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Swell today

Direction N, height 0.0 metres, period 0.0 seconds, significant wave height of 0.3 metres.

Haven position?

54° 42.575' N, 005° 48.675' W

Where is that position?

This is position located at the entrance to the Marina on the outer end of the eastern breakwater. It is marked with a green beacon Q.G 8m 3M.

What is the initial fix?

The initial fix is one mile out from the marina entrance centred in middle of the leading-light, defining the centre approach line to the marina. The sectored light has a total beam width of 24° sectored as follows: 9.5° Red, 5° White, 9.5° Green. A course of 321°(T) from here will lead into the marina entrance via the white sector at night. Alternatively a course of 331°(T) will lead into the harbour entrance.

What is the story here?

Carrickfergus Harbour is located on the northeast coast of Ireland on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. It offers a large scale full-service marina plus a harbour located in the centre of a principal town.

The marina and harbour provide complete protection. With no off-lying dangers, safe access is available night or day, at any stage of the tide in all reasonable conditions.

Please note regular fast ferries travel in and out of Belfast Lough. If crossing the entrance to Belfast Lough a good watch must be maintained and a vessel should be prepared to be unexpectedly struck by the wash at all times.

Why visit here?

Carrickfergus derives its name from the Irish: Carraig Fhearghais or "rock of Fergus". Being named after ‘Fergus Mór mac Eirc’, the 6th century king of Dál Riata, it is the oldest town in County Antrim.

The town predates the capital, Belfast city, and remained both larger and more prominent for a lengthy period after northern Ireland’s premier city had been founded. Moreover, Carrickfergus and its surrounding area were treated as a separate county for a long time after. ‘Belfast Lough’ as we know it now was called 'Carrickfergus Bay' well into the 17th century. With such a historic legacy, Carrickfergus wears its past proudly as is well evident in the figure of Carrickfergus Castle to the east of the harbour. Set upon a rocky promontory overlooking the seafront the castle is a beacon for approaching boatman.

The castle was constructed soon after John de Courcy 1177 invasion of Ulster to guard the approach to Belfast Lough. It initially consisted of an inner ward and massive four-storey keep. Subsequently, after been taken by King John, the massive curtain wall was added. Later again, when the castle was returned to the Ulster Earls, Hugh de Lacy added further modifications such as the redoubts. Through almost 800 turbulent years of continuous military occupation the strategically sited castle has been attacked, sieged, captured and recaptured numerous times. Yet today it is one of the best-preserved Norman castles in Ireland. The castle’s vibrant past is illustrated today through life-size models of historic figures dotted through the interiors. In the keep a museum may be found with exhibitions that provide an insight into medieval life including a banqueting hall with medieval clothes on display.

The town has many other points of historic interest such as St Nicholas's Church. This building dates back to 1182 and a good part of the old towns 17th century walls can still be seen. Additionally attractive 18th century houses can be seen in the town along with Ireland's only surviving full restored coal gasworks. Most unusually a thatched cottage dedicated to the seventh president of the United States; Andrew Jackson may also be visited. Jackson’s parents left Carrickfergus for America two years before his birth in the second half of the 18th century. The original ancestral home was demolished in 1860 and the current thatched cottage is a replica complete with fireplace 18th Century furnishings. The adjoining small museum commemorates the US Rangers. Carrickfergus’ ‘Timeless Trail’ can be relied upon to guide walkers round the essential historic sights of the town.

Today Carrickfergus is a large town that is part of the Belfast Metropolitan Area. Along with its history there is great golfing and some lovely parks, gardens and scenic walks to explore. The yachting facilities bear testament to the town's importance as a sailing centre. Yet, for most people, the town will perhaps be most famous for being the subject of the classic Irish folk song "Carrickfergus". This 19th century translation of an Irish-language song (Do Bhí Bean Uasal) opens with the line "I wish I was, in Carrickfergus" and is perhaps one of Ireland’s finest ballads.

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

Those approaching from Larne Harbour and following the coastline should give Skernaghan Point, the northern most point of Islandmagee, a berth of 500 metres to avoid a rocky outcrop that stretches out northward from it. Upon rounding Skernaghan Point, continue southeast alongside Islandmagee’s 3 miles of precipitous cliffs that range from 15 to 31 metres high as the Isle of Muck and the little harbour of Portmuck will be seen on the starboard bow.

The Isle of Muck is 37 metres high and is a bare, green island presenting perpendicular sea facing cliffs to the east. The island is attached to the shore by a narrow neck of shingle beach. Round the eastern seaward side of the island and keep at least a hundred metres off the north-most point. Please note the island is attached to the shore by a narrow neck of shingle beach that exposes at low water. It is possible to achieve up to two metres at high water springs over the narrow connecting ridge and pass between the islet and Islandmagee shore. However one would need to be paying attention to tides and timing plus a vessels draft to be certain of the requisite depth. Hence we recommend that the island is rounded on the outside.

South of the Isle of Muck to Black Head the coast of Islandmagee presents a steep perpendicular cliff, composed of black basaltic rocks, that at ‘The Gobbins’ is 45 metres high, again with deep water close in to Black Head. There Blackhead lighthouse resides marking the northern extremity of Belfast Lough.

Blackhead Lighthouse - Fl 3s 45m 27M position: 54° 46.016’N, 005° 41.338’W

South of Black Head the entrance to the Lough opens 6.75 miles wide between the headland and Orlock Point on the south. Its navigable area is free of dangers with an average depth of 11 metres.

Between Black Head and Carrickfergus the shoreline presents itself as a vertical black basaltic rock cliff face with three lit jetties associated with Kilroot Power Station. The first is the Cloghan Jetty located to the south of the easily identifiable 90 metres high white limestone cliffs of White Head, a mile and a half inside Belfast Lough to the south-southwest. This jetty extend out from the shore for more than half a mile and is lit at the end Fl G 3s 2M. Beyond the pierhead a green buoy, QG. 0.5M, resides half a mile off the pier head.

Next is the 350 metres long Salt Jetty off Kilroot, with a light Oc G 10s on its outer end. 0.75M W of the jetty is a 198m high chimney marked by red vertical lights.

Finally there is the Kilroot Jetty unloading berth marked by 2 FG (vert) 6m 2M lights.

Don’t come inshore between Kilroot and Carrickfergus as a drying shoal extends up to 0.5 mile out from the shore. The area should be given a wide berth by making for the initial fix.

Carrickfergus Castle, sitting on a rocky promontory overlooking the seafront, immediately east of the harbour will be highly conspicuous on the final approach.


FOR A SOUTHERN COASTAL APPROACH

Vessels arriving from the south or east will find the Copeland Islands of moderate elevation and distinguished by a lighthouse on the westernmost Mew Island. The approach options are to either come up outside the Copelands group or through Donaghadee Sound that resides between the mainland and the Islands.

Those approaching outside Copeland Islands should leave Mew Island well to Port and the run into the initial fix is straightforward across Belfast Lough’s open navigable waters that are free of dangers.

Mew Island Lighthouse - Fl (4) 30s 37m 24M position: 54° 41.923’N, 005° 30.824’W

Please note the ‘Northern Race’ and ‘Ram Race’ that occur at various stages of the tide to the east of Mew and Copeland Islands may be highly uncomfortable in strong conditions and should be avoided.

Donaghadee Sound is the normal route for leisure craft making along this coast when tidal streams are favourable. Although 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. The key southern entry buoys as follows:

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

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

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

Donaghadee Sound streams achieve 4.5 knots in places so tidal planning is essential and great care should be taken during the approach. Pass between the Deputy and Governor buoys and from there to the Foreland Buoy. Once inside Belfast Lough pass the South Briggs Red Can Buoy to port as it marks a dangerous reef extending from the shore.

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

From South Briggs the run into the initial fix is straightforward across Belfast Lough’s open navigable waters that have ample depth and are free of dangers.

Approaching from the south Belfast Lough’s northern shoreline presents itself as a vertical black basaltic rock cliff face. This extends out to the 63 metre high rounded knuckle at Black Head where the white eight sided tower resides. The headland of Black Head however is not particularly noticeable from seaward owing to Muldersleigh Hill standing behind it rising to a height of 128 metres one kilometre inland. However White Head, residing a mile and a half inside Belfast Lough to the south-southwest, is more easily identified by the 90 metres high white limestone cliffs it presents seaward.

Whilst closing on the Carrickfergus Initial Fix southern approaching vessels will pass the Fairway Light buoy situated between Carrickfergus and Grey Point.

Fairway Light buoy - LFl.10s position: 54° 41.710’N, 005° 46.225’W

This safe water marker sets-up Victoria Channel a five mile southwest tending fairway that leads into Belfast Harbour.

From the vicinity of the Fairway Light buoy Carrickfergus Castle, sitting on a rocky promontory overlooking the seafront immediately east of the harbour, will be highly conspicuous.


FOR THE FINAL APPROACH

All approaching visitors to the harbour and marina should contact the Carrickfergus Marina Office on VHF channels 37; M1; or by land line on +4428 9336 6666 for berth allocation.

From the initial fix the marina entrance is one mile along a course of 321°(T) via the Marina Entrance Approach Light at night. The entrance to the Marina is situated at the eastern end of the basin and is open to the southwest. The ends of the two breakwaters are marked with red and green beacons showing Qk. Fl. R 7M 3m and G 8m 3M (red not showing from 245° to 305°).

The approach light is located approximately 30 metres to port of the red navigation beacon on the western breakwater. The light has a total beam width of 24° sectored, 9.5° Red, 5° White, 9.5° Green with the initial fix leading into the white sector centre approach line to the entrance.

When using the leading lights the entrance will not open up until the vessel is nearly opposite the east breakwater to starboard. Turn sharply to starboard to come into the entrance then to port to enter the basin. Vessels should keep mid channel on approach as drying rocks extend to the southwest from the west marina breakwater.

Within the rubble stone breakwaters the marina basin has 320 fully serviced berths to accommodating vessels from 6 – 12 metres. The basin is dredged to prove depths of up to 2.3 metres at L.W.S.

Those choosing to come into the main harbour should take a course of 331°(T) from the initial fix into the harbour entrance.

The harbour is overlooked by the conspicuous Carrickfergus Castle. The entrance is open to the south and is dredged to 2.3 metres at L.W.S. The ends of the east and west piers are marked with red and green beacons showing Fl. G 7.5s 5m 4M and R 7.5s 5m 4M.

Navigational marks are located within the Harbour defining the approach to the
harbour basin. Pass between two navigation perches marking the end of the internal breakwater and revetment. Turn to port to approach pontoons and marine services site leaving the second breakwater perch to port. Note presence of isolated tubular piles in central harbour area. Leave these piles to port on approach to inner harbour berths.

The harbour’s Marine Services facilities are located on the southern end of the west pier as is a purpose-built Marina basin accommodating 10 boats in pontoon berths behind rubble stone breakwaters. This basin is partly dredged to give depths of up to 2.9 metres at L.W.S.

Carrickfergus Harbour also has an inner harbour area accommodating up to 36 boats. The inner north-eastern harbour area dries as it does outside - to about halfway along the east pier.

Please note, depths provided are only indicative. The marina and harbour entrance is prone to silting making depths unreliable and especially so near low water or in swell conditions. Visitors should check in advance on the depths in the entrance when contacting Carrickfergus Marina Office.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast +0002
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 01:11, 13:24, Low waters: 07:09, 19:27
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 01:04, 13:22, Low waters: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
High Water Dover +0100, as Belfast get Dover tides
MHWS 3.2m MHWN 2.7m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.3m

Tidal planning for vessels approaching Belfast Lough is essential. Vessels approaching from the south will encounter tides that run hard in the sounds. Likewise vessels approaching from east, or outside the island group, will encounter races with overfalls as they close in upon the Copeland Island group. 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. From the entrance of Strangford lough however, through to the inner passage, the stream is comparatively weak, not averaging more than 1.5 knots on springs.

Copeland Sound tides are not as strong but still attain rates of up to 2.5 knots with Spring tides. This is however 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 and 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).

Northern approaches are less complicated however tidal stream remain very strong running up to 5 or 6 kn off salient points to the north of Belfast Lough.

Between Black Head and White Head tidal streams are negligible with light current, the flood running in and the ebb out of the lough off Carrickfergus. In the middle to outer half of the lough tidal streams rotate and are always less than 1 knot.

What facilities are available?

Drinking water and electricity – a daily charge for visitors - is provided to all berths, 24hrs daily. Toilets & showers full services are available in the exclusive berth holders’ area. Separate disabled shower/toilet facilities are also available. A laundry service is available at Marina reception during the hours of 8am-4pm. There is a fuel berth pump-out station and chemical toilet disposal unit on the visitors- pontoon within the Marina basin. Two public payphones are situated at the marina building along with restaurants and a bar in the Waterfront complex or in the town. Carrickfergus Sailing Club has its club house on the east side of the Marina and it welcomes visiting yachtsmen. It offers showers and a bar that are open evening plus at weekends when meals are available.

A comprehensive range of marine services are available in Carrickfergus, including a 45 tonne Travel Hoist, hard standing, chandlery, boat and engine and electric repairs plus cabin soft furnishings made to order. A slipway that can take boats up to 1.5 metres of draught is available within the Harbour area and can be used by arrangement through the Marina Office. The slipway may be access 2hrs +- HW (dependent on draft) - please note the presence of isolated tubular piles in central harbour area and leave these piles to port on approach to harbour slipway from the lough.

With a population of over 27,000 people the town has excellent shopping and there are several hotels and restaurants in the immediate area of the Waterfront Complex. Good road and rail communications with Belfast is 18 km (11 miles) away with its Airports and Taxis are freely available.

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. HM Coastguard's Marine Rescue Sub Centre and a RNLI Atlantic 85 Lifeboat are both based at the Marina.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Carrickfergus Marina listens on channels 37 or M1 (24hrs daily).
Phone + 44 28 9336 6666
Carrickfergus Sailing Club. Telephone +4428 93 351402/359302.
VHF Ch. 37; email: info@carrickfergusse.org

Any security concerns?

The marina is a secured complex with security and reception 24 hours a day. Pontoon access is via personalised swipe cards that are provided to visitors at the time of registering their visit. CCTV is in operation throughout the marina complex and security officers patrol during the night.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

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) also cover this area.

With thanks to:

Terence Stitt, Portmuck Harbour Master and Julie Ferguson Customer Services Officer (Carrickfergus Marina)

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