Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that a rowing races will take place on Mon 1 Aug from 1400hrs to 1600hrs on the stretch of navigation from the marina hire boat base to the town bridge.
Masters of vessels are requested to proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash when in this section of the navigation and note any advice from safety boat officials.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that the swim elements of the above event will take place on Sat 6 Aug from 1800hrs to 2030hrs from the M6 by-pass bridge to the Athlone Boat Club.
Masters of vessels are requested to keep a sharp look-out for swimmers in the water, proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash when in this section of the navigation and note any advice from safety boat officials.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that the Canoe Polo Club Championships will take place in Richmond Harbour in Clondra on 23 July 2016.
Owners and Masters of vessels are kindly requested to clear the harbour for the duration of the event. Soft bank moorings are available West of the harbour for the duration. Masters and owners of vessels transiting the area should heed guidance instructions from event organisers.
Waterways Ireland thanks their customers for their assistance in this matter.
C.J.Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd),Inspector of Navigation, 22 July 2016
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners that the above event will take place on Fri 29th Jul 2016 from Drumshanbo Lock commencing at 1100hrs
A large fleet of Heritage Boats will assemble at Drumshanbo Lock at 1000hrs for the formal launch of the Waterways Ireland Heritage Plan. Thereafter the fleet will proceed southwards towards Leitrim Village to arrive by 1500hrs.
Masters should proceed at slow speed when approaching this stretch of waterway during the event and note any directions issued by the organisers and safety marshals controlling the event.
Masters are advised that delays along the Lough Allen Canal from Battlebridge will be experienced during the event.
Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their co-operation.
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, The Docks, Athlone, Co.Westmeath, 21 Jul 2016
Northern Ireland Electricity Networks has requested that the following information, issued by their Head of Health, Safety and Environment be brought to the attention of recreational boaters.
„Northern Ireland Electricity Networks wants to encourage sailors to be aware of their surroundings and to look up and look out for overhead power lines and equipment while sailing, particularly when sailing on rivers, canals and other areas away from open water, where they could potentially come close to overhead lines. We would appreciate your help to distribute this message.
Every year sailors can inadvertently put themselves in danger by sailing too close to the overhead electricity network. Sailors can suffer electric shocks, burns or even fatal injuries and NIE Networks is encouraging everyone who may be sailing on waterways which are in proximity to overhead power lines to do so with caution.
Many sailboats have masts of 9m (30ft) or more and, as most of these masts are made of aluminium, they are an excellent conductor of electricity. If an aluminium mast or rigging come into contact with or too close to power lines, it could result in a fatality.
NIE Networks advises all boat owners to take some simple precautions to stay safe.
Plan your route carefully when transporting your boat to or from where it is being launched, making sure you have adequate clearance under overhead power lines. When you are stepping the mast or erecting long aerials, be sure to do so in an area totally clear of overhead power lines.
Once out on the water, if you are sailing on inland waterways or near islands or headlands, you should still look for overhead lines as they do cross over waterways. You must ensure that your mast or aerial has proper clearance from any power lines.
Always check your charts when underway to ensure you are aware of the location of overhead power lines.
When anchoring on inland waterways or islands, look out for warning signs on banks for submerged cables. Don’t anchor boats over submerged cables.
For more information please visit nienetworks.co.uk or contact NIE Networks on 03457 643 643 and ask for Tom McAnally or Hal Steel“
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 21 Jul 2016
