PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Coleraine
Pilot
- Coleraine pilot boarding Pilot boards55°11.3′N 006°44.1′W
Key data
updated Mar 2024Size limits
Max LOA 99.23m, beam 12.8m, draught 4.3m and 3,736DWT.
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 2.0m, MHWS 1.8m, MHWN 0.9m.
Current flood setting in the river is weak, the ebb will attain a rate of 3kts at springs, which will increase after heavy rain. Subsequently the flood will decrease. A relatively strong set is experienced setting across the entrance, during the flood current.
It has been reported that rips or overfalls may form where the ebb meets the offshore currents.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Cargo Terminal | 4.30 m | 99 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2024Approach
The entrance to the River Bann lies between two stone piers. The sandbanks forming the bar change position considerably with varying weather. The river is approached from the NNW on the alignment (165°) of leading lights, at elevation of 6m and 14m situated on the W bank of the river.
Channel marked by lights and beacons, on the N and E sides (port hand) and on the S and W sides (starboard hand), from entrance to Coleraine.
Port limits
Portstewart Bay to Town Bridge at Coleraine.
Anchorages
In fair weather, 0.75nm WSW of Portstewart Point or at Lough Foyle, off Moville.
Restrictions
The Bann Bridge, a bascule railway bridge, with a navigational width of 18m below a vertical opening span, crosses the river 0.5nm N of Coleraine. The vertical clearance below the span when closed is 5.2m at HW.
When navigating the channel vessels must be aware that; in the event that visibility is less than 0.3nm the port will be closed to all vessels exceeding LOA 30.0m and to all vessels carrying dangerous cargoes/marine pollutants in bulk. In the event that visibility is less than 0.5nm vessels must not pass each other in the channel. In the event that visibility is less than 1.0nm vessels proceeding in the same direction must remain 1.0m apart. Any vessels carrying dangerous cargoes/marine pollutants in bulk are prohibited from passing another vessel carrying dangerous cargoes in the channel, they must also maintain 1.0nm separation from another vessel carrying dangerous cargoes. Permission may be granted for vessels carrying dangerous cargoes/marine pollutants in bulk to pass another vessel.
A spoil ground is located and centred 1nm NNW of the river entrance, may be best seen on chart. It has also been reported that vessel wrecks are located on the approach to the river and salmon nets located within the river, caution must be taken.
Tugs
Available, from Londonderry.
Mooring
Boatmen are supplied.
Charts and publications
BA 2499. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP 286(1)
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2024ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify agent of ETA and pilot station 2 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
Coleraine Harbour Commissioners contact info
Telephone: +44 28 7034 2012
Facsimile: +44 28 7035 2000
Email: [email protected]
VHF: Ch 12
Pilots contact info
VHF: Ch 12, 16
Flags
Courtesy flag for the UK.
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 Mar 2024Repairs
Minor repairs can be undertaken.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at the quays.
Bunkering: Diesel fuel available by road tanker, 24 hours notice is required.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Causeway Hospital (1.85k).
Transport
Nearest airport: City of Derry Airport (32.6km), Belfast International Airport (60.3km) and Belfast City Airport (77.2km).
Nearest highway: The port is connected to the A29 and A26 junction.
Nearest railway: Coleraine train station (0.7km).
Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Coleraine.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Thu 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs. Fri 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1600hrs.
T-Met Coleraine working hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs, Fri 0800-1600hrs, Sat 0800-1230hrs and Sun closed.
About Coleraine
updated Sep 2026Where it is
The port is situated on the River Bann, 4.5nm from its entrance, on the N coast of Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
The port
Coleraine is a small well-sheltered commercial harbour located along the River Bann. The port consists of two quays and handles calcified seaweed, breakbulk, stone, scrap metal, timber products and building blocks. Numerous marinas line the River Bann.
Traffic
Approx 23,000t of cargo and 22 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Coleraine
Where does the pilot board at Coleraine?
The pilot boards at Coleraine pilot boarding, 55°11.3′N 006°44.1′W.
What time zone is Coleraine in?
Local time at Coleraine 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 Coleraine?
The deepest berth listed is at Dry Cargo Terminal: 4.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Coleraine?
1020.
Which load line zone is Coleraine 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 Coleraine?
Port State Control at Coleraine: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Coleraine?
The UN/LOCODE of Coleraine is GBCLR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Coleraine 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.
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.