of approximately eight weeks.
Masters are requested to exercise due care when in the vicinity of the work barges and to proceed at reduced speed and with a low wash to avoid causing any upset to the barges.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter and regrets any inconvenience caused.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 21 March 2012

Shannon Navigation
Lough Ree
Aids to Navigation

Change of Colour of Starboardhand Marks from “Black”  to  “Green“
Masters are advised that work will commence this week on changing the colour of starboardhand marks from the present colour  black to the colour green.

Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 20 March 2012