PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Gourock
Pilot
updated Aug 2010- Gareloch boarding — military vessels bound for Loch Long Pilot boards55°58.5′N 004°52.4′W
Pilotage for the port of Gourock is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority and is normally compulsory. However due to the ports function, Master's operating vessels out of Gourock who are in possession of a pilot's licence are exempt.
The area of jurisdiction is between the seaward limit of compulsory pilotage and the landward limit of compulsory pilotage. The seaward limited is defined by an imaginary line commencing at the intersection of the meridian of 005°06'W with the N shore of Loch Striven and then proceeding due S to the N shore of the Island of Bute and by the same meridian of longitude, from the S shore of the Island of Bute to the parallel of Gull Point on Little Cumbrae Island, then by a line extending due E to Gull Point, then by a line proceeding in the direction 143° for a distance of 7nm, and then by a line proceeding in the direction 053° to the northern boundary of the harbour of Saltcoats. The landward limit of compulsory pilotage means the W side of Albert Bridge in the City of Glasgow.
The following vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage:
All vessels over LOA 25m carrying in excess of 12 passengers.
All vessels over LOA 80m carrying dangerous substances in bulk and all vessels which are not gas free.
Any other vessel is subject to a pilot depending on the pilotage area and the vessel's LOA. In the upper pilotage area, any vessel over LOA 50m is subject to compulsory pilotage, in the middle pilotage area the limit for exemption is LOA 60m, in the lower pilotage area the limit for exemption is LOA 80m.
Key data
updated May 2010Size limits
Draught 6.3m.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 3.35m springs.
Approach
updated Jun 2018Approach
Min depth at the entrance is 3.6m.
Transit lights to and from Anchorage A stands on the S side of the Firth.
Front light: (building) 55°57.4'N 004°45.9'W.
Rear light: (pylon) 360m SSW of the front light.
The alignment (194.5°) astern, of these lights leads from the entrance of River Channel towards the E end of Anchorage A and into the explosives anchorage.
Anchorages
Anchorage "A" Established between the Tail of the Bank (55°57'N 004°45'W) and Rosneath Point, 2nm NNW, with "A3" as the explosives anchorage.
Anchorage "B" Established 1.25nm N of McInroy's Point (55°57'N 004°51'W), lies in an area between 4 recommended channels.
Deep water anchorages, usable for very large deep draught vessels which cannot be anchored in areas "A" or "B", have been established in the wider part of the firth, S of Toward Point (55°52'N 004°59'W).
Tugs
Available from Glasgow.
Charts and publications
BA 1994, 2000, Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).
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 May 2010Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available from Greenock to vessels at anchor or buoys.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker.
Medical
Inverclyde Royal (4km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Glasgow Airport (24km).
Airport facilities: International and domestic flights.
Nearest railway: Gourock Rail Station situated on the pier.
Working hours
Normally 0730-2100hrs.
About Gourock
updated May 2010Where it is
Gourock is located on the S bank of the River Clyde 2.6nm W of Greenock.
The port
The sheltered port is operated by Caledonian MacBrayne for its Ro-Ro service between Gourock and Dunoon. It is also in constant use by yachts and pleasure craft.
Questions about Gourock
Where does the pilot board at Gourock?
The pilot boards at Gareloch boarding — military vessels bound for Loch Long, 55°58.5′N 004°52.4′W.
What time zone is Gourock in?
Local time at Gourock is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.
Which load line zone is Gourock 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 Gourock?
Port State Control at Gourock: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Gourock?
The UN/LOCODE of Gourock is GBGUR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Gourock 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.