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Baltimore Harbour North Entrance
What is the route?
This is an alternative route between Baltimore Harbour and Long Island Bay under power.
Why sail this route?
The southern route into Baltimore is the straightforward and marked route. However the north passage is protected and can be an enjoyable hour of pilotage to access Long Island Bay or vice versa.
In terms of time however there would be little between this route and coming out the southern entrance to Baltimore harbour and using the Gascanane Sound cuts – also listed – to access Long Island Bay. This route would be a much shorter passage but it is more involved than Gascanane Sound. If however the tide is unfavourable in Gascanane Sound this could be a better route.
What are the navigational notes?
This passage requires eyeball navigation with clear visibility, good charts and moderate conditions. Although there is a list of waypoints provided below, this is only to assist you to identify the key turning points in the passage and the waypoints cannot be used in isolation. You must take this route under power in a steady fashion picking your way round the rocks and through the channels via eyeball navigation. The minimum depth for the entire route is six metres.
From the harbour in Baltimore proceed approximately 0.8 of a nautical mile to the north of the sound and the following waypoint will get you started.
Again the below waypoints are only to help set-up the turning points and outline the route. Do not plan to sail directly between waypoints as a routing sequence in isolation, use them to assist the eyeball navigation that this route requires.
Waypoint 1: Baltimore Harbour North Channel Waypoint, 51° 29.300' N, 009° 23.775' W
On the south end of Baltimore Harbour’s north-channel between Spanish Island and Sherkin Island. From here take a bearing of approximately 318° for 0.6 nm to commence the route out to the Quarantine Island waypoint.
Waypoint 2: Quarantine Island Waypoint, 51° 29.718' N, 009° 24.397' W
Northeast of Quarantine Island in the estuary of the Ilen River. From here take an approximate bearing 245° for 0.2 nm to the Turk Head waypoint (or if entering 138° for 0.6 nm to the Baltimore Harbour North Channel waypoint).
Waypoint 3: Turk Head Waypoint, 51° 29.644' N, 009° 24.700' W
South of Turk Head (or the immediate offshore Mealbeg rock). From here take a bearing of approximately 275° for 0.2nm to Woman’s Rock waypoint (or if entering 065° for 0.2 nm to Quarantine Island waypoint).
Waypoint 4: Woman’s Rocks Waypoint, 51° 29.660' N, 009° 25.040' W
East of Woman’s Rocks area that is awash. From here take a bearing of 200° for 0.6 nm to the Long Point waypoint (or if entering 095° for 0.2nm to the Turk Head waypoint).
Waypoint 5: Long Point Waypoint, 51° 29.060' N, 009° 25.415' W
West of Long Point upon Sherkin Island this transit traverses Burren sound. From here take a bearing of approximately 250° for 1.7 nm to the Toorane Rocks waypoint (or if entering 21° for 0.6 nm to the Woman’s Rocks waypoint).
Waypoint 6: Toorane Rocks Waypoint, 51° 28.474' N, 009° 28.000' W
South of the west end of the Toorane Rock group. Please note Mullin Rock south of the transit located northeast of Sherkin Island’s Drowlaun Point. If entering the channel from here take a bearing of approximately 070° for 1.7nm to the Long Point waypoint.
What is the best sailing time?
Sailing season for Ireland is May to September, with June and July offering some of the best weather. Nevertheless the incidence of winds up to force seven and above in June and July are on average two days each month. So you may be either held up or having a blast depending on your sailing preferences. Ireland is not subject to persistent fog – statistically complete days of persistent fog occur less than once in a decade.
What weather information is available?
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.
What dangers are to be avoided?
This passage requires eyeball navigation with clear visibility, good charts and moderate conditions. Take it steady all the way.
Are there any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred to a pleasure vessel sailing off the Irish coast.
With thanks to:
Burke Corbett, Gusserane, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
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Please note inyourfootsteps.com makes no guarantee of the validity of this information, we have not sailed this route and do not have first-hand experience to qualify the data. Although the contributors are vetted by peer review as practised authorities, they are in no way, whatsoever, responsible for the accuracy of their contributions. It is essential that you thoroughly check the accuracy and suitability for your vessel of any waypoints offered in any context plus the precision of your GPS. Any data provided on this page is entirely used at your own risk and you must read our legal page if you view data on this site.