| 3.7.16 |
AREA
16 - RATHLIN EAST TO TORY ISLAND |
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| 3.7.16.1 |
The
North Irish coast between Rathlin East Lighthouse and Tory Island is relatively
clear of hazards to navigation, which have not already been clearly marked
by the relevant GLA or local authorities. |
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| 3.7.16.2 |
To
take the region as a whole, the three principal islands which lie off this
coast, Tory, Inishtrahull and Rathlin, are each provided with sufficient
aids, both visual and electronic, to guide the deeper draught, North Atlantic
traffic, bound in or out of the North Channel, well North of any inshore
hazards which lie along the coast. |
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| 3.7.16.3 |
As
far as the needs of inshore traffic is concerned, the mainland coast can
be described as a series of prominent headlands, jutting out into comparatively
deep water, with few exceptions, and a number of very deep, navigable inlets,
the principal ones being Sheep Haven, Mulroy Bay, Lough Swilly and Lough
Foyle. |
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| 3.7.16.4 |
Looking
at the region from West to East, Tory Sound is deep and navigable, being
delineated by night by the sectored local authority light on Bloody Foreland,
as well as the major light on Tory Island. |
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| 3.7.16.5 |
Horn
Head, which follows, is quite clear of off-lying dangers, and the shoals
on either side of the entrance to Mulroy Bay are sufficiently inshore as
not to constitute a serious danger. |
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| 3.7.16.6
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The
isolated Limeburner Rock, with only 2 metres of water over it, is adequately
marked by a First Class lighted buoy which also serves as a useful waypoint
for offshore traffic. |
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| 3.7.16.7
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Fanad
Head and Malin Head are also relatively free of immediate dangers. However,
Inishtrahull Sound, which lies close East of Malin Head can be treacherous
sea passage for smaller vessels in certain weather and tidal conditions,
and the unlighted Garvan Isles which lie on the landward side of the Sound
are a danger to be particularly avoided. The powerful light and racon on
Inishtrahull are considered adequate for the guidance of vessels transiting
the sound of taking the offshore route. |
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| 3.7.16.8
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Inshore
navigation between Inishtrahull Sound and Rathlin Island does not pose any
particular problems. Any identifiable hazards are minor and so close to
the mainland that they do not call for attention beyond that which is already
provided. |
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| 3.7.16.9
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Finally,
with regard to the Eastern section of the coast, Rathlin Sound is an important
passage for shipping, which is well served by the lighthouses at Rathlin
West and Rue Point. The tidal streams and overfalls in this area can be
of remarkable strength and turbulence and these two aids, at either end
of the sound, can greatly assist the safe transit of inshore traffic. |
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| 3.7.16.10
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The
changes proposed for this area can be summarised, as follows: |
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