Holyhead

1. Holyhead pilot boarding Pilot boards53°20.9′N 004°38.9′W

Size limits

LOA 299.65m, beam 36m, draught 10.0m, 17,705DWT.

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 6.0m.

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

Approach

West approach: From a position W of South Stack (53°18'N 004°42'W) the track to the pilot boarding position, 1.5nm NNW of the breakwater, leads through Holyhead Bay rounding the headland at the NW extremity of Holy Island at a distance of at least 1nm thereby avoiding the strong tide races which lie off the coast. There are no other off lying dangers.

North approach: Approaching the pilot boarding position from N, the breakwater light bearing 159° leads W of Langdon Ridge Buoy.

From a position S of Langdon shoal the alignment 164.75° of the breakwater light with a conspicuous chimney 2nm SSE. leads to the entrance fairway. The track passes WSW of Bolivar Rock (53°21.5'N 004°35.0'W), marked by Bolivar Rock Buoy (starboard hand), which is moored on the NW side of the rock, then WSW of a wreck (53°20.5'N 004°36.3'W), with a swept depth of 8.5m over it, which is marked on its SW side by a lightbuoy (port hand).

Port limits

The port limits embrace an area from an E-W line 0.24nm N of the breakwater to an E-W line joining Penrhos Point (53°18'N 004°35'W) with Trwyn-gwyn, 0.7nm E.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Traffic separation zone at port entrance.

All vessels wishing to depart or manoeuvre within the harbour limits must contact Port Control 10 minutes before ETD.

Vessels operating within the harbour limits must maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 14.

Anchorages

There are no fixed anchorages or mooring buoys. Applications to be made by prior notice to Port Control, Tel: +44 1407 606700.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Charts and publications

BA 1413, 1826, 1977, 2011. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Holyhead Radio Ch 16, working Ch 14. Vessels operating within Harbour Limits must maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 14.

Holyhead Port Control:

1. Telephone: +44-1407-606700

2. Facsimile: +44-1407-606622

Health

International health regulations are to be observed. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificate possible.

Customs and immigration

Available.

Notices and regulations

Vessels must not disable engines without permission from Port Control.

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, contact Holyhead Marine Services, Tel: +44 1407 760111.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Penrhos Stanley Hospital, 1.4 km from the port.

Crew change

Possible by prior arrangement; HM Customs will then deal with any Immigration formalities.

Transport

Nearest airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport 167km & Manchester International Airport 196km.

Nearest railway: Holyhead Station, within the Port. It has direct link to London and Cardiff.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours. Stevedores available by contacting Port Control.

Where it is

The port of Holyhead is situated on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales.

The port

The port mainly handles passengers, Ro-Ro and liquid cargos.

Traffic

Approx 4,300,000t of cargo, 3,100 vessels and 2,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Holyhead?

The pilot boards at Holyhead pilot boarding, 53°20.9′N 004°38.9′W.

What time zone is Holyhead in?

Local time at Holyhead 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 Holyhead?

The deepest berth listed is at Orthios Terminal: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Holyhead?

1025.

Which load line zone is Holyhead 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 Holyhead?

Port State Control at Holyhead: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Holyhead?

The UN/LOCODE of Holyhead is GBHLY.

What crews who called at Holyhead 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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