Notice to Mariners No.1 of 2022

To all ship owners, shipmasters, agents, fishing vessels, pleasure craft users, seafarers, fishery organisations and general port users.

Baltimore Harbour, Ferry Pier

Proposed vehicular access management system

Mariners and general port users are advised that, in order to improve traffic management and to guarantee both the safety and security of ferry passengers and all other pier users Cork County Council is obliged to install a vehicular access control system on the Ferry Pier in Baltimore Harbour. This is best practice in all piers in the country and is successfully operated in other busy piers throughout the county. It will consist of automated lifting arms and will be operated for registered users either by number plate recognition, a GSM access controller (mobile phone) or a PIN code (keypad).

No person or operator who has a legitimate need to bring a vehicle onto the pier will be refused access to the pier

Explanatory documents are available from the Harbour Master’s Office, Baltimore Harbour, P81 WD92. Alternatively, they can also be requested by email: berthing@corkcoco.ie  

Written comments, remarks and suggestions can be submitted to Baltimore Harbour Master, Baltimore Harbour, P81 WD92 or by email to: berthing@corkcoco.ie    

 

FAQ

Where will the barriers be located?

For details of location traffic management plan see below.

Who will be able to apply?

All users who have legitimate business that requires vehicular access to the pier will be able to apply for either an annual access permit or a temporary access permit.

Users will need to explain and justify the need for vehicular access to the Ferry Pier.

How will I register?

  • Frequent and resident users will need to contact the local Harbour Master and request, complete and return an Application for Access (Baltimore Harbour) Form (see appendix 2).

If you are applying on behalf of the crew of a fishing or passenger vessel or any other organisation (transport companies, state agencies, contractors, clubs or associations, etc...) fill in the Group application form and list all users and their vehicles.

If you are applying as an individual fill in the individual form.

  • Temporary users will need to contact the local Harbour Master and request, complete and return an Application for Temporary access (Baltimore Harbour) form either as an individual or as a group.
  • Contact details for the Harbour Master will be displayed at the entrance barrier.
  • The general public will be advised through social media and direct contact with local clubs or groups to make prior arrangement for access.

 

Once registered, how will I get access?

The three methods of operation will be:

  1. Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR): the system will recognise your vehicle’s number plate and the barrier will open automatically.
  2. GSM gate controller: A phone call to a dedicated number from a registered mobile phone number will activate the system. Calls are free and can be place from anywhere in the world. With this option, registered users can remotely allow third party users to access the pier (see  “out of hours access” below). The dedicated phone number will be displayed at the entrance barrier and, for convenience, can be saved on the user’s mobile phone.
  3. Traditional PIN code and keypad. 

All registered users will be able to avail of options 1 and 2, option 3 (keypad) will be reserved for special circumstances where normal operation is not practical; a code can be requested from the harbourmaster when and if required.

How will I be able to exit the pier?

Barriers will open automatically for all vehicle (registered or not) as they approach the exit barrier

If I am not registered and the Harbour Master is not present how will I get access (out of hours access)?

Contact the ferry operator you are using who can operate the barriers remotely through the GSM gate controller (see above: “how do I get access”)

Make prior arrangement with the Harbour Master.

Once registered can I park my car or leave a vehicle unattended on the pier?

No. All users must use the designated car park.

How will emergency services get access to the pier and slip?

Emergency services will be contacted directly and be given access.

What will happen during public events?

For public events (Regatta, Festivals, open days) and, if it is safe to do so, barriers will remain open for the duration of the event.

Template Application form included in the document below.