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A Harbour Seal photographed at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinnipeds, they are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Baltic and North seas. Photo: AfloatA photograph of a Harbour Seal taken at Dun Laoghaire Marina on Dublin Bay, Ireland. Also known as the common seal, this species can be found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines throughout the Northern Hemisphere. They are the most widely distributed species of pinnipeds and can be found in the coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans, as well as the Baltic and North Seas. Photo: Afloat

Displaying items by tag: Grand Canal

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 13 th 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 34 th Lock at Clonony and the 21 st Lock at Ballycommon from Monday 4 th November until Friday 20 th December 2013 to facilitate maintenance works.

Grand Canal – Barrow Line
Vicarstown, Co. Laois Possible closure of the canal in the Vicarstown area to facilitate bridge repairs – further details to follow.

Royal Canal
Spencer Dock,
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 (10 th Lock) and Castleknock (12 th 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.

41 st 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

Tel: 353 90 6494232
Fax: 353 90 6494147

Published in Inland Waterways

#waterland – Minister Deenihan launched 'Water Land', an exhibition of sculpture and craft presented by Waterways Ireland Tuesday 5th November 2013—Jimmy Deenihan, T.D, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with Dawn Livingstone, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, launched 'Water Land', a free exhibition of sculpture and crafted objects on the waters of Dublin's Grand Canal Basin.

This exhibition brings together the heritage of the inland waterways with new work by contemporary artists and craft makers. Curated by Sarah Ross, it will feature a selection of Ireland's most well known and recognised artists and craftspeople, those resident in the Design Tower, Pearse Street together with makers invited from across Ireland and abroad. Launching the exhibition in the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre, Minister Deenihan said, "The diversity of materials and approaches that the artists have used in their work speaks to the fascination we all have with water and how we interact with it in our daily lives.

The Design Tower have put on a wonderful exhibition on this compelling theme and Waterways Ireland and the Crafts Council deserve great credit for their support." Dawn Livingstone, Chief Executive of Waterways Ireland, also highlighted the huge variety of stimulation that the artists drew from the waterways; from the recycling of waterway infrastructure (the lock gates) by Emmet Kane, through to the swimmers beautifully captured by the work of Alan Ardiff. "Each has brought their own view to this most unique resource, it is truly inspirational." Amongst others, the exhibition will feature renowned jewellery designer, Alan Ardiff who reminds us of the recent summer heatwave with his diving bronze figure inspired by the daredevil swimmers in Grand Canal Basin. Similarly, artist and sculptor, Elizabeth O'Kane, and bespoke jewellery designers, Da Capo, have produced exquisite work inspired by the movement and fluidity of water.

Referencing values associated with the use of water are fashion designer, Róisín Gartland whose work references the abuses in the fashion industry for the sake of western beauty and adornment, and ceramic artist, Henry Pim, who reminds us of the depletion of water as a resource. Despite the geographic divide between Connemara-based basketmaker, Joe Hogan and the Swedish textile designer, Liz Nilsson, both makers' work is inspired by the natural materials sourced from the water's edge.

This is further complemented by a series of sculptural forms by Kildare's internationally renowned woodturner, Emmet Kane, created from reclaimed canal gates made from the hardwood called 'Ekki'. Waterways Ireland, one of the six North/South Implementation Bodies established under the British Irish Agreement in 1999, has responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of inland navigable waterways principally for recreational purposes.

Due to both its historical significance and current value the element of water was seen as a very relevant theme to promote the work of over 20 artists and makers at the Waterways Ireland Visitor Centre.

'Water Land' is supported by Waterways Ireland and further funded by the Crafts Council of Ireland. Exhibition opening times for visitors are from Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–6pm and entry is free of charge.

Published in Inland Waterways

#grandcanal – Waterways Ireland is upgrading the moorings and services on the Grand Canal in Sallins, Co Kildare to create Houseboat Moorings to facilitate the boating customers in the area. The contract has been awarded and the work is expected to take place during the closed navigation season and be ready for the new boat season in 2014.
The 210m Houseboat Moorings are to be installed east of Sallins Bridge. The moorings will have electricity, water, lighting and access to a sewage pumpout and rubbish disposal facilities. The existing canal bank will also be landscaped with pathways designed in accordance with Waterways Ireland 'Access for All' standards. These moorings will be open to application from permanent boat residents holding a Combined Mooring and Passage Permit (CMP).
In addition to the Houseboat Moorings, an area for 240m of Extended Mooring west of Sallins Bridge is also being prepared where boat owners already in possession of a CMP will be able to apply for a 1 year mooring license –an Extended Mooring Permit.
A short term mooring for boats continuously cruising is also being installed east of Sallins Bridge. These moorings will have bollards providing water.
As the majority of the works to create the houseboat moorings will be undertaken from the water, boats currently moored there have been required to move. This phase has been completed and the contactor is currently preparing to move on site.
The Extended Moorings will be offered as a first option to those moving to facilitate the work. Boaters wishing to move to the Extended Moorings in Sallins are advised to complete the application online on www.waterwaysireland.org as soon as possible. Moorings will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Waterways Ireland has met with Permit holders locally and is taking their concerns on board. Waterways Ireland will continue to liaise personally with Permit Holders and with the local community through the local press to ensure all are kept up to date with progress.

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners that the public moorings immediately east and west of Sallins bridge have been closed temporarily to facilitate refurbishment works and will re-open in mid –March 2014.This area is now deemed a construction site and all users should take note of warning signs associated with these works.

Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their co-operation with this project and regrets any inconvenience caused.

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
10 Oct 2013

Tel: 353 90 6494232
Fax: 353 90 6494147

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under

MARINE NOTICE
No 115 of 2013

GRAND CANAL

TULLAMORE

CAPPINCUR

ROWING EVENT

SAT 5th OCTOBER 2013

WATERWAYS IRELAND WISHES TO ADVISE ALL MASTERS AND USERS OF THE GRAND CANAL THAT OFFALY ROWING CLUB WILL BE HOLDING A SERIES OF TIME TRIALS ON SATURDAY 5th OCTOBER FROM 08.00 Hrs. UNTIL 16:00 Hrs. APPROX.

THE ROWING TIME TRIALS WILL BE HELD BETWEEN LOCK 23 AND LOCK 24 ON THE GRAND CANAL AT CAPPINCUR, TULLAMORE.

NAVIGATION WILL BE RESTRICTED DURING THE PERIOD OF THE TRIALS.

MASTERS OF VESSELS SHOULD HEED STEWARDS INSTRUCTIONS.

WATERWAYS IRELAND THANKS ALL BOATERS IN ADVANCE FOR THEIR COOPERATION ON THE DAY.

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
25 Sep 2013

Tel: 353 90 6494232
Fax: 353 90 6494147

Published in Inland Waterways

MARINE NOTICE

No. 79 of 2013

Grand Canal

Dublin
(Circular Line)

Rathmines to Ranelagh Section

Temporary Restriction to Navigation

Tues 9 July 2013

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners that the above section, C6 to C7, of the canal will be closed to navigation from 18.00hrs on Tues 9 th . until 02.00hrs on Wed 10 th . to facilitate the temporary placing of art display work in the canal and its subsequent removal.

Waterways Ireland thanks its customers for their cooperation in this matter.

C.Lawn
Inspector of Navigation
02 Jul 2013
Tel: 00353906494232
Fax:003539094147

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under

Boats from the Erne, the Shannon, the Barrow, the Royal and the Grand Canal in addition to coastal visitors are gathering this week for the Inland Waterways Association 29th Dublin Rally at the Grand Canal Dock.

Published in Inland Waterways

#GrandCanal - Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that navigation on the Grand Canal from the mouth of the Tullamore branch line to Kilbeggan Bridge will be restricted from this Tuesday to Thursday 21-23 May.

This is to facilitate ongoing works on the Tullamore boardwalk and bridges.

Vessels that wish to transit through this section of the canal may experience some short delays during this time.

Published in Inland Waterways

Marine Notice No. 136 of 2012 and No. 10, 18 and 24 of 2013 refer.

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise masters and owners of vessels that navigation on the Grand Canal from the Kilbeggan Bridge to Coxes Bridge will be restricted from Tuesday 7th May until Friday 10th May 2013 to facilitate ongoing works on the Tullamore boardwalk and bridges. Vessels wishing to transit through this section of the canal may experience short delays during this period

Published in Inland Waterways
Tagged under

The Grand Canal Marina in the inner dock of the Grand Canal Basin has a landmark 'Box in the Docks' building familiar to many Dubliners. The 50-berth facility opened in 2004 and has become an asset for boaters in the city centre especially during festivals such as the recent Tall Ships visits, permitting boating access and overnight stays (albeit via a sealock) in Dublin city.

Published in Irish Marinas
Page 13 of 18

For all you need on the Marine Environment - covering the latest news and updates on marine science and wildlife, weather and climate, power from the sea and Ireland's coastal regions and communities - the place to be is Afloat.ie.

Coastal Notes

The Coastal Notes category covers a broad range of stories, events and developments that have an impact on Ireland's coastal regions and communities, whose lives and livelihoods are directly linked with the sea and Ireland's coastal waters.

Topics covered in Coastal Notes can be as varied as the rare finding of sea-life creatures, an historic shipwreck with secrets to tell, or even a trawler's net caught hauling much more than just fish.

Other angles focusing the attention of Coastal Notes are Ireland's maritime museums, which are of national importance to maintaining access and knowledge of our nautical heritage, and those who harvest the sea using small boats based in harbours where infrastructure and safety pose an issue, plying their trade along the rugged wild western seaboard.

Coastal Notes tells the stories that are arguably as varied as the environment they come from, and which shape people's interaction with the natural world and our relationship with the sea.

Marine Wildlife

One of the greatest memories of any day spent boating around the Irish coast is an encounter with Marine Wildlife. It's a thrill for young and old to witness seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales right there in their own habitat. And as boaters fortunate enough to have experienced it will testify, even spotting a distant dorsal fin can be the highlight of any day afloat. Was that a porpoise? Was it a whale? No matter how brief the glimpse, it's a privilege to share the seas with Irish marine wildlife.

Thanks to our location in the North Atlantic, there appears to be no shortage of marine life to observe. From whales to dolphins, seals, sharks and other ocean animals, the Marine Wildlife category documents the most interesting accounts around our shores. And we're keen to receive your observations, your photos, links and video clips, too!

Also valuable is the unique perspective of all those who go afloat, from coastal sailing to sea angling to inshore kayaking to offshore yacht racing, as what they encounter can be of great importance to organisations such as the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG). Thanks to their work we now know we share the seas with dozens of species who also call Ireland home. But as impressive as the list is, the experts believe there are still gaps in our knowledge. Next time you are out on the ocean waves, keep a sharp look out!

Weather

As an island in the North Atlantic, Ireland's fate is decided by Weather more so than many other European countries. When storm-force winds race across the Irish Sea, ferry and shipping services are cut off, disrupting our economy. When swollen waves crash on our shores, communities are flooded and fishermen brace for impact - both to their vessels and to their livelihoods.

Keeping abreast of the weather, therefore, is as important to leisure cruisers and fishing crews alike - for whom a small craft warning can mean the difference between life and death - as it is to the communities lining the coast, where timely weather alerts can help protect homes and lives.

Weather affects us all, and Afloat.ie will keep you informed on the hows and the whys.

Marine Science

Perhaps it's the work of the Irish research vessels RV Celtic Explorer and RV Celtic Voyager out in the Atlantic Ocean that best highlights the essential nature of Marine Science for the future growth of Ireland's emerging 'blue economy'.

From marine research to development and sustainable management, Ireland is developing a strong and well-deserved reputation as an emerging centre of excellence. Whether it's Wavebob ocean energy technology to aquaculture to weather buoys and oil exploration, the Marine Science category documents the work of Irish marine scientists and researchers and how they have secured prominent roles in many European and international marine science bodies.

Power From The Sea

The message from the experts is clear: offshore wind and wave energy is the future. And as Ireland looks towards the potential of the renewable energy sector, generating Power From The Sea will become a greater priority in the State's 'blue growth' strategy.

Developments and activities in existing and planned projects in the pipeline from the wind and wave renewables sector, and those of the energy exploration industry, point to the future of energy requirements for the whole world, not just in Ireland. And that's not to mention the supplementary industries that sea power projects can support in coastal communities.

Irish ports are already in a good position to capitalise on investments in offshore renewable energy services. And Power From The Sea can even be good for marine wildlife if done properly.

Aside from the green sector, our coastal waters also hold a wealth of oil and gas resources that numerous prospectors are hoping to exploit, even if people in coastal and island areas are as yet unsure of the potential benefits or pitfalls for their communities.

Changing Ocean Climate

Our ocean and climate are inextricably linked - the ocean plays a crucial role in the global climate system in a number of ways. These include absorbing excess heat from the atmosphere and absorbing 30 per cent of the carbon dioxide added to the atmosphere by human activity. But our marine ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure due to climate change.

The Marine Institute, with its national and international partners, works to observe and understand how our ocean is changing and analyses, models and projects the impacts of our changing oceans. Advice and forecasting projections of our changing oceans and climate are essential to create effective policies and management decisions to safeguard our ocean.

Dr Paul Connolly, CEO of the Marine Institute, said, “Our ocean is fundamental to life on earth and affects so many facets of our everyday activities. One of the greatest challenges we face as a society is that of our changing climate. The strong international collaborations that the Marine Institute has built up over decades facilitates a shared focusing on our changing ocean climate and developing new and enhanced ways of monitoring it and tracking changes over time.

“Our knowledge and services help us to observe these patterns of change and identify the steps to safeguard our marine ecosystems for future generations.”

The Marine Institute’s annual ocean climate research survey, which has been running since 2004, facilitates long term monitoring of the deep water environment to the west of Ireland. This repeat survey, which takes place on board RV Celtic Explorer, enables scientists to establish baseline oceanic conditions in Irish waters that can be used as a benchmark for future changes.

Scientists collect data on temperature, salinity, water currents, oxygen and carbon dioxide in the Atlantic Ocean. This high quality oceanographic data contributes to the Atlantic Ocean Observing System. Physical oceanographic data from the survey is submitted to the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) and, in addition, the survey contributes to national research such as the VOCAB ocean acidification and biogeochemistry project, the ‘Clean Atlantic’ project on marine litter and the A4 marine climate change project.

Dr Caroline Cusack, who co-ordinates scientific activities on board the RV Celtic Explorer for the annual survey, said, “The generation of long-term series to monitor ocean climate is vital to allow us understand the likely impact of future changes in ocean climate on ecosystems and other marine resources.”

Other activities during the survey in 2019 included the deployment of oceanographic gliders, two Argo floats (Ireland’s contribution to EuroArgo) and four surface drifters (Interreg Atlantic Area Clean Atlantic project). The new Argo floats have the capacity to measure dissolved ocean and biogeochemical parameters from the ocean surface down to a depth of 2,000 metres continuously for up to four years, providing important information as to the health of our oceans.

During the 2019 survey, the RV Celtic Explorer retrieved a string of oceanographic sensors from the deep ocean at an adjacent subsurface moored station and deployed a replacement M6 weather buoy, as part of the Irish Marine Data Buoy Observation Network (IMDBON).

Funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the IMDBON is managed by the Marine Institute in collaboration with Met Éireann and is designed to improve weather forecasts and safety at sea around Ireland. The data buoys have instruments which collect weather and ocean data including wind speed and direction, pressure, air and sea surface temperature and wave statistics. This data provides vital information for weather forecasts, shipping bulletins, gale and swell warnings as well as data for general public information and research.

“It is only in the last 20 years, meteorologists and climatologists have really began to understood the pivotal role the ocean plays in determining our climate and weather,” said Evelyn Cusack, Head of Forecasting at Met Éireann. “The real-time information provided by the Irish data buoy network is particularly important for our mariners and rescue services. The M6 data buoy in the Atlantic provides vital information on swell waves generated by Atlantic storms. Even though the weather and winds may be calm around our shores, there could be some very high swells coming in from Atlantic storms.”