Kirkwall

1. Kirkwall additional disembarkation position Pilot boards59°00.8′N 002°53.1′W
2. Kirkwall boarding position Pilot boards59°00.4′N 002°48.8′W

Size limits

LOA 333.33m, beam 39m, draught 8m, 38,997DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range springs 3.0m, neaps 1.0m. Prevailing currents are 2-5kts at the entrance.

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

Approach

The principal approach is from E by Shapinsay Sound; lesser approaches exist through the N part of Wide Firth from NW by Eynhallow Sound and NE at the NW end of Stronsay Firth.

Directions for entering harbour: From a position in the S part of Wide Firth approx 0.5nm SW of Strombery the approach to Kirkwall leads S passing (positioned from Thieves Holm, (59°01'N 002°56'W):

E of Five Fathom Patch (0.9nm WNW), then:

W of Thieves Holm, then:

E of Scargun Shoal (1.25nm WSW), situated near the E side of a detached bank of sand, stone and coral with depths of less than 10.0m over it; Scargun Shoal Lightbuoy (E cardinal) is moored on the bank 0.1nm N of the shallowest part. Then:

W of Iceland Skerry (0.6nm SSW), which dries near the outer end of a reef extending 0.1nm from the coast; a beacon (steel pole 4m in height) stands on the W end of the Skerry. Then:

E of Crow Ness (1.5nm SW) where Bay of Kirkwall narrows appreciably and is further constrained by a bank, with depths over it of less than 5.0m, which extends up to 0.25nm offshore from the coast S of Crow Nest.

By night the white sector (183°-192°) of Kirkwall Pier Light leads S in clear water through Bay of Kirkwall to Kirkwall, Five Fathom Patch and Scargun Shoal and associated bank being covered by the green sector (153°-183°) of Kirkwall Pier Light.

Vessels approaching Kirkwall from the W part of Wide Firth can use the passage between Ramberry (59°01'N 003°00'W), the E extremity of Quanter Ness, from which a drying reef and dangerous rocks extend 0.1nm NE, and Scargun Shoal (0.7nm ENE). A marine farm is situated 0.3nm E of Ramberry.

Leading and clearing marks for this passage:

Kirkwall Cathedral spire bearing 154° and seen over Crow Ness passes NE of the marine farm and SW of Scargun Shoal and its surrounding bank, and leads clear through the passage.

Helliar Holm Beacon bearing 071° and open SE of Thieves Holm passes SE of Thieves Holm passes SE of Scargun Shoal and associated bank.

Port limits

Kirkwall lies within the Orkney Harbour Authority Area:

E limit: A line joining Hacksness (59°01'N 002°50'W) on Shapinsay with Rerwick Head (1.75nm SSE) on mainland.

N limit: A line joining Strombery (59°02'N 002°56'W) on Shapinsay with Harpy Taing (2.5nm WNW) on Mainland.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Any vessel over 20m in length or certified to carry 12 or more passengers, when arriving or departing or navigating within 1,000m of Kirkwall Pier, must report its movement to Kirkwall Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 12.

if unable to raise Kirkwall Harbour Radio, contact Orkney Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 11 or 16. Such a vessel should also declare to the Harbour Master any particulars under the Orkney Harbour Byelaws, including tonnage, draught, port of origin and cargo details.

Anchorages

Although the Bay of Kirkwall is exposed to N winds these do not raise a heavy sea within the bay and the holding ground is good.

Anchorage available, 0.2nm N of pier in 6.0m and 1nm N of pier in 14.0m. In strong N'ly winds use Bay of Ibister or North Shapinsay Sound. In strong S'lys use Ingarness Bay or Kirkwall Bay. No restriction on vessels size at anchorage. Max draught 10.0m.

Restrictions

Entry by arrangement with Harbour Authority.

Masters are advised to navigate with caution. Pay particular attention to tide flow and other traffic.

Tugs

One tug is available, 1 x 800hp. Vessels lines are used.

Charts and publications

BA 1553, 2584, 2249. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify Orkney Harbour Authority of ETA 12 hours prior to arrival and update 2 hours prior to arrival at port limits. Port passage plan should be checked at this stage.

Communications

VHF: Kirkwall Harbour Radio (office hours) Ch 16, 12. Orkney Harbour Radio continuous watch Ch 16, 20, 11, 09. When crossing port limits set VHF to Ch 11, 12.

When entering Kirkwall Bay, contact Kirkwall Harbour on Ch 12 for berthing instructions.

Health

As per UK regulations.

Flags

National ensign, courtesy flag and appropriate code flags.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from hydrants at all piers with restrictions during dry period.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Eastbank Hospital (0.6km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Kirkwall Airport (5km).

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs.

Where it is

Kirkwall is situated on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, at the southern end of Kirkwall Bay.

The port

Kirkwall Harbour port primarily handles the shipment of livestock, grain and fertilizer, as well as supporting the inter-island ferry trade. Nearby, Hatston Pier has been extended to include a Ro-Ro ferry berth, along with general and cruise ship berths, enhancing the harbour's capacity for diverse maritime activities.

Where does the pilot board at Kirkwall?

The pilot boards at Kirkwall additional disembarkation position, 59°00.8′N 002°53.1′W. Kirkwall has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Kirkwall in?

Local time at Kirkwall 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 Kirkwall?

The deepest berth listed is at Hatston Terminal: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kirkwall?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kirkwall in?

Load Line zone: 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 Kirkwall?

Port State Control at Kirkwall: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kirkwall?

The UN/LOCODE of Kirkwall is GBKWL.

What crews who called at Kirkwall 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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