Februar 2017 – Captain's Handbook ©

23. Februar 20173. September 2019

SPECIAL MARINE NOTICE, No. 1 of 2017

Map Inland Waterways Ireland;© Waterways Ireland; click to "enlarge" — Inland Waterway’s, © WI

SPECIAL MARINE NOTICE, No 1 of 2017

Dangers at Harbours, Jetties and Moorings
during Stormy Weather

Waterways Ireland advises Masters and Owners of vessels berthed in public harbours, at jetties or moorings against visiting any vessels or boats during periods of extreme weather such as storm force winds and heavy rainfall.
Strong winds are a hazard to personal safety if walking on or near navigation infrastructure and also because of blown debris from trees or buildings in the vicinity. There is also the hazard of the unpredictable nature of rising water levels and their effect on built infrastructure.
Mooring facilities and access ramps to same and the approach roads and paths to their associated car parks may be underwater or are inaccessible across all navigations.
Fast flowing currents, eddies and turbulent water will be experienced in and around these structures for some time after the storms have passed.
Mooring lines and cleats on vessels at these facilities will be under strain as will the shore bollards that they are made fast to. Extreme care should be exercised when releasing lines in these circumstances to avoid them snapping back and causing injury. There is also the danger of deck cleats, which may have been weakened whilst under strain, pulling out and striking a person when engaged in this activity.
Waterways Ireland further advises that full personal protective equipment such as lifejacket and foul weather gear be worn if it is deemed necessary to visit a craft in a harbour that the visit is undertaken in company with a colleague and that someone has been advised of an expected return time. A fully charged mobile phone should be carried in the event of an emergency and the visit should be made during daylight hours.

Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 23 Feb 2017

20. Februar 20173. September 2019

MARINE NOTICE, No 009 of 2017

Map Inland Waterways Ireland — Inland Waterway’s, © WI

MARINE NOTICE, No 9 of 2017

GRAND CANAL

18th Lock Level, Maintenance

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise that due to repair works the canal and towpath in the vicinity of the 18th Lock of the Grand Canal, between Burgh Bridge and the main Landenstown to Prosperous Road, will be closed until the end of March 2017.
Waterways Ireland regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.“

Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 20 Feb 2017

20. Februar 20173. September 2019

MARINE NOTICE, No 008 of 2017

Lough Allen Canal Map © esri; click picture to Lough Allen ArcGis Map — Lough Allen Map © esri

MARINE NOTICE, No 8 of 2017

Shannon Navigation

Acres Lake, Drumshanbo

Construction of new floating boardwalk at Acres Lake and extension of towpath from Drumhauver Bridge to Acres Lake
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise that the above works are planned to commence on the 1st March, 2017, and will be ongoing for four months.
Access to mooring at Acres Lake and the adjacent car park will be restricted during the period.
Jetties will be closed from the 1st March to the 28th April to facilitate construction works.
Vessels approaching Acres Lake during the period of the works should do so with care and abide by any instructions given by the works supervisory staff.

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

C.J.Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 20 Feb 2017

Battlebridge; © CHB	Louigh Allen Canal-© CHB
Acres Lake Lough Allen © CHB	Drumleague Lock © CHB
Drumshambo-Bridge © CHB	Drumshambo Lock © CHB

7. Februar 20173. September 2019

MARINE NOTICE, No 007 of 2017

MARINE NOTICE, No 7 of 2017

BOAT PASSAGE IN and OUT OF DUBLIN 2017

ROYAL AND GRAND CANALS

Waterways Ireland wish to remind masters and owners of boat passage arrangements for movements in or out of Dublin on the Royal & Grand Canals in 2017. Movements in or out of the city will be organised by prior arrangement to take place as a single movement in one day. Boaters will be facilitated to travel the system if their passage is considered to be safe by Waterways Ireland and they have the valid permit(s) for mooring and passage.

For boat passage through the locks east of Lock 12 into / out from Dublin on either the Royal or Grand Canals, Masters are requested to contact the Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office (M-F 9.30am-4.30pm) on tel: + +353-(0)1-868-0148 or email dublincanals@waterwaysireland.org prior to making passage in order to plan the necessary lock-keeping assistance arrangements.

On the Grand Canal a minimum of two days notice prior to planned passage must be given and, with the exception of pre-arranged events, a maximum of 2 boats per day will be taken through the locks, travelling either east or west. In certain circumstances, e.g. for slower or larger barges, the limit will be 1 boat per day. Due to periodic anti-social activity along some of canal route into Dublin, boat passage will also not be possible in certain weather conditions and at weekends over the late spring & summer period. This can be planned for at time of making contact, and suitable arrangements for passage made.

On the Royal Canal two weeks’ notice of bridge passage (Newcomen Lifting Bridge) is required for the pre-set lift date, and lock assistance will then also be arranged. A minimum of 2 boats is required for a bridge lift to go ahead; please have available length, beam, water & air drafts of your craft, and phone / email details at time of making contact. The pre-set lift dates are set out in MN 6 of 2017.

Masters and owners are also reminded to ensure they have the following before making the passage through the city locks on both canals:

- adequate fuel on board
- competent and adequate crew to operate the boat and locks (minimum crew of 3)
- a lock key on board their boat
- mooring lines of adequate length to handle vessel through a lock (approx 15m length)
- no known mechanical problems with their boat

Passages can be arranged in the boating season from mid-March to end of October; however note that aquatic weed is generally more prevalent as the season progresses beyond Spring and may hamper passage. Boaters will be facilitated as far as practicable although Waterways Ireland cannot guarantee that passage will be possible on every planned date. Early contact will greatly assist planning and facilitate the making of the necessary arrangements.

C.J.Lawn,Inspector of Navigation, 7 Feb 2017

7. Februar 20173. September 2019

MARINE NOTICE, No 006 of 2017

MARINE NOTICE, No 6 of 2017

ROYAL CANAL DUBLIN

Newcomen Bridge Lift Dates 2017

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise that the schedule of bridge lift dates 2017

for Newcomen Bridge, Royal Canal, Dublin are as follows:

Thursday 4th April	11am – 1pm
Sunday 30th April	9am – 1pm
Saturday 27th May	9am – 1pm
Tuesday 20th June	11am – 1pm
Tuesday 18th July	11am – 1pm
Tuesday 29th August	11am – 1pm
Thursday 12th October	11am – 1pm

NOTES:

1. Arrangements have been made for Irish Rail to open the bridge on the above dates / times, if there is demand.
2. Waterways Ireland Eastern Regional Office (tel: +353(0)1 868 0148 or dublincanals@waterwaysireland.org) require 2 weeks’ notice from boaters for use of these lifts; should there not be demand (min 2 boats) for a particular date, Irish Rail will be notified by WI that this lift is cancelled.
3. A maximum number of boats passing will be implemented to keep to the times given above for the planned lifts (16 for the Sat / Sun lifts & 8 for the weekday lifts). Priority will be given on a first come first served basis.
4. On day of lift, boaters and passengers must follow guidance from Waterways Ireland staff about sequence of passage under bridge & through Lock 1, and must remain within signed and designated areas.

C.J.Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 7 Feb 2017