Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

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Swell today

Direction N, height 0.0 metres, period 0.0 seconds, significant wave height of 0.4 metres.

Haven position?

54° 22.497' N, 005° 39.245' W

Where is that position?

Between Rat & Salt Island – to the west of Salt Island.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Killyleagh Initial Fix
54° 23.573' N, 005° 37.537' W
Between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are marked by perches. It is set upon the useful transit marked on the Admiralty chart keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island.

(ii) Quoile River Initial Fix
54° 23.614' N, 005° 38.195' W
300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a distinctive red cylindrical brick pillar marker lit QW. From here a bearing of 210°, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the Quoile River.

Please note: Initial fixes only set up their listed targets. Do not plan to sail directly between initial fixes as a routing sequence.

What is the story here?

This anchorage is to the west of Salt Island that resides in the Quoile River estuary located on the northeast coast of Ireland within Strangford Lough’s south-western corner. It offers a very good river anchorage with excellent holding.

Inside the Quoile River, akin to many of the islands and snug creeks upon the western shore, a vessel will find a host of totally secure anchorages. This anchorage offers complete protection and is a particularly good anchorage when seeking protection from strong easterly conditions.

Normal navigation is required when traversing any of Lough’s eighty square nautical miles of shallow basin. The Lough is a completely enclosed waterway but there are a number of drying patches and shoals known as pladdies, some of which uncover whilst others never appear, throughout the Lough. When these are near a principal boating channel or route they are typically marked by poles or beacons. Currents are another complicating factor of the inner Lough. Although not as strong as in the ‘Narrows’ they do not run true in the Lough and tend to take a vessel off course. All of which necessitate some attention to navigation and detailed chart work in daylight.

However this is more than manageable as once a boat is out of the fast-running tidal channel to the south, the more gentle waters around the islands that gave this Lough its old Irish name Lough Cuan, meaning sheltered haven, is a pleasure to sail.

Why visit here?

This Salt Island anchorage is an ideal location to find protection from most all quarters, specifically very strong easterlies.

Salt Island is one of the many picturesque islands in Strangford Lough owned and preserved for future generations by the National Trust. It is a wonderful place to go for a walk or even stay over camping.

It was however occupied and farmed in the past as there is evidence of mid to late Victorian paddocks, ‘lazy beds’, stone banks and remnants of hedges. The island is now home to Northern Ireland’s first ever ‘bothy’ or bunkhouse on the south side of the island that is also owned by The National Trust. The original ‘bothy’, which had been pointlessly vandalised in the 90s and reduced to function as sheep house, was restored in 2008. It offers basic shelter for up to 12 people with running water, wood burning stove, and toilets. The ‘bothy’ is locked when not in use and advance booking is essential to gain access. For bookings and further information contact The National Trust on +44 28 4488 1204.

There are also two official camping areas on the island where it is more than pleasant to spend a night. One within the ‘bothy’ grounds and one on the Brandy Bay side of the island. A small dilapidated stone jetty, that in the past was used to land farm animals, can be called upon for landing on the island.

The area to the southwest of Salt Island, where the Slaney River exits into the Lough, is of historical interest. It was here that St. Patrick landed in 432 A.D and went to Saul to be confronted by the local Chieftain. He became Patrick's first Irish convert to Christianity.

How to get in?

Use the entries for Strangford Harbour, Audley’s Roads or Portaferry for guidance on how to approach from the Irish Sea and pass through the five nautical mile long fast-running tidal ‘Narrows’. Any of these lists of directions will guide a boat up through the ‘Narrows’ to the inner Lough.

Having entered Strangford Lough make for the Quoile River Initial Fix between Barrel and Skate Rocks that are both marked by perches. Barrel Rock, uncovers at low water plus normally has racing Mark 4 close by, lies to the north and Skate Rock, uncovers at four hours of ebb plus normally has a racing mark K close by, lies to the south. A useful transit to pass between the Barrel and Skate rocks is available by looking astern upon approach and keeping Portaferry pier open upon Chapel Island. The Killyleagh Initial Fix is on this transit indicated on the Admiralty chart between the rocks.

Once between Barrel and Skate rocks do not be tempted to cut directly to the river as the normally unmarked Riggs shoal resides in this area. Continue on to the Quoile River Initial Fix or the area immediately before it if obstructed by moored yachts.
The Quoile River Initial Fix is 300 metres east of ‘Town Rock’ off Killyleagh. This is a highly distinctive red brick pillar marker, that looks not unlike a ‘Rook’ chess piece, and is lit QW. This waypoint places the vessel outside the mouth of the River Quoile. It takes a west-southwest direction from off Killyleagh to Quoile for a distance of approximately 2.5 miles. A bearing of 210° from the waypoint, passing Green Island to port, takes a vessel down the middle of the river.
From there you will see Salt Island opposite from Moore’s Point. Follow the river down and then turn into the channel between the islands slightly favouring the Rat Island side where you will find plenty of water. Anchor in a depth to your preference where excellent holding is to be found.
Land on the beach. Be aware of substantial mud flats during low tide.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast +0202
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 00:39, 12:55, Low waters: 06:35, 18:52
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 00:36, 12:54, Low waters: 07:44, 19:59 (From Tide Times)
High Water Strangford Quay Dover +0147 springs, 0157 neaps
MHWS 3.6m MHWN 3.1m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.4m
Local high water Dover +0145 or 2 hours 15 minutes after high water at Belfast

Inside the Lough tides decrease significantly
6 Kn between Strangford & Portaferry
4 Kn at Ballyhenry Island
1.5 Kn at Don O’Neill Island

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?

There are no facilities in this river anchorage.

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. An inshore lifeboat is maintained at Portaferry.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Quoile Yacht Club Tel: +44 28 44 612266
Killyleagh Yacht Club Tel:+44 28 44 828250
The National Trust Tel: +44 28 4488 1204
Police: +44 4461 5011, Medical Clinic +44 4461 3016

Any security concerns?

Never a problem known to have occurred off Salt Island.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

The key detail charts are British Admiralty 2156 ‘Strangford Lough’, scale of 37,500:1. and for the ‘Narrows’ 2159 ‘Strangford Narrows’, scale of 12,500:1, including ‘Strangford’, scale of 5,000:1. Imray chart C62 – ‘Irish Sea’. ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - East & North Coasts of Ireland’ provides an excellent pilot for this area. Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 21 at a scale of 1:50,000.

With thanks to:

Brian Crawford, local Strangford Lough boatman of many decades.

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