PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Sligo
Pilot
updated Oct 2010Compulsory for all vessels and available throughout 24 hours. Pilotage should be requested 6 hours in advance. Pilot boards at Wheat Rock Lightbuoy (54°18.8'N 008°39.1'W) off Raghly Point.
Key data
updated Dec 2019Size limits
LOA 100m (110m with bow thruster), draught 5.2m, 3,500DWT.
Water density
1004 at HW
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Mean spring range 3.6m and mean neap range 1.5m.
The sea level is affected by up to 0.6m during strong and persistent winds from the same quarter. E winds lower the level, SW winds raise it.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sligo Harbour Terminal | 5.20 m | 110 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Oct 2010Approach
The entrance to Sligo Harbour is approached from the head of Sligo Bay between Raghly Point (54°20'N 008°39'W) and Black Rock (1.3nm SE).
From the position N of Aughris Head (54°17.0'N 008°45.0'W), the approach to the pilot boarding place off the entrance to Sligo Harbour leads E generally then either N or S of The Ledge (2.0nm NE of Aughris Head), a rocky shoal over which the sea breaks heavily in stormy weather. Having passed The Ledge, a vessel should make for the pilot boarding place, 0.5nm South of Wheat Rock Buoy.
The stranded wreck of a trawler lies 0.5nm SW of Ballyweelin Point.
Anchorages
During gales the best shelter can be found:
In W'ly gales: on the N shore of Donegal Bay in Inver Bay (54°37.0'N 008°40.0'W)
In S'ly gales: in Killala Bay (54°15'N 009°10'W) and off Mullaghmore Head.
Brown Bay (54°20.0'N 008°40.0'W) in good weather only.
While awaiting a pilot a vessel may anchor in Raghly Road (with positions relative to the charted position of Wheat Rock Lightbuoy) 0.3nm E, in depths of 11.0m.
Restrictions
Vessels drawing 4.5m cross bar at HW.
Large vessels are restricted to entering near HW; smaller vessels from approx HW+/- 2 hours.
Entry is restricted to the hours of daylight.
Tugs
Small trawler available for towage.
Charts and publications
BA 2852. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Oct 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent to Sligo harbour office: 7 days, 3 days and 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Harbour Master and pilot: Ch 12 and 16. Tel: +353 71 916 8731.
Pilots station located at Rosses Point: Tel: +353 86 089 0767.
Customs and immigration
Available locally.
Inspections
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
Port services
updated Dec 2019Repairs
Minor repairs to hull and machinery.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available, coal and oil (12 hours notice).
Provisions: Available.
Medical
Sligo University Hospital, 3km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Sligo Airport located at Sligo, 9.9km (domestic only).
Nearest railway: MacDiarmada station, mainline service. Tramway to Barytes Jetty, connected to national network.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1300hrs; 1400-1730hrs.
About Sligo
updated Sep 2010Where it is
Sligo is situated mainly on the SE bank of River Garovogue which flows out of Lough Gill.
The port
Sligo is the only working harbour between Galway and Derry.
An extensive harbour, sheltered from the open sea by Coney Island. The harbour is accessible through Sligo Bay to the S of Raughley Point.
The principal exports are forestry products including logs; imports include coal, timber, salt and fertilisers.
Questions about Sligo
What are the pilot arrangements at Sligo?
Compulsory for all vessels and available throughout 24 hours.
What time zone is Sligo in?
Local time at Sligo 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 Sligo?
The deepest berth listed is at Sligo Harbour Terminal: 5.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Sligo?
1004 at HW
Which load line zone is Sligo 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 Sligo?
Port State Control at Sligo: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Sligo?
The UN/LOCODE of Sligo is IESLI.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Sligo 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.