Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

Gilert Bay, Great Saltee Island, County Wexford, Ireland

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Harbour position?

52° 6.895' N, 006° 36.603' W

Where is that position?

The waypoint is in the centre of the bay where you may drop the anchor into sand at a depth of 3 metres at low water.

What is the initial fix?

The following waypoint will set up a final approach:

Georgina’s Bay initial fix
52° 6.700' N, 006° 36.603' W
This waypoint is 400 metres due south of the anchorage.

What LWS draught is available?

3 metres (9.84 feet).

What are the tides and weather here?

Dover -0535, Cobh +0019sp, +0009np.
Tidal Range:
MHWS 3.8m MHWN 2.8m MLWN 1.5m MLWS 0.6m

Direction of tides:
Dover HW to +0500WSW
+0600 to -0100 ENE
South of the Saltees the streams rotate in a clockwise direction.

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 Leinster 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. Carlingford 04, Dublin 83, Wicklow Head 02, 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 Saltee Islands are two islands that reside off the south coast of County Wexford. Gilert Bay is one of two adjacent anchorages that reside upon the south side of Great Saltee Island, the largest and southernmost of the two islands.

This is an exposed anchorage that you would only use for a day trip after a prolonged settled spell. Although it appears you can tuck in tight into the bay there is in fact little protection if there is any lump on the sea.

The Saltee Islands require careful navigation owing to the numerous outlying rocks and strong currents. They are however very workable in settled clear conditions and highly enjoyable.

Please note that currents can run up to 3.4 knots on springs. If you plan to explore these waters you need to have very good charts such as the recommended large scale British Admiralty 2740 available for purchase in Kilmore Quay.

How to get in?

If you are approaching the islands from the far south note the positions of the Coningbeg Rock, Coningmore Rocks and the Brandies – details below. Close approaches from directly south of the waypoint are clear.

If approaching from Kilmore come out via the transits and stand well clear of the islands as there are dangerous outlying rocks.

Kilmore Quay Safe Water Marker - white long flash – position: 52° 09.200’N, 006° 35.300’W

The bay tends towards the middle-to-east side of the island and you may round Great Saltee to the west or east to approach the anchorage. If rounding the island to the west make note of Shoal rock when rounding Great Saltee Island’s southwest corner named ‘Seven Heads’. You need to plan to be either outside or inside the rock that lies 300 metres offshore.

Shoal rock – position: 52° 06.119’N, 006° 37.805’W

Keep the visible pinnacle rocks that separate Gilert Bay from Georgina’s bay to port. When due south of the waypoint approach the anchorage on a 0 degrees track, maintain a lookout to starboard for the ‘Sunken Rock of Makeston’.

If rounding Great Saltee from the east and coming between it and Little Saltee, note the positions of Goose Rock and Galgee rock south west of the Little Saltee Island.

Goose Rock – position: 52° 08.042’N, 006° 35.546’W
Galgee Rock – position: 52° 07.869’N 006 35.228’W

When passing round the south eastern corner of the Great Saltee Island keep well off shore. The key rock to locate on entry is the above mentioned covered Sunken Rock of Makeston. The rock marks the eastern side of Gilert Bay and lies 200 metres to the southwest (bearing from 210 degrees) of Makeston rock.

Sunken Rock of Makeston – position: 52° 06.853’N, 006° 36 419’W

Approach the bay when due south of the described waypoint observing for the marks of Sunken Rock of Makeston on the starboard side and anchor in sand.

If you are planning to cruise around the islands please identify and note the position of the following rocks.

Between the Islands and the shore.

Jackeen Rock – position: 52° 08.438’N, 006° 36.722’W
Murrock’s Rock – position: 52° 08.753’N, 006°. 35.919’W
Privateer Rock – position: 52° 08.349’N, 006° 35.635’W
Whitty Rock – position: 52° 07.239’N, 006° 37.577’W
Ring Rock – position: 52° 07.223’N, 006° 36.634’W
Power’s Rock – position: 52° 07.344’N, 006° 37.084’W
Forlorn Rock – position: 52° 09.889’N, 006° 36.172’W
Goose Rock – position: 52° 08.042’N, 006° 35.546’W
Galgee Rock – position: 52° 07.869’N, 006° 35.228’W

South of the Islands and southern approaches

Shoal rock – position: 52° 06.119’N, 006° 37.805’W
Sunken Rock of Makeston – position: 52° 06.853’N, 006° 36 419’W
Brandies – position: 52° 05.852’N, 006° 34.692’W
Coningmore Rocks – position: 52° 05.191’N, 006° 37.283’W
Coningbeg Rock – position: 52° 04.144’N, 006° 38.478’W

Cautions:

Note: Jackeen and Murrock rocks if striking off a course for Hook Head after crossing St Patrick Bridge.
Note: Galgee and Goose rock if rounding the southwest corner of Little Saltee Island.
Note: Forlorn rock if you are trying to cut from Hook Head into the harbour.
Note: Shoal rock when rounding Great Saltee Island’s southwest corner ‘Seven Heads’. You need to plan an outside or inside path round this covered rock.

What facilities are available?

Rosslare Radio call on 16, working channel 23.
Dial 999 for the Coastguard.
Harbour master monitors channel 9 and the phone +353 (0)53 912 9955.
RNLI, there is a Mersey Class Lifeboat based in Kilmore Quay – contact no +353 (0)53 91 29690
Police: +353 (0)53 91 29642 or 91 22333
Customs: +353 (0)53 91 33741
Doctor: +353 (0)53 91 35296
Chemist: +353 (0)53 91 35655

What emergency contacts are there?

Dublin Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) VHF Ch 83 covers the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal. Carlingford (04), Wicklow Head (02), Rosslare (23) and Mine Head (83) 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. Dublin (MRSC) may be contacted directly on +353 1 662 0922/3

Other useful contacts in this area:
Kilmore Harbour Master: monitors channel 9, phone +353 53 912 9955 hmkilmorequay@eircom.net
RNLI, Kilmore Quay’ Mersey Class Lifeboat, phone +353 53 91 29690
Police: +353 53 91 29642 or 91 22333; Doctor: +353 53 91 35296

Why visit here?

This is another lovely secluded place on the back of Great Saltee Island to land a dinghy and let the family loose to swim and explore. You will have this hidden bay to yourself and wonderful wealth of wildlife all around. It offers an alternate to neighbouring Georgina’s Bay that may get crowded in the peak summer sailing season.

The key point to note about Gilert and Georgina’s Bays is that the cliffs are steep here and although you may alight on an enclosed beach you cannot get up to the island from here. You must use the main landing beach on the north side of the island to come ashore and explore. Also, depending on the previous month’s heavy weather conditions, there may be a sand or shingle beach to land on at low water.

In September time you can get up to half a dozen seal pups lying on the sand in Gilert Bay. The older seals tend to stay on a shelf behind Makeston rock.

The Saltee Islands are Ireland's largest bird sanctuaries with a reputed 300 different species of birds to be found at various times during the year. Birds such as the gulls, gannets and puffin are present, with Great Saltee being particularly famous for its colonies of cormorants. Several million seabirds nest on the islands in springtime making it a must for bird lovers. Even if you are not interested in birdlife the Saltee Islands are well worth making the short passage as they are particularly beautiful. You will find sea birds nesting all round the cliffs of Gilert Bay as photographed and the calling sounds of the nesting colonies is spectacular.

Any security concerns?

You are most likely to be completely alone at this beach and away from any interference.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

Admiralty Chart 2049 ‘Old Head of Kinsale to Tuskar Rock’ scale of 1:150,000 covers this sailing area. The key chart for this area is the large scale British Admiralty 2740 that coves the Saltee Islands & Kilmore Quay at a scale of 1:25,000. This is the best chart if you plan to explore these waters.

Imray charts C57 and C61 overlap in this area plus Discovery Ordinance Survey map 77 covers the land area. Both the excellent ‘’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - East & North Coasts of Ireland’’ and ‘’Sailing Directions - Irish Cruising Club - South and West Coasts of Ireland’’ offer pilotage.

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:

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

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