Rathmullen

Size limits

LOA 60.4m, beam 11m, draught 5.0m, 2,168DWT.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Tidal streams in Rathmullen Roadstead run up to 1.75kts at springs.

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

Approach

Directions from Buncrana Bay to Rathmullan Roadstead: From the position abreast Buncrana Bay, the track leads SSW, round the E extremity of Saltpans Bank, for a distance of 2.25nm to the roadstead off Rathmullen (55°06.0'N 007°32.0'W).

The alignment (202°) of Hawk's Nest (55°04.0'N 007°32.0'W), 42m in height, the W extremity of Inch Island and Ballygreen Point (2.5nm SSW), on the W side of the lough leads to the roadstead, passing:

E of Saltpans Lightbuoy (E Cardinal), moored on the E edge of Saltpans Bank, then:

W of Middle Knoll (55°07'N 007°29'W) then:

W of Inch Spit Lightbuoy (port hand) (0.35nm SSE of Middle Knoll), marking the shore bank on the E side of the lough, then:

E of Kinnegar Lightbuoy (starboard hand) moored 0.6nm NE of Kinnegar Head (55°06.0'N 007°32.0'W), marking the outer edge of Kinnegar Spit, the extremity of Kinnegar Strand, then:

W of a lightbuoy (port hand) (0.9nm SE of Kinnegar Head), marking the W side of Inch Flats (N of Inch Island), and:

E of a patch of foul ground (0.3nm W of the lightbuoy), approx 0.25nm off Rathmullen Pier (55°05.7'N 007°31.7'W).

Useful marks: Inch Top, 219m in height, the prominent summit of Inch Island which is now connected to the mainland by two stone embankments at its SE end.

Fort Royal House and Rathmullen House, both partially surrounded with trees, situated 2 and 0.5nm, respectively, S of Kinnegar Head.

Rathmullen Pier, on which stands a light, and an old fort or battery standing out against the woods and houses behind it.

Anchorages

Rathmullen Roadstead (55°06.0'N 007°31.0'W) affords a more sheltered anchorage than Buncrana Bay for, with strong NW gales, the water here is quite smooth.

For this reason small vessels usually anchor off the village of Rathmullen, in a depth of 18.0m, or further N towards Kinnegar head (0.75nm N).

An anchorage may be obtained anywhere in the fairway S of Kinnegar Spit (1.25nm NNE) where there is ample room for a number of vessels to lie in deep water reasonably securely.

Charts and publications

BA 2697, 2723. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

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

Small repairs can be undertaken.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: By arrangement.

Medical

Letterkenny Hospital (29km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Eglington, Co Derry (domestic airport). Belfast International (161km).

Nearest railway: Londonderry (81km).

Working hours

All hours can be arranged.

Where it is

Rathmullen is situated on the W shore of Lough Swilly, on the N coast of Donegal.

The port

The port handles small craft and fishing vessels.

What are the pilot arrangements at Rathmullen?

Pilot available but not compulsory.

What time zone is Rathmullen in?

Local time at Rathmullen 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 Rathmullen?

The deepest berth listed is at Rathmullen: 5.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is Rathmullen 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 Rathmullen?

Port State Control at Rathmullen: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Rathmullen?

The UN/LOCODE of Rathmullen is IERAT.

What crews who called at Rathmullen 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.

Read and add tips for Rathmullen →