Waterways Ireland from a personal view of a hire boater
MARINE NOTICE, No 128 of 2014
Shannon Navigation
Drumshanbo Lock
Temporary Closure
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that Drumshanbo Lock is closed for essential lock gate repair until Friday 24th October 2014.
Waterways Ireland regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
C.J.Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 15 Oct 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No 127 of 2014
Shannon Navigation
Lough Ree Area
Airborne Geophysical Survey
Waterways Ireland has been advised of the following:
The Geological Survey of Ireland is conducting an airborne geophysical survey – the Tellus North Midlands project. Please find attached a map indicating the scheduled flying zones for the week ahead.This map is for indicative purposes only. Flight plans are subject to change at short notice.
See www.tellus.ie for up-to-date flight lines on an interactive map with aerial imagery and map details, or freephone 1800 303 516.
Please get in touch if you require more detail on when and where the survey aircraft will operate in your area.
The aircraft will fly at an altitude of 90m in rural areas with an instrument towed beneath the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 45m.
The aircraft are C208B Cessna Grand Caravan planes with registrations ZS-FSA and ZS-SSA.
C.J.Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 14 Oct 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No. 88 of 2014
(Re-issued 14 Oct 2014)
All Navigations
Low Water Levels
Advisory Information
The extended period of dry weather has meant that water levels in the navigations are presently lower than normal for this time of year.
Masters and users are advised of the following:
Navigation
Where 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 single 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, Inspector of Navigation, 18 July 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No 126 of 2014
Shannon Navigation
Ardnacrusha
Bridge Investigation Works
Waterways Ireland has been advised by the ESB of the following:
„ESB Ardnacrusha are carrying out investigation works on the Ardnacrusha Headrace Bridges – O’Brien’s Bridge, Clonlara Bridge and Blackwater bridge and the tailrace bridge at Parteen over the next three weeks. There will be a pontoon at each bridge to provide access. Masters are requested to be vigilant on approach to the bridges and proceed at an appropriate speed with minimum wash“
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, Athlone, 7 Oct 2014
