ARRIVAL & TUITION
Upon arrival at our marina, one of the marina staff will inform you of the checking in procedure. All hirers are required to watch a safety briefing which will be sent via email prior to arrival or available to view on the day of check in, in some cases you can do this online. The briefing covers boating safety and navigation techniques. Once the cruiser is ready for you, a member of staff will accompany you to your cruiser, you can then load up and make yourself comfortable on-board. One of our demonstrators will then provide a practical demonstration on board the cruiser.
CHECK IN
Checking in times are available throughout the day. the official boarding time is 4pm but most cruiser companies will try to get cruises of 3-4 nights on board starting at 2pm. Most of the cruiser companies are closed on Sundays & Bank Holidays with the exception of Silverline in Banagher - checking in time between 10am to 2pm & cruiser boarding times are from 4pm onwards. If you are arriving late please advise the office so arrangements can be made. CAR PARKING Free and safe car parking is available at our marina, however parking is at owners risk.
DEPOSIT ON CRUISER
On arrival, you will be required to pay a refundable damage deposit or a non-refundable insurance waiver before taking over the cruiser. This varies for each boat and each cruiser company, full details of this will be made available before you book. The deposit can be paid by cash or credit card. The refundable deposit is a preauthorisation of your card and once the boat is returned without damage and in a clean condition, the deposit will be returned. It is recommended to take out your own personal insurance to cover injury and personal effects.
CREDIT CARDS
The cruiser companies accept major credit cards such as Mastercard, Visa, Amex and Debit cards.
FOOD & EXTRAS
Have your food and drink waiting for you on board by completing a grocery order form, contact us and we can send one to you. Payment is by cash on arrival. It's best to book any extras such as bicycles or outboard motors in advance to secure the items and avoid delays on the day but they can be organised on arrival. There is an option of a 10-12ft fibre glass dinghy which is supplied free of charge and subject to availability. Free dinghies must be booked in advance if you're cruising with Emerald Star.
ITEMS TO BRING
We recommend that proper boating shoes or non-slip footwear are worn on board at all times. Bring waterproofs and don’t forget sunglasses to protect against UV light reflected by the water. If you are interested in golfing or fishing, bring along your gear as there are plenty of opportunities for both. Torch, playing cards, books, board games are also useful. Dress code is generally casual. Remember storage space is limited on a cruiser. Suitcases and non-essential items can be stored at our marina.
STORAGE
Storage on a boat is limited and you should ensure that you do not bring too much with you. Suitcases can be stored at the marina.
FISHING LICENCE
No fishing license is required to fish the River Shannon, however, please obey the fishing laws and permitted catch numbers. There is a coarse fishing permit required for the river suck, the grand canal and Lough Erne.
ITEMS ON BOARD
Cruisers are equipped with a full inventory including all cooking utensils, blankets, duvets, pillows, bed linen & towels. Also supplied are matches and a handy cleaning kit which includes washing up liquid, scourer sponge, tea towels and a bin bag. One bath towel per person is supplied together with some hand towels however you may wish to bring some extra towels for your convenience. All cruisers have gas oven/hob/grill, refrigerator, central heating, toilet & shower, hot & cold water, first aid kit, life jackets, CD radio. If you require anything else, please notify staff before you commence your cruise.
ELECTRICITY & BATTERY POWER
Electricity supply varies depending on the class of boat you hire. Some of the boats operate from a 12V DC system from energy stored in the boat’s batteries. It should be used carefully as there is only a limited amount available for lighting/heat etc. The engine should be run daily to recharge the batteries. Most boats have a USB socket for charging mobile phones; in some cases this is the only available socket on the boat. Many of our higher spec’d boats have a second electrical system, ‘shore power’, whereby you literally plug your boat into the power provided on the jetty. Other boats can create their own AC power away from the dock with an invertor. Please see all our boat specifications via the website or brochure.
LIFE JACKETS
Children must wear life jackets at all times and we recommend all crew members to do the same. Please ensure that all life jackets fit correctly before setting off and that you have the right amount on board, one for each crew member.
FUEL & GAS
Cruisers depart with a full tank of diesel. Fuel used will be paid on completion of the hire period. Fuel consumption varies between 5 to 10 litres per hour depending on size and speed. Cruisers can be filled with diesel at marinas along the way as indicated on your charts. Each cruiser is supplied with 2 cylinders of gas stored outside in the gas locker. Please ensure that the gas is turned off overnight.
BARBECUES
Never light fires or barbecues on a cruiser or wooden jetty. Light fires and barbecues only where it is safe to do so and ensure ash is disposed of carefully. Always ensure the fire is extinguished before you leave and ensure the area is clean after you.
WATER
Cruisers contain a fresh water tank. It is advisable to refill this tank every day if convenient. Water stations are available at the marinas along your way as indicated on your chart. There is a water pump switch on the consul of your cruiser, this switch turns on/ off your water supply. Please ensure that this switch is turned off when not using water as constant dry running may result in pump failure. Hot water is heated through the engine, so if hot water is required in the morning, run the engine for approx. 20 mins.
MOORINGS
There are plenty of free mooring places along the Shannon-Erne Waterway. However in certain places along your cruise, mooring charges do exist. The majority of marinas have shower/ toilet facilities & shore power which are operated mainly by smart cards. The cards are available to purchase at our office and are readily available along the waterway. It is possible to use your hairdryer’s, straighteners etc at the majority of these facilities. Mobile phones/laptops etc can be recharged at the various IBRA company bases. In harbours use public toilets where possible and always dispose of rubbish at the refuse areas, never throw anything overboard, recycle cans and bottles where recycling facilities are provided.
REFRIGERATOR
The refrigerator is electric and is operated from the boat’s domestic battery. It is advisable to switch this off at night. Boat fridges are generally smaller than your average fridge at home and are not able to store large quantities of frozen foods.
HEATING
Cruisers are equipped with diesel central heating. It is important not to leave it running overnight as this can lead to drained batteries and excessive condensation.
WINDOW
Windows and window frames can be a source of condensation in certain weather conditions. Where possible keep bedding away from windows and leave smaller windows open for fresh air circulation.
TOILETS
Cruisers are fitted with marine toilets, only use toilet paper provided or similar thin ply paper and never flush down soft towels or other unsuitable items.
SHOWE
Cruisers are fitted with an electric shower drain pump. When showering ensure that the pump is activated in order to prevent water overflowing from the shower tray.
WASTE WATER
Toilet waste water is stored onboard in a special holding tank which will need to be emptied at least once during the week. There are numerous pump-out stations along the river. A Smart card maybe required to operate the pumpout stations. These can be purchased at Silverline reception–just ask for details.