Inis Cealtra, a 22m long, 5.6m beam multi-purpose work boat has arrived on Ireland’s inland waterways to begin life as a Waterways Ireland work boat. Entering the Shannon from the sea, en-route from the boatyard in Killybegs to its new work place on the Shannon, the Inis Cealtra is part of a fleet replacement policy by Waterways Ireland to update it’s workboat fleet.
Specially designed for the inland waterways, Inis Cealtra has a shallow draught and low air-draught specifically to enable it to travel under the bridges and through the locks along the Shannon.
Designed to fulfil a multiplicity of functions the Inis Cealtra is equipped with twin Caterpillar 3056 engines and Cat 30 kVA Generator, 11m reach Guerra deck crane, twin spud-legs and hydraulic bow thruster. The vessel is fully equipped for hydraulic piling operations. Environmentally friendly sealed tube coolers are used on all three engines and for the boat’s hydraulic system. The vessel also houses a fully equipped workshop to facilitate a wide range of repair and maintenance tasks on board.
The work of the Inis Cealtra will include the installation and maintenance of in excess of 1000 fixed and floating navigation markers along the Shannon system.
Inis Cealtra forms part of a fleet of more than 60 boats owned and operated by Waterways Ireland staff in the management and maintenance of the waterways under its remit.
Inis Cealtra was designed and built to Waterways Irelands specification by Mooney Boats of Killybegs and their naval architects, Marine Design International. The vessel is constructed and certified to the meet the regulatory requirements of the Marine Survey Office (Dept of Transport).
