Waterways Ireland has provided an update for masters and owners regarding canal boat passage arrangements in and out of Dublin city for the 2022 boating season.
Movements in or out of the city on its inland waterways will continue to be organised by prior arrangement to take place as a single movement in one day.
Passage will be organised and assisted for craft if they have the valid permit(s) and arrangements in place with the Waterways Ireland inspectorate. Some flexibility may be required on dates/times of travel to align with staffing and other considerations.
In order to plan the necessary lock assistance for movements east of Lock 12 on either canal, masters are required to contact the Eastern Regional Office at [email protected] or +353 (0)1 868 0148 prior to making passage.
At time of making contact, masters should provide the following details:
- Length, beam, water and air drafts of craft (provide approximates if don’t have exact dimensions)
- Permit number and expiry date of current canal permit
- Contact details for making arrangements
On the Grand Canal, a minimum of two days’ notice prior to intended passage must be given and, with the exception of pre-arranged events, a maximum of two boats per day will be taken through the locks, travelling either east or west.
Due to periodic anti-social activity along some of canal route into Dublin, boat passage will generally not be arranged in certain weather conditions and at weekends when less support is available. This can be planned for at time of making contact and suitable arrangements for passage made.
On the Royal Canal, repairs and upgrades continue to Spencer Dock Sea Lock, so boat passage (including Newcomen Bridge lifts) will be on a reduced schedule.
In addition, there will be no boat passages permitted through Locks 2 and 4 on Whitworth Road from next Tuesday 12 April for two weeks due to gate repair, gate measurement and associated works. Sections of towpath on the south side of the canal also require closure during this time.
Masters are asked to note that bridge lift dates are pre-set and as listed below, and normal restrictions will apply. Two weeks’ notice in advance of these is required; and lock assistance, bridge lift operation and sea lock passage will then be organised accordingly:
- Sunday 1 May, 9am-1pm (Liffey Low Water at 0620, 1839)
- Saturday 4 June, 9am-1pm (LW @ 0915)
- Tuesday 21 June, 11am-1pm (LW @ 1156)
Masters and owners are also reminded to ensure that they have the following before making the passage through the city locks on either canal:
- 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
Waterways Ireland reserve the right to postpone passage to another day if all of these are not in place.
Lock passages can be arranged in the boating season from now until the end of October, subject to any other restrictions that may be advised by Notice from time to time.
Also note that aquatic weed is generally more prevalent as the season progresses which can 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.
