River Shannon boaters set to pay annual fee

BOATERS on the Shannon could be set to pay an annual registration fee, as part of the Waterways Ireland (WI) revision of the Shannon Navigation and Canals bye-laws, a process which is now open for public consultation.

While the canals have been subject to a fee for many years, the Shannon has slipped through the net allowing boaters to enjoy the waterway for free Currently, the only fee charged is for each lock that is used and this has been nominal, ranging from €1 to €2 per lock passage over recent years

Indeed it has been this laid-back approach to the jurisdiction of the

Shannon which has been a draw for both boaters in Ireland and to those visiting or relocating from overseas

According to the revision of the bye-laws documentation, a proposed set registration fee of €200 per vessel per annum will apply and the current Shannon Navigation lock passage fee will be eliminated This will be a flat rate for vessels on both the Shannon and the canals, allowing easier interaction between the navigations falling under the WI portfolio While there seems to be both advantages and disadvantages to the revision of the bye-laws, the proposed