Ilfracombe

Size limits

Alongside: LOA 76m.

Anchorage: No restriction.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 3m (neaps) to 10m (springs).

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

Approach

Ilfracombe has strong tidal streams in the approaches, which at times can reach 2-3 knots. This is due to its large tidal range of between 3m (neaps) and 10m (springs). Therefore, extra care should be taken near the Buggy Pit where there is often a tidal rip. Buggy Pit is marked on Admiralty Chart 1160 and is approximately 3 cables NNE of Beacon Point.

On the South of the Harbour, Leading lights (Occ W 10s) have been established which mark the clearway approach into the Outer Harbour. Together with 3 sets of 2FG (vert) which mark the Outer Pier (North and South) and the Old Quay Head (South), these leading lights clearly identify the harbour approach. From further to sea the Fl. G. (2) 5sec light atop Lantern Hill guides mariners to the Harbour.

Approximately 1 cable to the south east of the Pier, there are a number of unlit shellfish store pots. Therefore, care must be exercised to avoid that on approaching the harbour.

To ensure that visitors berths can be allocated, prior to entering the harbour, all vessels should contact the Harbour Authority with call sign 'Ilfracombe Harbour'. The Harbour Office maintains a listening watch on VHF channels 16 and 12, the harbour working channels are 12 and 14. This is not manned 24 hours. During silent hours proceed to a suitable berth.

The speed limit in the Harbour Authority area is 4 knots, and vessels are requested to avoid excessive wash.

Anchorages

There is safe anchorage in The Range, situated between Capstone Pt and Beacon Pt, with good holding ground and least depths of 10m. Distance to landing stage 0.2nm.

Restrictions

Speed limit 4kts in harbour limits.

Charts and publications

BA 1160.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering of fuel (Marine Gas Oil and Diesel Oil) are available at Inner Harbour- Cove.

Medical

Nearby medical facilities available at Ilfracombe & District Tyrrell Hospital.

Transport

Nearest train station: Barnstaple

Nearest airport: Exeter International Airport

Where it is

Located on N Devon coast, at entrance to Bristol Channel.

The port

Small port with NAABSA berths alongside and safe anchorage for up to three vessels. Cruise vessels anchor off the port in summer with facilities to berth one/two tenders at a time.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ilfracombe?

No pilots available at Ilfracombe Harbour.

What time zone is Ilfracombe in?

Local time at Ilfracombe 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 Ilfracombe in?

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

Who carries out Port State Control at Ilfracombe?

Port State Control at Ilfracombe: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ilfracombe?

The UN/LOCODE of Ilfracombe is GBILF.

What crews who called at Ilfracombe 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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