1.5.2 2 Recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length

1.5.2.2 Recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length

relation to buoyage and marking schemes on some inland waterways.

Legislation

There are currently no statutory fire appliance requirements for recreational craft less than 13.7 metres in length. However, it is strongly recommended that such vessels carry at least a minimum standard of fire appliances. Guidance on this is given in Part B of this Code.

1.6.1 Shannon Navigation Acts and associated Bye-Laws

Relevant legislation for the Shannon system:

▪Shannon Navigation Acts 1990 and

2005

▪Shannon Navigation (Construction

of Vessels) Bye-laws 1992 (S.I. No. 79 of 1992)

1.6 Inland Waterways and Canal Systems

▪Shannon Navigation Bye-laws

1992 (S.I. No. 80 of 1992), as amended.

Inland waterways comprise the navigable sections of the larger rivers, the canal network and lakes. Conditions on inland waterways are generally not as severe as those experienced in coastal regions. For the purposes of this Code, inland waterways refer to non-tidal and/ or fresh water. There are a number of different authorities with a role in managing navigable inland waterways in the State. There is more detail on these authorities in Chapter 3.

The above legislation applies to any recreational craft based on the Shannon waterway, including lakes and tributaries.

S.I. No. 79 of 1992 specifically refers to vessel construction requirements, the safety equipment required to be carried, engine installations, Liquid Petroleum Gas and cooker installations. S.I. No. 80 of 1992 defines authorised officers and their powers, speed limits, maximum drafts, rules of navigation, crewing levels, use of facilities and groundings.

In Ireland, Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the Shannon Navigation, the Grand Canal, the Royal Canal, the Barrow Navigation and the Shannon Erne Waterway. The Corrib is managed by the Corrib Navigation Trustees. Parts of other waterways come under the jurisdiction of the relevant Harbour Authority and still others (e.g. the Slaney) have no navigation authority per se but may be subject to local authority bye-laws. Appendix 3 provides further information in

All vessels operating on the Shannon Navigation must be registered with Waterways Ireland as set out in Bye-Laws 5 and 6 of the Shannon Navigation Bye-Laws 1992 (S.I. No. 80 of 1992).

A “vessel” is defined as any craft that is not:

▪an open boat or undecked punt