OVERVIEW
The natural harbour of Baltimore lies between Sherkin, Spanish Island and Ringarogy Islands and the mainland. A popular fishing port and busy yachting centre the harbour is normally approached via its southern entrance between Beacon Point, to the east marked by a beacon, and Barrack Point on Sherkin Island, marked by a lighthouse.

The harbour may also be entered, exited or provide access to the southern half of Long Island Bay, via a The Sound, Ilen River and a passage between Hare and Sherkin Islands. This route, at times, twists and turns through narrow intricate channels passing several undistinguished islets and islands. The channels have covered and exposed obstructions in the margins and the passage is particularly challenging in the vicinity of Turk’s Head.

This all leaves zero margin for pilotage error so good visibility, conditions and a powered vessel along with a good set of charts and plotter will be essential for this cut. However, with the minimum depth for the entire route being 6 metres, there is ample water all the way and in good conditions, it offers an interesting hour of keen pilotage.

In terms of time-saving there would be little between this route and coming out the southern entrance to Baltimore harbour and using the Gascanane Sound cuts, the western pass and eastern pass , to access Long Island Bay. This route would be a much shorter passage but it is more involved than an approach through Gascanane Sound. However, if the tide is unfavourable in Gascanane Sound, this cut could be the better option.


LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 3.50 miles from the waypoint 'South end of The Sound' to 'Midway between Toorane Rocks and Sherkin Island' tending in a west south westerly direction (reciprocal east north easterly).











TRANSIT NOTES
The principal outlying dangers in the mouth of the River Ilen are the Mealbeg Rocks, situated close south off Turk Head and marked by a lighted cardinal buoy, and a drying rock that extends from the northeast-most point of Sandy Island.

This passage relies primarily upon eyeball navigation with clear visibility, good charts and moderate conditions. The waypoints provided are only intended to assist in identifying the key turning points in the passage and cannot be used in isolation. Take this route under power, in a steady fashion picking your way around the rocks and through the channels via eyeball navigation.

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.

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.