Kinsale

1. Kinsale pilot boarding place Pilot boards51°40.1′N 008°29.8′W

Size limits

LOA 89.99m, beam 15.2m, 4,624DWT.

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 4.3m springs, 3.2m neaps, with a rate of 1.5kts and 3kts depending on spring/neap tides.

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

Approach

Channel buoys are port hand buoys. "Bulman" Buoy lies 0.35nm S of Preghane Point (Q 6 and LFl 15s) marking Bulman Rock.

Directions for approaching Kinsale Harbour from S: On rounding the Old Head of Kinsale, the entrance to Kinsale Harbour may be easily identified by the well defined valley of the River Bandon E of Bream Rock (0.5nm NNE of the Old Head of Kinsale Light) which lies low and flat, 0.1nm offshore; it is steep to, then: 1.1m E of Hake Head (3nm N of the Old Head of Kinsale), then:

0.15nm W of Bulman Lightbuoy, marking Bulman Rock (0.225nm S of Preghane Point, the E entrance point of the harbour). The sea always breaks over Bulman Rock in bad weather.

At night, the white sector (358-004°) of Charles's Fort Light (51°41.7'N 008°29.9'W) leads towards the entrance passing 0.15nm W of Bulman Rock.

Directions for approaching Kinsale Harbour from E: The recommended approach is S of Bulman Lightbuoy but, with local knowledge small craft may pass between Bulman Rock and Preghane Point (0.225nm N).

Clearing bearing and line: The line of bearing 065° of Blinknure Point (51°41.2'N 008°25.7'W) open a little S of Frower Point (0.65nm E of Preghane Point) passes 0.1nm S of Bulman Rock and close S of Frower Patch (0.325nm SE of Preghane Point).

The alignment (081.5°) of the N end of Big Sovereign (51°40.5'N 008°26.9'W) and Frower Point passes 0.1nm N of Bulman Rock.

Entering: From a position approx 0.4nm W of Bulman Buoy, steer a course 016° for 1.2nm until abeam of Money Point (distant 0.2nm). Then steer 339° for 1.0nm until abeam of Spit Buoy (port hand), then 287° for 0.3nm to Crohouge Buoy (port hand).Crossing the bar: The bar, consisting of sand and shells with at least a depth of 3.0m CD, lies in the middle of the fairway within 0.3nm S of Charles's Fort Light.

A NW course on the line of bearing 325° of Blockhouse Point (51°42.0'N 008°30.5'W) until Charles's Fort.

Fairway above the bar: Above the bar, the deep water fairway runs close to the E and N shores, between these shores and three lightbuoys (port hand) which mark the extensive shoal water on the W and S sides of the river.

The deepest route through the fairway, passes (with positions given from Blockhouse Point):

E of Spur Lightbuoy (0.25nm SSE), then:

NE of Spit Lightbuoy (0.175nm N), then:

NW of Crohogue Lightbuoy (0.3nm NW).

Caution: It has been reported that there is less water than charted S of Crohogue Lightbuoy.

Port limits

The harbour limits are defined by a straight line due W of Hangman's Point at LW.

Anchorages

Anchorage is prohibited in channel and near Pier Head.

Restrictions

Pier entry at HW only for coasters. Max 5.3m at MHWS. Bar depth at LW springs 3.0m, this lies 0.2-0.3nm S of Charles Fort.

Tugs

Contact Haulbowline Industries Ltd, Tel: +353 21 841101. None available in Kinsale.

Mooring

Coasters berth approx 30 minutes after HW.

Vessels generally sail on a flood tide but may sail on the ebb (neaps) if they have a bow thruster.

General berthing information: All cargo vessels will take the bottom, from half ebb onwards, on a gentle mud slope. Stern remains afloat at all times.

Charts and publications

BA 2053, 1785, 2092. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be given to agents at least 24 hours prior to arrival and be updated 12 hours prior to arrival.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered when anchored or fast alongside.

Documents

Comunications: VHF: Pilots, call on Ch 16, Working Ch 14, callsign "Kinsale Harbour". For Kinsale Harbour Master, call Ch 16 and Ch 14 and for Yacht Club Marina, call Ch 37 (or M1, Castle Park Marina Ch 06).

Health

Any type of illness must be reported to the Harbour Master.

Customs and immigration

Will attend from Cork.

Flags

Flag "N", flown on flagpole near Harbour Master's Office means a coaster is due, do not berth on pier or keep clear of coasters. Masters are advised to read notice board at the harbour office.

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

Full repair facilities available. There is a slip available for fishing boats and yachts.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by road tankers.

Stores: Not available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Kinsale Community Hospital (1.2km).

Crew change

Arranged by agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cork Airport (17km).

Working hours

Normally, Mon-Fri 0800-2000hrs.

Where it is

Kinsale is situated on the estuary of the Bandon River, approx 11nm SW of Cork harbour entrance and approx 8nm NNE of the Old Head of Kinsale.

The port

The port is a virtually landlocked harbor, encompassing approximately across its Inner and Outer Harbors, both offering excellent anchorage. It features two fully equipped marinas with visitor berths and a limited number of available swinging moorings. The port primarily handles bulk cargo and passenger vessels.

Where does the pilot board at Kinsale?

The pilot boards at Kinsale pilot boarding place, 51°40.1′N 008°29.8′W.

What time zone is Kinsale in?

Local time at Kinsale 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 Kinsale?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kinsale 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 Kinsale?

Port State Control at Kinsale: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kinsale?

The UN/LOCODE of Kinsale is IEKLN.

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