Inland waterway navigation

Boat Handling on Inland Waterways Many of the “steering and sailing” rules which are used at sea are also used on the inland waterways, especially on lakes. - Power craft give way to sail. - Sailing craft on different tacks – port tack must give way. - Sailing craft on same tack – windward boat must give way. - Power vessels crossing – vessel with the other on his starboard (right) must give way. - When two vessels are approaching each other, bow to bow, both should steer to starboard (right) and pass each other on the port (left) side. - In a narrow channel keep to the right. - Overtaking vessel must stay clear of vessel being overtaken.

When overtaking in a narrow channel, canal or river, leave the vessel being overtaken to starboard (right).

There are also some special rules applying to inland waterways - At a bridge, vessel going upstream must give way to a vessel coming downstream. - Approach a lock slowly and give way to vessels exiting. Navigation Marks Shannon Navigation - In the river sections and in the lakes, the marking system used is Red to the left (port) and Black to the right (starboard), when going upstream or into bays or harbours.

Perches (markers on a post or pole) are red, round shaped to the left, or black square shaped to the right. Marker buoys may be can-shaped or conical - the shape is not important , but pay attention to the colour.

Lough Erne Navigation - Perches are semicircular in shape, flat top to port and round top to starboard when going upstream. Also, the marks are coloured red/white vertically, the red on the side of danger, white on the safe side.

Lough Corrib Navigation Going upstream from Galway to Cong, all port hand marks (buoys, perches or beacons) are black, starboard hand marks are red (perches) or white (stone beacons). This is the opposite to the usual convention.

Inland Waterway Navigation

Operating a lock

Ascending There are no steps or ladders in locks on Irish waterways and a crew member should be put ashore below the lock before entering, to take the lines and help operate the lock. If the lock is empty open the lower gates, the boat can enter the lock and tie up. If the lock is full, it must be emptied. The crew remaining on the boat must beware of the turbulence that will be caused by the outflow of water and should keep the boat clear.

Sometimes there is a lock-keeper, but often the crew will have to operate the lock themselves. On the Shannon-Erne Waterway the locks are operated electronically by the boat’s crew, using a “smart card”. The lower gates are closed and the racks on the lower gates are lowered to close the sluices. When filling the lock, take care to avoid too much turbulence which might push the boat about in the lock. Raise the rack on the opposite side to the boat, about half-way at first, then after a short time, raise the second rack, also about half-way. When the water level is about one third way up, raise both racks fully. The bow and stern lines must be tended and kept taut to keep the boat under control.

When the water levels on both sides of the upper gates are equal, the upper gates can be opened easily and the boat can move out onto the upper level. The upper gates and sluices should be closed. This will minimise leakage from the upper level and wastage of water.