Cromarty Firth

1. Cromarty Firth boarding — tankers and deep-draft vessels Pilot boards57°39.6′N 003°53.3′W

Water density

Mean 1022.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 5.0m springs, 3.5m neaps.

When snow is melting in spring and during periods after heavy rain, both the duration and rate of the outgoing tidal stream are increased and those of the incoming tidal stream are correspondingly decreased.

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

Approach

Fairway Buoy: This is a red and white spherical buoy (L Fl 10s Racon "M") in position 57°40.0'N 003°54.0'W. The entrance has a least depth of 15.1m CD. Prominent land marks N and S Sutors at entrance to Firth.

Port limits

Seaward limit: To the N from a position S of Port an Righ (rock which dries 2.0m) to a position 57°42.5'N 003°52'W then a straight line from this position to 57°38'N 003°57'W, to the S a straight line from this position to Navity Chimney to a position 57°38'N 003°57'W.

Inland limit: Straight line across the Cromarty Firth from Ardullie Point to the north shore to Findon Pier on the south shore.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a 24 hour presence at Port Radio, working VHF Ch 11, callsign "Cromarty Firth Port Radio". Surveillance radar only.

Anchorages

The Firth opens out to 1.5nm within the entrance and for 4.5nm farther W there is ample sheltered anchorage for vessels of all sizes, in depths from 9.1-31m.

There is anchorage for tankers in a depth of about 21.0m, sand and mud, 3.25nm ESE of South Sutor.

Quarantine anchorage for vessels not exceeding 5.0m in draught is within an area 1.5nm W of Invergordon. Quarantine berths for vessels of greater draught are available on request from the Port Authority.

Restrictions

Min entrance channel depth 15.1m CD. Vessels up to 17.0m draught have used the Firth.

Cromarty Bridge (57°37.0'N 004°22.0'W) is supported by 67 pillars about 20m apart; minimum vertical clearance beneath the bridge is 3.0m; the bridge is unlit.

Between lines joining S Sutor and N Sutor in the E, and the Ness and Nigg Oil Terminal in the W, vessels must not exceed a speed of 8kts.

A ferry plies between Cromarty Harbour and Nigg Pier.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 8276,1889. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify Cromarty Firth Port Control of ETA 24 hours prior to arrival. For vessels carrying dangerous or polluting cargoes see country section for special reporting requirements in UK/EU countries.

Communications

Pilotage services can be contacted by radio call "Cromarty Firth Port Radio" via Ch 11 and 16.

Health

International quarantine signals to be used. Advise Porthealth Dingwall in advance if any suspected diseases onboard. Also Maritime Declaration of Health to be filled out if there is or has been any sickness, disease or death during the voyage. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate possible.

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 for vessels up to LOA 300m alongside berths.

Rig Servicing: There are 3 berths where semi submersibles and jack-up rigs and barges can be brought alongside for inspection, repair and maintenance. Depths in the berths vary from 9.0-14.5m. Rigs are secured by use of own mooring systems and 200t bollards sited at the base. A heavy lift pad suitable for 1,000t is also sited at No 3 Berth. In addition to the berths at Invergordon Service Base there are many locations within the Firth where rigs can moor in depths varying from 15.0-40m. There are 4 mooring buoys for barges up to 125m length with swinging areas giving 5.0-8.0m depth.

Queen's Dock: Provides substantially enhanced facilities for semi submersible repairs and conversions. This berth provides direct alongside berthing for rigs and multi functional support vessels, enabling the rigs crane to plumb the quay. There are 250t bollards provided for rigs using the dock. The wet dock provides excellent shelter for all work on the pontoons and lower columns of semi submersibles and provides a current free environment for diving operations. A specially strengthened concrete pad provides a heavy load facility. When not in use for rig repair the Queen's Dock can accommodate a bulk carrier up to 25,000DWT.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Obtainable ex hydrant on quay. Rates vary between 30-80tph.

Bunkering: Marine gas oil is available ex wharf from Invergordon Service Base (Cromarty Firth Port Authority) and stocks of up to 2,500t are available. At other piers, bunkers can also be ordered through local agent, delivery by road tanker. Notice is required.

Medical

Raigmore Hospital, Inverness (43km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Dalcross Airport, Inverness (53km).

Airport facilities: Direct flights to London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stornoway, Kirkwall, Wick, Luton, Lerwick, and Benbecula.

Nearest railway: Invergordon.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1800hrs plus overtime. Some cargoes worked 24 hours a day.

Where it is

Deep water sheltered port on the NE coast of Scotland, in Cromarty Firth, close to the North Sea oilfields.

The port

The port mainly handles general cargo, project heavy, offshore, steel, passenger and Ro-Ro.

Traffic

Approx 150,000t of cargo, 100 vessels and 167,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cromarty Firth?

The pilot boards at Cromarty Firth boarding — tankers and deep-draft vessels, 57°39.6′N 003°53.3′W.

What time zone is Cromarty Firth in?

Local time at Cromarty Firth 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 Cromarty Firth?

The deepest berth listed is at Nigg Oil Terminal (NOT): 12.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cromarty Firth?

Mean 1022.

Which load line zone is Cromarty Firth 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 Cromarty Firth?

Port State Control at Cromarty Firth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cromarty Firth?

The UN/LOCODE of Cromarty Firth is GBCRN.

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