Sailing

Erne System

Sailing on the Erne System

The wind in your hair, the lapping of the water as the boat tacks and gybes through the lake water sailing from island to island; it all makes lake sailing sound highly pleasurable. Upper and Lower Lough Erne are wonderful places to explore by sail. The variety of opportunities and the accessibility of the lakes for sailing make it a key recreational activity. For all that; the island dotted expanses of Lough Erne would have you believe yours is the only boat out there!

Whether it's dinghies or sailing cruisers that appeal to you, the two lakes on the Erne System offer superb wide open expanses of water for touring or racing.

Bring your own boat and launch from the multitude of free slipways; or
Learn to sail or hire a dinghy from an activity centre or sailing club; or
Contact a club to see if they need crew for their weekly or weekend sailing races.

Lake sailing offers its own challenges and while not tidal, hilly shorelines and islands can provide sufficient changes in wind direction to engage young and old in recreational or competitive sailing.

Use See and Do to find an activity or equipment hire provider.

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Lough Erne Yacht Club

188 Killadeas Rd,
Co Fermanagh,
BT94 2LW

WaveRides

Lisnaskea Boat Club
Derryadd Road,
Enniskillen
BT92 0BX,
UK

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General Notices
Length & No of Locks
84km from Belleek to Belturbet with 1 lock. The lock at Portora is normally open during the cruising season, except when water levels are low. The lock is operated by Rivers Agency on behalf of ESB, who control the water levels on Lough Erne. If you require passage through the lock when it is closed, please contact Rivers Agency on +44 (0)28 6638 8529.
Length of the Lock at Portora
Length: 36m
Beam: 6m
Draft: 1.2m
Air draft: 4.2m
Draft dimensions are given as a guide only and cannot be guaranteed.
Navigation Rules:
1. Marker Types
Navigation Markers - Always keep to marked channels, pass on White side. Red sides identify areas of shallow water or underwater obstructions.
Middle Ground Markers - Keep a good distance away from these and pass on either side. Where two middle markers are close together, do not go between them.
Hazard Markers - DO NOT PASS either side. Shallow water or rocks on each side.
White Pillars - These are based on shore and act as a point of reference for navigating only.
Black Pillars - These serve to highlight hazards to navigation, such as dangerous rocks. They are usually topped with a Hazard Marker.
Air Draft Markers - Be aware of air draft restrictions, for example when travelling under bridges.
2. Approach all bridges with extreme caution. Ensure that there is sifficient height clearance for your craft to pass safely underneath.
3. Speed Limit is 5 knots. Go even more slowly when approaching bridges, passing other craft, anglers, swimmers & moorings and when going in and out of locks.
4. Keep your wake to a minimum when in speed restricted areas and passing moored craft.
5. Keep a good distance from all Marker posts, points of islands and shorelines on lakes and rivers.
6. Keep to your right when meeting other craft. Keep well clear when overtaking other craft. Give way to sail, to craft moving downstream under bridges and to craft approaching from your right. Craft travelling downstream have right of way at bridges and in narrow channels.
7. Be aware that currents and winds can push slow moving craft off course. Check markers behind and ahead of you to ensure that your craft is maintaining course.
8. Only cross large lakes during settled weather. Check weather forecast before setting out on a journey, particularly when planning to cross lakes and other exposed waters.
9. It is recommended that everyone wears a lifejacket, especially when on board an open craft, or while on the deck of a decked craft.
10. Ensure that the mooring ropes do not trail in the water as they may foul the propeller.
11. The master of any craft should not operate the craft whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Bridges
The lowest air draft on the Erne System is 4.2 metres
Dry Docks
Waterways Ireland does not provide a dry dock facility on the Erne System.
Electricity & Water
Shore Power
Shore power is available at the Round O Jetty, Carrybridge and Aghalane and is operated by a smart card. One smart card unit buys 2 kWHr or 2 units of electricity. 10 Unit card £5.50, 20 unit card £11.
How to use Shore Power Bollard.
Fuel Points
Fuel is available from towns and villages along the Erne System.
Inspectorate
The Inspectorate of Navigation is responsible for enforcing the navigational bye-laws, maintaining a register of vessels and carrying out inspections of Waterways Ireland harbours and jetties to ensure that they are used and kept in a safe and responsible manner. The Inspectorate is authorised to board craft, ask for and receive accurate information, impose fines, manage harbour moorings and order the removal of vessels from the navigations. The Inspectorate frequently patrol the waterways by road and water, monitoring general boating practices. Any irresponsible behaviour or poor boatmanship is immediately brought to the attention of the owner of the craft. Craft speeding within speed restriction areas are similarly dealt with.
For further information on navigating and boat queries on the Erne System, contact the Lough Erne Warden
Lough Erne Warden
Waterways Ireland, 2 Sligo Road, Enniskillen,
Co Fermanagh, BT74 7JY
Tel no +44 (0)28 6632 2836
Locks
Opening Hours of Locks
The only lock on the system, Portora Lock, is usually open during the cruising season. Please ensure the safety of all your passengers when the boat is in the lock.
Maintenance Works
Maintenance works on the waterways are, where possible, carried out during the winter. When navigating any waterway between 1 November and 17 March you are advised to contact Waterways Ireland Operations Division or the Inspectorate before making your journey to confirm that the waterway is open.
Marine Notices
Marine Notices are issued by the Inspectorate to draw the attention of boat users to navigational issues such as high water levels, navigation works and closures, and to highlight potential areas of danger. They also remind boat users of their obligations and responsibilities under the Navigation Bye-laws. Marine Notices are published on our website www.waterwaysireland.org
If you would like to receive Marine Notices by email, please send a request to
info@waterwaysireland.org
Permits and Registration
Boat Registration
All boats with an engine capacity of more than 10bhp on the Erne System must be registered with Waterways Ireland Inspectorate. Registration is free of charge and can be completed through our online registration system here. You will be provided with a registration number which must be displayed in a prominent position on your boat. You need to inform the Inspectorate immediately of any change in ownership. Boats registered on the Erne System do not need to reregister when moving to another waterway.
Public Mooring Time Limits
The time limit for mooring at or in the vicinity of a Public Mooring on the Erne System is 48 hours with craft able to return after an absence of four hours. If you wish to stay in a location longer than the limit please contact the Lough Erne Warden or seek a private mooring.
Service Blocks
Services are provided at various locations along the Erne System. Toilets are provided at Belleek, Kesh Village, Muckross, Rossigh, Round 'O and Broadmeadow Enniskillen, Bellanaleck, Carrybridge, Knockninny and Galloon Island.
Public Conveniences are generally open from April to October with opening hours of 08.00 to 22.00. Those at Kesh and Belleek are open all year round apart from Christmas Day.
For opening times out of season please contact Fermanagh District Council Tel no +44 (0)28 6632 4347. Showers are provided at Kesh Village, Lakeland Forum Enniskillen, Bellanaleck, Carrybridge, Knockninny and Galloon Island.
Pump-outs
Pump-outs are provided by Waterways Ireland to enable the safe and clean pumping out of boat effluent removing the pollution risk to our waterways. Pump-outs are provided at Belleek and Castle Archdale on Lower Lough Erne, at the Round "O" in Enniskillen and at Carrybridge, Galloon Jetty and Knockninny on Upper Lough Erne.
Slipways
Slipways facilitating access to the waterway cann be found at
Round 'O', Enniskillen;
Belleek Marina;
Bellanaleck;
Camagh Bay Blaney;
Geaglum, Derrylin;
Rossclare, Killadeas;
Bun Bridge, Newtownbutler;
Rossigh, Lisnarick;
Derryadd, Lisnaskea;
Castle Archdale, Lisnarick;
Corradillar, Lisnaskea;
Muckross, Kesh;
Carrybridge, Lisbellaw
Smart Cards
Smart cards are used to operate the locks on the Shannon-Erne Waterway and the Shannon Navigation and service blocks along the waterways. The cards are also used to gain access to the service blocks and to use the services.
Services use the following number of units:
• Locks: 1 unit (Shannon-Erne Waterway)
• Locks: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Bridges: 2 units (Shannon Navigation)
• Pump-outs: 2 units
• Showers: 2 units
• Chemical Toilets: 2 units
• Washing Machines: 5 units
• Tumble Dryers: 5 units
• 2kwh Electricity: 1 unit
The smart cards cost €6.35 for a 10Unit card or €12.70 for a 20Unit card and can be purchased from the Patrollers, Lockkeepers, Waterways Ireland’s online shop www.shopwaterwaysireland.org and retail outlets along the waterway. Information on all outlets can be found here.
Speed Limit and your Wash
Speed Limit
5 knots on specific sections of the Erne
Speed limits may also be in place on other sections of the waterway and are monitored by the Inspectorate.
You are asked to consider the wash of your boat and its effect on others. All engine-powered boats create a wave of water, known as a wash, which flows outwards from the boat as it moves forward. Look behind you frequently to check the effect that your wash is having on other users. You are advised to reduce your speed in narrow channels to prevent bank erosion, damage to reed beds and destruction of birds' nests among reed and bank habitats. Slow down where boats are moored, when approaching quays, jetties or locks or where water activities are taking place
Entering the waterway from the sea
It is not possible to enter the Erne System from the sea directly. Access is via the Shannon Estuary, River Shannon and Shannon-Erne Waterway.

Posted: 27/09/2023

Marine Notice No 100 of 2023 - Erne System - Lower Lough Erne - Magho - FEARmanagh endurance event - Sat 30 September 2023

Notice Number 100 of 2023

Posted: 29/08/2023

Marine Notice No 63 of 2023 - Updated - Erne System - Lower Lough Erne - Kesh River - Dredging Operations

Notice Number 63 of 2023

Posted: 16/08/2023

Marine Notice No 78 of 2023 - Erne System and Lower Bann Navigation - Blue-Green Algae Blooms - Advisory Information

Notice Number 78 of 2023

Posted: 17/06/2021

Marine Notice No 32 of 2021 - Erne System - Lower Lough Erne - Castle Archdale - Introduction of non-motorised zone

Notice Number 32 of 2021

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