Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

6°C

Swell today

Direction NE, height 0.1 metres, period 8.7 seconds, significant wave height of 0.8 metres.

Haven position?

55° 9.233' N, 006° 41.832' W

Where is that position?

This is immediately adjacent to the north-western most pontoon of Seatons Marina.

What is the initial fix?

It is approximately six hundred metres north-northwest of the river entrance. It is set in open water, upon the 10 metre contour, in the 165° alignment of leading lights that lead between the pierheads. An approach of 165° will lead through the entrance from here.

What is the story here?

Seatons Marina is a private marina on the River Bann three miles upriver from the entrance and just over a mile north of Coleraine. The river exits upon Ireland’s north coast between Magilligan Point, at the entrance to Lough Foyle, and Ramore Head where Portrush Harbour resides. The marina provides pontoons plus fore-and-aft moorings for short and long term berth holders. It normally does not carry visitor berths however this may sometimes be arranged by prior contact.

Once inside the entrance to the River Bann, known as Barmouth, the river provides complete protection from any seaway. Access is straightforward as all that is required is to pass between well lit stone training walls to enter the forty five metres wide channel. This is further assisted by alignment beacons and leading lights. However the entrance is subject to swell and requires careful planning as in adverse conditions it is subject to a dangerous surf. In the worst case, with north-west gales, the sea breaks right across the entrance making it impassable.

Consequently, the entrance should not be attempted in any developed onshore winds or swell. As a rule when overfalls are visible in the approach or the sea is noticeably breaking upon the pierheads, an entry should not be attempted. Furthermore, it is best to plan an approach to be at slack water or the first of a rising tide. Once through the entrance there are no issues progressing up to Coleraine Marina. The town quay requires a bridge lift for vessels of any airdraft.

Why visit here?

Seatons marina offers another berthing opportunity on the magnificent River Bann with good access to Coleraine. Why visit here for the river is covered separately in the Lower Bann entry, and the town is covered in the Coleraine entry.

How to get in?

Anyone intending to stay should have made prior arrangements with the marina by phone on +44 28 7083 2086, mobile +44 7733 100 915 or email ssp@Seatonsmarina.com. Once arrangements are made the marina is addressed by the River Bann.

An eastern approach from Portrush or Ramore head, will find Portrush Bay shoals gradually inwards towards the strand – for coastal directions from further east please use details provided in the Portrush Harbour entry. Upon the Bay’s west side lies Rock Doo, 200 metres out from the shore drying to 1.2 metres, and about a 200 metres further to the west of it is the Moat, a half-tide rock.

From here a rocky shoreline leads two and a half miles west by southwest to Portstewart Point and this has two rocks in its immediate vicinity that need to be noted. The nine metre high Black Rock, 100 metres northeast of Portstewart Point, and a half-tide rock called Lausons Rock, 150 metres out from Black Rock.

From Portstewart Point the rocky coast turns south and levels to a sandy beach backed by a range of sand-hills. This shoreline leads to the river entrance, two miles southwest of Portstewart Point.

By keeping the easterly approach at least half a mile off shore the passage will be clear of all dangers. It should be noted for the second half of both flood and ebb tides a beneficial tidal eddy runs along the coast between Ramore Head and the River Bann.

A western approach to the Bann from Lough Foyle will find a shoreline composed of rocky precipices rising to Mount Benevenagh’s 396 metre summit a short distance inland. The entire coastline is fronted by a low sandy beach extending nine miles from Magilligan Point. Notably, upon the cliff edge, just over a mile west before the entrance, the conspicuous classical Mussenden Temple, a white tower approximately five metres in height, will be seen.

With the exception of the Tuns Bank, extending three miles northeast from Magilligan Point at the Foyle entrance, this passage is clear of any danger save for the shoaling beach. A berth of at least 400 metres will keep a vessel well clear of this.

The River Bann Entrance Initial Fix resides approximately six hundred metres north-northwest of the river in the 165° leading lights alignment. It is an ideal point to commence an approach. Before progressing carefully monitor conditions for signs of breaking water as mentioned previously. If uncertain it would be advisable to phone Coleraine Harbour Radio in advance on +44 28 70 342012 or via VHF on Channel 12 and take advise.

The entrance, known as the Barmouth, is between stone training walls that project 400 metres north from the beaches. The east pierhead has a 4.5 metre high white conical concrete tower Fl R 5s 6m 2M whilst the west pierhead has a green metal post Fl G 5s 3m 2M.

Barmouth East Pierhead - Fl R 5s 6m 2M position: 55° 10.323'N, 006°46.338' W

Situated upon the west bank of the river are the leading light beacons that are 6 metres and 14 metres in elevation. The front is situated south-southeast of entrance and it is a five metre high white pyramidal metal tower; Oc 5s 6m 2M. The rear is situated approximately 300 metres further south southeast and it is a white square concrete tower; Oc 5s 14m 2M.

Approach from the Initial Fix east of north on transit will find the sand bar upon approach, thought constantly moving, dredged to a minimum depth of approximately 3.5 metres. Enter the 45 metre wide channel between the pierheads keeping well clear of the area off the ends of pierheads (do not cut in at angles as both piers have off-lying enormous rock boulders). Take care that your entry does not impede any commercial traffic and tend towards the east wall as the western wall is foul with boulders.

Once inside the river channel maintain a uniform width of about 200 metres and depth of 3.4 metres to Coleraine and it is well marked with lit beacons; green Fl G 5s on the southwest side and red Fl R 5s on the northeast side. The only exceptions are the first two port hand markers upon entry immediately west of Ballyaghran Point. The first Lt Fl R 3s ( that oddly appears well west, almost in the centre channel) and the latter Lt (2) Fl R 3s resides close southeast.

From here it is simply a matter of following the well marked Coleraine channel that has a least width of 45 metres all the way. Seatons is the first marina encountered on the northeast bank three miles from the entrance. It hosts about 60 boats, most of which are in pontoon berths, as well as a number of fore-and-aft moorings. Pontoon berths are suitable for boats up to about 11 metres and there is a minimum depth of 2 metres on the outer pontoons. Berth according to prior directions.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast -0410
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 11:15, 23:31, Low waters: 04:56, 17:13
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 11:14, 23:30, Low waters: 06:06, 18:22 (From Tide Times)
Local High Water Coleraine is Dover -0433. Belfast -0443sp, -0243np
MHWS 2.2m MHWN 1.8m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.4m

Direction of stream in River Bann
Dover +0225; In going; -0415 out going
Upon approach off Portstewart Point
Dover -0400 east by south, +0100 West by south, at 1.25 knots.

There is very little flood stream in the river. The ebb stream runs at up to 3 knots in the entrance and can cause uneven eddies as far out as two miles offshore. Further upriver the run falls back to one and a half to just one knot. Maximum speed is experienced with Spring tides during heavy rains when the run off from Lough Neagh greatly increase the force of the ebb. On the other hand the flood stream is weak.

The latest monthly Dover and Dublin (North Wall) tides courtesy of the National Environmental Research Council. Printable monthly tides for Dublin, Dunmore, Cobh, Galway, Belfast are available from the ISA.

The national weather forecast, Met Éireann and BBC shipping forecasts, plus a very simplified Ulster tourist outlook. From an Atlantic perspective a 24 hour North Atlantic synoptic chart that you may ‘right click’ and save to your hard disk. Met Éireann’s Eastern Atlantic chart and the BBC’s surface area forecast plus visible satellite images for Ireland and Northeast Atlantic from Met Éireann. Wind observations, XC UK & Ireland, Windguru wind & wave reports, and Windfinder where you can determine a forecast time. Coastal radio stations (VHF Channel) Weather forecast at 0103 and thence every 3 hours updated every sixth. Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 87, Rosslare 23 and Mine Head 83. Radio broadcasts on RTE 1 (89.1FM) 0603, 1253, 1655 and 2355.

A free tidal range prediction application for windows, a simple tide monitor plus the rule of twelfths are available in inyourfootsteps.com shared ‘experience’.

What facilities are available?

Water, diesel fuel by mobile tanker and free wireless internet access is available throughout the marina. Seatons’ trailer hoist can lift yachts up to 45 feet long or 14 tonnes displacement, and up to 7 feet draft, with the mast up or down. They also provide cradles to specification, if required. Good local engineering and repairers available in the vicinity.

With a population of almost 25,000 shopping in nearby Coleraine is excellent. Likewise transport connections are good to Belfast 55 miles (88.5 km) to the northwest, and Derry 30 miles (48.3 km) east, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections. Therefore City of Derry Airport, plus Belfast International Airport, the main regional airport to the south and George Best Belfast City Airport to the southeast are all relatively accessible from Coleraine. The Riversdale Quay in Coleraine has a 35 tonne derrick crane available for lifting yachts where some maybe lifted with masts rigged. Some space available for wintering on the hard here also in the open or undercover.

What emergency contacts are there?

Belfast Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC). Operational Area: Northern Ireland/ Irish Republic Border, Lough Foyle to Northern/Irish Republic Border Carlingford Lough. Belfast Coastguard (MRSC) VHF Ch 16, liaises closely with IRCG. Emergencies are worked on 16, 67 and working channel.

Alternatively, or if ashore, phone 999 and 112 and ask for ‘Marine Rescue’. Police, Fire and Rescue are also available on this number. Belfast (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +44 2891 463 933.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Seatons Marina Phone +44 708 32 086, mobile +44 7733 100 915;
Email; ssp@Seatonsmarina.co.uk Web ; http://Seatonsmarina.co.uk
Coleraine Harbour Radio: VHF Ch 12; phone +44 28 70 342012
Police +44 70344122; Hospital +44 70344177; Doctor +44 70344831.
Coleraine Marina Phone: VHF Ch 37 +44 28 7034 4768
Railway Bridge Phone : +44 28 70 342403

Any security concerns?

The marina has twenty four hour security including a web cam.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 2798‘Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island’ and / or British Admiralty 2723 ‘Western Approaches to the North Channel’ scale of 200,000:1 large scale. 2511‘Approaches to Lough Foyle’ 25,000:1; 2494 ‘Ireland-North Coast, Plans on the North Coast of Ireland’ at a small scale of 37,500:1 including River Bann and approaches. Imray chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 5 and 4 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.

With thanks to:

Terry Crawford, local boatman of many decades.

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