Fraserburgh

Size limits

LOA 92m, beam 16m, draught 6.5m.

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

Range 3.2m.

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

Approach

When approaching Fraserburgh Bay care is necessary to avoid Colonel Rock and the dangers extending N from Cairnbulg Point.

Leading Marks: By day, from within Fraserburgh Bay, the approach to the entrance leads WNW with Balaclava Breakwater Head Light (dome on white stone tower, 21m in height) just open NNE of the spire of Old Parish Church (0.37nm farther WNW), the latter identified by the dome of the Town Hall which lies close N.

Leading Lights: By night, from within Fraserburgh Bay, the alignment 291° of leading lights:

Front light (white mast, red bands, 9.0m in height) on elbow of Middle Jetty (0.2nm WNW of the head of South Breakwater).

Rear light (metal mast, 11m in height) on dockside 75m farther WNW, leads towards and through the harbour entrance.

Attention is drawn to Byrnett Buss (0.1nm SE of the head of South Breakwater), and to the shoals with depths of less than 5.0m over them which extend SE from the vicinity of the head of Balaclava Breakwater.

Entrance width into Balaclava Harbour is 17m; the entrance width into inner Balaclava is 22m; entrance width into Faithlie Basin is 12m.

The entrance into Faithlie Basin at W pier and Burnett Pier is closed.

Port limits

A line between the following points:

57°42.9'N 002°00.0'W

57°42.4'N 001°57.8'W

57°40.6'N 001°57.8'W

Traffic schemes and VTS

A control tower monitors all traffic within the harbour.

Anchorages

Vessels can anchor in Fraserburgh Bay E of the harbour entrance. A good berth is in a depth of 11.0m, 0.55nm E of the harbour entrance, with Kinnaird Head Light bearing 297° and Corbie Hill bearing 191°. Larger vessels can anchor approx 0.15nm farther N in 14-15.0m. The bottom in these berths is sand over rock and in bad weather vessels anchored in Fraserburgh Bay have been known to drag their anchors.

Mariners are cautioned against anchoring on the leading line for the harbour entrance and to note that an area of foul ground of indeterminate size, lies W of the recommended berths.

Tugs

Pilot boat is used for towage, 175hp.

Charts and publications

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

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 24 hours prior to arrival. Confirmation is required 2 hours before arrival at pilot boarding station stating length, draught and beam.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port Ch 16,12. Tel: +44 1346 515926.

Customs and immigration

Available at Aberdeen.

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

Ship repairing carried out by various companies. Harbour (fabrication building), Piries (engine repairs), BNW (engine repairs), and Downie (electrical repairs).

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths.

Bunkering: By road tanker at all quays. Bulk supply on North Pier at 350tph.

Stores: Available

Medical

Aberdeen, 64km.

Crew change

Available, bay service operated by pilot boat.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aberdeen (domestic), 64km.

Nearest railway: Aberdeen (freight and passenger), 64km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Fraserburgh is situated on the NE coast of Scotland, close S of Kinnaird Head.

The port

A large fishing (herring and whitefish) and commercial port. As a major fishing port, it has one of the most modern fish markets in the UK. With easy access and safe berthing and approx 4,000m of quayside, the port is ideally positioned for the fishing grounds of N and E Scotland, the N Sea oil and gas fields and trade with Scandinavian and Baltic sea ports.

Cargo handled: Bulk cargoes, general cargo, oil, containers, fish products and heavy lifts.

Traffic

Approx 60,000t of cargo and 17 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Fraserburgh?

Compulsory for commercial vessels of 300GT and over except for those exempt by law.

What time zone is Fraserburgh in?

Local time at Fraserburgh 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 Fraserburgh?

1025.

Which load line zone is Fraserburgh 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 Fraserburgh?

Port State Control at Fraserburgh: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fraserburgh?

The UN/LOCODE of Fraserburgh is GBFRB.

What crews who called at Fraserburgh 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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