Displaying items by tag: inland waters

22nd April 2014

IWAI Decries 'Information Vacuum' Over Canal Bye-law Changes

#InlandWaters - Four weeks after its review by a joint Oireachtas committee, there is still an "information vacuum" regarding feedback on the proposed changes to Ireland's canal bye-laws, according to the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI).

A meeting organised by the IWAI at a rally in Hazelhatch on the Grand Canal over the Easter weekend heard surprise among members that none of the some 2,000 individual submissions have been acknowledged, nor have these submissions been published on the Waterways Ireland website.

Members also expressed disappointment that no timeframe for the submissions review process has been announced.

The IWAI remains steadfast in its opposition to the current proposed amendments to canal bye-laws, which were recently rejected in a unanimous vote by Kildare County Council over concerns that they "do not put user requirements, tourism development and local communities at the centre of the regulations."

Hundreds of houseboat owners on Ireland's inland waterways would also be affected by the proposed changes that could see additional charges levied on different classes of canal and river users.

Published in Inland Waterways

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11th October 2010

Talk on Moneypenny Canoe Trail

Historian Brian Cassells will give a 'TALK & SCREEN SHOW' - on buliding the Moneypenny Canoe Trail next Thursday evening at 7pm, October 21st.

The talk takes place at the Millennium Arts Centre, William Street, Portadown.

More on Northern Ireland's Canoe trails HERE

21st September 2010

Section of Grand Canal to Close During Build of House Boat Berths

Waterways Ireland has issued a notice tu users of the Grand Canal on the inland waterways that a section of the canal, extending from the 34th Lock to the 35th Lock inclusive, will be closed to navigation between 1st November 2010 and 14th March 2011 to facilitate the following improvement works to the Shannon Harbour area:

PROVISION OF HOUSE BOAT BERTHING AREA

The works site will extend from Griffith Bridge for approximately 350m eastwards of the bridge. Temporary dams will be constructed in the vicinity of this site. Due to low and/or possibly fluctuating water levels between the site and the 34th Lock, it is strongly advised that boats should not be moored between the site and the 34th Lock. Adequate berthage is available East of the 34th Lock. There will be no pedestrian or vehicular access through the work site. Pedestrian and vehicular entry/exit access will be via the south canal bank at L'Estrange Bridge for the duration of the works.

TRANS-SHIPMENT SHED CANOPY REMOVAL AND ASSOCIATED REMEDIAL WORKS
These works will extend for a period of approximately six weeks from November 1st 2010. Boats will not be permitted to moor in the vicinity of the work site during this period. The work site will extend from the 35th Lock for approximately 125m Eastwards, to a point approximately 15m beyond the Eastern gable of the trans-shipment shed. There will be no vessel mooring in the vicinity of the work site. There will be no pedestrian or vehicular access along the northerly canal bank from Griffith Bridge towards the 35th and 36th Locks for the site work duration.

Published in Inland Waterways

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19th July 2010

Consultation on Proposed Waterways Bye Laws Sought

Waterways Ireland has commenced the first Phase of a Public Consultation programme on proposed new Bye-laws for all seven inland waterways under its remit. Bye-laws facilitate the management of a waterway, clearly outlining the roles and responsibility of Waterways Ireland and all the people involved in using the navigation, whether for recreational or commercial purposes.

It is intended that the proposed new Bye-Laws will reflect the breadth of modern day use of the waterways; bringing consistency in navigational rules across the waterway network. The new Bye-laws are also expected to facilitate waterway users understanding of their responsibilities in sharing this multi-functional environment. Whether the waterways users are in Killaloe (Shannon Navigation), Coleraine(Lower Bann), or Tullamore (Grand Canal) the same navigational rules will apply. Due to important differences in the enabling legislation in both jurisdictions as well as legislative and court procedures, Waterways Ireland will introduce the new Bye-laws separately in Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Waterways Ireland has considered global best practice, feedback from users and stakeholders and the individual characteristics of the different waterways in developing the new Bye-laws. Future proofing the Bye-laws has been an important feature of the drafting process to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

Phase 1 of the public consultation will be directed at stakeholders; groups who represent the interests of waterways users and organisations whose statutory remit could be affected. Stakeholders in each jurisdiction will receive the relevant Bye-laws for a 12 week consultation period. Copies of the Bye-laws of the other jurisdiction are available on request from Waterways Ireland HQ. Stakeholders are requested to hold internal discussions with their constituents before providing a single response to the draft Bye-laws.

The deadline for the end of Phase 1 of the Public Consultation is the 15th October 2010. Thereafter, the entire Bye-laws will undergo a further examination and revision, informed by the analysis of the responses received. Phase 2 will only commence once this full revision has taken place.

Phase 2 of the Public Consultation Programme is public meetings. These meetings will be held along each of the waterways and will be widely advertised and open to all who wish to attend.

Prior to Phase 2 of the consultation programme, copies of the revised Bye-laws will be downloadable from the Waterways Ireland website www.waterwaysireland.org. They will be distributed to all those attending the public meetings. Alternatively, they can be issued to individuals by email or post on request.

The completion of the public consultation programme will be followed by a further revision of the Bye-laws to take account of the points raised at the public meetings. The enactment of the legislation in each jurisdiction will follow.

For further information on Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the Public Consultation process contact [email protected] or Tel no +44 28 6634 6202.

Published in Inland Waterways

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Page 17 of 17

Galway Port & Harbour

Galway Bay is a large bay on the west coast of Ireland, between County Galway in the province of Connacht to the north and the Burren in County Clare in the province of Munster to the south. Galway city and port is located on the northeast side of the bay. The bay is about 50 kilometres (31 miles) long and from 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) to 30 kilometres (19 miles) in breadth.

The Aran Islands are to the west across the entrance and there are numerous small islands within the bay.

Galway Port FAQs

How old is Galway port?

Galway was founded in the 13th century by the de Burgo family, and became an important seaport with sailing ships bearing wine imports and exports of fish, hides and wool.

How old is Galway bay?

Not as old as previously thought. Galway bay was once a series of lagoons, known as Loch Lurgan, plied by people in log canoes. Ancient tree stumps exposed by storms in 2010 have been dated back about 7,500 years.

What is the tonnage of the port?

It is about 660,000 tonnes as it is a tidal port.

Who is the harbourmaster of Galway port?

Capt Brian Sheridan, who succeeded his late father, Capt Frank Sheridan

When are the lock gates open?

The dock gates open approximately two hours before high water and close at high water subject to ship movements on each tide.

What's the biggest ship that can 'fit' in the harbour?

The typical ship sizes are in the region of 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes

Is renewable energy generating a lot of business for Galway port?

Turbines for about 14 wind projects have been imported in recent years, but the tonnage of these cargoes is light. A European industry report calculates that each turbine generates €10 million in locally generated revenue during construction and logistics/transport.

Is Galway a European cable location?

Yes, Iceland has selected Galway as European landing location for international telecommunications cables. Farice, a company wholly owned by the Icelandic Government, currently owns and operates two submarine cables linking Iceland to Northern Europe.

What's the update on the Galway port expansion plans?

It is "very much a live project", Harbourmaster Capt Sheridan says, and the Port of Galway board is "awaiting the outcome of a Bord Pleanála determination", he says.

Where does all the scrap go at Galway Port?

90% of the scrap steel is exported to Spain with the balance being shipped to Portugal. Since the pandemic, scrap steel is shipped to the Liverpool where it is either transhipped to larger ships bound for China.

Why is Galway Port exporting silage and the Irish farmers are crying out for it?

It might look like silage, but in fact, its bales domestic and municipal waste, exported to Denmark where the waste is incinerated, and the heat is used in district heating of homes and schools. It is called RDF or Refuse Derived Fuel and has been exported out of Galway since 2013.

When is the new ferry starting service from Galway?

The new ferry is arriving at Galway Bay onboard the cargo ship SVENJA. The vessel is currently on passage to Belem, Brazil before making her way across the Atlantic to Galway.

Is the Volvo Ocean Race coming back to Galway?

Two Volvo round world races have selected Galway for the prestigious yacht race route. Some 10,000 people welcomed the boats in during its first stopover in 2009, when a festival was marked by stunning weather. It was also selected for the race finish in 2012. The Volvo has changed its name and is now known as the "Ocean Race". Capt Sheridan says that once port expansion and the re-urbanisation of the docklands is complete, the port will welcome the "ocean race, Clipper race, Tall Ships race, Small Ships Regatta and maybe the America's Cup right into the city centre...".

When is Seafest coming back to Galway?

The pandemic was the reason why Seafest did not go ahead in Cork in 2020. Galway will welcome Seafest back after it calls to Waterford and Limerick, thus having been to all the Port cities.