Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

8°C

Swell today

Direction S, height 0.0 metres, period 7.3 seconds, significant wave height of 0.2 metres.

Haven position?

51° 48.321' N, 008° 17.988' W

Where is that position?

The northeastern most berth of Royal Cork Yacht Club marina.

What is the initial fix?

This waypoint is in the middle of the entrance, half a nautical mile from each side. As you approach this waypoint you can decide to take the east or west channel, or, if there is no merchant ships to impede, take mid channel approach.

What is the story here?

Cork harbour resides on the south cost of county Cork and it is one of the finest, easiest approached, well marked and safest natural harbours in the world. Complete protection can be found from all conditions in one of several marinas or on anchor.

The entrance is deep and three quarters of a nautical mile wide and highly visible on approach. On the eastern side lies Roche’s Point, with the distinctive white Roche’s Point Lighthouse and sectored light, and the western shore Weaver’s Point, with 50 metres high ground standing behind it. All combine to provide safe access in any weather, on any tide, night or day and there are no particular dangers for yachts.

Please note a single point of caution that should be noted if entering Cork harbour in a hard southerly blow over an ebb tide. Between Fort Meagher (Camden Fort) and Fort Davis (Carlisle Fort), approximately one mile in from the harbour entrance, the channel narrows to half a nautical mile concentrating the run and it can get very rough with wind on tide.

Why visit here?

Not alone is Cork a great sailing location to visit, it offers two absolute unique experiences to the visiting yachtsman; both past and present.

First and foremost The Royal Cork Yacht Club, founded in 1720, is the world's oldest yacht club. The club is a piece of sailing history making Crosshaven a must visit for all sailors. It should also be noted that there is a good restaurant at the Royal Cork Yacht Club itself.

The latter is the prestigious Cork Week, widely regarded as Europe's most competitor friendly regatta. The event attracts contestants from all over the world. It is held every two years and is run from Crosshaven. Royal Cork Y.C. Tel: (021) 4831179 for information available www.corkweek.com

Crosshaven itself is a picturesque village nestled on the hillside at the mouth of the river overlooking the wooded headland of Currabinny. It offers beautiful walks with sea, river and land views and nearby is scenic Church bay, Myrtleville and Weaver's Point which are popular bathing places. There are four colour coded routes in the locality. In most of these you are never very far from the village itself. These walks incorporate beautiful views and historical landmarks. Amongst these are Camden Fort or Fort Meagher that you pass entering the harbour. These are recognised internationally to be one of the world's finest examples of a classical coast artillery fort and the site dates from about 1550.

For those visiting the East Ferry marina the town of Cobh is a walk away. The charming town clings along the water's edge of Great Island bordered by steep hillsides. It has an attractive combination of history and architecture that provides the ambiance of the Victorian by-gone era that can be seen in colourful buildings and displayed in the promenade park. Cobh’s rich maritime heritage of trans-Atlantic liners such as the Titanic (when the town was formerly known as Queenstown), the nearby sinking of the Lusitania - off the Old Head of Kinsale - and the mass emigration during the Irish famine, are all dramatically displayed in the town's heritage centre. St. Colman's Cathedral is a dominant landmark towering above the town with views from the ramparts of Cork Harbour.

In addition, Ireland's second largest city of Cork is easily accessed from either Cobh or Crosshaven. This ‘city of culture’ offers many attractions and amenities. Key attractions include: the tower of St Ann's church at Shandon for views across the city. The Old Butter Exchange, active for over 150 years with buyers worldwide. The Cork Public Museum. Cork City Gaol with waxwork figures depicting the warders and prisoners from the 19th century. The Crawford Art Gallery in Emmet's Place is housed in the original Cork Custom House building. The 3 elegant spires of St Fin Barre's make the cathedral the most photographed building in Cork.

How to get in?

Cork Harbour is clear of obstructions for small craft entry. The only marginal exceptions are a pair of distant rocks that need to be factored into the harbour approach.

For the western approach, note should be made of Daunt Rock, with 3.5m of water cover it frequently breaks in bad weather. It is marked by Red buoy Fl (2) R.6s, and resides 0.7 of a nautical mile south east of Roberts Head. For the eastern approach there is Pollack Rock positioned 52°08’.9N, 7°06’.8W, approximately 1.7 nautical miles southeast of Power Head. It has 7.2 metres of cover and is marked by a red hand marker. Both of these rocks are covered by the red sector on Roche’s Point Lighthouse - Fl WR 3s with a range of 20 nautical miles for the white light and 16 nautical miles for the red light. If you are experiencing offshore winds or are awaiting a tide an anchorage can be found at the entrance in Ringabella Bay.

Entry to Cork Harbour is straightforward as described. Pass between Roche's Point and Weaver Point and then between the two forts taking a mid channel route. If you are approaching from the east do not cut the shoreline beneath Roche’s Point as there are two rocks extending 200 metres south of it. The Cow always showing and the outer rock the Calf dries to 1.4 metres. Likewise Weaver’s Point has some offlying rocks just inside the entrance.

Upon entry you will find the main channels are all very well marked up to Cork. The entrance is divided into two channels, eastern and western approaches, on either side of ‘Harbour Rock’ that lies in the middle of ‘The Sound’. In addition to this two sets of Leading Lights and channel markers that lead through the sound, either side of Harbour Rock. But this is aimed at assisting commercial shipping for harbour rock (5•2m with a north cardinal buoy, Q and is not a hazard for yachts), like most dangers in a central channel approach, they have more than five metres in depth covering them.

There are three marina located just inside the entrance to Cork Harbour and these are situated on the Owenboy River. The Owenboy River opens up to port just beyond Fort Meagher and you should round Ram Head with a distance of 400 metres. Follow the channel markers that are additionally supported by leading lights on ‘Curraghbinny Hill’ (F W15m 10 and 3M in line, bearing 252°). The deepest water is to be found by following the markers and where they are not evident track by the moorings. The Owenboy River provides good shelter in all conditions, particularly so berthed in one of the three marinas.

Anchoring is sometimes possible for small vessels upriver from the yacht club but the area is highly congested. 'Drake's Pool' 1.5 miles upriver towards Carrigaline however offers a very good anchorage.

Drake's Pool – position: 51° 48.300’N 008° 19.970’W

It acquired its name after an incident with Sir Francis Drake who eluded the Spanish Armada by sailing upriver here. The river has steep wooded banks on both shores with a road running along the southern edge. The channel is not marked but you can find two metres all the way up to the anchorage and the holding is in mud. Follow the line of moorings and the outer run of the for the better depth, tending towards the north Bank near the first northern bend then to the south bank near the next southern bend.

If you are heading towards the East Ferry Marina continue up into the estuary beyond the Corkbeg refinery jetty - please note it is prohibited to pass within 100 metres of the refinery pier. Beyond the jetty the eastern channel bears east somewhat towards the Red/White power station chimney North East of Corkbeg and is marked by port and starboard marker buoys. Follow the channel until it turns north into the River Balinacurra, and you will find the marina lies on the east side of Great Island, the largest and most central of three islands in Cork harbour. The marina is somewhat remote; however it is in a most tranquil setting with pleasant wooded shorelines.

East Ferry Marina – position: 51° 52.000’N 008° 12.750’W

Cork city itself has berths if you would like to proceed up the River Lee on the west side of Great Island. However you need to consult the Port Operations Office for berthing arrangements.

What are the tides here?

High Water Dover +0001
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 09:09, 21:36, Low waters: 03:55, 16:22 ^{From Tide Times}

Cobh HW, Dover -0523
MHWS 4.1m MHWN 3.2m MLWN 1.3m MLWS 0.4m
In the entrance:
Dover +0055 the ingoing stream or flood makes (Cobh -0540)
Dover -0540 the outgoing stream or ebb (Cobh +0010)
Spring rate is about 1 to 1.5kn in ‘The Sound’ at the entrance. This can increase to 2kn between the forts where the channel narrows to .5nm.

Outside - from the Old Head of Kinsale to Cork Harbour
Dover +0045 the east going stream (NE) begins (-0550 Cobh)
Dover -0500 the west going stream (SW) begins (+0050 Cobh)
Rate circa 1.2 kn springs and at Daunt Rock 0.7 kn, springs, 0.4 kn neaps.

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’.

What facilities are available?

This is a major yachting centre for Ireland and as such you can get everything you need in this area. Water and electric are available on all pontoons – alternatively water can be found at the town quay – plus other facilities & services such as showers toilets etc. Diesel & petrol- on the fuel berths. All yacht repairs can be catered for, boat lift, capacity (40 tons), laying up and mooring hire. You can find chandlers, marine engineers, sail repairs facilities etc immediately to hand.

There are a number of shops in Crosshaven and Cobh, including Butcher, launderette, post office, Kosangas, Camping Gaz and chemists. There is a supermarket at Carrigaline six km distance, or less from Drake’s Pool, on the frequent bus route to Cork city that resides approximately 15 kilometres away. Cork city is Ireland's second largest city and you can find most anything not available locally there.

In terms of transport Crosshaven is 12km from Ringaskiddy ferry port (UK / France) and 14km from Cork Airport, making Crosshaven highly accessible. East Ferry Marina although in a remote location has access to Cobh’s transport and amenities - less than 30 minutes away from Cork City by an hourly train service. Likewise it has easy access to Cork airport and the Ringaskiddy Ferry port.

Customs clearance for non European Union vessels is also available through Crosshaven Garda Station (telephone 0214-831222).

What emergency contacts are there?

Valentia Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre (MRSC) VHF Ch 24 & MF 1752 kHz covers this costal area. Cork (26), Mizen (04), Bantry Bay (23), Shannon (28) and Galway (04) 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. Valentia (MRSC) may be called on +353 669 476 109

Other useful contacts in this area:
Cork Harbour Radio (port operations) VHF Channel 12, 14, 16, (H24)
Port operations telephone: 021-4811380
Harbour Master: 021 4273125 e-Mail: info@portofcork.ie;
Gardai (Irish Police) at Crosshaven 0214-831222 at Cobh 021-4908530
Gardai (Irish Police) Cork 021 4831222
Doctor: 021 4831716
Hospital: 021 4546400.

Marinas VHF Channel M (37) during working hours.
Crosshaven Boatyard Marina Phone: 021 4831161 e-Mail: cby@eircom.net,

Salve Marine Phone: 021 4831145,

Royal Cork YC Marina Phone: 021 4831023 e-Mail: www.royalcork.com

East Ferry Marina Phone: 021 4813390

Any security concerns?

All marinas have excellent security and boats on anchor or moored are not interfered with.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

2424 ‘Kenmare River to Cork Harbour’ Scale of 1:150,000 covers this area. 1777 ‘Port of Cork Lower Harbour and Approaches’ and 1773 ‘Port of Cork Upper Harbour - East & West’ scale of 1:12,500 are also available. Imray C57 ‘Tuskar Rock to Old Head of Kinsale’ and C56 ‘’Cork Harbour to Dingle Bay’’ scale of 1:170,000. Irish OS 81, 87.

The Pilot ’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ covers this in great detail.

With thanks to:

Anthony McCarthy, local yachtsman.

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