Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Erne System to expect reduced water levels throughout the navigation as the Lower Lough Erne is drawn down for the winter period.

In keeping with water level management protocols, levels will be reduced, weather permitting, to a minimum of 149 feet (above Poolbeg Ordnance Datum) in anticipation of increased precipitation during late autumn and winter.

The cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways reminds masters to be aware of the following:

• Navigation: To reduce the risk of grounding, masters should navigate on or near the centreline of the channel, avoid short cutting in dog-legged channels and navigating too close to navigation markers.
• Mooring of Vessels: Masters should be aware that water levels may change rapidly and that mooring lines will require adjustment. Therefore, mooring lines should be checked regularly.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and inland waterways users that Portora Lock on the Erne System is currently operation.

The lock will be operated daily from 8am to 10.30pm. During these times, a lock-keeper will be present and will complete the operation of the lock gates.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal that culvert replacement works will be commencing on the summit level from Thursday 2 November.

These works — some 450 metres east of Lock 19 in Lowtown, Co Kildare — are to replace a damaged culvert under the canal and are expected take around 10 weeks.

Navigation will not be possible in this area for the duration of the works, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland wishes to remind all masters and owners of vessels on the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation that all canal permits expire on Wednesday 1 November and must be renewed.

Permits can be renewed online at the Waterways Ireland website. Vessels with no permit as required by Bye Law 6(8) will be removed as operationally convenient, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels and waterways users on the Erne System that the Erne Pike Classic will take place this weekend from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 October.

Friday involves a shore-based angling competition. The Waterways Ireland jetties at the Round ‘O’ (outside moorings), Castle Museum, Henry Street and Sligo Road will be closed on Friday only to facilitate the shore-based element of the competition.

Saturday and Sunday will see round 100 boats operating between Devenish Island and Carrybridge for the water-based element of the angling competition.

During this time, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways advises all masters to proceed with additional caution in these areas and also to reduce their wash when encountering angling vessels.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels on the Shannon Navigation that the Killaloe Canal in Co Clare will be closed from next Monday 16 October for much the winter period in order to carry out works on the boardwalk.

These works are expected take around three months, and vessels moored in the canal should vacate the area prior to Sunday 15 October. Vessels remaining after this date may be removed by the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways.

Waterways Ireland advises masters of vessels on the Lower Bann Navigation in Northern Ireland that Portna Lock east of Kilrea will be closed to navigation from Monday 9 October for a period of around six weeks.

This is to facilitate the installation of new lock gates to the upstream lock chamber, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.

Waterways Ireland has extended the public consultation on proposed bye-law changes for the canals and Shannon Navigation, with a second phase of public consultation also added to facilitate further engagement with the public and stakeholders.

The initial consultation period (phase 1) has been extended to Friday 27 October, having originally been due to close this past Monday 2 October.

Following the initial consultation period, Waterways Ireland will review all submissions during November and December 2023. It says it will then “endeavour to proactively and equitably deal with legitimate matters of concern raised during the initial public consultation process, publish its consultation document and re-issue amended draft bye-laws”.

Phase 2 of the public consultation will then run from 15 January to 26 February next year. This phase of the process will offer all stakeholders an opportunity to consider the modifications to the proposed revised bye0laws.

Thereafter, Waterways Ireland says it will consider all new feedback received “to best address the views of all stakeholders and ultimately, update bye-laws which are undisputedly out of date and unfit for purpose”.

It adds that there will be no changes to the existing bye-laws, permits or charges/fees until revised bye-laws are approved.

Waterways Ireland encourages everyone to read the draft bye-laws and to participate in the public consultation, and is keen to hear from anglers, boaters, cyclists, paddle-sport enthusiasts, runners, walkers, members of communities along the inland waterways and the public at large.

The draft bye-laws can be found on waterwaysireland.org and in local libraries along the waterways corridors.

Submissions to the public consultation can be made through the online survey on the website, by email to [email protected] and by post to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, Dock Rd, Athlone, Co Westmeath, N37 RW26.

The proposed changes relate to the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws (including the River Shannon, Shannon-Erne Waterway, River Finn and Ulster Canal) and Canal Bye-Laws (including the Grand Canal, Royal Canal and Barrow Navigation).

Waterways Ireland advises masters that the winter mooring period for public harbours on the Shannon Navigation and Shannon-Erne Waterway will commence on Wednesday 1 November and will end on 31 March next year.

Masters wishing to avail of winter mooring are required to pay the winter mooring fee of €63.50 prior to 1 November. Online registration must be made on the Waterways Ireland website.

The steps in the winter mooring process are as follows:

1. Apply online for winter mooring at a specific harbour.
2. Receive email approval/rejection/alternative location of application.
3. Follow link on approval email when received to pay winter mooring fee online.

Masters are reminded that Bye-Law 17, the ‘five consecutive days/seven days in one month’ rule, continues to apply for masters not availing of winter mooring.

Waterways Ireland will be disconnecting its electricity supply points and water supply at public moorings for the winter period (November–March). Both services will be reinstated prior to the commencement of the 2024 boating season.

Owners should note that vessels are moored in public harbours at the owners risk at all times and may be directed to other harbours as operational exigencies require.

In other news, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways advises that two green conical aids to navigation — No 1248 upstream of Parteen Weir and No 500 upstream of Lanesboro Bridge — are currently off station. Mariners are requested to exercise care when navigating in these area.

Meanwhile, in Dromod Harbour in Co Leitrim the pump-out station is now fully operational.

Waterways Ireland advises masters and owners of vessels that Locks 9 to 14 on the Shannon-Erne Waterway will be out of service on Thursday 5 October from 9.30am to 4pm due to a planned ESB power outage.

No lock passage by boat will be possible during this period, but it is expected that normal service will resume at 4pm, the cross-border body for Ireland’s inland waterways adds.