Irish waterways history

Latest update here. These are the main points.

Process

Applications for extended mooring permits at nine new locations will be available for two weeks from 19 November to 3 December 2012. The locations are Rathangan and Vicarstown on the Barrow Line (with a third stretch now at Vicarstown), two at Confey and one each at Cloondara and Lock 15 on the Royal and just one, Lock 34 to Griffith Bridge, on the Grand.

The schedule:

Applications for each set of locations are open for two weeks. Completed applications will be processed in order of receipt and mooring locations allocated. If availability exists after the application timeframe for a location has closed, late applications may be considered. Once all the extended mooring locations in an area have been allocated, no more extended mooring permits will be issued for that area in 2013. It is Waterways Ireland’s intention to complete the roll out of the extended mooring permit by March 2013.

That seems to be intended to get boaters to apply ASAP; otherwise they’ll be moored in the middle of nowhere for the rest of 2013.

The application process is set out in detail, with a new item.

From 16 November 2012 permits will no longer be issued by Lockkeepers, or the Eastern Regional Office. Permits will only be issued on completion of an application form submit to and processed by the Tullamore Office.

It is confirmed that applications must be accompanied by “copies of the insurance, and payment for the permit and a damage deposit”.

Downloads

There are four downloads: the application form [DOC] and a supplementary form for consortium members [also DOC], a sample 11-page EMP licence [not permit] agreement [PDF] and a 5-page guidance document [PDF]. A consortium is defined in the guidelines as a group of more than two people who own a single vessel. Owners of unpowered vessels are advised, but not required, to have insurance.

waste

The guidelines have a new item about disposing of rubbish:

Boat owners on the canals will be required to dispose of domestic rubbish at  their own expense. On the application form you need to indicate how you intend to manage this. For example, evidence of a paid collection service or by confirming that you will take your rubbish home and dispose of it through your domestic collection service.

In a limited number of locations Waterways Ireland may offer this service for a charge. Details of this will be notified when the area opens for extended mooring permit applications.

That is as I predicted in the last issue of Afloat.

And there is a paragraph about holding-tanks:

You are asked to tell us if your boat has an operational waste holding tank.  This is not a mandatory requirement, but information is being collected for management purposes.

The licence agreement says that owners have to clean up after dogs.

Here comes the BSC

From 2015 Waterways Ireland will be introducing the requirement for boats needing permits and wishing to use the canals to have a current hull survey to provide evidence that the boat is in good condition.

Not all boats will require this.

Your attention is being drawn to this requirement now to allow you time to prepare for 2015.

That’s from the guidelines document (join the queue now for the dry docks). And these bits are from the licence agreement:

The Licensee undertakes to have regular inspections of the gas and electric services of  his Boat as required to ensure these are kept in a safe and serviceable condition. […]

All Boats must carry adequate fire fighting equipment and have same serviced as per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Insurance

The application form requires applicants to agree to this:

I/We hereby indemnify and shall keep indemnified Waterways Ireland from and against all actions proceedings costs claims demands and liabilities howsoever arising from my/our use of the facilities provided by Waterways Ireland on the Royal Canal, Grand Canal and Barrow Navigation and shall further indemnify and keep indemnified Waterways Ireland in respect of any accident, injury, loss or damage to any person or property howsoever arising including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, where such accident injury loss or damage arises by reason of any matter or thing done or omitted to be done by me/us or person authorised by me/us or the purported exercise of such use.

I would welcome guidance on whether that might invalidate insurance policies.

Moorings are not transferable

If a Boat is sold it must be removed from the Mooring within seven days and the  Licensee must advise the Licensor’s Inspectorate. The new Boat owner will be required to make an application if they wish to avail of an extended mooring permit and Waterways Ireland will refund the balance pro rata of any fee paid for an extended mooring permit to the Boat owner less a fee of €50 to cover administration costs.

That’s from the draft licence.

Buy shares in Lowtown

Also from the draft licence.

It is not permitted to re-fuel Boats at an extended mooring.

Lots of exciting reading.