Buckie

Size limits

LOA 84m, beam 12m, draught 4.5m.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range 3.4m; mean neap range 1.6m.

Approach

The entrance channel is dredged to a nominal water depth of 3.2-4.0m at MLWS. However, the channel is subject to silting and the Harbour Master should be consulted for the current depth.

Approach: The main approach to Buckie Harbour leads from Spey Bay on the alignment (125°) of leading lights. This alignment passes, in depths not less than 2.5m, SW of West Muck (0.3nm NW of the head of NW Pier), a drying rock patch which lies at the extremity of a bank with depths of less than 5.0m over it situated in front of Buckie Harbour; a light (tripod beacon, height 5m) stands on W Muck.

The harbour entrance faces WNW and is marked by lights on the head of NW Pier (red column, height 7m), and on the NW corner of W Pier (green column). Abreast of the latter the entrance is 24.5m wide but it narrows to a width of 18m between the elbow of NW Pier and Pier No 1.

Caution: The 125° alignment does not lead directly to or through the harbour entrance; its purpose is to assist mariners to pass at a safe distance SW of W Muck.

Anchorages

Anchorages 0.8km W of "West Mucks" Beacon.

Charts and publications

BA 115, 1462. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Mariners are advised to contact the Harbour Office by radio to obtain the latest information before entering the harbour.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 12, 14, 16.

Ch 16 calling, monitored throughout 24 hours; Ch 12 working.

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. Several slips and patent transverse slips are available. The largest can cradle a vessel up to 60m in length and has a lift capacity of 850t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from quayside hydrant.

Bunkering: Bunkers are available by road tanker from several local companies.

Stores: Provisions and ice are available.

Medical

Available in Buckie.

Transport

Nearest airport: Dyce, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Airport facilities: Domestic flights and European from Aberdeen.

Nearest railway: Keith.

Working hours

By arrangement.

Where it is

Buckie is located on the S side of the Moray Firth, halfway between Fraserburgh and Inverness.

The port

The harbour consists of four main basins which can accommodate up to 3 cargo vessels in addition to the local fishing fleet.

Cargoes handled include stone chips, lime, barley, salt, timber, animal feed, pellets, malt, gas, oil and coal.

Traffic

Approx 90,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Buckie?

Not compulsory, but is advisable.

What time zone is Buckie in?

Local time at Buckie 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 Buckie?

1025.

Which load line zone is Buckie 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 Buckie?

Port State Control at Buckie: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Buckie?

The UN/LOCODE of Buckie is GBBUC.

What crews who called at Buckie 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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