Cairnryan

Size limits

Max LOA 175m, draught 6.0m, beam 23.4m, 6,791DWT.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 2.8m springs, 1.9m neaps.

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

Approach

Water depth is approx 12m in the approaches to Cairnryan which is 6nm into the Loch Ryan shore. Aids in the approaches consist of a buoy marking Milleur Point and two buoys marking shoal water on the W side of the Loch.

Port limits

The limits of the port within the area bounded by an imaginary straight line commencing at a point:

PL1 at 54°58.08'N 005°00.94'W to

PL2 at 54°58.07'N 005°01.02'W then to

PL3 at 54°58.07'N 005°01.83'W then to

PL4 at 54°57.34'N 005°01.31'W then to

PL5 at 54°57.34'N 005°00.52'W then to

PL6 at 54°57.36'N, 005°00.39'W then following the western boundary of the A77 trunk road to the point of commencement.

Anchorages

Secure anchorage can be obtained as required within Loch Ryan clear of the restricted areas and of foul ground (55°00.3'N 005°03.7'W).

Lady Bay (55°00'N 005°05'W), which is easy to reach and sheltered from all except NE winds.

Head of the loch in position 0.5nm N of East Pier, in a depth of 4.0m.

Anchorage is prohibited in the fairway of the approach to Cairnryan Ferry Terminal and for 0.3nm seaward of the terminal.

Restrictions

Speed should be moderate when passing Cairn Point.

Tugs

Available on request.

Charts and publications

BA 1404. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Ch 16, marine radio station at Portpatrick.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Galloway Community Hospital, 9.2km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Prestwick International Airport, 84.5km.

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Where it is

The port of Cairnryan is situated on Loch Ryan on the extreme SW coast of Scotland.

The port

The port was originally constructed during World War II for the use of military shipments and is now used by P&O Ferries for Ro-Ro and HSS services between Cairnryan and Larne in N Ireland.

Traffic

Approx 3,200,000t of cargo and 2,100 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Cairnryan?

Pilotage is not compulsory and licensed pilots are not on standby at the port.

What time zone is Cairnryan in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Cairnryan?

The deepest berth listed is at Port of Cairnryan: 6.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cairnryan?

1020.

Which load line zone is Cairnryan 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 Cairnryan?

Port State Control at Cairnryan: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cairnryan?

The UN/LOCODE of Cairnryan is GBCYN.

What crews who called at Cairnryan 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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