Inverness

Size limits

LOA 100m, beam 17.2m, draught 5.3m, tidal conditions permitting.

Larger ships up to LOA 125m and 6.0m draught may be accommodated with prior permission.

Water density

1004.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range max 4.8m (springs), 3.7m (neaps).

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

Approach

The navigation approach channel is 45.7m wide and is dredged to 3.0m LAT.

There are two swinging areas, one of 150m and another of 93m diameter off Longman and Citadel Quays respectively.

Directions for entering harbour: From a position approx 0.2nm NE of the embankment head (57°29'N 004°14'W), the fairway leads SSW in mid channel, passing WNW of outer light beacon (port hand) (0.2nm NE), then:

ESE of a drying flat (extending 0.125nm NNE), then:

WNW of inner light beacon (port hand) (0.07nm E) standing on the edge of the drying flat, then:

ESE of the head of the embankment from which a light is exhibited, then:

W round Turning Light Beacon (port hand) (0.17nm S) which stands on the edge of the drying flat and close W of the head of an angled breakwater extending NW and W from the shore.

Port limits

Seaward boundary is a line joining Chanonry Point and Fort George.

Traffic schemes and VTS

None.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage:

Anchorage can be found in depths of approx 10.0-35.0m in mid channel SE of Skate Bank between Chanonry Point and Munlochy Lightbuoy.

Small coasters can find anchorage in a depth of approx 13.0m in mid channel off Fortrose with the spire of the Free Church bearing 020°.

Kessock Road affords good anchorage in depths of approx 10.0-32m, good holding, but tidal streams are strong and may cause turbulent water. Mariners are advised to moor with a swivel and avoid an abandoned submarine cable and a spoil ground, situated 0.35 and 0.55nm, respectively, WSW of Craigton Point.

Restrictions

Entry is restricted to 2 hours before HW to HW.

Clearance restriction under Kessock Bridge is 29m.

Max LOA 125m; max draught 6.25m at MHWST, 5.5m at MHWNT.

Tugs

There are no tugs available at Inverness, but arrangements can be made for tugs to be supplied from Invergordon.

Mooring

Vessels normally berth port side to, bow upriver. First rope is normally a spring, from forward. Vessels swung on departure.

Charts and publications

BA 1078. US Publication 141. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA at least 24 hours prior to arrival, with all relevant details of the vessel concerned including air draught. Master should confirm this information on approach to the Firth.

Communications

VHF: Inverness Harbour Office/Pilots: Ch 12, 16. Monday-Friday 0900-1700hrs and when a vessel is expected.

Customs and immigration

Available, Tel: +44 1224 844630.

Notices and regulations

Bylaws concerning vessels carrying, unloading and loading petroleum and calcium carbide are in force; copies may be obtained from the Harbour Master.

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, above the waterline only. Request for repairs should be made via the agent.

Dry docks

Slipway is currently out of use.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on quay side.

Bunkering: Supplied by road tanker to all berths. Local agencies for BP, Shell, Esso and Texaco.

Stores: Many available.

Medical

Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.

Transport

Nearest airport: Inverness (Dalcross), 12.8km.

Airport facilities: Direct flights to Glasgow, Edinburgh, London, Northern and Western Islands.

Nearest railway: Inverness.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1700hrs or when a vessel is expected.

Where it is

Inverness lies 6nm SW of Chanonry Point in the Inverness Firth which is one of the most sheltered natural harbours in Scotland.

The port

Total length of quays is 650m.

Imports: Fuel oils, packaged timber, road salt, coal, baled paper pulp, roofing slates, grain, sugar beet and granite stone.

Exports: Sterling Board, potatoes, salmon smolts, machinery, barley, rape seed, woodchips and liquidised fish waste for onward processing into fertiliser.

Central & Shore Street Quays are closed to commercial shipping.

Traffic

Approx 200 vessels and 570,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Inverness?

Compulsory for all vessels of 50m or over.

What time zone is Inverness in?

Local time at Inverness is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Inverness?

1004.

Which load line zone is Inverness 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 Inverness?

Port State Control at Inverness: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Inverness?

The UN/LOCODE of Inverness is GBINV.

What crews who called at Inverness 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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