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Swell today

Direction N, height 0.0 metres, period 0.0 seconds, significant wave height of 0.2 metres.

Haven position?

54° 32.680' N, 005° 28.816' W

Where is that position?

This is the position of the Ballywalter Light that is set upon northwest end of the pier. It is a 3 metre high metal column with a sectored light Fl WRG 1.5s 5m 9M.

What is the initial fix?

The initial fix is a mile and a half east of the pierhead. For a day time approach it is set upon the 272° alignment of Ballywalter Light and the spire of Ballywalter Church situated in the middle of the village behind. By night it is in the middle of the Ballywalter Light Fl WRG 1.5s 5m 9M white sectored light 267° to 277° that lights the safe approach (Green 240° to 267°, Red 277° to 314°).

What is the story here?

Ballywalter is located on the northeast coast of Ireland, to the south of Belfast Lough, four miles north by northwest of Burr Point. It offers a small harbour that dries out completely at low water with an anchorage outside.

Ballywalter provides a tolerable anchorage in south to north-westerly winds. However a heavy sea runs into the bay when winds trend eastward around to north. Vessels that can take to the hard however will find good protection inside in the harbour. Access is straightforward once Skullmartin Rock has been identified, night or day, at any stage of the tide.

Why visit here?

Ballywalter, formerly known as Whitkirk as far back as the 12th century, derives its name from Irish: Baile, meaning town or towns land, of Walter. The village stretches along the shore within the Skulmartin Rock area that of if itself is a highly convenient location to await a tide.

The small village formed around a seventeenth century windmills, the remains of which are visible today, from when the local population milled corn and grain. The harbour was constructed in the mid1800s to service the nearby lime kiln. This soon became a busy port largely due to the fact that it is on a coast adjacent to Scotland. However between the two lies a very dangerous sea with a ragged coastline. Strong coastal tides collide here with the immediate offshore Skulmartin Rock, plus the nearby South and North Rocks that have always been regarded as the two most deadly hazards off the Ards Peninsula. These, amongst many other offshore dangers, caused the lives of many sailors to be lost after the harbour was constructed.

To address the local anxiety at the loss of life Ballywalter lifeboat service was established in 1866. Misses Ingram of Lisburn presented the village with ‘The Admiral Henry Meynell’ a sailing ship with oars. This remained in service until 1906 after which development in transport gradually made the Ballywalter redundant. The service was finally withdrawn owing to crewing difficulties. Yet in that time period the Ballywalter lifeboat saved 154 lives from its immediate shores. A bell from one of the ships that foundered off Skulmartin Rock is displayed in Ballywalter's Presbyterian church today.

Ballywalter Park, a stately home on the outskirts of the village, was established in the nineteenth century, between 1846 and 1850. This significant Grade A listed building could easily be said to be Ulster’s finest Victorian house. It has grounds that extend over thirty wooded acres plus a walled garden, that includes an extensive rhododendron collection, and the main house is in as good a condition now as when it was originally constructed. From that date, 150 years ago, it has been the home of the Mulholland family. The house was originally built for the present owner's Great, Great, Great Grandfather to the designs of the distinguished artist, Sir Charles Lanyon. As such the house and gardens are open to visitors by appointment or on special occasions. The park does play host to the Northern Ireland Game Fair, which attracts nearly 40,000 people over a single weekend.

Today Ballywalter is a sizable village with a population of just under 1,500 people. It is popular in the summer when the Long Strand, immediately south of the harbour, provides a wide stretch of shore plus safe bathing that makes it an ideal base for water sports. Small children’s play facilities are to be found here along with tennis courts.

How to get in?

Directions are provided for northern and southern coastal approaches plus a final location approach. If coastal guidance is not applicable, skip directly to the ‘for the final approach’ section.


FOR A NORTHERN COASTAL APPROACH

Donaghadee Sound is the normal route for leisure craft making along this coast from Belfast Lough with favourable tidal streams. The southern shore of Belfast Lough appears comparatively low and unremarkable. Groomsport’s church spire will be visible plus the radio mast of a disused Coastguard Station on Orlock Point makes for a useful mark. Pass the South Briggs Red Can Buoy well to starboard as it marks a dangerous reef that extends from the shore.

South Briggs Red Can Buoy – Fl (2) R 10s position: 54° 41.182’N, 005° 35.732’W

Likewise the area north of Orlock Point should be avoided out to a distance of at least 250 metres to avoid off-lying dangers. From here take the shipping channel through the middle of Donaghadee Sound by aligning upon the Foreland Red Can Buoy.

Foreland Red Can Buoy - Fl R 6s position: 54° 39.640’N, 005° 32.307’W

Although at the northern entry point the sound is almost a mile wide, between Copeland Island and the mainland to the southwest, foul ground called the ‘Magic Rocks’ extend nearly half way from Copeland Island’s southwest side. Then Deputy Reef, marked by a red buoy, is situated nearly in the middle of the southern fairway. These contract the channel through the sound to a quarter of a mile in width. This however is well marked for vessels entering and exiting Belfast Lough by the buoyed shipping channel. Pass the Foreland Buoy to starboard and then between the Deputy and Governor buoys.

Deputy Green Can Buoy - Fl G 2s position: 54° 39.513’N, 005° 31.944’W

Governor Red Can Buoy - Fl R 3s position: 54° 39.360’N, 005° 31.991’W

It should be noted that Donaghadee Sound streams achieve 4.5 knots in places so tidal planning is essential and great care should be taken during the passage.

After exiting the southern end of Donaghadee Sound Donaghadee Harbour will be clearly identified ashore by its handsome cut stone piers and the Donaghadee Light (white tower, 16 metres in height) that stands on the head of South Pier. Those who venture inshore here should note the position of the Wee Scotchman Rocks. This is a sunken ledge with less than 2 metres in places that extends 300 metres east-northeast from the Donaghadee Light off the south Pier. Copelands Marina resides 600 metres south of the Donaghadee Harbour.

From Donaghadee to Millisle the rocks do not extend more than a half a mile off shore, and are steep-to, with 13 metres close outside them. From Millisle to the southward as far as Ballyferris Point, outlying rocks extend to the distance of nearly three-quarters of a mile off; some of these uncover, on others there are from 1.8 to 3.6 metres at low water. The coastline here is largely made up of shingle and sand beaches.

The costal area between Ballyferris Point and Ballywalter sees the commencement of a series of rocks that run along the shore for a distance of nearly 2 miles and are barely covered at high tides. This reef terminates in Long Rock at the southern end and a shoal called The Reef at the northern end. The outer edge of this rock group run in a north by northwest direction from the Long Rock, and are steep-to as quarter of a mile out and 12 metres of water can be found. Ballywalter village stretches along the shore within the bay to the South of Long Rock.

Continue south to the Initial Fix that is set on the 272° alignment of Ballywalter Light and the spire of Ballywalter Church immediately behind in the centre of the village.

A useful set of routing waypoints for a southern approach to Belfast Lough are available in the route ’Bangor, Belfast Lough - Dublin on 12 hours of favourable tide – both ways’.


FOR A SOUTHERN COASTAL APPROACH

The coastal area to the north of Strangford Lough, for a distance of 23 miles as far as the Copeland islands, is that of the Ards Peninsula. This is the thumb of land that separates Strangford Lough from the sea and it has almost an island feel to it because of its remoteness by road. The coastline characteristic is that of a low rocky shore that is skirted by dangerous reefs and backed by a succession of low undulating hills.

The principal dangers to be found on the way from the Strangford Lough to Ballywalter are the Butter Pladdy, South and North Rocks, the Plough rock, Burial Island and Skullmartin Rock.

Commencing from Strangford Lough area the first offshore marker is the Strangford Lough Marker Light Float situated a mile and a half to the southeast of Ballyquintin Point.

Strangford Light Float - LFl 10s position: 54° 18.626’N, 005° 28.689’W

From Ballyquintin Point the shore runs 3 miles in a north-easterly direction to Kearney Point, a low shelving point that is foul out to a distance of 400 metres all round. The ruins of a windmill will be seen upon it and a village a little to the northward.

The next key marker is the Butter Pladdy east cardinal. This resides one mile southeast of Kearney Point and 800 metres east of the cluster it marks.

Butter Pladdy – East Cardinal Q (3) 10s position: 54° 22.453’N, 005° 25.741’W

The Butter Pladdy is a 400 metres wide cluster of rocks that ranges in depths from 1.8 to 4 metres of water. The Butter Pladdy east cardinal is placed to the east of the shoal as a guide to vessels taking the offshore route along this coast. This is the best approach as on the north side of Butter Pladdy, approximately 200 metres from the centre and clearly marked Admiralty Chart 2156, there is a wreck of a steel ship that only uncovers at low water. Unless at low water, where the wreck is clearly visible, this complicates an inshore, passage up the western side of Butter Pladdy’ making the offshore the preferred approach.

Three miles to the northeast is the next key marker the South Rock Light Float.

South Rock Light Float - Fl (3) R 30s 12m 20M position: 54° 24.478’N, 005° 21.993’W

The name is unmistakably written in white letters on each side. The red hulled structure with a light-tower and white mast on foredeck is stationed one mile east-by-north of the extensive cluster of rocks it marks.

South Rock is part of an extensive group of covered rocks that are barely covered at high water. Some rocks appears at low water, others never uncover, however the tide always creates a rippling over the bank, and in strong breezes there is a heavy breaking sea on it. Amidst the cluster is the primary South Rock that is the largest of the rocks and dangers. This is always uncovered and easily identified as it hosts an old and now disused Lighthouse.

South Rock (Disused Lighthouse) position: 54° 23.948’N, 005° 25.148’W

Vessels with a deeper draft should also note that approximately midway between Butter Pladdy and South Rocks is the Crooked Pladdy, with 2.1 metres and deep water all around. If passing inshore to the west of South Rock, often advantageous in clear weather when running against a foul tide, make note of the position of Privateer Rock, also with 2.1m over it, half a mile north by northwest of Crooked Pladdy.

A mile and a half to the northward of the South Rock lighthouse is another cluster of rocks called the North Rock. However vessels with a deeper draft should also note that approximately midway between North and South Rocks is the ‘Breast’, a rocky shoal with 2.1 metres of cover.

North Rock, with its breeding Grey Seals, is an irregular bank of rocks and gravel that is covered on spring tides only. It extends nearly three quarters of a mile in an east and west direction. A narrow spit of gravel, called the Kirkistown Spit, extends from North Rock to Ringboy Point on the mainland and this spit forms the northern boundary of Cloghy Bay.

A red painted 12 metres, above high water, stone pillar beacon stands on the eastern end of North Rock, about 150 metres inside the east drying edge, makes the rock identifiable in most conditions.

North Rock Beacon – Unlit position: 54° 25.638’N, 005° 24.970’W

The next off-lying coastal group called Plough Rock resides two miles further north and half a mile southwest of the busy Portavogie fishing harbour. Plough Rock resides more than half a mile from the shoreline, covers at half flood and dries to 3 metres, but has almost twenty metres of water as little as 300 metres distance to the east of it. The marker buoy for the rock resides 300 metres to the northeast also marking the southern edge of the Portavogie white light sector.

Plough Rock - Fl R 3s position: 54° 27.389’N, 005° 25.104’W

Nearly half a mile to the northward of Plough Rock, half a mile to the northwest of Portavogie, and one-third of a mile from the shore lie the McCammon Rocks. These cover at high water but again, similar to Plough Rock, depths of 12 metres will be found just 300 metres eastward.

Burial Island, is the eastern most point of Ireland residing 400 metres east of Burr Point. The visible island is the highest part of a reef of rocks that extends nearly half a mile in a north / south direction and is about 400 metres wide. The northern portion of the reef is just awash at high water. The small spot to which the name of Burial Island applies is on the inner edge of the reef, near to its southern end. It has an elevation of 8 metres above high water springs when it appears very small. On its north and east sides the reef is steep-to, and clear from danger. A rocky shoal extends a mile to the southward of it, with patches of 2.7 and 3.4 metres of water on it.

A channel exists between Burial Island and Ballyhalbert Point, contracted by a spit of gravel extending from the latter to about 100 metres in width, and it carries a depth of 2 metres at low water. However, passing outside, keeping at least 600 metres east of the island, would be the preferred path to proceed north past Ballyhalbert Bay.

Three miles north by northwest of Burial Island and nearly a mile from the shore resides Skulmartin Rock. It is steep-to on its north and east sides, dries to 1.2 metres and is covered at half-tide. Between Skulmartin and the shore, on the southwest side, there is Little Skulmartin reef extending from the shore towards the rock, in an east northeast direction. A narrow inshore passage does reside between them with from 5 to 7 metres of water. However the passage inside it is very foul and only people well acquainted with the coast should venture inside Skulmartin Rock. Skulmartin is marked by a conspicuous red 11 metres high mast with cage and flag topmark.

Skulmartin Beacon – Unlit position: 54° 32.327’N, 005° 27.154’W

Plus a red and white Skulmartin Safe Water spherical buoy is moored 1.4 miles east by southeast.

Skulmartin Safe Water Buoy - LFl 10s buoy position: 54° 31.848’N, 005° 24.910’W

The Initial Fix will be found approximately half a mile northeast of Skulmartin Beacon.


FOR THE FINAL APPROACH

Ballywalter village stretches along the shore within the Skulmartin Rock. Near its south end is a pier, built on a ledge of rocks, sheltering a small sandy foreshore. From the initial fix the approach is made from east on the 272° alignment of Ballywalter Light and the spire of Ballywalter Church immediately behind in the centre of the village.

This passes to the north of the Skullmartin Rock beacon and then to the south of a shoal with 1.2 metres called Nelson Rock - this shoal extends 800 metres to the south of Long Rock. By night stay in the Ballywalter Light Fl WRG 1.5s 5m 9M, 267°-277° white sector that stands on the head of the quay. Anchor in sand, with depths from 4 to 5 metres, 300 metres east of the Ballywalter Light. Land at the pier or on the foreshore.

The harbour dries out entirely beyond the pier head but 2 to 3 metres can be found alongside the north side of the quay at high water. Boats that can take to the hard will find the harbour behind the pier small but well sheltered. However this berth is subject to a heavy ground swell in south-easterly gales.

What are the tides here?

Today's Dover tides — High waters: 00:05, 12:22, Low waters: 07:13, 19:27 (From Tide Times)
High Water: as Dover, Belfast +15 minutes Get Dover
MHWS 4.7m MHWN 0.6m MLWN 3.9m MLWS 1.4m

Tidal planning for vessels departing Belfast Lough is essential. Vessels approaching from the north will encounter tides that run hard through the sounds in and between the Copeland Island Group and the mainland. Those approaching close outside the Copelands Group will encounter races with overfalls as they close in upon the islands. At the eastern tip of Mew Island the ‘Ram Race’ initiates and extends 1.5 miles south-by-southeast on the flood and up to 1.75 miles north-by-northwest on the ebb.

From Dover HW +0455 to -0115 (Belfast HW +0510 to -0100) the tide floods southeast. Donaghadee Sound’s spring streams can, in places, reach up to 4.5 knots in both directions making a favourable tide transit a prerequisite for most leisure craft. Streams largely follow the direction of the channel but it should be noted heavy tide rips in a big seaway may cause overfalls to occur across the southeast end of Donaghadee Sound.

Copeland Sound tides are not as strong but still attain rates of up to 2.5 knots with Spring tides. This is not the preferred channel owing to the two challenging and unmarked rocky shoals called ‘Platters’ and ‘Ninaen Bushes’, the latter with less than a metre of cover situated out half a mile off from the north-east point of Copeland Island. Eddies are very strong elsewhere all around the islands group.

Outside the islands the tides turn about one hour later. On the south going flood a vast eddy forms to the south of Mew Island. This circles back upon itself in the five miles area between the entrance to Donaghadee Sound and Ballyferis Point. Hence the streams off Donaghadee Harbour are 1.5 kn rotary in a clockwise direction on the flood. However when this vast circular eddy of water courses around to collide with the flood tide, to the south-southeast of Mew, the ill-famed Ram Race shows its true colours. Thus the area is at its worst after the recirculation on the second half of the flood circa HW Dover -0230 to +0015 or about local HW (HW Belfast -0215 to +0030 or about local HW). Likewise the north-northwest race occurs on the latter half of the ebb from HW Dover +0330 to +0630 (HW Belfast +0345 to +0615 or about local LW).

Expect a spring rate of about 2.5 knots off Skullmartin Rock and 1.5 knots along the coast from Burr Point to Ballyquintin Point.

What facilities are available?

The remote anchorage area has reasonably good facilities. Water can be obtained on the pier plus coin operated power is also available here. The village, only 500 metres from the pier, has good shopping to services a domestic population of about 2,000 people. Fuel may be obtained quarter of a mile away.

By road from Belfast take the A20 to Newtownards and continue onto the Ards Peninsula. At Greyabbey take the B5 to Ballywalter. From Belfast use the Laganside Buscentre.

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:
Belfast Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 12 or 16 or +44 2890 553504
Portavogie Harbour Master
Radio Watch VHF Channel 14
Telephone: +44 28 4277 1470
Mobile: +44 77 1207 4609

Any security concerns?

Never an incident know to have happen to a vessel anchored in Ballywalter.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 2156 ‘Strangford Lough’, scale of 37,500:1 that includes ‘Portavogie’, at a scale of 5000:1 British Admiralty 1753 ‘Belfast Lough and Approaches’, scale of 37,500:1, including ‘Donaghadee Sound’ scale of 15,000:1 and ‘Bangor Bay’ scale of 17,500:1. Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’ plus Discovery Ordinance Survey map 15 (Belfast - scale of 1:50 000) and Map 21: Strangford Lough also cover this area.

With thanks to:

Michael Fitzsimons, Groomsport Harbour Master.

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