Sail and Motor Boats – Inland Waterways

3

Sail and Motor Boats –

Inland Waterways

Think and Prepare

Checklist of Basic Requirements and Advice

It is recommended that all owners and users of sail and motor boats should follow this Checklist of Basic Requirements and Advice both before going on the water and while on the water:

Get training from an approved training provider in the correct use of the

type of craft you wish to use;

Wear a Personal Flotation Device/Lifejacket: Know about the legal

requirements in relation to the wearing and carrying of Personal Flotation Devices/Lifejackets and the need for the proper care and maintenance of such devices. These requirements are dealt with in Part A of the Code of Practice. Select the proper type based on activity or boating conditions. See Marine Notice No. 32 of 2019;

Check current weather forecasts and sea conditions prior to departure

and plan your voyage accordingly. If bad weather is forecast, consider postponing your trip. Strong tides and currents can carry you away very quickly, so watch what is happening around you to avoid getting caught out. If in doubt, don’t go out! (see Appendix 6, Weather, Sea States and Tides);

Check for any Hazards and Risks and Prepare a Passage Plan - See

Appendix 8 of the Code of Practice for an example of a passage planning template and note the information on hazards and risk assessment on pages 10 – 16. Assess the hazards and risks before leaving shore but continue to be aware during your trip as the conditions can change;

Avoid operating alone: Be aware of the additional risks involved with

single person operation when there is nobody else on board or nearby to help you or to raise the alarm. Make sure you have an effective means of quickly re-boarding your craft in the event that you fall overboard;

Carry out Pre-Departure Safety Checks and Briefing – Check the

condition of your craft and safety equipment. All persons on board should know what to do in the event of an emergency, where the safety/emergency equipment is on board, e.g. flares, radio equipment, lifejackets, etc., and how to use the equipment;

Think and Prepare

Checklist of Basic Requirements and Advice

Tell someone about the plans for your trip - a designated person ashore

should know your departure and return times, where you are going, and what to do to raise the alarm if necessary. See page 20 for a suggested information template;

Let the Coast Guard know: Before you go out on the water, it is

recommended that all recreational craft users log a Traffic Report message via the nearest Coast Guard Radio Station – see page 18 for further information;

Bring a dependable means of communication. VHF radio equipment is

the recommended method of communication and craft users should be familiar with its use. Mobile phones should not be relied on and should only be considered as a back up means of communication. Where mobile phone use is proposed, the phone should be in a waterproof pouch with a lanyard, be fully charged at all times and the signal strength and charge indicator should be regularly checked while the vessel is underway;

Consider bringing an appropriate Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) as these provide an effective means to send a distress alert. See Marine Notice No. 25 of 2010 as amended, Marine Notice No. 38 of 2013, Marine Notice No. 70 of 2022 and sections 1.2.12.1, 11.3 and Appendix 2 of the Code for further information, including in relation to the registration of such devices;

Be responsible – do not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs

during a trip: when operating a recreational craft, a person must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or any combination of drugs or of drugs and alcohol to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the craft;

Be aware of and recognise the symptoms of fatigue – get proper sleep

and rest before your journey;

Wear suitable clothing and footwear;

Think and Prepare

Checklist of Basic Requirements and Advice

Float to live: If you unexpectedly fall into the water, the initial cold

shock can cause you to gasp, breathe uncontrollably, breathe in water and panic. If you are not wearing a Personal Flotation Device or lifejacket, lay your head back with ears submerged. Stay calm, try to relax and breath normally. Try to float or tread water while you catch your breath. A properly fitted lifejacket will keep your head above water, ensuring you gasp air. Once the cold shock has passed, try to get hold of something that will help you float and get as much of your body out of the water as possible. To lessen heat escape, keep your legs together with arms and elbows by your side. Once you are calm, call for help;

In a marine emergency, raise the alarm on VHF Channel 16 or call999

or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Waterways Ireland has responsibility for the following:

Inland waterways comprise the navigable sections of the larger rivers, canal network and lakes. Conditions on inland waterways are generally not as severe as those experienced in coastal regions. However, they present their own unique set of hazards. Difficulties such as locks, open weirs, strong flows in confined spaces, narrow bridges, relatively shallow water and, in the case of the larger lakes, significant wave and wind forces, may present a danger to small craft. For the purposes of this Code, inland waterways refer to non-tidal and/or fresh water.

▪Barrow Navigation

▪the Grand Canal

▪the Royal Canal

▪the Shannon-Erne Waterway

▪the Shannon Navigation.

The Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees have responsibility for the following inland waterways:

▪Corrib system

▪Eglinton Canal system

An Taisce is responsible for the Boyne Navigation.

There are a number of different authorities with a role in managing navigable inland waterways in the State. Some of them are listed below:

Kerry County Council is responsible for the Tralee Ship Canal.

Other waterways may be under the administration of the relevant local authority/county council. Please check directly with them for further details.

Waterways Ireland is a North/ South body with responsibility for the management, maintenance, development and restoration of over 1,000km of inland navigable waterways, principally for recreational purposes. Special Marine Notice No. 1 of each year issued by Waterways Ireland gives an overview of general guidelines to the inland waterways under their remit.

A Navigational Guide to the Shannon, Shannon-Erne and Erne Waterways is also available to purchase from a number of outlets.