PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Hunterston
Pilot
updated Aug 2010- Cumbrae – Clyde Outer Pilotage Station (Chart 1907) Pilot55°43.0′N 004°59.0′W
- Pilot boarding place Pilot boards55°42.1′N 004°55.4′W
Pilotage for the port of Hunterston is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority, the pilot boards off Little Cumbrae Island in position 5°43'N 004°59'W. The area of jurisdiction is between the seaward limit of compulsory pilotage and the landward limit of compulsory pilotage. The seaward limit is defined by an imaginary line commencing at the intersection of the meridian of 005°06.0'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 from the S shore of the Island of Bute to the Latitude 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.
Caution: Largs Channel contains a submarine exercise area.
A ferry route crosses the N end of the channel from Largs Pier (55°47.8'N 004°52.2'W) to a jetty on Great Cumbrae Island, 1nm WSW.
Masters are advised to keep well clear of the outfalls off Little Brigurd Point (55°43.3'N 004°54.2'W) as the discharge of hot water causes considerable turbulence. Passage W of Outfall Lightbuoy (55°43.6'N 004°54.8'W) is recommended.
Key data
updated Aug 2022Size limits
LOA 250.2m, draught 36.0m, beam 34.0m, 43,641DWT
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 3.0m springs.
In Largs Channel, the tidal stream changes from outgoing to ingoing through E without slack water and, during the change, it sets SE towards the land at a rate of 0.5kt at spring tides. The change from ingoing to outgoing is rapid with a very brief slack water period. In Cumbrae Pass (55°44'N 004°56'W) the ingoing tidal stream sets E and the outgoing stream sets W. The rate in mid channel is unlikely to exceed 1.5kts at spring tides but a greater rate may be attained off the salient points. The resultant flow, in these channels, may be affected by an outgoing current after heavy rain or when the snow is melting quickly.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hunterston Coal Terminal | 36.00 m | 250 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2015Approach
Approach and entry:
The widest and deepest approach to the ore and coal terminal is through Firth of Clyde Channel then Skelmorlie Channel. From a position off the N end of Largs Channel, the final approach is made through the N part of Hunterston Channel, thereby avoiding the narrowest and shallowest part of this channel. Approach can also be made from S using the S part of the Hunterston Channel.
Channel depth is 26m, a minimum Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of 2.0m required.
Approach from N:
From position 55°48.3'N 004°55.1'W, the inbound track through Hunterston Channel leads generally E for 1.0nm then S for approx 3nm.
Approach from S:
From a position 1nm W of Farland Head (55°42'N 004°54'W), the track into Largs Channel and through the S part of Hunterston Channel leads generally N for approx 2.25nm then NE for approx 2nm.
Hunterston Channel is the recommended channel designed to serve Hunterston Ore and Coal Terminal. This channel, which occupies the fairway of Largs Channel, affords the deepest and widest approach to Hunterston Jetty from N, in continuation of Skelmorlie Channel from a position N of Great Cumbrae Island (55°46.0'N 004°55.0'W).
From abeam Hunterston Jetty the channel continues SW then S, between Little Cumbrae Island (55°43.0'N 004°57.0'W) and the mainland, with a least depth of 30.5m (55°44.8'N 004°54.0'W) in the fairway. The 30m depth contour infringes the recommended channel both sides of the least charted depth.
Largs Channel: Separates the Cumbrae islands from the mainland to the E, has a least width of 0.3nm between the 20.0m depth contours off the SE end of Great Cumbrae Island. The E side of Largs Channel, which is industrialised and urbanised by the towns of Fairlie and Largs, is bordered by a wide coastal bank and drying flats extending up to 1nm offshore. These flats, in the vicinity of Hunterston, include Hunterston Sands, Southannan Sands and Fairlie Sands. The W side of the channel is rural and is reasonably steep to with foul ground and coastal banks extending no more than 0.3nm from the islands.
Skelmorlie Channel: The recommended channel for N bound vessels drawing more than 15m. This channel, which branches NE from Firth of Clyde Channel in position 1nm W of Great Cumbrae Island leads generally N to pass E of Skelmorlie Bank (55°52.0'N 004°55.0'W) then rejoins 3nm N of the bank. The least depth in this channel is 31m.
Port limits
The seaward limits comprise of a line in the Firth of Clyde due E from Corrygills Pt (55°34.3'N 005°06.5'W) and a line in Kilbrannan Sound due W from Loch Ranza entrance (55°42.6'N 005°17.5'W).
Traffic schemes and VTS
Information on weather and shipping movement is available on request.
Details of any incidents or accidents concerning the safe navigation of a vessels, or the safety of a vessels berthed at the port should be reported immediately.
Anchorages
Anchorage "A": Established between the Tail of the Bank (55°57.0'N 004°45.0'W) and Rosneath Point, 2.0nm NNW.
Anchorage "B": Established 1.25nm N of McInroy's Point (55°57.0'N 004°51.0'W).
Deep water anchorages: 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°52.0'N 004°59.0'W).
Tugs
There are 4 tugs of 1,650-2,440hp. Available from Svitzer Marine Ltd, based in Greenock.
Charts and publications
BA 1867, 1907, 2491. 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 2017Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available at Hunterston Jetty, Largs Pier and Millport Pier.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker.
Medical
Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, 60km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Glasgow (45km), Prestwick (54km).
Airport facilities: National and International passenger and freight services.
Nearest railway: Fairlie is 3.2km from the terminal.
Working hours
The port works throughout 24 hour.
About Hunterston
updated May 2017Where it is
Hunterston is located on the E side of the Firth of Clyde, halfway along the Largs Channel.
The port
It is solely an ore and coal terminal and one of the world's largest deep water ports.
Questions about Hunterston
Where does the pilot board at Hunterston?
The pilot boards at Cumbrae – Clyde Outer Pilotage Station (Chart 1907), 55°43.0′N 004°59.0′W. Hunterston has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Hunterston in?
Local time at Hunterston 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 Hunterston?
The deepest berth listed is at Hunterston Coal Terminal: 36.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Hunterston?
1025.
Which load line zone is Hunterston 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 Hunterston?
Port State Control at Hunterston: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Hunterston?
The UN/LOCODE of Hunterston is GBHST.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Hunterston 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.