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Waterways Ireland Marine notice #7/2007
Notice to Boats travelling the Grand Canal through Dublin (12/04/07)
Waterways Ireland have
issued the following as Marine Notice #7/2007: Grand Canal: Ringsend to
Portobello and onward to 12th Lock
It frequently takes more than a full day to navigate the Grand Canal system
through the 19 locks (including 3 double locks) from Ringsend Basin to the
12th Lock at Lucan. This journey should therefore be undertaken in two
stages, with the stretch between the 1st Lock at Suir Road and the 12th Lock
at Lucan being undertaken as a single movement in one day.
Due to recent instances of vandalism at lock gates leading to flooding from
the canal, the majority of the gates have had to be fitted with locking
devices to prevent re-occurrence. As a result and to improve safety of boat
users in the system, it has been necessary to introduce changes to the
arrangements for use of the system as follows:
A minimum of two days' prior notice of intended travel through Main Line
Locks 1st -12th inclusive must be given to the Waterways Ireland Regional
Office, who will then inform the relevant lock-keeper(s). Leave a message
directly with the lock-keeper if outside office hours. If intending to
travel this stretch on a Saturday or Sunday, please contact the office by
the Thursday before.
Boats will only be permitted entry between the hours of 6:30am - 7:30am at
either the 1st Lock or 12th Lock depending on direction of travel, to allow
time for safe negotiation of this stretch
During lock-keepers hours (8:30am to 3:00pm) they can offer attended passage
through the locks and assist with opening and closing of lock gates. There
will be no attendance outside these hours. Due to the gate padlocks it will
therefore be impossible to use Locks between the 1st and the 12th outside of
these times. In exceptional circumstances only, it may be possible to make
specific alternative arrangements in advance with the Regional Office.
In addition to above changes, and with regard to safety of boat users,
please ensure you have following before starting your journey:
- adequate fuel on board
- competent and adequate crew to operate the boat and locks (minimum
crew of 3)
- a lock key on board your boat
- mooring lines of adequate length to handle vessel through a lock
(approx 15m length)
- no known mechanical problems with your boat
- a copy of Grand Canal Guide mapping the system (may be purchased from
Dock Master at Ringsend)
Boats will not be permitted to enter the system if their passage is
considered to be unsafe by Waterways Ireland.
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