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Displaying items by tag: Shannon Navigation

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that all locks and bridges within the North Shannon region will be closed for one day on Thursday 21 March to facilitate mandatory staff training.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways apologies for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the lifting bridge at Tarmonbarry in Co Roscommon will remain closed until at least Thursday 18 April to facilitate essential maintenance works.

Works at Tarmonbarry were previously extended twice since beginning in early February, and a diversion route is available via the Camlin River.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation.

This story was updated on Wednesday 3 April to include the latest information.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Clarendon Lock in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon will be closed this Wednesday 28 February from 9am to 5pm due to a planned ESB power outage in the area.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the installation of lighting on the underside of Carrick-on-Shannon bridge arches will take place between Monday 19 and Friday 23 February, with works to take place between 10am to 3pm daily.

The contractor will be using a mobile under-bridge hoist vehicle. One lane of the bridge will be closed during these hours and a stop/go traffic management plan will be in place for traffic crossing the bridge.

Masters of vessels should proceed with additional caution during these works and comply with the instructions of onsite safety staff, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the lifting bridges at Tarmonbarry and Rooskey in Co Roscommon will be closed on Thursday 8 and Friday 9 February to facilitate structural inspections.

In an update on Friday, Waterways added that while Rooskey lifting bridge will reopen on Saturday 10 February, the bridge at Tarmonbarry will remain closed until next Friday 16 February to facilitate maintenance works.

Update 16/2: Waterways Ireland wishes to notify masters of vessels and users Tarmonbarry Bridge will remain closed until Friday 8 March to facilitate essential maintenance works. A diversion route is available via the Camlin River.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it regrets any inconvenience that this may cause and thanks its customers for their cooperation.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that the westernmost section of the public jetty access at the Boyle Harbour public amenity in Boyle, Co Roscommon will be closed from Monday 5 to Friday 23 February to facilitate planned maintenance works to the harbour.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that access through Rooskey Lock in Co Leitrim will be limited until Friday 9 February.

This is as due to planned maintenance works to the lock, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Prior access through the lock can be arranged by calling Roosky Lockhouse on 071 963 8018 between 9am and noon.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the waterway is currently experiencing high water levels and fast flows.

Masters and all other water users should proceed with additional caution and bear the following in mind when on the water during high-water conditions:

  • Air draft is reduced under all bridges and power lines
  • Water velocity is significantly increased
  • Access to jetties can be difficult as gangways and pontoons are elevated
  • Navigation markers, pontoons, jetties may be submerged
  • Mooring lines should checked regularly if it safe to do so

In addition, Waterways Ireland confirms that the following mooring facilities are closed due to flooding from high water levels:

  • Athlone downstream jetty
  • Ballinasloe Marina
  • Pollboy jetties
  • Shannonbridge Quay
  • Banagher Harbour
  • Clonmacnoise floating jetties
  • Victoria Lock floating Jetties
  • Reddins Quay (Tuamgraney)

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways says it thanks all vessel owners and operators for their cooperation in relation to this matter.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises all masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Tarmonbarry Bridge and Lock will be closed this Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 November to facilitate inspection works.

In addition, Rooskey Bridge and Lock will be closed on Thursday 23 and Friday 24 November to facilitate inspection works.

Works at both locations will include diving operations within the vicinity of the bridges, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Published in Inland Waterways

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on and users of the Shannon Navigation that Clarendon Lock in Knockvicar, Co Roscommon will be closed this Wednesday 15 November due to a planned electricity outage in the area.

Published in Inland Waterways
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Ferry & Car Ferry News The ferry industry on the Irish Sea, is just like any other sector of the shipping industry, in that it is made up of a myriad of ship operators, owners, managers, charterers all contributing to providing a network of routes carried out by a variety of ships designed for different albeit similar purposes.

All this ferry activity involves conventional ferry tonnage, 'ro-pax', where the vessel's primary design is to carry more freight capacity rather than passengers. This is in some cases though, is in complete variance to the fast ferry craft where they carry many more passengers and charging a premium.

In reporting the ferry scene, we examine the constantly changing trends of this sector, as rival ferry operators are competing in an intensive environment, battling out for market share following the fallout of the economic crisis. All this has consequences some immediately felt, while at times, the effects can be drawn out over time, leading to the expense of others, through reduced competition or takeover or even face complete removal from the marketplace, as witnessed in recent years.

Arising from these challenging times, there are of course winners and losers, as exemplified in the trend to run high-speed ferry craft only during the peak-season summer months and on shorter distance routes. In addition, where fastcraft had once dominated the ferry scene, during the heady days from the mid-90's onwards, they have been replaced by recent newcomers in the form of the 'fast ferry' and with increased levels of luxury, yet seeming to form as a cost-effective alternative.

Irish Sea Ferry Routes

Irrespective of the type of vessel deployed on Irish Sea routes (between 2-9 hours), it is the ferry companies that keep the wheels of industry moving as freight vehicles literally (roll-on and roll-off) ships coupled with motoring tourists and the humble 'foot' passenger transported 363 days a year.

As such the exclusive freight-only operators provide important trading routes between Ireland and the UK, where the freight haulage customer is 'king' to generating year-round revenue to the ferry operator. However, custom built tonnage entering service in recent years has exceeded the level of capacity of the Irish Sea in certain quarters of the freight market.

A prime example of the necessity for trade in which we consumers often expect daily, though arguably question how it reached our shores, is the delivery of just in time perishable products to fill our supermarket shelves.

A visual manifestation of this is the arrival every morning and evening into our main ports, where a combination of ferries, ro-pax vessels and fast-craft all descend at the same time. In essence this a marine version to our road-based rush hour traffic going in and out along the commuter belts.

Across the Celtic Sea, the ferry scene coverage is also about those overnight direct ferry routes from Ireland connecting the north-western French ports in Brittany and Normandy.

Due to the seasonality of these routes to Europe, the ferry scene may be in the majority running between February to November, however by no means does this lessen operator competition.

Noting there have been plans over the years to run a direct Irish –Iberian ferry service, which would open up existing and develop new freight markets. Should a direct service open, it would bring new opportunities also for holidaymakers, where Spain is the most visited country in the EU visited by Irish holidaymakers ... heading for the sun!