All Navigations – Seite 2 – Captain's Handbook ©

13. Juni 202122. Dezember 2024

MARINE NOTICE, No. 29 of 2021

MARINE NOTICE, No 29 of 2021

All navigations

Legislation and guidance on the use of Personal Water Craft (Jet skis)

Waterways Ireland wishes to provide advice to operators of Personal Water Craft (Jet skis) in order to ensure the safe enjoyment of the waterways for all.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) are largely enjoyed responsibly, yet they present a risk to other water users, protected wildlife and can be a source of nuisance. This note provides legislative guidance for enforcement officers.

Definition^[1]. PWCs, often referred to as jet-skis, are a rapidly increasing in popularity. PWC is a watercraft that is less than 4.88 metres, propelled by a two or four stroke petrol engine that powers a water jet pump. Capable of speeds exceeding 100 km/hr and are highly manoeuvrable.
Associated Hazards. Recent experience has identified:

Ø	Fatal[2] or near-fatal accidents involving collisions with swimmers.
Ø	High incidence of accidents with PWCs and collision with other craft.
Ø	Breach of local speed limits.
Ø	Associated anti-social activity; noise, nuisance/aggressive driving and disregard for other water users.
Ø	Disturbance of protected wild-life.

Legislation. PWCs are subject to Local Authority Bye-Laws^[3] and the Maritime Safety Act 2005^[4] the majority of which require users of PWCs to:

•	Be familiar with relevant bye-laws in force in the waters they use, as bye laws differ, and many inland lakes prohibit PWCs e.g. Corrib and Mask.
•	Have a permit granted by the Council or Waterways Ireland, that can be produced when requested by an authorised officer or member of An Garda Síochána.
•	Comply with local water speed limits. Specifically, 5 knots when entering and exiting launch areas or areas with designated speed limits.
•	Exceptional care and attention in the vicinity of bathers, no more than 5 knots.
•	Irrespective of local speed limits; no PWC should be navigated at such speed or in such manner as to cause or be likely to cause nuisance, injury or damage to persons or property or to other vessels or boats.
•	Wear Personal Flotation Device / Lifejacket at all times, including when being towed.
•	Act in such a manner as not to cause annoyance to any person using a beach or swimming in the sea or to disturb naturally occurring flora and fauna.
•	On coastal areas the use of PWCs within 300 metres of the foreshore is prohibited except at the designated launch areas.
•	No person shall bring a jet-ski or fast power boat into a Designated Bathing Area.
•	Persons under the age of 16 years should not operate a PWC (SI 921 of 2005).
•	PWCs must be launched and recovered from designated sites.
•	Penalties vary depending on Local Authority Bye-Laws.

Exempt from bye-laws are craft operated in the course of duty of the Council, An Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, Revenue Commissioners, Central Fisheries Board or a Regional Fisheries Board, Irish Coast Guard, Commissioners of Irish Lights and Royal National Lifeboat Institute, Community Rescue Boats or any craft involved in bona fide law enforcement, emergency or rescue missions.

Waterways Ireland thanks waterways users for their co-operation in relation to this matter.

Patrick Harkin, Inspector of Navigation, 02 June 2021

“Waterways Ireland, managing and promoting the inland waterways for the benefit of all…”

^[1] Recreational Craft, by Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport,
https://watersafety.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/code-practice-safe-operation-recreational-craft_4.pdf
^[2] Lough Erne Death involving PWC:

^[3] Bye Law examples: Waterways Ireland Bye Laws: waterwaysireland.org/navigation-bye-laws
Dun Laoghaire County Council Beach By-Laws:
dlrcoco.ie/beach-bye-laws
^[4] Maritime Safety Act 2005: irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/act/11

Alle Navigationen
Gesetzgebung und Richtlinien für die Benutzung von Wasserfahrzeugen (Jet-Skis)
Waterways Ireland möchte den Betreibern von Wassermotorrädern (Jet-Skis) Ratschläge geben, um die sichere Nutzung der Wasserstraßen für alle zu gewährleisten.
Personal Watercraft (PWC) werden größtenteils verantwortungsbewusst genutzt, dennoch stellen sie eine Gefahr für andere Wasserbenutzer und geschützte Tiere dar und können eine Quelle der Belästigung sein. Dieser Hinweis bietet eine gesetzliche Anleitung für Vollzugsbeamte.

Definition [1]. PWCs, oft auch als Jetskis bezeichnet, erfreuen sich einer schnell wachsenden Beliebtheit. Ein PWC ist ein Wasserfahrzeug, das weniger als 4,88 Meter lang ist und von einem Zwei- oder Viertakt-Benzinmotor angetrieben wird, der eine Wasserstrahlpumpe antreibt. Sie können Geschwindigkeiten von über 100 km/h erreichen und sind sehr wendig.
Assoziierte Gefahren. Jüngste Erfahrungen haben gezeigt:

Ø	Tödliche^[2] oder beinahe tödliche Unfälle bei Kollisionen mit Schwimmern.
Ø	Hohe Anzahl von Unfällen mit PWCs und Kollisionen mit anderen Booten.
Ø	Überschreitung der örtlichen Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen.
Ø	Damit verbundene asoziale Aktivitäten; Lärm, Belästigung/aggressives Fahren und Missachtung anderer Wasserbenutzer.
Ø	Störung von geschützten Wildtieren.

Gesetzgebung. PWCs unterliegen den Bye-Laws der lokalen Behörden[3] und dem Maritime Safety Act 2005[4], von denen die meisten die Benutzer von PWCs dazu verpflichten:

•	Sich mit den relevanten Nebengesetzen vertraut machen, die in den Gewässern gelten, die sie benutzen, da es unterschiedliche Nebengesetze gibt und viele Binnenseen PWCs verbieten, z.B. Corrib und Mask.
•	Eine vom Council oder Waterways Ireland ausgestellte Genehmigung besitzen, die auf Verlangen eines autorisierten Beamten oder eines Mitglieds der An Garda Síochána vorgelegt werden kann.
•	Halten Sie sich an die lokalen Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen auf dem Wasser. Insbesondere 5 Knoten bei der Einfahrt in und Ausfahrt aus Startgebieten oder Gebieten mit ausgewiesenen Geschwindigkeits-begrenzungen.
•	Besondere Vorsicht und Aufmerksamkeit in der Nähe von Badenden, nicht mehr als 5 Knoten.
•	Unabhängig von den örtlichen Geschwindigkeitsbegrenzungen darf kein PWC mit einer solchen Geschwindigkeit oder auf eine solche Art und Weise gefahren werden, dass es zu Belästigungen, Verletzungen oder Schäden an Personen oder Eigentum oder an anderen Schiffen oder Booten kommt oder kommen kann.
•	Tragen Sie zu jeder Zeit eine Schwimmweste, auch wenn Sie abgeschleppt werden.
•	Sich so zu verhalten, dass keine Personen, die einen Strand benutzen oder im Meer schwimmen, belästigt oder die natürlich vorkommende Flora und Fauna gestört werden.
•	An der Küste ist die Benutzung von Jetskis im Umkreis von 300 Metern um das Ufer verboten, außer an den dafür vorgesehenen Startplätzen.
•	Keine Person darf einen Jetski oder ein schnelles Motorboot in ein ausgewiesenes Badegebiet bringen.
•	Persons under the age of 16 years should not operate a PWC (SI 921 of 2005).
•	PWCs must be launched and recovered from designated sites.
•	Penalties vary depending on Local Authority Bye-Laws.

Ausgenommen von den Vorschriften sind Boote, die im Rahmen des Dienstes des Councils, der An Garda Síochána, der Verteidigungskräfte, der Revenue Commissioners, des Central Fisheries Board oder eines Regional Fisheries Board, der irischen Küstenwache, der Commissioners of Irish Lights und des Royal National Lifeboat Institute, der Community Rescue Boats oder von Booten, die in gutem Glauben an Strafverfolgungs-, Notfall- oder Rettungsmissionen beteiligt sind.
Waterways Ireland dankt den Wasserstraßenbenutzern für ihre Kooperation in dieser Angelegenheit.

11. Januar 201630. März 2025

MARINE NOTICE 001 of 2016

Shannon Navigation & Shannon Erne Waterway;© IBRA & ECBA; click to "enlarge" — © IBRA & ECBA

MARINE NOTICE, No. 001 of 2016

All Navigations

General Caution

Marine Notice 155 of 2016 refers. Waterways Ireland continues to advise caution while extensive flooding continues across all navigations. See below advice issued by ESB networks in relation to available clearance under overhead or sunken electricity cables.

„WARNING TO THE PUBLIC AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WHEN ACCESSSING FLOODED AREAS IN BOATS AND FLOTATION DEVICES

ELECTRICITY NETWORK CLEARANCE MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE FLOODWATER LEVEL

ESB Networks is warning members of the public and emergency services to be vigilant when moving around flooded areas in boats and other flotation vehicles.
The electricity network is designed to have ample clearance for access and egress during normal conditions. However, when areas are flooded, this clearance level may be affected.
The electricity network is live and should not be approached. Electricity wires are dangerous even at close proximity and where clearance is compromised, you should not pass under them.
If you see any sagging electricity wires or wires submerged in water, please do not steer your boat over these. Do not use oars or anything else to lift or move electricity wires. Please report any poor clearance issues immediately to ESB Network at 1850 372 999.
ESB Networks is currently assessing the electricity network in flooded areas to assess damage and identify safety issues“.

Charles J. Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 8 Jan 2016

18. Dezember 201524. Dezember 2015

MARINE NOTICE 158 of 2015

MARINE NOTICE, No.158 of 2015

ALL NAVIGATIONS

Continued Caution at Public Harbours

Further to Marine Notice 152 Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters, owners and the general public that there is continued need for vigilance and caution as flood waters pertain and /or fall very slowly.
When water levels do begin to fall they will reveal harbour and jetty surfaces that have been underwater for an extended period of time. Areas within the immediate precincts of these facilities such as car parks will still need to be approached with caution as it will take some time for all areas to be cleaned, repaired and maintained following the flooding.
Also some services will be unavailable due to flooding and these will need to be inspected, cleaned and repaired before being recommissioned for use

Charles J. Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 18 Dec 2015

15. Mai 201526. Januar 2025

MARINE NOTICE, No 048 of 2015

Map Inland Waterways Ireland;© Waterways Ireland — Inland Waterway; © WI

MARINE NOTICE, No 48 of 2015

All Navigations

Fire Fighting

Following a recent fire onboard a vessel in Grand Canal Basin, Dublin, Waterways Ireland reminds masters and owners of vessels to be conversant with the fire fighting requirements of the various navigation bye-laws for their particular vessels.
Attention should be given to the provision of in-date fire extinguishers and also the need for gas installations to be correctly installed and regularly maintained.
Both the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) United Kingdom and the Maritime Safety Directorate, Dublin provides further guidance on these matters for recreational craft.

C.J.Lawn, Inspector of Navigation, 11 May 2015

15. Oktober 201418. Juni 2019

MARINE NOTICE 088 of 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

Bank Erosion, Very dry riverbanks SEW; click picture to "enlage" — Bank Erosion, Very dry riverbanks SEW