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Irish Ports and Sea Areas

Description: Department of Transport - An Roinn IompairThe purpose of this Marine Notice is to update the Port Areas contained in Appendix I to take account of changes in the listed areas of “smooth” or “partially smooth” waters that have been made in the intervening period.   This Marine Notice may be subject to further revision on a periodic basis.

Port Areas

The purpose of the designated Port Areas is to indicate areas where vessels may operate without being considered to be at sea, hence the expressions “smooth” or “partially smooth”. They may also be considered to be port areas under the European Union Directive 2009/45/EC[1] as defined in Article 2 (r). In particular the designated Port Areas will impact on the plying limits indicated on the Passenger Ship Certificate for vessels of Class IV and Class V and for the plying limits stated on P1, P2 and P4 Passenger Boat Licences.  For other vessels, the requirements of the Load Line Rules become relevant when proceeding outside port areas.

Port Areas were originally derived early in the last century and were appropriate for the trading and operating conditions at that time.

However, many of the State’s ports and harbours are not listed in statutory schedules. The purpose of this Marine Notice is to address this issue and to designate, where practical and safe to do so, areas of smooth or partially smooth water in ports or harbours etc. that were not previously listed.

If an area is not listed or a person(s) or body with local knowledge are of the viewpoint that the areas are insufficient, bearing in mind parameters of safety, sea, weather and tidal conditions; a submission may be made in writing for the consideration of the Irish Maritime Administration. Such a submission should be accompanied by supporting factual information, data etc.

Similarly, if a person(s) or body with local knowledge considers a designated port area is excessive, a submission may be made in writing for the consideration of the Irish Maritime Administration.

The Port Areas may have been designated on the basis of, inter alia: -

  1. Areas which are not fully exposed to open sea forces;
  2. A recent study by an organisation into wave heights around the coast;
  3. Feedback from competent persons and persons with local knowledge.

 See Appendix I for details of Port Areas.

Sea Areas

(Directive 2009/45/EC on Safety Rules and Standards for Passenger Ships)

Vessels proceeding beyond the listed port areas are considered to be at sea.

Passenger Ships issued with a Passenger Ship Safety Certificate in accordance with European Union Directive 2009/45/EC are considered to be ‘Class A’, ‘Class B’, ‘Class C’ or ‘Class D’ as per Article 4 of the Directive. (See below)

  • ‘Class A’ means a passenger ship engaged on domestic voyages other than voyages covered by Classes B, C and D.
  • ‘Class B’ means a passenger ship engaged on domestic voyages in the course of which it is at no time more than 20 miles from the line of coast, where shipwrecked persons can land, corresponding to the medium tide height.
  • ‘Class C’ means a passenger ship engaged on domestic voyages in sea areas where the probability of exceeding 2.5 metres significant wave height is smaller than 10 % over a one year period for all-year-round operation, or over a specific restricted period of the year for operation exclusively in such period (e.g. summer period operation), in the course of which it is at no time more than 15 miles from a place of refuge, nor more than 5 miles from the line of coast, where shipwrecked persons can land, corresponding to the medium tide height.
  • ‘Class D’ means a passenger ship engaged on domestic voyages in sea areas where the probability of exceeding 1.5 metres significant wave height is smaller than 10 % over a one year period for all-year-round operation, or over a specific restricted period of the year for operation exclusively in such period (e.g. summer period operation), in the course of which it is at no time more than 6 miles from a place of refuge, nor more than 3 miles from the line of coast, where shipwrecked persons can land, corresponding to the medium tide height.

See Appendix II for details of designated Sea Areas derived on the basis of a significant wave height study and relevant to Class C and Class D passenger ships.

APPENDIX I

PORT AREAS (SMOOTH WATERS AND PARTIALLY SMOOTH WATERS)

 

Place

Areas of Smooth Waters

Areas of Partially Smooth Waters

Carlingford Lough

Within a line from Greencastle Point to Greenore                                                     

In Summer:

Inside of a line joining Cranfeld Point and Ballagan Point

 

In Winter:

In favourable weather only, within a line drawn from Greenore and

Greencastle points to a boundary line drawn from Soldiers Point at 245° to charted ruins at Ballytrasna

Dundalk

Westward of Longitude 006°21W within Castletown Estuary

In Summer and in favourable weather only, within a line joining Cooley Point and Dunany Point

Drogheda                                  

Within a line from Crook Point to Burrow Point                                                            

In Summer:

In favourable weather only, within a radius of 2.6 nautical miles from the eastern tip of the north breakwater and terminating at the northern and southern foreshores respectively

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters               

Skerries

No Smooth Waters

To St. Patrick’s Island in fine weather and daylight only

Rogerstown Inlet

West of Longitude 006°06.5’W

No partially Smooth Waters

Malahide Inlet

West of Longitude 006°08’W

No partially Smooth Waters

 

Howth Sound

No Smooth Waters

Within a line from the North end of Eastern Breakwater to Thulla and south of a line joining Westwood to Steer Rock

Dublin

Inside the Pier Heads                                  

In Summer:

Within a line from Dalkey Island to Bailey Point

 

In Winter:

(a) for tenders to ocean liners only; within a line from Dalkey Island to Bailey Point, in fine weather.              

(b) for all other ships; no partially smooth waters

Dun Laoghaire

Inside Pier Heads

As Dublin

Wicklow

Inside the Pier Heads

In Summer and in favourable weather only, within 2 nautical miles of the pier heads

Arklow

Inside the Pier Heads

In Summer and in favourable weather only, within 2 nautical miles of the pier heads

Wexford

Inside Wexford Bridge                                

Within a line from Raven Point to Rosslare Point                                    

Place

Areas of Smooth Waters

Areas of Partially Smooth Waters

Saltees Islands

No Smooth Waters

In Summer:

In favourable weather only; licenced passenger boats operating as tenders and with an approved tender safety plan and no more than 50m from the designated landing point specified in the tender safety plan

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Bannow Estuary

Bannow Bay.

Within a line drawn East to West at the entrance to Bannow Bay at 052°12.9’ N

In Summer:

In favourable weather only within a line between Ingard Point and Clammers Point

Waterford

Within a line from Passage to Ballyhack    

In Summer:

Within a line from Dunmore to Hook Point                                                    

 

In Winter:

Within a line from Geneva Barrack to Duncannon Light

Dungarvan

West of Cunnigar Point

In Summer:

Inside a line joining Ballynacourty Point Lighthouse to the western most point of the mainland of Helvick Head

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Youghal

Within a line from Ferry Point to Green Park                                                             

No partially Smooth Waters               

Cork

Within a line from Ram’s Head to Dognose Quay                                                           

Within a radius of 3 miles from Roche's Point, in favourable weather

Oysterhaven

North of Ferry Point

In Summer:

North of Kinure Point

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Kinsale Harbour

Within a line from Blockhouse Point and Summer Cove

Within a line from Moneypoint and Carrignarone

Courtmacsherry

West of 008°41.5’ W

In Summer :

North of a line joining wood Point and Coolmain Point

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

 

Place

 

Areas of Smooth Waters

 

Areas of Partially Smooth Waters

Glandore

North of Long Point

In Summer:

North of a line joining Sheila Point and Goats Head

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Castle Haven

East of Reen Point

In Summer:

North of Reen Point

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Crookhaven

West of longitude 009°42’

No partially Smooth Waters

Baltimore

In Baltimore Harbour and inside lines drawn between the following points; from Beacon Point to Barrack Point, from Long Point to Deelish Rock and from Deelish Rock to Frolic Point                                    

No partially Smooth Waters

 

Schull

North of a line joining Skull Point and Coosheen Pt.

Gun Point to the West end of Long Island, North of Long Island and inside a line joining Copper Pt. to Coosheen Pt.

Dunbeacon Harbour,

Dunmanus Bay

No Smooth Waters

Within a line joining Rossmore Point and Dunbeacon Point, in favourable weather only

Bantry Bay                                

From Bantry or Glengariff:

 

Within a line joining Four Heads Point East and inside Whiddy Island                            

From Castletownbere: Inside Bere Island   

Castletownbere to within a line from Lonehort Point to White Horse Point, in favourable weather and in daylight only                                                     

Kenmare

(including Ardgroom and Kilmakilloge Harbours)

 

North of 51°50.0’N

 

 

In Summer and in favourable weather and daylight only:

East of Longitude 9o54.7’W.

In Winter: inside a line joining Dog’s Pt and Laughaun Point and North of Rossmorebullig Pt.

Blasket Islands and Dunquin

No Smooth Waters

Great Blasket Island – within a 500 metre radius of the pier.

Dunquin Harbour – within a 500 metre radius of the pier

Valentia

Between lines joining Knightstown and Renards Point and Portmagee Swing Bridge

In favourable weather only, within a line joining Ringcaheragh Point and Scughaport Reef and within a line joining Fort Point to Beginish Island  and inside Doulus Bar

Ventry Harbour

No Smooth Waters

In Summer and in favourable weather only, within a line joining Parkmore Point and Paddock Point

Smerwick Harbour

No Smooth Waters

In Summer:

Inside of a line joining Carrigbrean to Dunacapple Island

In winter time:

No partially Smooth Waters

Place

Areas of Smooth Waters

Areas of Partially Smooth Waters

Brandon Bay

No Smooth Waters

In Summer:

Inside of lines joining Brandon Point to Illaunboe to Rough Point

Tralee Bay

In Summer and in favourable weather and daylight only:

Inside a line joining Fenit Breakwater Light to Derrymore Point

In Tralee Bay south of a line running east through Rough Point

Castlemaine Harbour

No Smooth Waters

East of a line joining Rossbehy Point to Inch Point

Dingle Harbour

Within a line joining Flaherty Point and Black Point

No partially Smooth Waters

The Shannon

East of Rinalan Point                                  

East of a straight line joining Carrig Island, Scattery Island Lighthouse and the Clare Coast

Doolin Point

No Smooth Waters

No partially Smooth Waters

Kilronan

No Smooth Waters

In Summer:

Within 0.6’ from Kilronan Pier

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Galway

Lough Corrib                                               

(a) for ships when serving as tenders to ocean liners only; within a line from Black Head to Carrahouna Point       

 

(b) for all other ships: within a line from Black Rock Beacon to Kilcolgan Point

Cashla Bay,

Greatmans Bay

Kilkieran Bay

Area of Smooth Waters, in favourable weather only, is considered to be to all waters inside Cashla Bay north of Tonacrick Point, all waters inside of Greatmans Bay north of Rin Point and all waters inside of Kilkeran Bay (and Casheen Bay) east of Kilkieran Point

No partially Smooth Waters

Roundstone Bay

No Smooth Waters

In Summer time:

North of an east west line through Inishnee Pt.

In winter time:

No partially Smooth Waters

Cleggan /Inishbofin

Within a line from Cleggan Point to Roeillaun

Within the area bounded by lines joining Cleggan Point to Lyon Point and Roeillaun to Shark Head and inside Bofin Harbour, in favourable weather and daylight only

Clifden Bay

No Smooth Waters

In favourable weather and daylight only, within a line due North from Fishing Point

Ballynakill Harbour

Inside Ross Point

In Summer, favourable weather and daylight only, inside Freaghillaun Island

Place

Areas of Smooth Waters

Areas of Partially Smooth Waters

Killary Harbour

 

Inside Inishbarna Islands                             

Within a line from Tonakeera Point to Culfin Point, in favourable weather and daylight only

Clew Bay

Area of Smooth Waters, in favourable weather only, is considered to be to all waters to the east of a line joining Curraghmore Point to Inishgort Light House to Rosturk Castle

No partially Smooth Waters

Westport

Within a line from Murrisk Pier to Inishgort Light.                                                            

No partially Smooth Waters.              

Achill Sound

North of Darby’s Point to 54°00’N (In way of Bull’s Mouth)

No partially Smooth Waters

Blacksod Bay

Inside Dooniver Point

In favourable weather only, within a line from Blacksod Point to Kinfinalta Point

Broadhaven Bay

Within a line from Shanaghy Point to Fox Point

In favourable weather only, from Gubacashel to Brandy Point

Sruwaddacon Bay

No Smooth Waters

East of 009° 50’ West

Clare Island

 

Within a line from Roonagh Head to Clare Island East Harbour and Achillbeg Island to Clare Island

Killala Bay

Inside Rinnaun Point

Within 3 miles from Ross Point in favourable weather and daylight only

Sligo Harbour

Inside Metal Man Rocks. On Lough Gill     

Within a line from Raghly Point to Black Rock Point                                

Ballyshannon

Inside the Bar

Within a line from Aughrus Point to Kildone Point in favourable weather and daylight only

Donegal

Inside the Bar                                              

Within a line from Doorin Point to Kildone Point in favourable weather and daylight only

Killybegs

No Smooth Waters

Inside a line joining Rotton Island to Port Roshin

Teelin

 

Within a distance of 3 miles from Dundawoona Point in favourable weather and daylight only

Burtonport

No Smooth Waters

Within an area bounded by lines from Ranagh Point to Wyon Point and Rinnagey to Rough Island

Sheephaven Bay

No Smooth Waters

In Summer:

South of 55°12’N

 

In Winter:

No partially Smooth Waters

Mulroy Bay

Within a line from Dundooan Point and Inbeverbeg Bay

In favourable weather only, within a line from Melmore Head and Ballyhoorisky Point

Lough Swilly

Within a line from Buncrana to Muckarnish Point                                                            

Within a line from Dunree Head to Portsalon

Lough Foyle

Inside a line joining Greencastle and Magilligan Point

No partially Smooth Waters

 

The outer limits of the Smooth Water areas specified in the second column above shall be taken to be the corresponding inner limits of the partially smooth water areas specified in the third column.

Unless otherwise indicated these limits apply at all times of the year.

In the above table “summer " means the months of April to October, inclusive, and " winter " means the months of November to March, inclusive.

“Favourable Weather”

As defined in S.I. of 274 of 1985, Merchant Shipping (Passenger Ship Construction and Survey) Rules 1985 favourable weathermeans fine, clear settled weather with a sea state such as to cause moderate rolling and/or pitching”and as defined in the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Boat) Regulations 2002, as amended, favourable weather “means weather when the visibility is good and when the combined effects of wind, sea and swell on the passenger boat are never greater than those which would cause moderate rolling or pitching or result in the shipping of green seas on the weather deck or, in the case of an open boat, over the gunwhale.”

Weather conditions should be such that passengers are not unduly wetted by spray or unduly discomforted by the motion of the vessel.

It is appreciated that each passenger ship may behave differently in varying weather conditions. Factors such as the size, type and sea handling capabilities of the passenger ship together with its intended area of operation must be taken into consideration by the Master prior to each voyage. The Master should have a sound working knowledge of the ship and should be familiar with the behaviour of the vessel under varying weather conditions. The Master should have a good knowledge of the area of operation and should have an updated weather forecast to hand prior to each journey.

 

APPENDIX II

 

East Coast of Ireland

Sea Areas, Council Directive 2009/45/EC

Carlingford Lough to Tuskar Rock Lighthouse

 

Location

Sea Area EU

Sea Area EU

 

Region

Class D Vessels

Class C Vessels

Summer

All Year

Summer

 All Year

Carlingford Lough Entrance to Dunany Point

P

X

P

X

Carlingford Lough

Clogher Head to Cardy Rocks

P

X

P

X

Louth Coast

Rush to Baily Lighthouse

P

X

P

X

Dublin Coast

Baily Lighthouse to Dalkey Island

P

X

P

X

Dublin Bay

Dalkey Island to Wicklow Head (Lighthouse)

P

X

P

X

Dublin to Wicklow

Wicklow Head to Cahore Point

P

X

P

X

Wicklow/Wexford

Raven Point to Rosslare Harbour

P

X

P

X

Wexford

 

South Coast of Ireland

 

Sea Areas, Council Directive 2009/45/EC  

Tuskar Rock Lighthouse to Mizen Head Lighthouse.

 

 

Region and Location

Sea Area EU

Sea Area EU

 

Region

Class D Vessels

Class C Vessels

Summer

All Year

Summer

All Year

Carnsore Point to Hook Head

X

X

P

X

South Wexford Coast

Hook Head to Brownstown Head

X

X

P

X

Approaches to Waterford

Helvick Head to Ballyvoyle Head

P

X

P

X

Approaches to Dungarvan

Ram Head to Knockadoon Head

P

X

P

X

Approaches to Youghal

Knockadoon Head to Ballycotton Island

X

X

P

X

Approaches to Ballycotton

Power Head to Roberts Head

X

X

P

X

Approaches to Cork

Frower Point to Old Head of Kinsale

X

X

P

X

Approaches to Kinsale

Old Head of Kinsale to Galley Head

X

X

P

X

Courtmacsherry to Clonakilty

Galley Head to Toe Head

X

X

P

X

Rosscarberry to Castle Haven

Toe Head to Cape Clear South Harbour

P

X

P

X

Approaches to Baltimore and Cape Clear Island

Cape Clear North Harbour to Streek Head

P

X

P

X

Long Island Bay

 

Southwest Coast of Ireland

Sea Areas, Council Directive 2009/45/EC   Mizen Head Lighthouse

Mizen Head Lighthouse to Loop Head Lighthouse

 

Location

Sea Area EU

Sea Area EU

 

Region

Class D Vessels

Class C Vessels

Summer

All Year

Summer

All Year

Rough Point to Crow Rock

X

X

P

X

Tralee Bay

Kilcredaun Head to Beal Point

X

X

P

X

Shannon Estuary

Beal Point to Kilrush

P

X

P

P

Shannon Estuary

Dunmanus Bay East of Longitude 9o40.4’W.

P

P

P

P

Dunmanus Bay

Sheep’s Head to Three Castle Head

X

X

P

X

Dunmanus Bay

Sheep’s Head to Blackball Head

X

X

P

X

Bantry Bay

Bantry Bay, East of Longitude 9o32.4’W.

P

X

P

X

Bantry Bay

Lamb’s Head to Cod’s Head

X

X

P

X

Kenmare River

East of Longitude 9o54.7’W.

P

P

P

P

Kenmare River

Ballinskelligs Bay Hogs Head to Horse Island

X

X

P

X

Ballinskelligs Bay

Parkmore Point to Keownglas Head

P

X

P

X

Dingle Bay

East Sister to Duncapple Islets

P

X

P

X

Smerwick Harbour

Brandon Point to Inishtooskert Island

X

X

P

X

Brandon Bay

 

 

West Coast of Ireland

Sea Areas, Council Directive 2009/45/EC

Loop Head Lighthouse to Eagle Island Lighthouse

 

Location

Sea Area EU

Sea Area EU

 

Region

Class D Vessels

Class C Vessels

Summer

All Year

Summer

 All Year

 

Inside of a line joining Errislannan Point to Inishshark Island to Bofin Harbour to Inishturk Island to Rinvyle Point.

 

 

X

 

 

X

 

 

P

 

 

X

Cleggan to Inishshark Island to Inishbofin Island to Inishturk Island.

Ballaghaline Point to Trawkeera Point

X

X

P

X

Doolin to Aran Islands

Pipe Rock to Clogharone

X

X

P

X

Inisheer to Inishmaan

Aillinera to Illaunanaur

X

X

P

X

Inishmaan to Inishmore

Curranghduff to Golam Head

X

X

P

X

Inishmore to Mainland

Black Head to Ballywilliam Point

P

X

P

X

Midway Galway Bay

Finavarra Point to Mutton Island

P

P

P

P

Upper end Galway Bay

Inside of a line joining Ardmore Point to Illaunmaan to North Point of Inishbarra Island

 

P

 

P

 

P

 

P

 

Kilkieran Bay Inner

Inside of a line joining Baun Rock to Inishlackan to Treh Point

 

P

 

X

 

P

 

X

 

Roundstone Bay

Baun Rock to Inishlackan to Treh Point

X

X

P

X

Roundstone

Clifden Bay. East of Longitude 10o05’W.

P

X

P

P

Clifden

 

Northwest Coast of Ireland

Sea Areas, Council Directive 2009/45/EC

Eagle Island Lighthouse to Lough Foyle

 

Location

Sea Area EU

Sea Area EU

 

Region

Class D Vessels

Class C Vessels

Summer

All Year

Summer

All Year

Erris Head to Kid Island

X

X

P

X

Off Broadhaven Bay

Kilcummin Head to Lenadoon Point

X

X

P

X

Killala Bay

Lenadoon Point to Ballyconnell Point

X

X

P

X

Sligo Bay

Ballyconnel Point to Carrigan Head

X

X

P

X

Donegal Bay

St. John’s Point to Drumanoo

P

X

P

X

Killybegs

Inisde Aran Island

P

X

P

X

Burtonport

South of a line joining Horn Head to Rinnafaghla Point

X

X

P

X

Sheephaven Bay

 

South of a line joining Binrobin to Rinnaskeagh

P

P

P

P

Sheephaven Bay

South of a line joining Greencastle Pier to Magilligan Point

P

P

P

P

Lough Foyle

Inishowen Head to Ballyaghran Point

X

X

P

X

Lough Foyle

                                 

 



     
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