Tourism \ Activities \ Sailing \ Victoria Lock

Access Procedures for Newry Ship Canal and Albert Basin

Vistor Information

Albert Basin & Victoria Lock: Present Day

Newry Ship Canal is currently used by leisure craft and as a means of accessing Newry City from the Irish Sea via Carlingford Lough and passing through the commercial shipping port of Warrenpoint. It is entered on its seaward approach via Victoria Lock, which was automated in May 2007 (please note that this is a Controlled Automation process, undertaken by a Council employee, by booking in advance). A hydrographic survey has been completed on the approaches to Victoria Lock from Warrenpoint and the channel marked with a number of lighted navigational buoys and aids to enhance Navigation.

Newry Canal’s harbour area, the ‘Albert Basin’, provides a deep water Quay for visiting craft as well as a wildlife sanctuary for a range of wildfowl and other species. The “Basin” is situated in the heart of Newry’s vibrant retail centre in close proximity to the Buttercrane and Quays shopping centres. The area also offers the visitor a host of attractions including a variety of pubs, restaurants and many places of both historical and architectural interest (www.seenewryandmourne.com)

Facilities

The Albert Basin provides tie-up mooring facilities at bollards positioned in front of the Quays shopping centre, with an overall Quay length of Approx. 186 metres. Electricity and water supply points are available along the quay, located on the wharf, but their use is subject to prior approval. Electrical supply cables are to be provided subject to approval by Newry and Mourne District Council. Cables must not be left connected to the electricity supply when the boat is unoccupied. The electrical cable between the electrical box and the boat is solely the responsibility of the boat owner.

Restrictions

Despite the width of the ‘Albert Basin’ with its Ship Turning Area:
• The maximum size of vessel that can enter Newry Ship Canal is 200 ft (60 metres) in length x 33 feet (10 metres) in width, to suit the size of the Lock chamber at Victoria Lock.
• Maximum Depth of Water (Draft) at the Albert Basin is 11ft (3.3 metres)
• There are no height restrictions for vessels, entering the Lock Chamber or the Albert Basin.
• A Maximum Speed of 4 knots should not be exceeded in the Ship Canal.

All vessels entering the Lock Chamber and Ship Canal, should have a Minimum of £2 million Public Liability Insurance.

Access to Victoria Lock is obviously tidal. Those boats delayed on their prearranged journey to the Lock Chamber and who miss the tide, are asked to tie-up at Warrenpoint Breakwater and inform the council contact of their delay.

Booking of Berths and Charges

Advance bookings of at least 48 hours prior to arrival should be made with Newry Tourist Information Centre in Bagenal’s Castle, Newry.

The Tourism Office will in turn be able to provide you with a booking form and other useful documentation. The booking form should be completed, signed and returned to the Tourist Information Centre in Bagenal’s Castle, Newry no later than 48 hours prior to planned arrival or departure time. Keys for the elecrical box should be signed in and out at this time

Where weekend access is required, notice should be given during office hours, Monday to Friday to Newry & Mourne District Council by e-mail, fax or telephone.

Newry Tourist Information Centre, Bagenal’s Castle, Newry:
Tel: 028 3031 3170 or
Fax: 028 302 68833 or
E-mail:newrytic@newryandmourne.gov.uk.

Berthing Charges

(These fees are under review and are applicable from 8 December 2008 – 31 December 2009)

Payment

Please note these fees include for one entry and exit through Victoria Lough at times agreed by Newry and Mourne District Council. If more than one entry or exit is required additional charges apply as in the table above, i.e. £30.

All fees must be paid in full prior to departure from Albert Basin unless in a case of emergency. A receipt will be issued for all fees paid. Newry and Mourne District Council can accept euro currency, but change will be given in sterling. Currency will be converted at the exchange rate at time of booking

General Marine Information

The Albert Basin is situated in the City of Newry. It is reached by passing through the Victoria Lock and Newry Ship Canal. Victoria Lock is situated on the Southern shore of the Newry River, just under 2 miles beyond the Port of Warrenpoint at the head of Carlingford Lough.

The Lock gates are operable 1 hour before to 1 hour after High water, but council limits their use to daylight hours.

Latitude and Longitude

The Victoria Lock is at position 54º 07´-35N 6º 18´ -2W, just upriver from the Port of Warrenpoint 54º 06´ N 6 º15 ´W.

The entry to Carlingford Lough should be commenced from Hellyhunter Buoy (South Cardinal) at 54º 00.35´ N 6 º02.06´ W (Q(6)+LFl W 15s)

Chart Information

British Admiralty Chart 2800 covers the entire area of Carlingford Lough and approaches. Currently the river leading up to Victoria Lock from Warrenpoint Harbour is not charted on BA2800 (See attached Diagram One, which shows a broad outline of the new channel markers, and the approach to Victoria Lock. This should not be seen as a formal navigation chart).

Traffic Control & VHF

All vessels passing through Warrenpoint Harbour should call ‘Warrenpoint Harbour Radio’ on VHF channel 12 (24 hrs) at the following points,

Inward bound – No. 23 buoy
Outward bound – Upon Departing Victoria Lock Chamber, and entering the Newry River.

Vessels should not proceed past these points until given clearance by ‘Warrenpoint Harbour Radio’ and should comply with any further instruction from them.

Security of Boats at the Albert Basin

Please note the Quay is opposite the Quays Shopping Centre, who have their own CCTV and security staff, but the Albert Basin is an open quay, with unrestricted public access at all times.

Boat owners are responsible for the security of their own boats, mooring lines and power cables and Newry & Mourne District Council accepts no liability.

Newry and Mourne District Council advises that the water level in Newry Ship Canal and Albert Basin may rise or fall die to operational or seasonal reasons. It is the responsibility of boat owners to adjust their mooring lines as necessary to suit any changes in water levels.

Where weekend access is required, notice should be given during office hours, Monday to Friday, to Newry & Mourne District Council by e-mail, fax or telephone as follows;

Newry Tourist Information Centre, Bagenal’s Castle, Newry:
Tel: 028 3031 3170 or
Fax: 028 302 68833
E-mail:newrytic@newryandmourne.gov.uk.

Click the Link Below for - Booking / Enquiry Form - Newry Albert Basin & Ship Canal

Booking / Enquiry Form