Berwick-upon-Tweed

1. Berwick pilot boarding Pilot boards55°45.7′N 001°58.2′W

Size limits

Tweed Dock: LOA 115m, Beam 16.5m, 3,000DWT.

Largest vessel handled: "Short Sea Trader", dry cargo, draught 4.6m, 3,400DWT.

Water density

Variable.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.7m springs, 3.8m neaps.

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

Approach

Outer approaches: From a position in the vicinity of 55°45.5'N 001°56'W, the track leads to the harbour entrance on the line of bearing 281° of Berwick Lighthouse. The harbour lies between a breakwater on the N side and a drying sandy spit extending from Spittal Point on the S side. The sandbank is liable to much alteration and considerable shoaling may take place in the entrance harbour.

Vessels approaching from the N are advised to keep seaward of the 20.0m depth contour until S of the line bearing 270° of Berwick Lighthouse.

Berwick Lighthouse to Crabwater Rock: From the harbour entrance, the channel which is about 100m wide, leads W for a distance of 0.25nm, passing (with positions from Berwick Light):

S of Berwick Light and the breakwater itself which lies along the N side of the channel. Then N of the drying spit which has Sandstell Point (0.1nm SSW) as its E extremity. The bar lies between Standstell Point and the E end of the breakwater. Then S of Cradwater Rock (0.27nm WNW), awash, lying close W of the elbow of the breakwater which is marked by a light structure.

Cabwater Rock to Spittal: Leading Lights (orange triangle point down, orange mast, black bands): Front Light (height 4m) (55°45.7'N 001°59.7'W); Rear light (height 12m) (55m SSW of front light).

From a position in mid channel, SW of Crabwater Rock, the alignment (207°) of these lights leads SSW in the channel, passing (with positions from the front light): ESE of Calcot Shad (0.15nm N), a bank of sand and stones which dries, and extends from the S side of Berwick nearly across the harbour, marked on its E and S sides by two lightbuoys (both starboard hand). Then WNW of Spittal Point (0.14nm ENE), where there is a clear approach to Stoneberth and Carr Rock Jetty 0.15nm WSW.

Spittal to Tweed Dock: From a position in mid channel N of the berths at Spittal, the channel runs NNW for a distance of 0.25nm to Tweed Dock, passing (with positions from Tweed Dock entrance): WSW of the unlit buoy (starboard hand) (0.2nm SE) marking the SW corner of Calcot Shad. Then to the entrance of Tweed Dock which is entered between a docking pier on the S side and a groyne on the N side. The entrance to the dock is 17.5m wide. The dock is tidal. A lightbuoy Qk Fl Y (special conical) is moored on the W side of Calcot Shad and marks the swinging area limit E of Tweed Dock entrance. This buoy might be moved as necessary.

Anchorages

An anchorage in depths of 13.0-15.0m can be found on the alignment (294°) of Breakwater Lighthouse with Berwick Town Hall spire 0.7nm ESE of the Lighthouse.

In strong E winds it might be possible to enter Holy Island Harbour when entry into Berwick is impracticable. In strong W winds anchoring in Berwick Bay with its better holding ground is preferred.

Restrictions

Vessels to load stone may enter 3 hours before HW to 1 hour after HW and other traffic for the Tweed Dock may enter 1 hour before HW to 1 hour after HW.

Vessels over LOA 68m must be fitted with bow thrusters.

Tugs

Towage service is not available. Nearest tugs are located at Tyne or Forth.

Charts and publications

BA 111, 160, 1612. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

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 from various marine engineering companies in the area.

Dry docks

There are no drydocks available. A tidal grid is available with max length 15m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, ex quay.

Bunkering: Esso Petroleum Co, Tweed Dock. Gas oil available by road tanker.

Medical

There is a hospital, dentist and optician available in the town.

Crew change

Possible, by prior arrangement.

Transport

Nearest airport: Newcastle and Edinburgh International, (100km).

Nearest railway: Berwick freight and passenger (2km).

Nearest highway: A1, 2km.

Working hours

Variable.

Where it is

Berwick-upon-Tweed is situated on the NE coast of England, close to the border with Scotland and approx 50nm to the N of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The port

A small port handling mainly agricultural commodities such as grain, animal feed, timber, stone and cement.

Moorings for fishing and leisure craft.

Traffic

Approx 40,000t of cargo and 23 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Berwick-upon-Tweed?

The pilot boards at Berwick pilot boarding, 55°45.7′N 001°58.2′W.

What time zone is Berwick-upon-Tweed in?

Local time at Berwick-upon-Tweed 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 Berwick-upon-Tweed?

Variable.

Which load line zone is Berwick-upon-Tweed 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 Berwick-upon-Tweed?

Port State Control at Berwick-upon-Tweed: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Berwick-upon-Tweed?

The UN/LOCODE of Berwick-upon-Tweed is GBBWK.

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