Ardrishaig

Size limits

LOA 80m, draught 4.0m

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 3.4m MHWS, 2.9m MHWN, 1.0m MLWN, 0.4m MLWS.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

Outer approach from S: From the vicinity of 55°56'N 005°23'W the line of bearing 352°, of the SW extremity of Eilean Mor (56°00.0'N 005°24.0'W), the W and larger of 2 islets lying close off the N shore, leads N for 3nm towards Loch Gilp, passing (with positions from the SW extremity of Eilean Mor):

E of High Rock (2nm S), then:

E, distant 0.1nm from McLarty Rock (1.5nm S).

Approach and entry from SE: When the SW extremity of Eilean Mor is distant 1nm, the alignment 315° of a block of flats on the shore, 0.2nm WSW of Ardrishaig Breakwater Head Light, with a conspicuous white house on the hillside, 0.15nm NW, leads NW for 2.25nm into the entrance, passing with positions from Rubha Buidhe, (56°00.7'N 005°25.6'W):

Between The Knows which are 2 shoals, with depths of 8.5m (1.75nm SSE) and 5.2m (1.75nm SE) over them, then:

SW of Beaufort Rock (1.5nm SE) which is the shallowest head on a rocky spit extending 0.7nm S from Eilean Mor, then:

NE of a rock, with a depth of 3.4m over it (0.9nm SSW), then:

Close NE of a 4.4m patch which lies 0.07nm ENE of Gulnare Rock (0.7nm SW) which lies on a detached rocky shoal with depths of less than 5.0m over it. Another rock, with a depth of 1.5m over it lies on the W end of the same shoal. No 48 Lightbuoy (port hand) is moored 0.05nm NNE of Gulnare Rock (less water than charted has been reported in this area. And:

Close SW of a detached 5.0m patch (0.52nm SSW) which lies 0.1nm NE of No 48 Lightbuoy, then:

Close SW of a 4.9m patch (0.52nm SW) which lies 0.125nm WSW of Sgeir Sgalag, the N of 2 charted depths of 0.6m which are the least depths near the SW extremity of a spit, extending 0.3nm SW from Duncuan Island. This spit, which is thickly covered with weed, is marked on its SW extremity by No 49 Buoy (starboard hand) which is moored E of the 4.9m patch given above.

When Ardrishaig Breakwater Head Light (white tower, 6m in height) bears N, the track alters to NNE with the conspicuous school on a line of bearing ahead, passing (with positions from Rubha Buidhe):

WNW of Sgeir Sgalag (0.4nm SW) and:

ESE of a 4.5m patch (0.6nm WSW), then:

WNW of the foul ground which surrounds and extends 0.1nm SW from Duncuan Island, 0.15nm WSW of Rubha Buidhe, the E entrance point of the inner part of Loch Gilp. A metal beacon (starboard hand) stands on a drying rock at the S extremity of the foul ground, And:

ESE distant 0.1nm from the head of Ardrishaig Breakwater (0.5nm W).

At night: Ardrishaig Breakwater Head Light covers the entrance to Loch Gilp with a sectored light. However, it is reported that this light is difficult to identify against the town lights and it should be noted that the following dangers lie within the white sector (339°-350°) of the light (with positions from the light):

Big Rock (2.7nm SSE), with a depth of 2.1m over it, which lies on a shoal with a depth of 9.4m at its NE end.

A rock, with a depth of 3.4m over it, (1nm SSE).

A 4.9m patch (0.4nm SSE) which lies off the SW end of the tongue on which Sgeir Spalag lies.

Anchorages

Good anchorage, with restricted swinging room, can be obtained 0.25nm ENE of Ardrishaig Breakwater Head Light, in a depth of 7.0m. Anchorage should be clear of a submarine cable, which comes into Loch Gilp on the E side of the entrance, and is landed 0.75nm N of Ardrishaig Breakwater Head Light, where it is marked by a beacon.

Restrictions

In general ships must come alongside between half and full tide, below half tide expect to lie on soft bottom.

Radar to be turned off when alongside.

Berth normally pre-booked every Sat-Mon for timber shipments. Contract Port Authority to confirm availability at all times.

Mooring

All ships are required to berth bow to shore leaving stern gear in deep water. The berth shelves to the shore giving a max draught of 2.0m at the bow at LW.

Charts and publications

BA 2131, 2381. Admiralty Pilot NP66A.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 48 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16, 74.

Tel: +44 1546 603210, Facsimile: +44 1546 603941, Email: [email protected]

Customs and immigration

Contact Crinan Canal office for further advice on Customs and Immigration.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available, on request.

Transport

Nearest airport: Glasgow, international, (150km) and Campbeltown.

Nearest railway: Glasgow and Oban.

Nearest highway: M8, 150km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime 1700-0800hrs. Loading restricted from 0630-2100hrs.

Where it is

Ardrishaig is situated at the head of Loch Fyne on the W coast of Scotland.

The port

The harbour and berth are protected from the S by concrete breakwater which extends beyond the berth line.

Cargo handled: Timber, ores and general bulk.

Traffic

Approx 100,000t of cargo and 20 vessels handled annually.

What time zone is Ardrishaig in?

Local time at Ardrishaig is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

Which load line zone is Ardrishaig in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Ardrishaig?

Port State Control at Ardrishaig: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ardrishaig?

The UN/LOCODE of Ardrishaig is GBASG.

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