Glensanda

1. Glensanda Harbor (Port Appin) pilot boarding place Pilot boards56°31.0′N 005°35.0′W

Size limits

Max LOA 250m, beam unrestricted, draught 15.1m and 97,000DWT.

Water density

1023-1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Tide - Extreme tidal range is a little over 4.0m. It is noticeable that high water level stands for about 90mins after each high tide, then falls rapidly.

Tidal Stream - During Spring ebb tides, a sluggish SW'ly current has occasionally been observed of up to about 1.25kts but for all practical purposes there is no appreciable tidal stream in the Harbour, except after a period of SW'ly gales which tends to build up water in the loch, and when the wind veers or subsides a continuous strong ebb tide running up to 3.5kts can be experienced for approx. 24hrs.

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

Approach

Approach may be from the S or the N.

The recommended approach for large vessels is through the Firth of Lorn (56°22.0'N 005°40.0'W), passing between the Island of Mull and Lismore in position 56°27.0'N 005°38.0'W, when approaching from the S or when approaching from the N through the Sound of Mull. All vessels transiting the Sound of Mull en route to and from Glensanda are requested to broadcast a 'Securitie' warning on VHF Ch 16 when approaching Ardnamurchan Point from the N and Craignure from the S, advising all vessels in the vicinity of their passage through the Sound of Mull.

The approach to the berth is deep and clear.

Port limits

The port limits are 2.6nm either side of Glensanda Berth.

Anchorages

Large vessels can anchor at the Outer Anchorage centred on a position at 56° 27.400'N 5° 31.500'W, to the E of the Island of Lismore.

In emergency, vessels may also anchor 1.7nm S of the Glensanda Berth in 60m of water.

Vessels under 10,000DWT may anchor 2.17nm E of Glensanda Berth in 25m of water.

Restrictions

Vessels must arrive at the harbour with sufficient ballast to immerse the propellers and thrusters, where fitted. In poor weather conditions, larger vessels may be kept waiting until daylight to berth. This is made at the Harbour Masters discretion..

Wind speeds in excess of 48kts prevent the operation of the shiploader.

Underkeel clearance of at least 60cms required on the berth.

Permission is required from the Harbour Master prior to entering Glensanda Harbour limits.

Tugs

Tugs are not stationed at the port. The Harbour Master will arrange a tug for large vessels when he considers this necessary; usually for ships of over 15,000DWT without side thrusters. Smaller vessels may be assessed on an individual basis, depending on capacity of any thrusters and gear available. Notice of 14hrs required to arrange tug.

Mooring

Vessels crews must keep mooring tight at all times on the berth. Vessels may not use anchors whilst at the berth or sailing due to the fact that the seabed is deep, rough and uneven as the berth was made out of solid rock. Two mooring boats are used for running mooring to shore dolphins for vessels larger than jetty length of 100m.

Glensanda Berth: Fitted with 5 Yokohama fenders with face panels.

Armour Berth: Fitted with 5 mooring bollards.

Charts and publications

BA 2389. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Approaching vessels should send daily ETA's to Glensanda, with each ETA timed to reach the port by 0700hrs to permit the quarry to plan its daily operations. Vessels then must call berthing/loading crew shift manager by phone 1hr before scheduled arrival.

Communications

Messages for vessels en route will be passed via mobile phone, email or by fax. As vessels approach watch is kept on VHF Ch 14. Call for Glensanda Harbour. Communication with the Harbour Master on VHF Ch 14 or by phone at any time. Large vessels are to provide the shiploading operator with vessel's radio communication between ship and shore during loading operation. Smaller vessels can communicate with the Harbour Master and Loading Control Room operator on VHF Ch14 throughout loading operations.

Glendanda contact info:

Telephone: +44 1631 568 110 (office), +44 7815 966 302 (mobile).

Facsimile: +44 1631 730 460

Email: [email protected], [email protected] (Harbour Master)

VHF: Ch 14

Stornoway Coast Guard contact info:

VHF: Ch 16

Pilot station contact info:

Call sign: Glensanda Pilot

VHF: VHF Ch 14

Telephone: +44 1631 568 116, +44 1631 730 537

Facsimile: +44 1631 730 460

Notice of readiness

Tendered when all fast at berth or at time of anchoring if waiting for berth.

Documents

24hrs prior to arrival, vessels must submit by email the CERS3 pre-arrival form. The form may be downloaded from: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cers-workbook. Pre arrival checklist to be submitted by email ([email protected]) to show availability for Loading Solid Bulk Cargo and confirmation that all equipment is in good working condition.

Health

As normal for all UK ports.

Customs and immigration

As per UK regulations.

Flags

No special requirements.

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.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

None available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Lorn & Islands Hospital (19km).

Emergency first aid medical service is available onsite. Other medical and dental services are available in Oban or Glasgow but the time taken to utilise them will delay vessel's departure. Personnel requiring first aid may contact the Harbour Master on VHF Ch 14 or by phone.

Crew change

Due to the ports remote location, this is a poor place for changing crew.

Transport

Nearest airport: Oban Airport (14.10km) and Glasgow Airport, (international, 160km).

Nearest highway: The port has no road access.

Nearest railway: The port has no rail access however the nearest railway line is Oban, (freight, 17.3km).

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Benderloch and Oban (11.5km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours including Sundays and Holidays with two exceptions - Jan 1 (New Years Day) and Dec 25 (Christmas Day).

Where it is

Glensanda is located on the W shore of Loch Linnhe in the Morvern Peninsula, W Scotland.

The port

Glensanda, operated by Aggregate Industries UK Ltd., is the largest quarry in the UK and the largest granite quarry in Europe. It is one of the most efficient mineral extraction operations in the world providing a year-round supply of granite to a number of UK ports and Europe. It is however, located in a very remote area with no road or rail access and as a result, the only access to the quarry is by sea on Foster Yeoman launches. It began operations in 1986 and the port is used to serve the loading and export of granite aggregate from the quarry.

The terminal consists of a deep water loading berth that serves the export of granite aggregate from the adjacent Yeoman's Glensanda Quarry. A jetty has been constructed for the loading of granite armour rock which can be done by barge.

Traffic

Approx 5,300,000t of cargo and 156 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Glensanda?

The pilot boards at Glensanda Harbor (Port Appin) pilot boarding place, 56°31.0′N 005°35.0′W.

What time zone is Glensanda in?

Local time at Glensanda 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 Glensanda?

The deepest berth listed is at Yeoman Glensanda Quarry: 15.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Glensanda?

1023-1025.

Which load line zone is Glensanda 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 Glensanda?

Port State Control at Glensanda: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Glensanda?

The UN/LOCODE of Glensanda is GBGSA.

What crews who called at Glensanda 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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