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| Whitestone Bank | |
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  Whitestone Bank Location within theIsle of Man | |
| Crown dependency | Isle of Man |
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TheWhitestone Bank is asand bank approximately 1 mi (0.87 nmi; 1.6 km)east ofThe Point of Ayre,Isle of Man. The Whitestone Channel separates the island from the bank.[1]
The bank is denoted on maritime chart AC 2094Kirkcudbright to theMull of Galloway & Isle of Man; AC 1826 Irish Sea Eastern Part; AC 2696 Ramsey Harbour; SC 5613.21.1 Isle of Man East Coast. Ramsey ; Imray C62 Irish Sea; Imray Y70 Isle of Man (Harbour Plan of Ramsey).[1]
The currents around thePoint of Ayre have, over the millennia formed a series banks stretching out to the east which, it is advised, should be avoided especially in heavy weather when the seas break over them.[1] There is also a problem in that chart depths on the west coast to the southwest of thePoint of Ayre are based on Victorian lead line surveys and are no longer accurate,[1] there being reports of depths as much as 2 meters less than that expected.[1] For mariners approachingRamsey from the north, it is suggested that the best course of action is to come in north of the Strunakill Bank then tight to thePoint of Ayre.[1] This allows the mariner to slip inside the Whitestone Bank, through the Whitestone Channel.[1] Alternatively, if coming up fromPeel, it is advisable to stand off Rue Point (southwest of Ayre) and then shape a course to pass between theStrunakill Bank and the Point. Going outside the Whitestone Bank to the east of thePoint of Ayre involves committing themariner to an unnecessarily long passage aroundthe Bahama Bank.[1]
Other notablesandbars and banks in the area are theBallacash Bank, theKing William Bank, theStrunakill Bank and theBahama Bank.[1]
