Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that Portna locks will be closed for essential maintenance works and lock gate replacement from Mon: 2nd October for approximately 2 weeks“
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Shane Anderson, Assistant Inspector of Navigation, 3 October 2017
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that Marine Notice No 91 is withdrawn and replaced by this notice, with a revised schedule. The lock keeper can be contacted at the following number 087-7972998 during hours of operation as shown below.
WEEK 1
2nd Oct
15.00-18.00
5 Oct
8.00-11.00
5 Oct
8.00-11.00
WEEK 2
8 Oct
8.00-11.00
11 Oct
9.00-12.00
14th Oct
13.00-16.00
WEEK 3
17th Oct
16.00-19.00
19th Oct
16.00-19.00
22nd Oct
8.00-11.00
WEEK 4
24th Oct
8.00-11.00
26th 0ct
9.00-12.00
28th Oct
11.00-14.00
WEEK 5
30th Oct
12.00-15.00
Masters are advised to contact the ESB Ardnacrusha hydroelectric power station (00353 (0)87 9970131) 48 hours in advance of commencing their journey to book passage through the locks at Ardnacrusha.
It is advised NOT to undertake a voyage if more than one turbine is operating (~20 MegaWatt), due to the increased velocity of flow in the navigation channel, which can be dangerous. To ascertain automatically in real time how many turbines are running, users can phone 00353 (0)87 6477229.
Shane Anderson, Assistant Inspector of Navigation, 2 October 2017
Waterways Ireland is pleased to announce improvement to our online customer services which will be incorporated into the Waterways Ireland website over the coming weeks.
The improvements provide additional online payment portals for services such as permit application, dry dock reservation and over winter mooring fees.
Waterways Ireland encourages customers to book online as manual applications will be phased out.
Online reservation of the dry docks is the first enhancement and is now live at:
Click to Dray Docks Booking Website WI
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their co-operation.
Shane Anderson, Assistant Inspector of Navigation, 29 Sept 2017
Waterways Ireland has been advised by Rivers Agency that from 1st October, in keeping with water level management protocols, users of the Erne System can expect reducing water levels throughout the navigation as water levels on Lower Lough Erne are lowered, weather permitting, to a minimum of 149 feet (Above Poolbeg Ordnance Datum), in anticipation of increased precipitation during Autumn & Winter.
If water levels do fall masters should be aware of:
Navigation
To reduce the risk of grounding masters should navigate on or near the centreline of the channel, avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers.
Mooring of Vessels
Masters should be aware that water levels may change rapidly and that mooring lines will require adjustment therefore these should be checked regularly.
Shane Anderson, Assistant Inspector of Navigation, 25 September 2017