Baltimore (IEBTM)

Baltimore is a natural harbour protected by some of Carberry's 100 isles, the nearest of which is Sherkin Island. The harbour is approx 10nm ENE of the Fastnet Rock with the island of Cape Clear in between. Regular fast ferries travel from the port to both islands. The port also handles fishing and recreational vessels with the harbour being used as a launch site for diving charters in search for World War II submarines and the 'Kowloon Bridge' which sank in 1987.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Baltimore is located on the S coast of Ireland, approx 60nm SW of Cork.

Max LOA 27.63m, beam 9.20m, draught 5.5m, 320DWT.

There is good anchorage for vessels drawing up to 6.4m in the shelter of Sherkin Island. Vessels drawing up to 3m can anchor throughout the rest of the harbour. Anchorage may be taken, in depths of 9.1 to 16.5m, in a narrow reach which extends 0.17nm E and W of Turk Head.

The entrance to the harbour is between Sherkin Island and the mainland, with a depth of 18.29m and width of 80m. There is a flashing green buoy at the entrance - The Looe - which marks the E side of the channel and a flashing red buoy - The Wallis - marks the dredged channel. A large white beacon on the mainland and an automatic lighthouse on the tip of Sherkin Island are also present. A second approach, which is mainly used by small vessels with a least charted depth of 6.2m, can be made in the channel between Sherkin Island and Spanish Island.

BA 3725, 2129. Admiralty Pilot NP40.

RNLI Lifeboat station located NNE 0.28nm from the harbour.

1025.

Pilotage is not compulsory. The harbour master or the Sherkin ferryman, (Tel: +353 28 20218) may act as pilot if required.

Principal marks: Barrack Point Light (white tower, 8m in height) (90m W of the extremity of the point) is conspicuous. Lot's Wife (stone tower) standing, at an elevation of 50m, on Beacon Point.

Foul ground extends 117nm SE from the shore SW of Barrack Point. At the outer end is W entrance point at Wilson Rock which dries about 3.1m. A rocky ridge, with depths of 4 to 9.1m, extends 130nm NE from Barrack Point and in turn leaves a deep channel W of Loo Rock Buoy. Foul ground also extends 117nm offshore between Beacon Point at the E entrance point and Loo Point, 238nm N of Loo Rock. This has a least depth of 0.2m and lies at the outer end of this foul ground, at approx 117nm WSW from Loo Point. A lighted buoy marks the area on the SW side. Quarry Rock, 0.17nm NNE of Loo Rock, has a depth of 1.5m, has been noted to be steep on its W side. Caution: Care must be taken to avoid the telegraph cable laid between Tramadroum (51°28.6'N., 009°22.9'W) and Abbey Strand, 0.6nm WSW on Sherkin Island.

Range 3.35m. Tidal rise, MHWS 2.9 and MHWN 1.5m Tidal streams enter and leave the harbour through both the entrance and the sound (NW of Sherkin Island). The current then meets at Lousy Rocks (0.5nm N of the entrance) and set NE between Ringarogy Island and the E shore of the harbour. The ebbs set out of the harbour in the opposite direction. The incoming current starts about 5 hours and 45 minutes after HW at Cobh; the outgoing current starts about 30 minutes before HW at Cobh. Interval from HW ..... Cobh Dover Direction +0545 -0005 Ingoing -0025 +0610 Outgoing

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

BALTIMORE 51°27'N 9°24'W ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

Pilot: Pilotage is not compulsory. The Harbour Master or the Sherkin ferryman, (Tel: +353 28 20218) may act as pilot if required.