Waterways Ireland from the personal perspective of a boating enthusiast, Open post for questions and comments
MARINE NOTICE, No 2 of 2014
Erne Navigation
TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC JETTY AT CROM
The public mooring jetty at Crom on Upper Lough Erne is now closed for improvement work until Mid-March 2014.
Waterways Ireland regrets any inconvenience that this may cause to its customers.
For further details please contact:
Lough Erne Warden on +44 (028) 6632 2836
Charles Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 09 Jan 2014
MARINE NOTICE, No.1 of 2014
ALL NAVIGATIONS
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.
At present a number of mooring facilities and access ramps to same and the approach roads and paths to their associated car parks are 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.
C J Lawn, Lt Cdr (rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 3 Jan 2014.
MARINE NOTICE, No 131 of 2013
Shannon Navigation
Lough Ree
Green Buoy Adrift
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters that a green coloured buoy marking the Defence Forces firing range situated immediately north of Cribby Islands on Lough Ree has broken its mooring and drifted north in the direction of Warren Point where it is reported aground.
Masters are requested to keep a good look-out when in this part of the navigation in case the buoy continues to drift further.
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr(rtd), Inspector of Navigation,The Docks, Athlone, Co.Westmeath, 24 Dec 2013
Neugierig was das neue Jahr so bringt, dann schau mal rein: 
MARINE NOTICE, No 130 of 2013
GRAND, ROYAL CANALS AND BARROW NAVIGATION
PLANNED WINTER CLOSURES 2013-2014
Waterways Ireland wishes to advise Masters and owners of vessels that the following planned closures will be in place for the winter of 2013-2014.
| Grand Canal–Main Line | |
| Circular Line,Dublin | The Circular Line of the Grand Canal is closed to navigation between Lock C3 (Upper Mount Street) and Lock C5 (Leeson Street) from October to December 2013 to facilitate the installation of new lock gates. |
| Ardclough, Co. Kildare | The Grand Canal is closed to navigation on the 13th Level, downstream of Ponsonby Bridge near Ardclough, Co. Kildare, from November 2013 to February 2014 to facilitate works by Kildare County Council associated with the construction of a new distribution watermain. |
| Sallins, Co. Kildare | The public moorings immediately East and West of Sallins Bridge are closed until mid-March 2014 to facilitate the construction of new houseboat and public jetty facilities. |
| Ballycommon to Clonony, Co. Offaly |
The Grand Canal is closed between the 34th Lock at Clonony and the 21st Lock at Ballycommon from Monday 4th November until Friday 20th December 2013 to facilitate maintenance works. |
| Grand Canal– Barrow Line |
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| Vicarstown, Co. Laois | Possible closure of the canal in the Vicarstown area to facilitate bridge repairs – further details to follow. |
| Royal Canal Spencer Dock, |
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| Newcomen Bridge | There will be no further lifts of Newcomen railway bridge until the 2014 boating season. |
| Ashtown to Castleknock, Dublin 15 | The towpath of the Royal Canal between Ashtown (10th Lock) and Castleknock (12th Lock) is closed from October 2013 to February 2014, to facilitate the construction of new cycle path facilities. An alternative route for towpath users will be sign-posted. |
| 41st Level, Mosstown, Co. Longford |
The Royal Canal is closed at Mosstown until further notice due to a collapsed culvert. |
| Barrow Navigation | No closures are planned. |
Charles Lawn, Lt Cdr(rtd), Inspector of Navigation, 21 November 2013
