Tidal Flow

The North Irish Sea is dominated by the flood tidal stream entering through North Channel and flowing due east towards the headland of St Bees, the southern entrance to the Solway Firth. There it diverges with the stream paralleling the Cumbrian Coast.

Off Whitehaven the flood flows NNE past the Harbour entrance with a localised eddy setting off shores in the vicinity of the North side of North Pier.

South of St Bees Head the flood stream flows southerly towards Ravenglass and weakens as it blends with the flood streaming entering Liverpool Bay via St. Georges Channel.

In the vicinity of Whitehaven Harbour the ebb stream reverses the flood stream as it retreats SSW'ly towards St. Bees Head thence due West towards the Mull of Galloway. However, the eddy experience off North Shore becomes an offshore set.

Since the placing of the Sealock now excludes the tide from the inner harbours indications are the Outer Harbour in its entirely experienced a mild counter - clockwise circulation at most states of the tide.

High WATER Whitehaven is + 20 minutes approx. on High Water Dover. The standard port of Whitehaven is Liverpool ( Albert Dock Basin ).

Anchorage

Holding ground is afforded west of West Pier in 10 meters, firm sand and mud. Mariners should be aware that prevailing wind is WSW.

It is not wise to anchor in the outer harbour as it dries at low water springs. Seek advice of the Harbour master on this matter.

With a fresh WSWly and the flood tide vessels ride uneasily to their hawse. Mariners may find comfort to weigh anchor and ride hove-to until sufficient water enables them to lock in through the Sealock.

There is spoil ground one and half miles west of the piers.

Navigation Lights

West Pier Head: Fl G 5sec 8 miles. White round lighthouse 16 meters.

North Pier Head: 2 F R (vertical) 5 miles. White round truncated lighthouse 8 meters.

Sealock Approach Structure End: 2 F G (vertical) 2 miles. Mast 8 metres.

Sealock South Entrance Knuckle: 2 F G (vertical) 2 miles. Mast 8 meters.

Sealock North Entrance Knuckle: 2 F R (vertical) 2 miles. Mast 8 meters.

Traffic Signals: Tubular metal post 10 meters NE of control tower depicting either:-
3 F G (vertical) "Vessel may enter Sealock"
3 F R (vertical) "Vessel may not enter Sealock/Sealock closed".
3 Fl R (vertical) "Emergency - divert from Sealock"

South Beach Outfall beacon Fl G 2.5 sec Daymark /\

St Bees Head Fl (2) W 20sec 21 miles. White round tower with outbuildings 102 meters.

There are a number of prominent chimneys on high land to the South of Whitehaven Harbour; refer to British Admiralty Chart No 2013.

The fishing fleet predominately berth in the North Harbour or Queens Dock. As a normal courtesy to good seamanship, vessels underweigh in the inner harbour and are requested to give a wide birth to those fishing vessels, patrol boats, and any other craft manoeuvring into or out of the inner entrance to the Sealock.

Barometric Effects on Tides

Tidal predictions are computed for the average barometric pressure. During periods of low barometric pressure the tendency is for sea levels to rise, conversely during high barometric pressure periods the sea level will tend to decline. To be noted the sea level does not respond immediately to these barometric fluctuations.

Wind Effects on Tides

Generally speaking sea levels will rise in the direction in which the wind is blowing. Strong westerly winds (the prevailing wind off Whitehaven is WSW), on the Cumbria Coast increase tide heights - appreciably at times. This may lead to Operation Neptune alerts being issued by the Environmental Agency, see paragraph 6.

Tide Heights

These are calibrated above Chart Datum at Whitehaven which equates to the Sealock Outer Cill (4.2 m od). (There is an Ordnance Datum bench mark carved into the north-west corner of the red sandstone building directly opposite the Harbour Office at no. 1 Duke Street, Whitehaven, This relates to 7.98M on Newly).

Tide Tables

A comprehensive tide table (price £1) in A6 pocket book format for the Year 2004, computed by the UK Hydrographic Office with a tidal stream map of UK waters is available from:-

Harbour Office
Sealock
Beacon Heritage Centre - West Strand
Tourist Information Centre - Market Hall
Hartley's Ice Cream Café - St Bees

Coastguard

Whitehaven Coastguard has a presence at Wellington Lodge overlooking the Harbour. Whitehaven is under the jurisdiction of Liverpool Coastguard to whom vessels departing or arriving at Whitehaven should make notification on Channel 67.

Notices to Mariners

British Admiralty weekly Notices to Mariners may be inspected on the premises of the Harbour Office during normal opening hours. Likewise Merchant Shipping Notices issued by the Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) can also be consulted.