Guide to Port Entry

Communications: VHF Channel 11 when vessels are expected (3hrs before HW to 1hr after HW)

Contact:

Drogheda Port Company: +353 41 9838378 (Mon – Fri 0900-1630hrs).                                          Email: maritimehouse@droghedaport.ie       Harbourmaster: +353 86 3586672

Drogheda town (53 43’.01N 006 20’.25W) lies 7km inland of the sea on the river Boyne.  The navigation channel extends seaward 700m from the breakwaters and the river is entered from the east in the white sector (269.5 -270.5degrees) of the port approach light (53 43.30N 006 14.72W). The southern breakwater end (53 43.24N 006 14.26W) is marked with a metal tower named Lyons Light, and the north breakwater end (53 43.36N 006 14.33W) is marked with a stone beacon named Aleria. In passing between the breakwaters the centre line of the channel should be maintained passing between paired timber navigation beacons  at frequent intervals to the town of Drogheda.

The channel is maintained to a depth of -2.2mtrs CD to Tom Roes Point Terminal (53 43.25N 006 18.32W) and thereafter at -1.6m CD to the town quays and -1.0m CD to Fiddle Case Pier. 

The following weather conditions may influence the tidal predictions (depths) for Drogheda Port - River Boyne – seaward approaches and river entrance: 
•    Northerly winds may reduce predicted depths while southerly winds may increase them. 
•    High barometric pressure may reduce the predicted depths. 
•    Storm events may reduce predicted depths at the seaward approaches and river entrance. This will occur particularly during periods of easterly to southeasterly storms when wave action will accelerate sediments transport at the seaward approaches and river entrance, particularly during the low water period, southeasterly storms having the greatest impacts.

The Boyne Viaduct crosses the river at the entrance to the town of Drogheda and has a vertical clearance of 26m at HAT.