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Foyle Pontoon, Derry City, County Derry, Ireland

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Harbour position?

55° 0.358' N, 007° 19.162' W

Where is that position?

This is the north-eastern end of the River Foyle Marina pontoon.

What are the initial fixes?

The following waypoints will set up a final approach:

(i) Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix
55° 14.155' N, 006° 53.700' W
One mile east of Inishowen Head and 400 metres northwest of Red Tuns Light (port hand) Buoy F1. R.3s. It is set on the 222° line of bearing of the Martello tower on Magilligan Point that leads into the North Channel.

(ii) Lough Foyle South Channel Initial Fix
55° 11.760' N, 006° 57.084' W
Midway between the shore and the southern edge of the Tuns Bank in the narrowest part of the South Channel in approximately 10 metres of water.

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

What LWS draught is available?

8 metres (26.25 feet).

What are the tides and weather here?

High Water Moville +0350 Dover
MHWS 2.3m MHWN 1.8m MLWN 0.8m MLWS 0.3m

Direction of stream
Offshore of Lough Foyle
Dover -0530 East going, +0030 West going; spring rate of 2 knots
In the Entrance
Dover -0320 Ebb (one hour less at Magilligan Point); spring rate of 3.5 knots.

Once inside the main channel the streams gradually reduce in strength inwards to the River Foyle and generally run in the direction of the main channel. A useful eddy 60 metres off the shoreline, that can be taken advantage of during both ebb and flood, is upon the northwest side of the entrance in the area between Warren Point and Moville.

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 considerations are there?

The Foyle Pontoon resides in the centre of Derry, or Londonderry, city four miles upriver from its point of entry into the south western corner of the Lough Foyle estuary. Largely occupied by shallows Lough Foyle is thirteen miles long and six miles wide. A well marked commercial channel leads along its northwest shoreline to the Foyle river and the entire journey is nineteen miles from the entrance to the heart of the city. Here pontoon berths are available adjacent to all the facilities of the city.

Four miles upriver the Foyle Pontoon provides complete protection from all conditions. The commercial shipping channel, supported by a lighthouse with sectored light, provides safe access in all reasonable conditions. Although tidal streams are occasionally strong they abate as a vessel progress inside the Lough making the harbour approachable at all states of the tide.

How to get in?

A western approach from Malin Head to Lough Foyle will find a rugged Atlantic coastline. Malin Head, the north most point of Ireland, is a low 70 metre high rounded hill with a square derelict concrete tower on top. The shoreline here is bold, jagged and fringed by outlying rocks that are steep-to and always visible. With the exception of Scars Rocks, lying about 400 metres west of the headland and always visible, there are no off-lying obstructions. A berth of 300 metres or more clears all dangers here but it gets more challenging once Malin Head is rounded.

Careful advance planning is required as this corner of Ireland has to be treated with the utmost of respect. Here the Atlantic Ocean collides with the runs of the Irish coastal tide amidst two rocky island groups, the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull.

The Garvan Isles that reside to the east of Malin Head. They are a collection of barren islands ranging from 15 to 22 metres in height that are surrounded by sunken rocks and shoals. Inishtrahull is a sizable uninhabited island situated three miles northwest of the outermost Garvan Isle. It is nearly a mile long and is made up of two rounded hills joined by a stretch of low ground with a lighthouse at its western end.

Inishtrahull Lighthouse - Fl(3)15s 59m19M position: 55° 55 25.864’N, 007° 14.628’W

The south side of the Inishtrahull is steep-to and clear of danger. However a dangerous 22 metre high arc of rock called the Tor Rock resides nearly a mile off Inishtrahull’s north side that requires attention.

There are three approaches to rounding Malin Head; the first, go through Inishtrahull Sound, the second go through Garvan Sound, the third, go way offshore and round Inishtrahull and the Torr Rocks.

If there is any sea running, bad weather, an adverse tide, or you are in doubt in any way, it is advisable to take the third option that is the safest route. Head out to sea and take the offshore route around the outside of Inishtrahull. Those taking the offshore route should give Inishtrahull, and more importantly the off lying Torr Rocks, a wide berth of at least three miles.

However if conditions are good with daylight and the inclination is towards more interesting sailing, the routes through either of the ‘Sounds’ are much shorter options. The first is the offshore Inishtrahull Sound route between the Garvan Isles and Inishtrahull and the latter is the Garvan Sound route between the Garvan Isles and the mainland. It should be noted there is only a mile to be saved by taking the slightly more complex inshore Garvin Sound route. The best advice to address either of these routes is to carefully study Garvan Isles and Sound charts well before the approach and factor in the tide to the timing. Here are some useful notes to observe.

For the three mile wide Inishtrahull Sound route the key rocks to note are Doherty rock that resides a quarter of a mile to the northwest. They uncover at three-quarters ebb when they are clearly visible by the breakers. Also Duvglas, the northernmost islet, that has an elevation of 17 metres. Once the Garvan Isles are abeam to starboard make way towards Glengad Head.

For the Garvan Sound route, the key rock to locate is the covered Blind Rock with 1.8 metres of water over it. It is situated approximately 800 metres to the northeast of a point on the mainland, and is to be left to the south passing through the sound. By keeping the Chimney Rock at Carrickaveol Head (approximately 4 miles east by southeast on the mainland coast) just open of the singular 70 metre high Stookaruddan (bold and loaf-shaped, 1.5 miles closer on the mainland coast) a vessel will pass approximately 400 metres to the north of the Blind Rock. This should represent a 117° line of bearing to track in.

When past Blind Rock and approaching Carnadreelagh Isle, or the low flat-topped Rossnabartan Isle comes due south, turn hard to the southeast for a very short leg to bring Stookaruddan onto a 115° bearing shutting Chimney Rock in behind it. This leads through the 600 metres wide Garvan Sound that exists between Carnadreelagh Isle and the 2.1 metre rock patch to the southwest of the cut. The least depth of the sound is 12.8 metres and once the Garvan Isles are abeam to port, make way towards Glengad Head.

Glengad head is a bluff headland with a remarkable hill near its extremity. The coast from Glengad Head to Inishowen Head, a distance of 10 miles in a south by southeast direction, is characterised by 100 to 200 metre high cliffs that are backed by high inland hills. It is steep-to and free from danger with 20 metres of water a quarter of a mile off. A berth of 300 metres off the shore clears all dangers in this area. Two and a half miles south from Glengad Head is Culdaff Bay where a separately covered anchorage is available plus Kinnagoe and Tremone bays provide beach landings but no facilities in offshore winds.

Backed by high hills, the bold, precipitous and considerably indented, Inishowen Head terminates the lough’s mountainous north shore. The abrupt precipice is free from dangers extending more than 300 metres offshore and it is well marked. Two miles to the northeast of the head is the Lough Foyle Buoy, a safe water pillar buoy.

Lough Foyle Buoy - L Fl 10s position: 55° 15.322’N, 006° 52.616’W

Once Inishowen Head is abeam make for the listed ‘Lough Foyle North Channel Initial Fix’. This is set close to the Tuns buoy and tracks in southwest on the 222° line of bearing of the Magilligan Point Martello tower.

Tuns Buoy - F1 R 3 position: 55° 14.004’N, 006° 53.440’W

Half a mile south of Inishowen Head upon Dunagree Point resides Inishowen Lighthouse.

Inishowen Lighthouse - Fl (2) WRG 10s2 8m 18/14M position: 55° 13.556’N, 006° 55.749’W

Locally known as ‘Shrove’ or ‘Stroove’ Lighthouse it is a substantial white tower with two black bands. Inishowen Lighthouse provides a sectored light support for the commercial channel as follows Fl (2) WRG 10s W18M, W211° to 249°, R14M 249° to 360°, G14M from 197 to 211°. Please note there is also a smaller disused lighthouse that is white with one black band situated approximately a mile from Inishowen Lighthouse.

This leads into the main shipping channel called the ‘North Channel’ that resides between the Tuns Bank on the east and the Donegal’s Inishowen shore on the west.

The ‘North Channel’ is deep, steep-to on both sides, well marked and three quarters of a mile wide and it keeps the Tuns Bank to Port. This bank extends about 3 miles in a north-easterly direction from the Macgilligan shore. Its highest part is near the south edge, which is steep-to on the west side, and it runs nearly parallel to the opposite Inishowen shore. You can expect to see breakers on the bank upon approach to help make its location visible.

Continuing south in this channel leads past the Warren Lighthouse, a mile and a quarter to the southwest, on the north side of the entrance, a round white tower F1 1.5s 8m 4M with green abutment. Lough Foyle is then entered between Macgilligan point and the Inishowen shore. Magilligan Point has a pile structure light beacon off the point Q.R. 7m 4M.

An eastern approach from Portrush or Ramore head, will find Portrush Bay shoals gradually inwards towards the strand – for coastal directions from further east please use details provided in the Portrush Harbour entry. Upon the Bay’s west side lies Rock Doo, 200 metres out from the shore drying to 1.2 metres, and about 200 metres further to the west of it is the Moat, a half-tide rock.

From here a rocky shoreline leads two and a half miles west by southwest to Portstewart Point and this has two rocks in its immediate vicinity that require attention. The nine metre high Black Rock, 100 metres northeast of Portstewart Point, and a half-tide rock called Lausons Rock, 150 metres out from Black Rock.

From Portstewart Point the rocky coast turns south and levels to a sandy beach backed by a range of sand-hills. This shoreline leads to the River Bann entrance, two miles southwest of Portstewart Point. From the river entrance the coastline is fronted by a low sandy beach extending nine miles to Magilligan Point with rocky precipices rising to Mount Benevenagh’s 396 metre summit a short distance inland. A mile west of the River Bann entrance, upon the cliff edge, the conspicuous classical Mussenden Temple will be noticeable, a white tower approximately five metres in height.

With the exception of the Tuns Bank, at the Foyle entrance, this passage is clear of any danger save for the shoaling beach. By keeping the easterly approach at least half a mile off shore the passage will be clear of all dangers.

An easterly approaching vessel has two available options to enter Lough Foyle. These are, north around the Tuns Bank, and enter via the ‘North Channel’ as already described in the western approach, or an alternate approach via a ‘South Channel’.

The ‘South Channel’, locally known as the back strand, resides between the Tuns Bank and the Macgilligan shore. It has a least depth of 3.4 metres upon approach, is about 400 metres wide at its narrowest part and, although unmarked, it is straightforward. Utilising this channel avoids heading out to the Tuns buoy so that an inshore approaching vessel, from Portrush or the River Bann for instance, can save two or three miles of sailing. It is particularly convenient for a vessel attempting to enter against the ebb with offshore winds. In this case it is possible to anchor off Magilligan strand to await the flood.

The latter ‘South Channel’ is addressed by coming inshore and approaching along the coast at a distance off of about 600 metres. Half a mile before Magilligan, come closer inshore to a distance off of 400 metres, to make way through the final cut south of the Tuns Bank. Once Magilligan point is abeam you are safe to turn into Lough Foyle between Macgilligan point and the Inishowen shore, a distance of half a mile with deep water all the way. Please note if using the South Channel on an ebb tide be attentive to navigation as it sets strongly across the channel towards the unmarked southeast edge of Tuns Bank.

Once inside the entrance, if it has not already been attended to, it is advisable to contact Harbour Radio (open 24 hours) Telephone: +44 28 7186 0313, e-mail: harbourradio@londonderryport.com, VHF: Channel 14, to make them aware that you intend to berth at the Foyle pontoon. Visiting boats, including day users, will be directed to stop at Londonderry Port, Lisahally. The Foyle Pontoon is entirely unmanned so harbour dues and access keys, plus tokens for shore power, are paid and collected from the harbour office at Lisahally situated close to the mouth of the Foyle River.

Once arrangements are complete it is simply a matter of following the northwest shoreline for two to three miles to Moville and Carrickarory pier area for the first section of the passage. There is plenty of room. From abreast of Greencastle to Moville, the channel that runs between McKenny’s Bank and the Inishowen shore, is half a mile wide and at least 12 metres deep. Stand off the Inishowen shoreline in the latter part of the passage as the Moville Bank extends from the shore. Keeping the Inishowen lighthouse open of Greencastle, astern, will comfortably clear the Moville Bank until the Moville Bank Light structure is identified.

Moville Light beacon – Fl WR. 2.5s 11m4M position: 55°11.993'N, 007°02.129'W

This is a white house on green piles 13 metres in height on the banks outer reach and it should be passed to starboard. From here proceed to pass Saltpans, Fl.R. 2.5s 4m 3M, to port and pass to the north of the ‘North Middle Bank’. Continue on following the abundant markers to enter the ‘West Channel’ to the north of ‘The Great Bank’ that leads to Lisahally and the Foyle River estuary. This then continues along between the north shore and Great Bank tracking between light beacons for a distance of about seven and a half miles to a position southeast of Culmore Point Light beacon.

Transiting boats should take care not to impede commercial traffic in the channel. In its narrowest sections it reduces to 50 metres wide making it a highly restricted waterway for commercial traffic. Large vessels will be channel bound, have right of way, and have no capability to manoeuvre. Pleasure craft, on-the-other-hand will find plenty of deep water close to the marks and should navigate the channel starboard side in and out.

Culmore Point Light beacon Fl Q.6m3M stands at the entrance to the River Foyle. A conspicuous spire, residing 1500 metres to the west of the point, will be seen upon approach plus a 95 metre high power pylon that carries an overhead power cable across the river - close east of the point and this restricts the river’s safe overhead clearance to 39 metres. On the east side of the river the Du Pont Jetty and then the Lisahally Terminal commercial sections of the port will be seen at the mouth of the Foyle River.

Derry city quays are no longer used for commercial traffic and all commercial shipping is catered for here including berthing arrangements for the unmanned Foyle Pontoon. To pick up the pontoon access card and arrange payment come alongside at the fish quay pontoon at the southwest end of the Lisahally Terminal. The office is situated on the quay less than a 100 metres from here.

Once berthing arrangements have been attended to the final stretch to the city pontoon is approached through the Foyle River. The channel from Lisahally Terminal leads through the fairway of the River Foyle for a distance of just over three miles to the quays at Londonderry. It tends in a south-westerly direction, has a least width of 91 metres - with almost double this amount available at the pontoon area - and is very well marked. The city cathedral, on the summit of the hill, is a conspicuous object from the river, and may be seen from most parts of Lough Foyle.

The 200 metre long Foyle Pontoon is situated at the west side of the harbour below Craigavon Bridge. There is adequate depth on either side with up to 7 metres on the outside and 5 metres on the inside at low water.

Please note that a speed restriction of 6 knots applies generally in the River Foyle, reducing to a limit of 4 knots in the vicinity of the visitor pontoon and tidal streams are fairly strong in parts of the river. The Foyle Pontoon is subject to a masthead height restriction of thirty two metres by the Foyle Bridge and navigation above Craigavon Bridge, at the south end of the harbour is no longer possible.

What facilities are available?

There is electricity, waste reception facilities and water on the pontoon, but as off 2010 there are no showers. A new shower block is planned for construction this year and the nearby swimming pool may be availed of for a swim and shower in the interim. Launderette, provisions petrol, ‘luggable’ diesel, bottle gas are available on Strand Road, a short walk from the pontoon; bulk diesel by arrangement at Lisahally. The city has marine engineering, a yacht chandlery, but no boatyard.

The pontoon is a short walk from the city centre with all the facilities to service an urban population of 90,000, and a wider population, within 32 km of the city, of 237,000. Thus it has a wide variety of excellent restaurants, bars, shopping, and all other facilities to offer.

Transport connections are very good as the location serves a transport hub for nearby Counties Donegal and Tyrone as well as Derry City itself. All buses depart from the city centre Foyle Street Bus Station to destinations throughout Ireland including a daily half-hourly service to Belfast. Northern Ireland Railways (N.I.R.) have a single route from Londonderry railway station, on the Waterside, to Belfast. City of Derry airport is the main regional airport with year round scheduled flights to UK, Republic of Ireland and Europe offered by Aer Arann and Ryanair. Further flight options are available via Belfast International Airport, the main regional airport, and George Best Belfast City Airport that are accessible by bus and train.

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. The Irish Coast Guard has a coastal unit at Greencastle.

Other useful contacts in this area:
Harbour Master: VHF Ch 16 and 14 ~ Call sign "Harbour Radio"
Phone: +44 28 71 861113; Mobile: +44 780 1032387
All persons wishing to use the marina must check in at Harbour Radio
Harbour Radio Tel: +44 28 7186 0313 (24 hours)
Email: harbourradio@londonderryport.com; Coleraine Harbour Radio: VHF Ch 12; phone +44 28 70 342012
Police +44 70344122; Hospital +44 70344177; Doctor +44 70344831

Why visit here?

Derry’s name is derived from an anglicisation of ‘Daire Calgaich’ meaning "oak-grove or oak-wood of Calgach". The old Irish ‘Daire’ is spelt in modern Irish ‘Doire Cholmchille’ or ‘Doire’. The location is one of the longest continuously inhabited places in Ireland.

Historical references date back to the 6th century when St. Colmcille / Columba founded a monastery. The current city was originally situated on a hill surrounded by an ancient rampart with six gates, beyond which it has since extended to both banks. It is now the fourth largest city on the island of Ireland, only second to Belfast in Northern Ireland, and historically significant.

It is a particularly unusual city in that its very name is open to debate. Londonderry is the official name according to the city's 1662 Royal Charter and it was reaffirmed by a 2007 High Court decision. However the city is more usually known as ‘Derry’. The name was altered to Londonderry during the Plantation of Ulster in 1613 to reflect the establishment of the old walled city by the London guilds. Today the name "Derry" is preferred by nationalists and Republic of Ireland reference it as such. All UK official material, charts plus unionists prefer "Londonderry’’ however in everyday conversation ‘Derry’ is also used frequently by Protestants.

Derry is also nicknamed the "Maiden City" by virtue of the fact that its walls were never breached. The walled city withstood several sieges, including ‘Siege of Derry’ in 1689 that lasted one hundred and five days. This makes it one of the very few European cities not to be overrun plus the only one with walls that remain completely intact. Constructed during the period 1613-1619 they were built to defend the plantation of Ulster settlers from Irish insurgents who did not welcome the occupation. Varying in height and width from 4 to 12 metres, 1.5 km in circumference and interspersed with a series of town gates, they provide a walkway around the old inner city. This unique promenade enables visitors to view the Renaissance style street plan of the original town that is the finest example of a walled city in Europe today.

Stunning vistas are not the exclusive preserve of the old city walls. The modern city that extended to cover both banks of the river is characterised by a distinctly hilly topography with the River Foyle forming a deep valley on either side. This makes the city of Derry a place of very steep streets and sudden, startling views.

Couple this with its focal point position in the important events of Irish history and a fascinating destination for tourism results. From the plantation, to the sieges, mass emigration to America, Australia and Liverpool, the surrender of U-Boats at Lisahally in WW2 and 'The Troubles' culminating in ‘Bloody Sunday’ there is much to intrigue the visitor. This colourful and varied cultural heritage may be embraced in many museums and sites of interest in-and-around the city. With Cityside, on the west, and Waterside, on the east, connected by the Craigavon Bridge all of this resides within easy walking distance of the pontoon. Furthermore the berth is situated in the heart of the historic city with many other attractions including restaurants pubs and a vibrant shopping centre close at hand.

Derry would be an amazing and contrasting berth on any coastline but especially so on this rugged and solitary stretch. Not alone is it a spectacular historic city but it also is an the ideal base for visitors to discover the delights of the North Antrim Coast, the Giant’s Causeway and the rugged beauty and hinterland of the Inishowen Peninsula and Donegal. It offers the northern cruiser a truly unique experience.

Any security concerns?

Pontoon access is restricted to key holders only. CCTV monitors the area 24 hours a day controlled by the Harbour Office.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 2798 ‘Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island’ scale of 200,000:1 and 2723 ‘Western Approaches to the North Channel’ scale of 200,000:1 large scale. Closer in Admiralty 2811 ‘Sheep Haven to Lough Foyle including Inishtrahull’ scale of 75,000 and 2499 ‘Approaches to Londonderry and Coleraine’ scale 40,000:1, and 2511 ‘Approaches to Lough Foyle’ scale of 25,000:1 plus 2510 ‘Approaches to Londonderry’ scale of 25,000:1.

Imray chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 3 and 4 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.

How can I get this offshore?

If you are receiving a mobile signal you can access all of our information via a standard mobile phone internet browser. We provide a streamlined version of the site at www.liyfs.com, which is a shortcut to our 'Lite' site called Lite.InYourFootSteps.com, that is simplified and optimised for speed. Here are the phonetics to pass the address on via VHF: WWW.LIYFS.COM, I SPELL... LIMA... INDIA... YANKEE... FOXTROT... SIERRA... DOT.COM. Similarly, if you have limited or expensive internet capabilities, you may switch to the 'Lite' site www.liyfs.com for faster more efficient access.

Alternatively you may print a hard copy to have aboard. Either print this page with 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.

With thanks to:

Bill McCann, Londonderry Harbour Master.

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