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Today's local tide estimates
High water: ,
Low water: * Coming soon
High water: ,
Low water:
Local weather
NW Force 4, Clear/Sunny, 6°C
Swell today
Direction N, height 0.0 metres, period 7.1 seconds, significant wave height of 0.3 metres.
Summary
A good location with straightforward access.
LWS draught
3 metres (9.84 feet).
Shelter See it »
Sheltered: S, SW
Unprotected: N, NE, E, SE, W, NW
Nature (summary)
Anchorage, alongside pier.
Facilities (summary)
(None)
Haven position? See it »
52° 3.300' N, 007° 32.714' W
Where is that position? See it »
At the head of Helvick Harbour’s pier where the west facing entrance will be found.
What is the initial fix? See it »
The following Helvick initial fix waypoint will set up a final approach:
52° 3.530' N, 007° 31.860' W
This is quarter of a mile east by southeast of the Helvick East Cardinal marker. It is set on the Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse’s 325°(T) westernmost red sector edge (covering Carrickapane). A course of 250°(T) for just over half a mile from here will lead into the harbour.
Why visit here?
This is an excellent place to come into and duck out of some weather or wait out a tide. There are no obstructions coming from the east or from the sea so you can drop back out and be on your way very quickly and easily.
How to get in?
Dungarvan Bay is entered between the high bold promontory of Helvick Head on the south and Ballynacourty Point and its outlying rocks to the north. Viewed at high water, the bay presents a large expanse of which the greater part uncovers and the remainder is shallow. Helvick is situated on the southern side beneath Helvick Head.
From this initial fix come in directly to the harbour on a bearing of 250° (T) standing off the inner headland at least two hundred metres to keep clear of obstructions.
This passes to the south of the Helvick Buoy plus the Helvick Rock and The Gainers that it marks.
Helvick – East cardinal Q (3) 10s position: 52° 03.611’N, 007° 32.251’W
Helvick Rock, situated 400 metres to the west of the marker, has 1.4 metres of water.
The Gainers, situated about half a mile to the northwest of Helvick Rock, is a rocky shoal that uncovers at low water. To the west of these rocks the bay is entirely choked with sand-banks.
Pass Helvick harbour straight up to the anchorage approximately 200 metres northwest of the harbour entrance and anchor in 3 metres with sand and shale.
As mentioned above yachts may also berth alongside the inner side of the breakwater if unoccupied by fishing vessels. If you wish to go into the harbour the pier entrance faces westward and depths in the entrance are about 1.5 metres. There is also a small 0.5 metres patch off the north pier so keep at least 30 metres off the wall before rounding to come in the entrance. It should also be noted, at low water there is scarcely room to turn around inside the harbour as a large section of the southern portion of it dries.
The deepest water is on the south breakwater side of the entrance. This section of the pier is busy due to a limited amount of deep water quayside available. Some dredging has been carried out to give 2 metres along the length of the pier but it is always subject to silting and you cannot rely upon it at any given time.
What are the tides here?
Today's Dover tides — High water: 09:09, 21:36, Low water: 03:55, 16:22 From Tide Times
Dover -0540
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.3m MLWN 1.1m MLWS 0.4m
The spring rate in the pool is 1.5 kn but may reach 2.5 kn at the entrance between Abbey and Cunnigar Points. There is slight stream of tide in the bay, except along the north shore and through the pool where it can attain speeds of 1.5 kn.
What facilities are available?
Apart from the pier there is very little in Helvick. Supplies can be got from one mile away. Duncannon, on the north side of the bay, offers better provisioning potential.
What emergency contacts are there?
Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) VHF Ch 83 covers the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal. Carlingford (04), Wicklow Head (02), Rosslare (23) and Mine Head (83) provide relay stations. Coastguard Radio is always called on a working channel. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.
Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 or 121 (free) and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Gardai (police), Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Dublin (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +353 1 662 0922/3
Other useful contacts in this area:
Dungarvan Yacht Club +353 58 45663
Any security concerns?
It would be unlikely that you would experience any issues on anchor or moorings.
With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford & Austin Flynn Commodore of Dungarvan Yacht Club
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