| Pilotage to Bangor Marina |
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Where is Bangor and how do you get there? This page will contain all the details you need to get to Bangor Marina. It is still being constructed. The information supplied on this page is given in good faith. It is intended only as a guide. You should always check your own charts before relying on this information. BMBHA cannot be held responsible for any innacuracies in this information.? |
| The Pictures on this page are the copyright of Peter Lyons |
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Bangor Marina, County Down, Northern Ireland. BT20 5ED Tel +44 (0)28 9145 3297 Fax +44(0)28 9145 3450 Latitude 54 40' N Longitude 05 40' W Call Marina on VHF Channel 80 (24 Hours) Call sign "Bangor Marina" Bangor Marina is found on Admiralty Chart 1753 |
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| Bangor, sited on the North coast of County Down, may be approached from the North, the West or the East. Those boats coming from the South must come up the East Coast of Co. Down before turning West to make the final approach to Bangor. These notes will deal with each approach separately. |
| When you have read the Pilotage notes take the virtual tour of pictures that illustrate the notes |
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Approaching Bangor from the North When travelling from the North, Bangor first becomes visible as you round the land mass of Island Magee. If your approach is during daylight hours, with good visibility, look out for the 3 church steeples that are prominent on the horizon. If you are approaching at night, the navigation lights cannot be seen until you are a couple of miles off. They are obscured by the brightness of the town lights. Set a course towards the right hand side of the town lights, right of centre. The entrance to the Harbour is between 2 grey concrete breakwaters, on the North Breakwater, which is to the eastern side of your view, there is a large red pillar on top of which is a Red Light. Iso R 12s 9m 14 M There are leading lights, also on the North Breakwater, 2/3rds of the way towards the shore. These can be seen when you are lining up to enter the harbour. there are red, white and green sectors on this light. Dir Occ WRG 1m. Jus inside the entrance, east of the Pickie Breakwater, to the West side of the entrance there is a Green pole, with a light, 2FG (vert) 3M. Go between the two breakwaters and the marina opens on your starboard side. Leave the green pole to starboard as you enter the marina. There are no submerged hazards to the North of Bangor Harbour. There are a number of fast ferries travelling out of and into Belfast Lough on a regular basis. From the time you first see one, it is normally only 20 minutes before it disapears over the other horizon. If you are travelling to Bangor from the North, you cross the entrance to Belfast Lough and a good watch must be kept for these fast ferries. Entering the Marina. |
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Approaching from the South Travelling towards Bangor from the South means you are either rounding the Copeland Islands to Port or have travelled through Donagadee Sound, between the Copeland Islands and the Mainland of Co. Down. If you have rounded the Copeland Islands, leaving Mew Island to Port, the run to Bangor is reasonably straightforward. Be aware of the Ram Race that occurs to seaward of the Copelands at various stages of the tide. In strong winds, this can be very uncomfortable. Consult your charts and tidal atlas about the Ram Race. Be aware of Ballymacormick Point, give it 1/2 a mile clearance before heading for the Harbour entrance. If you have travelled through Donaghadee Sound, you should pass the Red Can Buoy, South Briggs, to port. 1/2 a mile inside this Buoy there is a reef, it can be dangerous. From the Buoy, travel towards Ballymacormick Point, giving 1/2 mile clearance. Watch out for Club Racing Buoys, whilst crossing Groomsport Bay. The North Breakwater is easily seen once clear of Ballymacormick Point. Again watch out for Racing Marks whilst crossing Ballyholme Bay. The entrance to the Harbour is between 2 grey concrete breakwaters, on the North Breakwater, which is to the eastern side of your view, there is a large red pillar on top of which is a Red Light. Iso R 12s 9m 14 M There are leading lights, also on the North Breakwater, 2/3rds of the way towards the shore. These can be seen when you are lining up to enter the harbour. there are red, white and green sectors on this light. Dir Occ WRG 1m. Jus inside the entrance, east of the Pickie Breakwater, to the West side of the entrance there is a Green pole, with a light, 2FG (vert) 3M. Go between the two breakwaters and the marina opens on your starboard side. Leave the green pole to starboard as you enter the marina. . |
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When approaching Bangor from the East, be aware of the Ram Race to seaward of the Copeland Islands. Consult your charts and tidal atlas about the Ram Race. Otherwise the entrance to Belfast Lough is straight froward. Bangor is on the South shore of the Lough. You should pass the Red Can Buoy, South Briggs, to port. 1/2 a mile inside this Buoy there is a reef, it can be dangerous. A small drying Harbour, Groomsport is passed 2 miles east of Bangor Be aware of Ballymacormick Point, give it 1/2 a mile clearance before heading for the Harbour entrance. Watch out for Club Racing Buoys, whilst crossing Groomsport Bay. The North Breakwater is easily seen once clear of Ballymacormick Point. Again watch out for Racing Marks whilst crossing Ballyholme Bay. The entrance to the Harbour is between 2 grey concrete breakwaters, on the North Breakwater, which is to the eastern side of your view, there is a large red pillar on top of which is a Red Light. Iso R 12s 9m 14 M There are leading lights, also on the North Breakwater, 2/3rds of the way towards the shore. These can be seen when you are lining up to enter the harbour. there are red, white and green sectors on this light. Dir Occ WRG 1m. Jus inside the entrance, east of the Pickie Breakwater, to the West side of the entrance there is a Green pole, with a light, 2FG (vert) 3M. Go between the two breakwaters and the marina opens on your starboard side. Leave the green pole to starboard as you enter the marina. |
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When approaching Bangor from the West, you must give Wilsons point a good cable clearance. Wilsons
Point is a rocky promontary that is easily seen. The ground behind it rises up quite quickly with trees
and buildings. If you are coming from Carrickfergus, you will be able to see the red pillar on the North
Breakwater from a few miles away. If you are coming along the Norh Down Coast from Cultra or Helens Bay,
you will not see the pillar until you have cleared Wilsons Point. The entrance to the Harbour is between 2 grey concrete breakwaters, on the North Breakwater, which is to the eastern side of your view, there is a large red pillar on top of which is a Red Light. Iso R 12s 9m 14 M There are leading lights, also on the North Breakwater, 2/3rds of the way towards the shore. These can be seen when you are lining up to enter the harbour. there are red, white and green sectors on this light. Dir Occ WRG 1m. Jus inside the entrance, east of the Pickie Breakwater, to the West side of the entrance there is a Green pole, with a light, 2FG (vert) 3M. Go between the two breakwaters and the marina opens on your starboard side. Leave the green pole to starboard as you enter the marina. |
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