An investigation into an incident on the River Corrib last year has found that patterns of risky behaviour by rowers around the Salmon Weir had become normalised and posed a threat to their safety.
The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) has published a detailed report into the events of 14 January 2023, during which two boats were lost during a scheduled training session.
It finds that the University of Galway's Boat Club had not adequately planned the trip, which took place in unsuitable weather and river conditions.
Two, five-person, Olympic style rowing boats belonging to the club capsized as a result of the incident, during which the MCIB says there was a threat of death or serious injury to the crews involved.
As the University of Galway boats were nearing the end of their trip, they observed other boats appearing from around a corner, which were making their way upriver towards them. These other boats were from Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club, consisting of one rowing boat with a crew of nine teenagers and one coach’s launch boat with two adults onboard.
To avoid a potential collision, all boats steered away from the riverbank, towards the centre of the river. This was in breach of the 'Rules of the River’, which outline the steps that should be taken to position boats in such circumstances.
After the vessels from the two rowing clubs had passed by one another, they all found themselves out in the river’s main flow, away from the west bank and its relative shelter from the near-gale force wind that was blowing from the west.
The boats from Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club subsequently capsized in reeds along the east bank.
The boats from University of Galway Boat Club were pushed towards the Salmon Weir by the river and swept into safety booms before capsizing.
The University rowers were all novices, having taken up the sport in September 2022. The report says they had "minimal" experience of rowing on the river, having practiced primarily on a nearby canal.
As a result of the investigation, new and updated safety recommendations have been issued to the eight rowing clubs that regularly use the Corrib.
The 140-page report details five incidents over the preceding two decades involving recreational boats experiencing distress in similar conditions, at or above the weir.
It points out that at the time of the incident, the only emergency rescue boats available were located at the confluence of the river and the sea, downstream from the weir; with another boat located an hour upstream from the accident location.
As a result of the casualty event of January 2023, plans are now being made to have a D-Class rescue vessel located immediately upstream of the Salmon Weir.
