Ballina

Size limits

Draught 3.6m.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 2.0m.

Approach

Having embarked a pilot off Inishcrone Light (54°13.0'N 009°06.0'W), between the drying spit extending from the NE extremity of Bartragh Island and the quicksands extending N from East Bartragh, then, E of the buoys (starboard hand), which mark the W side of the channel, then, between the beacons marking each side of the very narrow part of the channel approx 1nm within the entrance. The track then follows the course of the river, in places between training walls, to Ballina.

Owing to the changes which occur in the channel, particular attention should be paid to the advice of the pilot.

Restrictions

An overhead power cable, with a vertical clearance of 11m, spans the river between Crocketts Town and Ballina, 0.5nm below the latter.

Charts and publications

BA 2715, 2725. Admiralty Pilot NP40.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Maritime Safety Directorate, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Address: Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: +353 1 678 2000.

Fax: +353 1 678 2349

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

There are no repair facilities available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Limited bunkering facilities are available from road tankers.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Ballina District Hospital (St Josephs)

Transport

Nearest airport: Knock.

Airport facilities: International connections are available at Shannon and Dublin. Domestic flights are available at Knock and also at Sligo (35km E).

Nearest railway: Ballina.

Working hours

Normally, Mon-Fri 0900-1800hrs.

Where it is

Ballina is situated on the River Moy, approx 6nm within the entrance, on the NW coast of Ireland.

The port

The Department of Marine are in the process of considering the future of several Irish ports including Ballina.

The last official commercial vessel arrived at the port on Christmas Day, 1987. On Aug 12 1997 a Dutch registered vessel entered the port with 1,000t of coal, but was refused entry as the port was no longer insured. However this does confirm that the port can accept vessels with a draught of 3.4m.

The small harbour has 1 berth and facilities for the discharge of small coasters and fishing vessels.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ballina?

Compulsory.

What time zone is Ballina in?

Local time at Ballina is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Ballina?

1000.

Which load line zone is Ballina in?

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

Who carries out Port State Control at Ballina?

Port State Control at Ballina: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ballina?

The UN/LOCODE of Ballina is IEBLL.

What crews who called at Ballina say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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