MARINE NOTICE 112/09

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the Barrow Navigation that the Grand Canal Barrow Line will be closed to navigation from Monday 2nd November 2009 until 17th March 2010.

This is to accommodate the winter dredging programme from Lock 21 Ballyteague, to Lock 22 Glenaree.

Any inconvenience that this may cause our customers is regretted.

Please direct any further queries to our Eastern Regional Office on
Tel no +353 (0)1 882 3319

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
27 October 2009

Tel: +353 (0)90 6494232
Fax: +353 (0)90 6494147

MARINE NOTICE 74/09

PROCEDURES FOR PASSING OF MOORING ROPES TO LOCK-KEEPERS

Masters are advised and reminded to inspect their mooring ropes before departure on a voyage and ensure that there are no knots or foreign objects such as fishing hooks or lead weights embedded in or attached to the mooring ropes. These pose a safety hazard to crew and lockkeepers alike.

On entering a lock chamber, the lock keeper will offer a boat hook to the crewmembers for the transfer of the mooring lines.

The lines must not be thrown to or at the lock keeper in the interest of safety and an efficient mooring operation.

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
15 July 2009

Tel: +353 (0)90 64 94232
Fax: +353 (0)90 6494147

MARINE NOTICE 12/09

LOCK WAITING JETTIES

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all Masters and users of the navigations under their jurisdiction that waiting jetties adjacent to locks are for vessels entering / exiting the lock chamber only and should be kept clear at all times. Vessels remaining on these jetties may be moved to alternative berthing.

C. J. Lawn
Lt Cdr Rtd
Inspector of Navigation
20 Feb 2009

Tel: 353 90 6494232
Fax: 353 90 6494147

MARINE NOTICE 52/08

Manual Operations of Canal Locks

Waterways Ireland wishes to advise all masters and users of the waterways that manual lock operations should be undertaken bearing the following in mind.

1. As soon as possible after entry to a lock chamber, secure the boat with a bow and stern line to the posts, bollards or rings provided for that purpose.
2. Do not attempt to open or close the gates of any lock other than by means provided for that purpose.
3. Do not attempt to open or close the gates of any lock before the water level on either side of the gates is level.
4. Do not operate any sluice until the lock gates are closed.
5. Do ensure that, whenever there is more than one boat in a lock at the same time, the engine of each boat is switched off before the lock gates are closed and remains switched off until the lock gates are opened to allow the egress of the boats.
6. Do not leave your lock key on the spindle of the paddle gear when it is not being used. Paddle gear can slip, especially if the gate moves with the change in water pressure, and a heavy metal lock key spinning off of its spindle can cause serious injury or damage.
7. Closely monitor the boat as it rises or falls in the lock to ensure it does not become caught on the gates, cill or other part of the lock.
8. Never leave a boat unattended while a lock fills or empties.

Charles Lawn
Lt Cdr (rtd)
Inspector of Navigation
Tel: +353 (0)90 649 4232
Fax: +353 (0)90 649 4147

HEAVY MACHINERY

Boat owners and all other users of the waterways are reminded that no cranes or heavy machines can be brought onto the banks of the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal or the Barrow Navigation without the written permission of the Eastern Regional Office of Waterways Ireland. This is to protect the banks of these waterways from damage by such machines.

Shane Anderson
Lt Cdr RNS
Assistant Inspector of Navigation

Tel: 00 353 (0) 90 6494232
Fax: 00 353 (0) 87 2865726