Sailing inyourfootsteps.com

5°C

Swell today

Direction NNE, height 0.0 metres, period 9.9 seconds, significant wave height of 0.1 metres.

Haven position?

55° 12.460' N, 006° 14.315' W

Where is that position?

This position is at the northern end of the 175 metre long Boyd's Breakwater where a light stands Fl (2) R 4s 1M. Boyd's Breakwater lies to the south of the substantial northern breakwater that hosts the Campbeltown and Rathlin Island ferry terminals. Rounding Boyd's Breakwater will lead into an inner basin where a marina is situated in the eastern side of the harbour.

What is the initial fix?

This is approximately 150 metres east of the lit northern end of Boyd\'s Breakwater. Track in on 270°, or due west, from here to come south of the northern breakwaters pierhead.

What is the story here?

Ballycastle is a popular holiday town situated on the north coast of Ireland five miles south of Rathlin Island. The harbour has been substantially developed to provide shelter for the Campbeltown (Mull of Kintyre) and Rathlin Island ferry terminals. It offers a highly protected marina plus the option to anchor immediately outside the harbour in the bay.

Tucked into the southeast corner of Ballycastle Bay and behind substantial 'rock armour' breakwaters the marina provides complete protection. It is also possible to anchor outside the harbour in fair conditions in the absence of onshore winds. The anchorage is clear of strong tidal streams but is subject to sudden swell. Ballycastle affords safe access in all reasonable conditions, at any stage of the tide as there are no dangers in the immediate harbour vicinity and access is supported by leading lights.

Please note the direction and velocity of the tide should be the central feature of any navigation planning in this area. The tidal streams in Rathlin Sound run up to 6.5 knots at springs. For those approaching from the south the roughest water may be experienced between Fair Head and Torr Head where just off Torr Head the Ebb runs up to 9 knots during Spring tides. However, if the tides have been well studied and embraced, a well-found yacht should have no difficulty sailing this area in conditions up to Force 4 or 5.

Why visit here?

Ballycastle (derived from the Irish: Baile an Chaistil meaning "town of the castle") is a small un-crowded town surrounded by dramatic scenery.

Situated on the most north-easterly tip of County Antrim Ballycastle has the spectacular Fair Head to the east, Kinbane Head with its 16th Century castle to the west, plus a blue flag beach ‘The Strand’ reaching out from eastward from the harbour along the south of the Bay. Out to sea are views across to Rathlin Island and the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland whilst behind is the northern mainland limit of the Antrim Coast and Glens Area - two of which Glentaisie and Glenshesk converge here.

With such varied scenery all round one is compelled to pursue and explore the natural beauty at hand. Immediately of interest will be the slopes of the easily climbed Knocklayde (517 metres crowned by Carn na Truagh, ‘the cairn of sorrow’). This is a massive heather covered mountain inland from Ballycastle and just off the Moyle Way footpath. It is an ideal destination to completely take in the scenery. Here you will also find Glentaise, the most northerly of the Nine Glens of Antrim, residing at the foot of Knocklayde mountain and a forest also worth visiting. There is also an attractive cycling route from Ballycastle to Cushendun, via Torr Head, that offers spectacular views and scenery. The whole of Moyle (the North Channel) may be seen from the road above Torr Head.

Ballycastle itself is a charming town where the old seafront shops and bars look across the marina and harbour. It has been a significant landing-place since before the 1400s. Notably Bonamargy Friary, off the Cushendall Road on the approach to Ballycastle, was established in 1485. At this time the harbour was known as Port Brittas and it was the main port for boats to transport coal that came to be mined at Fair Head. Several harbours were established here and washed away over the centuries until the present substantial harbour was set in place. Every year, on the last Monday and Tuesday of August, the town hosts a 400-year-old traditional folk music festival ‘Auld Lammas Fair’ in ‘The Diamond’ town square.

Ballycastle has it all for the visiting boatman; spectacular surrounding mountain ranges, forests, glens, lakes and coastline plus a secure 74-berth marina where the yacht may be left in security. It is an ideal northern base to explore the Antrim Coast Road, and Glens of Antrim, as well as the Causeway Coast.

How to get in?

EASTERN APPROACH Approaching from the south and east. The immediate offshore area is likewise free from outlying dangers and the coastline presents a remarkably bold outline. For the sixteen miles from Glenarm to Fair Head the rugged Antrim mountain slopes push almost vertically out to the coast. Again composed of white limestone overlaid with black basaltic rocks the cliffs are a remarkable feature of this coast. The mountain range terminates at Fair Head, a vertical 191 metre high precipice, around which resides Ballycastle Bay.

Rathlin Island resides across the Sound to the north and is composed of 140 metres high table-lands. Surrounded by precipitous cliffs Rathlin Island has a similar appearance and structure to the opposite mainland shore. There is a lighthouse on all three points of the ‘L’ shaped island, the southerly most being Rue Point.

Rue Point Lighthouse - Fl (2) 5s 16m 14M position: 55° 15.533’N, 006° 11.474’W

From Fair Head follow the coastline keeping at least six hundred metres offshore where you will find depths outside the 10 metre contour clear of dangers.

On final approach come down to the Ballycastle Initial Fix or by eyeball keep Boyd's Breakwater pierhead open of north pier. Then enter between the pier heads.

WESTERN APPROACH The principal headland encountered on a western approach is Ramore Head to the south of the Skerries Islands where Portrush resides. Coastal cruisers will find ample water through Skerries Sound, between these small islands and the headland, making it a convenient approach to Portballintrae. Although tides may be disturbed on either side of the Skerries it sets fair through the Sound that is free from outlying island dangers. However in poor weather or visibility, without the benefit of an experienced local boatman aboard, it would be best to avoid the unnecessary narrow channel and approach Portrush from outside the Skerries.

Those taking the inshore route will find the Skerries reside one mile from the shore and are formed from a chain of low rocky islets. From the five metres high Black Rock, at the easternmost end, they extend for a mile and a half in a westerly direction. Great Skerrie is about 200 metres across, 25 metres in height whilst little Skerrie is 15 metres high. The smaller rocks here are a washed and in north-west gales the spray flies over them all. Carr rocks mark the western end of the Skerries group. Situated 400 metres northeast by north of Ramore head they are uncovered at half-tide and are always visible by the break upon them.

The ‘Storks Beacon’ provides an eastbound line-of-bearing of 083.5° that leads through the middle of entire Skerries Sound south of the island group. This is situated two and a half miles from Ramore Head on the eastern entrance to Skerries Sound. The Storks are marked by a red conical metal beacon, ball topmark, 11 metres in height.

It is the point-of-entry however that is the Sound’s narrowest point, between ‘Carr Rocks’ and ‘Ramore Head’ and this requires specific attention. Here the sound is 200 metres wide, although clear of danger with depths 14 metres of water through the middle, attention needs to be paid to two dangerous sunken rocks that need to be avoided.

The first is a reef on the south side ‘Reviggerly’ that is a shelving rock that extends 50 metres into the sound from the east part of Ramore Head. Then opposite, on the north side of the sound, are sunken rocks just less than 100 metres to the southwest of the 5 metre high Carr Rock. The latter sunken rocks are the particular concern as the bay’s east going tide sets strongly towards Ramore head, across the entrance of Skerrie sound and onto these covered rocks. The safest option, travelling either way, is to tend to the southern side of the sound where the reliably visible partially-exposed Reviggerly reef resides off the steep-to Ramore Head.

After this it is simply a matter of tracking along the ‘Storks Beacon’ eastbound line-of-bearing with plenty of water on each side. With the exception of the Stork Rocks, the area between The Skerries and the shore is free from danger. On closer approach the Stork Rocks will be found to be awash at high water and the sea breaks heavily in any swell here. The north side is steep-to with 13 metres and more depth and keeping 200 metres north clears all dangers. However the south and east side has foul ground that extends out 300 metres. Further south, between the foul ground and the shore, there is a clear channel with up to 11 metres of water for those who would prefer close costal cruising and there is plenty to be seen ashore.

Along the coast here for the first three-quarters of a mile from Portrush is a range of sand hills followed by ‘White Rocks Beach’ to the south of the Storks. Here the powerful dumping waves can be seen carving the costal limestone into caves and huge sea sculptures with interesting names such as the ‘elephant rock’ and the ‘lions’s claw’.

One mile to the west of Portballintrae, at the end of the limestone cliffs, stands the magnificent ruins of Dunluce castle. Perched on the summit of a rocky outcrop and overhanging the sea this prominent castle is approached by a narrow causeway over a stone bridge. Underneath the castle is a particularly beautiful cavern. From here it is mainly black trap rock cliffs heading east to the little cover Portballintrae that is covered separately.

After Portballintrae the coastal route leads through Bushmills Bay. Here the shoreline is broken by three miles of Bushfoot Strand’s sand hills leading to Runkerry Point, where a small slip exists below Runkerry House; make note of the Mile Stone an off-lying rock off Runkerry Point. Great Stookan, a high rocky cliff resides between Runkerry Point and the world famous Giants Causeway. Although appearing insignificant from sea it is also one of the most beautiful sections of the entire Northern Ireland coastline.
One mile east of the causeway is Benbane Head the northern extremity of this coast. The coast is steep here and remarkably bold in appearance with columnar basalt cliffs rising almost perpendicularly from the sea to a height of 120 metres. A formidable tide race exists off this headland and it is recommended that a vessel keeps at least two miles offshore of Benbane Head to avoid it.

Ballintoy Point is the next headland, a distance of approximately five miles from Benbane Head. The entire passage west of ‘Sheep Island’ to Benbane head presents a mainland coast composed of a rugged broken shore that is subject to heavy surf. The mainland’s predominant feature is of black basaltic cliffs alternating with limestone and inland hills rising to heights of 180 metres in places. There are some outlying rocks, but there are no hidden dangers beyond a quarter of a mile from the shoreline.

Rathlin Sound is then clear of dangers with the exception of Carrickmannanon off Kinbane Head, two and a half miles southeast of Sheep Island and a similar distance from Ballycastle Harbour. This rock is visible as it nearly always breaks and dries 0.3 metre. From here Ballycastle Bay commences stretching between Kinbane Head and Fair Head facing Rathlin Island on the opposite side four miles across the sound.

Once past Carrickmannanon, shape a course to leave Ballycastle’s North Quay pierhead a clearance of approximately 100 metres, where the Ballycastle Initial Fix leads.

FINAL APPROACH Once there turn to starboard to round the northern pierhead upon the initial fix or when Boyd's Breakwater, Fl (2) R 4s 1M, is well open of the north pierhead. Boyd's Breakwater pierhead is obscured by the North pier until a clearing bearing of 261° is reached. Alternatively by night come south immediately offshore of the harbour until Boyd's Breakwater light bears 275° and turn in.

The North Quay to starboard, that hosts the ferry berths, is protected by a large breakwater and carries a light Fl (3) G.6s 6M. On the port side is the aforementioned Boyd's Breakwater pierhead light Fl (2) R 4s 1M.

Once through the entrance bear round to port to leave the old quay to starboard - there is plenty of room for manoeuvre.

The Marina is situated in the east part of the harbour and has 72 pontoon berths for craft up to 13 metres in length. The Marina Office is open during most daylight hours and listens on VHF channel 80 and it is requested that arrangements should be made prior to entering the Harbour. Quayside berthing is also available for deep draft craft up to 3 metres MLWS.

It is possible to anchor 50 to 100 metres off the pier outside the harbour in a depth to your preference in sand. The bay is sheltered from east through south to west but liable to sudden swell.

What are the tides here?

Today's local tide estimates are based on High Water Belfast -0340
Today's Belfast tides — High waters: 11:15, 23:31, Low waters: 04:56, 17:13
Today's Dover tides — High waters: 11:14, 23:30, Low waters: 06:06, 18:22 (From Tide Times)
High Water Dover -0445 spring, -0200 neap.
Belfast -0450 spring, -0155 neap
Direction of stream along the near shore: Dover -0300W +0200E

MHWS 1.2m MHWN 0.9m MLWN 0.9m MLWS 0.3m

The tides in Rathlin Sound are very strong, have several eddies and are subject to great variations both in force and direction. Tides run from 6 knots at springs, to 4 knots at neaps causing strong eddies along the shores, with heavy overfalls off all the headlands. For those approaching from the south, close in off Torr Head the Ebb runs up to 9 knots during Spring tides.

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 facilities are available?

Ballycastle Marina berths provides power, water and a launderette. Fuel is available at a fuelling berth to the north of the marina. Fresh provisions including gas can be obtained from the town immediately southwest of the pier. This is a sizable town servicing a population of about 5000. A slip is available that can accommodate craft up to 10 metres in length with a draught of 1.5 metres.

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. There is an Auxiliary rescue coastguard station at Ballycastle.

Other useful numbers in this area:
Local Coastguard: +4428 207 6226
HM: +4428 20768525; Mobile +447803 505084
Hospital +4420762666.
Ballycastle Marina Tel: +44282 076 8525; VHF 80
Mobile: +447803 505084; E-mail: info@moyle-council.org

Any security concerns?

The marina has 24 hour secure access into the marina as the gate is kept locked. A numbered code is issued to all boat owners who can unlock the gate whenever they wish to access their craft.

What navigational resources are available for this area?

British Admiralty 2798‘Lough Foyle to Sanda Island including Rathlin Island’ scale of 200,000:1 plus 2494 ‘Ireland-North Coast, Plans on the North Coast of Ireland’. Imray chart C64 ‘Belfast Lough to Crinan and Islay’ plus Northern Ireland Ordinance Survey No. 5 at a scale of 1:50,000 for inland details.

With thanks to:

Terry Crawford, local boatman of many decades.

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