Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

7°C

Swell today

Direction SE, height 0.7 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.9 metres.

Haven position?

52° 15.790' N, 007° 6.600' W

Where is that position?

Below the bridge, middle-to-port side of the channel, at the north western end of the marina pontoons where you are more likely to find visitor berths.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is 600 metres south by southwest of the Waterford Channel Number 1. starboard-hand marker (Fl.G.2s on a bearing of 009°T). It is directly east of Creadan Head, upon the eastern side of the Waterford Channel where at night you will see the Dunmore East leading lights alternate white/green.

What is the story here?

Once alongside a vessel is protected from all conditions. Also being a busy commercial port, with a deep and well marked commercial channel, Port of Waterford provides safe access in all conditions on any tide, day or night.

Please note with such an upriver trek to Port of Waterford the very strong harbour currents need to be factor into your visit - conversely with a favourable passage current can make the journey very quick. A potential race can develop at the harbour entrance where the estuary tide meets the sea in rough conditions. Prepare for a turbulent time on the entry if there is a strong south easterly blowing into an ebb tide. In extreme conditions, such as a south easterly force eight on an ebb tide, it can be particularly bad and it would be best avoided until the tide turns.

Why visit here?

The ancient city of Waterford derived its name from Vadrefjord (Windy fjord) that the Danes called it when they found it in the ninth century. It is the oldest city in Ireland and retains much of its medieval character together with the graceful buildings from its 18th century expansion.

Today Waterford is synonymous world over with Waterford Crystal, the world-famous hand-crafted cut-glass product. The manufacture of the famous Waterford hand cut glass begun in the eighteenth century, which died out in the nineteenth, was revived after World War II (1939-45) and the glass is now in great demand around the world. The factory welcomes visitors and it is approximately thirty minutes walk from the quays.

The parameters of the 10th century settlement can be clearly identified in The Viking Triangle. Reginald's Tower is the most historic urban medieval monument in Ireland. The elegant Chamber of Commerce building, the City Hall and the Bishop's Palace are prime examples of beautiful 18th century architecture. Ecclesiastical landmarks include St. Patrick's Churches, Christ Church Cathedral, Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Black Friars, St. Olave's Church and Greyfriars.

Waterford has a long theatrical and musical tradition and is the birthplace in 1812 of Irelands foremost composer William Vincent Wallace. The tradition lives on in a wide variety of music and dramatic societies, which contribute year long activities for the city's many venues. The principal of these centres on the historic Theatre Royal, which hosts the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera each year and in the Garter Lane Arts Centre, which is home to the local Red Kettle Theatre Company, other visiting groups and arts exhibitions. The "Large Room" in City Hall is the venue for the popular Waterford Show. The Forum Theatre is another theatrical venue in the city. Waterford Tourist Services conduct guided walking tours of the city. A novel Galley Cruising Restaurant operates from The Quay.

Finally from a boating perspective and depending on your vessels air draft, the River Suir’s upper reaches are navigable for a further nine miles making Carrick-on-Suir accessible from Waterford. Local advice should be sought if considering this as there are two bridges to be passed.

More information is available on Waterford Harbours’ three sisters upper reaches the Barrow, Suir and Nore .

How to get in?

Once Hook Head Light House has been identified check the chart for the location of the race.

Hook Head Lighthouse - Fl 3s 46m 24M position: 52° 07.300’N 006° 55.700’W

The race is at the harbour entrance where the estuary tide meets the sea in rough conditions. At deck level the strong race will be clearly visible, a very short chop with the water dark green to seaward and light green / pale blue inside and this colouration is particularly visible in sheltered waters. When the tide is on the ebb the chop is much shorter, in the flood the wave length is longer and much easier. In extreme conditions, such as a south easterly force eight on an ebb tide, it can be particularly bad and it would be best avoided. Once past the race, and inside the harbour, the seaway quickly calms and Waterford Harbour offers good depths for the pleasure sailor. From there you follow the marked channel up to the anchorage.

Be careful not to cut the octahedral lighthouse, locally know as the spider – see picture - across from Arthurstown pier. As can be seen this area is shallow and dries out so it is important that you keep to the east of this marker. Apart from that, it is simply a matter of following the Waterford channel markers up to the Port Of Waterford. There is a sectored light on Duncannon Fort and ample channel markers making the estuary navigation straightforward.

At the top of the Estuary round Cheek Point at the confluence of the rivers Suir and Barrow follow the Suir deepwater fairway up to Little Island. Pass the island on the north side in the Queens Channel. There are no dangers in this section of the river and plenty of water for a yacht except close to the banks. Many vessels have issues when they try rounding the Island on its southern side - the King’s Channel. This is the old natural bed of the river South of little Island and it is badly silted up on the island’s eastern side. This area is only used by small vessels that have moorings there and requires very good local knowledge. If you are unfamiliar with the area stick to the Queens Channel to the north of the island.

As you approach the city you will come across a series of pontoons. The first is the Granagh pontoon that is privately owned – named after nearby Granagh Castle a large, square, walled enclosure with cylindrical corner towers that stands dramatically on the north bank of the Suir, about 5 kilometres from Waterford. The next is the Waterford Boat Club pontoon at the head of the estuary of the St Johns river appearing on the port side. After this you start to approach the first marina pontoons on the Adelphi Quay & Reginald's Tower Hotel on the south side of the river. From here the pontoons stretch for 360 metres and visitors must use these - please note yachts must not attempt to anchor and must come alongside.

All of the berths on the Reginald's Tower or Adelphi Quay pontoon are fully occupied with designated berths as is the first half of the plaza pontoon. The unassigned pontoons that visitors may take are further above - the latter half of the plaza and the clock tower section of the marina. Beware of the strong tidal stream past the city when coming alongside and moor securely. When casting off do not untie from the marina until you have checked the flow in the river as you may be very quickly pushed down onto other boats.

An access fob card is available from City Hall or from reception desk of ‘Tower Hotel’ for return through the gate. For more berthing information contact Dick Fanning.

Please note the tide runs strong in this area and it needs to be factored into your transit. On springs it can reach up to 3 knots off Creadan Head but this decreases out to midchannel.

What are the tides here?

High Water Cobh +0057
Today's Cobh tides — High waters: 05:02, 17:21, Low waters: 11:29, 23:40
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 10:33, 22:54, Low waters: 05:34, 17:58 ^{From Tide Times}

Dover -0520, mean level 2.4 metres.
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.3m MLWS 0.4m

Outside the entrance of Waterford Harbour
West going stream begins -0100 Dover or (+0450 Cobh)
East going stream begins at +0515 Dover (-0120 Cobh).
The external spring rate not exceeding 1 kn

Inside the Waterford Harbour estuary:
The flood begins at +0210 Dover (-0425 Cobh).
The ebb tide at -0505 Dover (+0045 Cobh).
Strong tides of up to 3 knots inside the estuary following the channels.

What facilities are available?

Waterford is the primary city of the South East region, and the fifth largest in the country. The marina has water and electricity is central to all amenities in the city and the location offers the cruising vessel an excellent opportunity to stock up on supplies of food or other requirements. All boat services and equipment are available except for a sailmaker and boat repairs

Waterford is connected to other major centres via the N9 to Dublin, the N25 to Cork (west) and Rosslare (east) and the N24 to Limerick.

Waterford City rail station, Plunkett station, is located across Edmund Rice bridge on the north side of the Suir a short walk from the pontoons. There are seven daily connections to Dublin; 4 daily connections to Limerick Junction; and 1 direct daily connection each way to Rosslare Europort and onwards to Wexford & Enniscorthy.

Bus services are provided by Bus Éireann to all major Irish centres and the station is located on the quays opposite Dooleys Hotel.

Waterford Airport, or South East Regional Airport, serves Waterford and the south east region. It is currently possible to fly between Waterford and Birmingham, London Luton and Manchester in the UK.

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:
Marina - Dick Fanning:
Phone +353 51 873501, mobile +353 87 2384944, e-mail dfanning@waterfordcity.ie
Waterford Harbour Master: +353 51 301400,
New Ross Harbour Master: +353 51 421303;
Waterford Sailing Club: +353 51 383389
Police +353 51 305300;
Doctor: +353 51 883194;
Hospital: +353 51 848000.
Waterford Customs: (051) 877011
City Hall +353 51 873501

Any security concerns?

Pontoons have secure fob access.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Admiralty Chart 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ scale of 1:150,000 covers this sailing area. The key chart for Waterford Harbour area is Admiralty Charts 2046. This covers Waterford Harbour at a scale of 1:25,000, with details of Waterford Port - scale of 1:7,500, continuation of the River Barrow to New Ross - scale of 1:25,000, New Ross - scale of 1:10,000 and Dunmore East Harbour - scale of 1:5,000.

Imray chart C57 and Discovery Ordinance Survey map 76 also cover this area. The Pilot ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ describes sailing this area in great detail.

With thanks to:

John Diamond the Three Sisters Marina manager.

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How can I get this offshore?

If a mobile signal is available you can access all of our information via a mobile phone's internet browser. We provide a 'Lite' site, Lite In Your Foot Steps using the shorter initials www.liyfs.com, that presents our data in a simplified, speed optimised format. Similarly, if an internet connection is limited or expensive, switching to the 'Lite' site enables faster and more efficient access.

Alternatively print this page's text, illustrations and photos, but without the internet menu, layout, backdrops and Google maps, or economise upon printer consumables and print this page with text only, to get a hardcopy of this location.

What other useful information is available?

The latest monthly Dover Tides and Cobh 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 Munster 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. Cork 26, Bantry 23, Valentia 24. 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’.



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