Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

11°C

Swell today

Direction WSW, height 0.1 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.2 metres.

Haven position?

52° 36.880' N, 009° 6.790' W

Where is that position?

Foynes yacht club pontoon.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Shannon Entrance initial fix
52° 32.528' N, 009° 46.944' W
Shannon Entrance - Ballybunnion North Cardinal Marker Lt Buoy, VQ Fl. Racon 6m

(ii) Foynes Harbour initial fix
52° 37.120' N, 009° 7.850' W
The sets up and approach to the harbour’s preferred western entrance. The initial fix is set on the East Jetty’s leading lights and the 15 metre contour. It is on the in-line alignment of 107.9° that leads through the centre of the channel.

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?

Foynes Harbour is located twenty two miles from the mouth of the River Shannon that is entered from Ireland’s west coast. It lies in a channel between Foynes Island and the southern bank of the river. The very busy commercial shipping town provides an excellent anchorage plus moorings and a club pontoon that accommodate visitors.

Foynes provides complete protection from all winds and may easily be described as the most sheltered location upon the Shannon Estuary. It offers safe access as it is well lit and all dangers are well marked. Although subject to the challenges of the Shannon currents, it can be approached at all points of the tide, night or day. The harbour may be entered either from west through the preferred main deep water channel or from northeast by a buoyed channel.

Please note there is a 3kn ebb stream through the Foynes anchorage. Due to the greatly increased commercial shipping the anchorage for visiting yachts is limited.

Why visit here?

Foynes, or Faing in Irish, is a small town and very busy commercial port. The harbour’s history dates back to 1837 when it was first surveyed as a potential development location for a sea port. The West Quay wall, that is berth No. 1 today, was the original berth that was constructed nearly a decade after that original survey in 1846. From this beginning the harbour went on to be continuously developed and thrived as a major deep water seaport. Today it functions as a base for the servicing of offshore oil exploration as well as a commercial harbour for the import and export of bulk and general cargo. It is operated by the Shannon Foynes Port Company (SFPC) that operates all the Shannon Estuary ports.

Despite this maritime mainstay Foynes briefly achieved its moment of international fame in aviation. For unlikely though it may seem, in the years between 1939 and 1945, this was the key location in the advance of worldwide capability of aviation. During this period land-based aircraft lacked sufficient range for Atlantic crossings and seaplanes were the first viable craft. As such Foynes was the last safe all weather location on Europe’s eastern shore for seaplanes.

Surveying flights for operations were made by Charles Lindbergh in 1933 and a terminal was begun in 1935. The first transatlantic proving flights were operated on July 5, 1937 from Botwood, Newfoundland and Labrador on the Bay of Exploits. The first commercial passenger flight, on a direct route from the United States to Europe, landed on the 9th of July 1939. Following this event, services to New York, Southampton, Montreal, Poole and Lisbon followed. The first non-stop New York service operating on June 22, 1942 took 25 hours 40 minutes. Foynes quickly became one of the biggest civilian airports in Europe during World War II. Yet all of this growth was dramatically halted in 1942.

By then the range of land based craft extended and with it came the construction and opening of Shannon Airport in 1942. Traffic to Foynes collapsed and the flying-boat station was closed in 1946. The former terminal was turned into a college for the learning of the Irish language in 1954. However in 1980 the Port Trustees purchased the building and in 1988 leased a portion to a Flying Boat Museum that exists today. The lasting legacy to the world of Foynes bright moment of global aviation fame is ‘Irish Coffee’. The invention came about here, it is said, in order to alleviate the suffering of cold wet weather passengers had to endure during its aviation days in the 1930s and early 40s.

This museum is a must visit today for all visiting boatmen. It has as a central feature a full replica, as no original remains intact today, of a Boeing 314 flying boat. Visitors may step aboard the replica and see what it was like to fly during the 1940s. It is a special experience to place ones hands on the big boat’s wheel and see the passenger cabins that were not dissimilar to that of a train of the time, than a plane of today. The Foynes Flying Boat Museum contains much other memorabilia from that era, including the original radio and weather room along with its equipment.

Those who would like to stride out into some beautiful flora backstopped by spectacular views should also consider Knockpatrick Gardens whilst passing Foynes. Located 2 km (1 mi) from Foynes towards Limerick it is an award winning 3-acre (12,000 m2) garden that enjoys an ideal location overlooking the estuary. The dwelling house stands over 200 metres above road level, with the surrounding garden descending from this high point. It is divided into levels with pools and water features surrounded by the vibrant colour of a profusion of plants embraced by many surrounding large mature trees.

From a sailing perspective Foynes is the best anchorage in the Shannon Estuary making it an ideal safe haven for yachtsman. Furthermore, as the Shannon Estuary is approximately 50 miles long it is not possible for leisure craft to traverse it on one tide. Hence the broadly midway positioned Foynes is an ideal stop-off point; it is not far off the beaten track, and a good night’s sleep with a very good bite to eat may be totally assured.

How to get in?

The ‘Route: Sybil Point to Loop Head coastal description’ provides approach information to the suggested initial fix. Vessels approaching from the south should select the northbound sequenced description; vessels approaching from the north should select the southbound sequence; either description may be availed of for the River Shannon description as far as Limerick.

From the Shannon Entrance initial fix it is simply a matter of following the river’s extensive array of navigational aids upriver that include lighthouses, light beacons, leading lights and light buoys. Owing to tidal races and the nature of the channel, especially in the upper reaches beyond the River Fergus, the run may not necessarily proceed from buoy to buoy. As such it is highly advised that a stranger should gain an understanding of the rivers’ characteristics by using a good set of charts in conjunction with our coastal description.

Leisure craft are obliged to give way to commercial shipping when operating within the river and estuary. All commercial vessels transiting the Shannon Estuary operate a listening watch on VHF Channel 11 and it is strongly recommended that leisure craft do so. If when encountering commercial traffic any uncertainty should arise; the key to safety is good communications by using Channel 11 to clearly indicate respective intentions.

There are two entrances to Foynes’ inner harbour; from west, having a least depth over the bar of 8.1 metres, and from east having a least depth of 2.1 metres. The western entrance is the primary commercial channel and is very well marked with buoys, perches and leading lights. Being the preferred channel the Foynes initial fix supports this approach.

FOYNES - WESTERN ENTRANCE

The west entrance to Foynes resides between the spit, that extends 400 metres from the west extremity of Foynes Islands, and a bank that encircles the shore of the mainland. The entrance channel is marked by lighted and unlit buoys and indicated by a white directional sector light on 107.9° (possibly slightly moved for changes in channel) on the ‘East Jetty’.

Foynes Front - leading light Oc 4s 34m 12M position: 52° 36.794’N, 009° 06.130’W

Foynes Rear - leading light Oc 4s 39m 12M position: 52° 36.753’N, 009° 05.910’W

By day follow the markers guiding a passage down the middle of the channel, or by night follow the ‘East Jetty’ leading lights into harbour.

The key to the western entrance to Foynes is in avoiding the shoal water that extends off both the island and the shore upon approach. From Poultallin Point, off the mainland shoreline to the south of the entrance channel, the outer limit of the shoal extends out almost quarter of a mile. This is marked by the No.1 Poultallin marker on the outside and the inner No.3 Poultallin Point on the edge of the drying area; by night all southern or mainland markers are Q.G.7m2M.

Likewise from Battery Point, upon the west end of Foynes Island, the shoal has rocks in its southern edge and it runs out 400 metres to the southwest. This is marked by the No.2 Battery Point and the inner No.4 Carrigeen marker; by night all northern or Foynes island markers are Q.R.7m2M.

Between these marks the channel decreases from 10 to a maintained 7.8 metres of water. Midway along the channel the shores approach to about 200 metres from each other until, at the southern end of the inner harbour, the channel again widens.

The next markers to be seen on the southern side are the No. 5 and the Colleen Point marker and the channel is clear once passed these buoys. Once passed the Colleen Point beacon the 250 metre long yacht club pontoon will be seen and landing slips to the west of the town on the starboard side.

The pontoon can accommodate approximately 8 visiting boats, 4 club boats, the club crash-boat and 12 dinghies. All other boats are kept on swinging moorings on the southeast side of Foynes Island. Yacht owners are advised to consult the HM as there may be spare moorings.

Alternatively you may anchor there, in stiff mud, close as possible to the more southerly moorings so as not to obstruct vessels using the east entrance - buoy the anchor. In strong northwest to southwest winds it is best to anchor east of Foynes Island’s Gammarel Point.

FOYNES – EASTERN ENTRANCE

The eastern approach requires more care than the western entrance as it is shallow to the northeast of Foynes Island. The approach is through a channel that resides between extensive mudflats and rocks on each side of two marker buoys that are not lit.

Upon first approaches a conspicuous memorial cross will be seen standing on the high ground to the south side Foynes Island. Beneath it Saint Senan's Hospital may be easily identifiable by its flat-roofed building situated to the south of the railway station. The first leg of the northeast approaching should be on a line of bearing 215° of Hospital towards the Long Rock marker buoy. During this first approaches 2.4 to 3.4 metres of water will be found mid-channel.

The Long Rock starboard buoy is in about 3.4 metres of water and situated to the west of a patch of rocks that border the channels eastern side of the same name. Leave the Long Rock buoy to port whilst entering.

About 400 metres further on from this is the Elbow Rock port buoy situated in 5 metres of water. This marks an outlying rock at the south edge of foul ground on the island side called the Elbow Rock. Leave this to starboard.

Continue on 100 metres towards the East Jetty and the channel is clear to make towards the moorings or the pontoon.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Galway +0050
Today's Galway tides — High waters: 07:34, 19:44, Low waters: 00:54, 13:04
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 01:04, 13:22, Low waters: 08:17, 20:33 (From Tide Times)
Also -0515 Dover, MHWS 5.2m MHWN 4.0m MLWN 1.8m MLWS 0.3m
Spring range 4.9, neap range 2.2

Shannon Entrance tides and mid channel spring rates
The flood (in going) stream starts at -0520 HW Galway (+0100 Dover) at 2.5kn
The ebb (outgoing) stream starts at HW Galway +0045 (-0515 Dover) at 4kn

Once inside stream rates vary at different points of the estuary. Off Tarbert Island, the flood begins about 5 hours before HW at Galway and the ebb about 1 hour after HW. A good simplification for a passage as far as Foynes is to take it that the flood starts approximately 5 hours before, and the ebb 1 hour after HW Galway. At Foynes the current runs through the harbour in line with the channel; spring rate in each direction is 3kn.

What facilities are available?

Water is available on the quay and you will find all the services of a small town, with a population of 600 and a busy commercial port. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, grocers, butchers and so on plus a garage with petrol plus diesel, doctor, post office, etc. Foynes town folk have been found to be very accommodating to visiting boats.

The yacht club pontoon has the usual facilities during the season including a modern clubhouse with bar, dance floor, toilets and showers. There is a wintering compound for 30 yachts and a launching slip. Foynes is about 25 miles west of Limerick city on the N69 "coast road" and a regular bus is available. This is also the main gateway to Shannon Airport.

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:
In an emergency call "Shannon Coastguard" on Ch. 16
Foynes Harbour Master: VHF frequency: Ch 16, 11, 14, 68, 71
W: www.sfpc.ie
T: +353 69 73103
E: marineops@sfpc.ie
Foynes Yacht Club, Cooleen Point, Foynes, Co. Limerick, Ireland.
Tel: +353 69 65162 Email: info@foynesyachtclub.com
Pontoon & Yacht Club: VHF watch in summer Ch.6 & M. 069-65641.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred at Foynes.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Large scale Admiralty Charts 2254 and 2173 cover the south-western and northern approaches respectively. For River Shannon navigation the large scale Admiralty Chart 1819 ‘Approaches to the River Shannon’ scale of 1:50,000 has details of the Shannon Mouth and the Inner Mouth between Kilcredaun Head and Kilconly Point. Inwards from here the detailed charts 1547 ‘River Shannon - Kilcredaun Point to Ardmore Point’ scale of 1:20,000 including Kilrush Creek 1:10,000 is the key chart. For the rest of the Shannon : 1540 ‘River Shannon - Shannon Airport to Limerick’ scale of 1:12,500, 1548 ‘River Shannon - Ardmore Point to Rinealon Point’ scale of 1:20,000, 1549 ‘River Shannon - Rinealon Point to Shannon Airport including Foynes Harbour’ scale of 1:20,000 - Foynes Harbour 1:7,500.

Imray C55 ‘Dingle Bay to Galway Bay’ scale of 1:170,000, covers the west coast from Dingle Bay to Galway Bay and up the Shannon Estuary as far as Limerick City. It includes detail chartlets of all main harbours and anchorages. Ordinance Survey of Ireland, Discovery Series Map ref No. 63 / 64. Scale 1:50,000. Information, maps etc. on Shannon navigation is available from the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland.

With thanks to:

Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.

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Please zoom out to see the 'initial fixes' for this location.

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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?

RTE provides a highly simplified national and provincial outlook. More detail can be found from Met Éireann’s (the Irish National Meteorological Service) eastern Atlantic 24 hour synoptic, the current Irish sea area forecast and Irish observations.

The UK Met Office also provides a shipping forecast plus visible satellite and infrared satellite imagery to enable close observation of approaching frontal systems. This movement information makes it easy to predict when a weather event will affect a location thus providing an accurate estimate as to when the typical Irish sharp veer, off the back of a cold front, will arrive. Another useful resource is the 21st Operational Weather Squadron that provides Atlantic and European synoptics.

XC Weather provides a local view of wind conditions direct from and array of reporting station manned along the British Isles. Three hour historical info plus expected wind direction and strength for the next couple of days are available on this site and it is possible to interpolate between stations.

Wind guru is an international surfing site that provides a view on eighty five beaches around the coast of Ireland. It offers wind and wave information plus meteorological data such as temperature, wind speed and direction. The sites wind, wave height and direction information enables a good picture of a seaway, wave against wind or tide etc., to be understood.

Whilst off-line national weather information is broadcast as follows:

Coastal radio stations (VHF Channel)
Weather forecast at 0103 and thence every 3 hours updated every sixth.
Cork 26, Bantry 23, Valentia 24, Shannon 28, Clifden 26, Malin Head 23, Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 87, Rosslare 23, and Mine Head 83.

RTE Radio 1 Sea area forecast: 24 / 48 hour outlook and gale warnings rounding the country in a clockwise direction from headlands to headland.
FM 88.90 MHZ or MW 567khz/529m and 729khz/412m.
Weekdays 0602, 1253, 1823, 2355; Sundays 0633, 0755, 0855, 1253, 1823, 235

BBC Radio 4 Sea area forecast:
LW 198khz/1525M. VHF92.4/94.6MhZ
Daily 0048, 0535 (0542 on Sundays, 0556 Saturdays), 1201,1754.

Precise monthly Dover, Dublin, Cobh, Limerick, Rosslare, Sligo, Bangor, Donaghadee, Derry, Portrush tides are posted by the National Environmental Research Council.



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