Baltimore

Size limits

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

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

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

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

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.

Anchorages

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.

Restrictions

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.

Charts and publications

BA 3725, 2129. Admiralty Pilot NP40.

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 2 boat yards situated at Old Court, approx 5nm up the River Ilen, which is tidal.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Skibbereen Medical Centre (10km) and Skibbereen District Hospital (11.75km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Cork Airport (73.5km).

Nearest road: R595. The port has direct access to the road which connects Baltimore to the town of Skibbereen.

Nearest railway: Cork (78km).

Nearest public transport: Bus stop located within the harbour at the main pier.

Where it is

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

The port

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.

What are the pilot arrangements at Baltimore?

Pilotage is not compulsory.

What time zone is Baltimore in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Baltimore?

The deepest berth listed is at Baltimore (Ireland): 5.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Baltimore?

1025.

Which load line zone is Baltimore 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 Baltimore?

Port State Control at Baltimore: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Baltimore?

The UN/LOCODE of Baltimore is IEBTM.

What crews who called at Baltimore 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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