Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2008

The Waterways Ireland Inspector of Navigation has issued a number of Marine Notices to advise on river activity relating to the set up and running of the Waterways Ireland triAthlone 2008.

This year the Swim section of the race will take place between the Town Bridge and the Railway Bridge and the race pontoon will be installed in a new location near the Athlone Boat Club.

The first Marine Notice (number 39) advises users of the Shannon Navigation of the following navigation restrictions in the days leading up to and including the day of the race:

Swimming Course Preparation
This will commence on Wednesday 9th July and will include workboats installing floating pontoons and booms and temporary aids to navigation. Vessels engaged in this work will be hampered in their ability to manoeuvre so masters are requested to give them a wide berth when passing and to do so with minimum wash.

Race Pontoon
The race pontoon will be installed approximately 300m North of the Town Bridge, in the vicinity of the Athlone Boat Club. It will be placed at right angles to the Western river bank and extend 60m into the navigation. An alternative navigation channel will be marked on the Eastern side of the river.

Masters should NOT make their vessels fast to this pontoon at any time as it is a temporary structure and not designed to take the forces associated with mooring vessels.

Lock Opening Hours on Saturday 12th July
Masters and users of the Shannon Navigation are advised that the swimming contest of the above triathlon event will take place on Saturday 12th July 2008 and navigation restrictions will be in operation between the Town Bridge and the Athlone By-Pass Bridge, namely:

Lock Opening Times for Sat 12th July:
From 11.00hrs until 15.00 hrs
From 16.00 hrs until 17.30 hrs
From 18.30 hrs until 20.30 hrs

Masters are requested to note any instructions issued by Waterways Inspectorate staff and any advice offered by race marshals when approaching the course. Vessels should proceed at slow speed and with minimum wash at all times when navigating this area.

In the second Marine Notice (number 40), the Waterways Ireland Inspector of Navigation advises on the removal of unauthorised single point moorings in Athlone:

Notice is hereby given that Waterways Ireland intends to remove all unauthorised single point moorings in the Shannon Navigation between Athlone Railway Bridge and Athlone Town Bridge, in accordance with the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws 1992, to facilitate a change in the navigable channel for the "Waterways Ireland TriAthlone" triathlon prior to the 12th July 2008.

Waterways Ireland thanks masters for their co-operation and assistance in these matters.

Copies of the full Marine Notices are available from the Waterways Ireland website at www.waterwaysireland.org (see "Navigation Information").

The Waterways Ireland triAthlone will be one of the highlights of the sporting calendar in Ireland with over 1,500 competitors taking part including top international triathletes who will race in the Irish Championships and European Cup Race also taking place in Athlone on July 12th as part of the Waterways Ireland triAthlone.

- Ends -

Further information from:
Aoife Morrissy, Marketing and Communications, Waterways Ireland, 00 353 71 9650787 or 00 353 87 9918412

PR08008
Date: 23.06.2008