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PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS

Barrow-in-Furness

GBBIFUnited Kingdom54°05.7′N 003°12.6′WUpdated May 2022Open in the Ports tool

PILOTPilot boards at Barrow pilot embarkation/disembarkation position – Sea 1 Buoy.
KEY DATAUTC+0 · IALA A
REPORTINGAdvise ETA 24 hours prior to arrival.
INSPECTIONSParis MOU port.

Pilot

updated Apr 2017
1
Blue: Barrow-in-Furness. Magenta: where the pilot boards (numbered as the list). Drawn by NaviBoss for planning, not for navigation.
  1. Barrow pilot embarkation/disembarkation position – Sea 1 Buoy Pilot boards53°57.5′N 003°14.1′W

Pilotage compulsory except for vessels under 50m in length when not carrying passengers or loaded with dangerous substances. Pilot boards at Lighting Knoll Buoy, by pilot cutter, usually 2-3 hours before HW.

Key data

updated Apr 2017
LOCAL TIMEUTC+0Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.worked out from the port's time zone
WATER DENSITY1012-1021.
LOAD LINE ZONENorth Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
IALA REGIONARed to port when entering.from the country
MAX SIZEBeam 35m, draught 10.0m, 10,000DWT.

Size limits

Beam 35m, draught 10.0m, 10,000DWT.

Ramsden Lock: Vessels of approx LOA 200m, beam 29m, draught 8.0m.

Ramsden Dock Basin; LOA 230m, beam 35m, draught 10.0m (subject to tide height).

Water density

1012-1021.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 9.1m springs, 7.1m neaps.

Max draft per terminal

TerminalMax draughtMax LOABerths
Outside Dock Entrance - Tidal Berths——2
Centrica HRL Condensate Export Terminal——1
Ramsden Dock Berths——4
Anchor Line Basin——4
ADEB——1
Buccleuch Dock——1
Anchor Line Basin——1
Ramsdan Dock Terminal——2

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

Approach

updated Apr 2017

Approach

The deep dredged approach channel, can accommodate vessels up to length 230m, beam 35m and up to 11.0m draught.

A channel has been dredged from seaward through Pier Bar and the Walney channel which enables vessels to enter and leave Barrow harbour and docks.

Channel depths: Depths in the channel between Lightning Knoll and Deep Water Berth are constantly changing; dredging takes place at intervals. For the latest information on depths, the Port Authority should be consulted prior to entering the channel.

Masters of vessels should not attempt to navigate these channels without a pilot unless with local knowledge, and all vessels must notify Barrow Port Control before entering the channels between Lightning Knoll and the port of Barrow.

Port limits

Lighting Knoll (53°59.8'N 003°14.2'W).

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels are required to report to 'Barrow Port Control' on VHF Ch 12 when passing Haws Point upon entering in and before leaving a berth or anchorage.

Anchorages

SW of Lightning Knoll Buoy in at least 10.0m depth at LAT.

Restrictions

The max size of vessel that can transit the lock is dependent upon beam, draught, tide and enclosed dock water level.

Ramsden Dock Basin entrance gate is normally open from 2.5 hours before HW to HW, and up to 1 hour after HW by arrangement. The outer gates of Ramsden Lock can be opened at the same time as the entrance gate. Only under exceptional circumstances at MHWS can Ramsden Dock be open to Walney Channel.

Tugs

Tugs are available if required. Smaller tugs are based at Barrow and larger tugs being supplied from Liverpool with advance notice through the local agent.

Charts and publications

BA 3164, 2010. US Publications 142. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

Reporting before arrival

updated Apr 2017

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessels requesting pilotage with an ETA between 1100hrs on the Friday and 0745hrs the following Monday (or 0745hrs on the following Tuesday in the case of Bank Holiday weekends) must give at least 36 hours notice of their arrival.

Reporting: Vessels should report both inward and outward movements to Barrow Port Radio on VHF Ch 12 when passing (54°03.0'N 003°10.0'W) abeam Haws Point, and when passing Lighting Knoll Lightbuoy or when entering or leaving the Outer Channel. Vessels may not receive a response from Barrow Port Radio and should proceed with extra caution at such times. The report should include vessel's name, intended passage and any other relevant information.

Communications

Nearest coast station: Anglesey Radio.

VHF: Local Port Services: Ch 12. Tel: +44 1229 822911. Fax: +44 1229 835822. Email: [email protected].

The Barrow Pilot vessel listens on Ch 16, 12.

Port Radio: Ch 12 throughout 24 hours.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Notices and regulations

Special by laws are in force for vessels carrying dangerous substances; signals required to be shown by such vessels in or near the port.

Vessels arriving before tide time are prohibited from anchoring opposite Ramsden Dock Basin, or from going alongside the pierhead before the gates are open. If necessary, vessels may lie alongside the lead in jetty N of the entrance which may also be used in adverse weather to assist entry.

Inspections

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.

Port services

updated May 2010

Repairs

Repairs of all kinds are available. Specialist help may have to be brought in from outside the Barrow-in-Furness area.

Dry docks

None available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Available by arrangement through agent.

Stores: Available

Medical

There is a hospital, clinic, dentist and an optician in Barrow-in-Furness.

Transport

Nearest airport: Manchester, 160km.

Airport facilities: Domestic flights at local airport by arrangement, international connections at Manchester.

Nearest railway: Barrow, (freight and passenger), 3km.

Nearest motorway: M6, 50km.

Working hours

Flexible; 24 hour operation can be arranged.

About Barrow-in-Furness

updated Aug 2018

Where it is

Barrow-in-Furness is located on the NW side of Morcambe Bay on the NW coast of England, approx 43nm N of Liverpool.

The port

The port specialises in handling products of high technology. A large part of the port is devoted to shipbuilding.

The port has 3 dock basins, each with 3 berths. The total quayage available amounts to 3,000m. The port handles mainly general, bulk cargo, Ro-Ro vessels and passengers.

Traffic

Approx 170,000t of cargo and 153 vessels handled annually.

Questions about Barrow-in-Furness

Where does the pilot board at Barrow-in-Furness?

The pilot boards at Barrow pilot embarkation/disembarkation position – Sea 1 Buoy, 53°57.5′N 003°14.1′W.

What time zone is Barrow-in-Furness in?

Local time at Barrow-in-Furness is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Barrow-in-Furness?

1012-1021.

Which load line zone is Barrow-in-Furness 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 Barrow-in-Furness?

Port State Control at Barrow-in-Furness: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Barrow-in-Furness?

The UN/LOCODE of Barrow-in-Furness is GBBIF.

Tips from seafarers

What crews who called at Barrow-in-Furness say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.