Lochaline

Size limits

Max LOA 73.8m, beam 13.0m, draught 1.7m and 224DWT.

Water density

1000-1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.2m.

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

Approach

Directions for entering harbour: Initial position is 0.5nm SSE of the monument (56°32'N., 005°47'W).

Leading lights: Front light (concrete obelisk) (0.35nm NNE) situated on the W side of the loch.

Rear light (88m from front light) consists of an orange stripe on the gantry of the loading jetty.

The alignment 356° of the leading lights leads towards and into the entrance channel, passing (with positions from the monument):

W of Bogha Lurcain (0.25nm SE) which is a drying rock lying 100m off Bolorkle Point, the E entrance point to the loch, then:

Through Caolas na h-Airde, the narrow entrance channel which is marked on both sides by lightbuoys (port hand and starboard hand), and E of a stone pier (0.175nm NNE) which has a light (metal post) standing at its head and a ramp that is used by the Lochaline Ferry, then:

Close W of the least depth over the bar (0.25nm NE) which lies in mid channel, close WNW of a lightbuoy (starboard hand).

When clear of the least depth over the bar the track alters to NNE into the loch in clear water, passing (with positions from the monument):

ESE of a lightbuoy (port hand) (0.35nm NNE) which is charted at the N edge of the entrance channel, then:

Clear of marine farms and other moorings and:

WNW of Sgeir nam Balg (1nm NE) which is marked by a yellow beacon with spherical topmark, then:

ESE of Sgeir nan Ron (1.25nm NNE) which is marked by a yellow beacon with a spherical topmark.

Anchorages

Anchorages can be obtained off the E shore of the loch in depths of 14.0-18.0m. Smaller vessels may anchor off the W shore. Temporary anchorage can be

taken 0.3nm offshore, on the bank between Rubha Dearg (56°32'N., 5°48'W.) and Eilean na Beitheiche (56°33'N., 5°52'W.) in depths of 23.8m.

Restrictions

Caution should be used when entering narrow channel to Loch which is used by large coasters and a car ferry. Coast between Lochaline and Fiunary Rocks is foul as far as 0.2nm offshore and is marked by a lighted buoy close SW.

Draught on berth, vessel lies on the bottom at LW.

Charts and publications

BA 2390. Admiralty Pilot NP66A.

Communications

VHF: Not available.

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.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Mull and Iona Community Hospital (7.4km) and Lorn & Islands Hospital (24km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Oban Airport (24.6km) and Glasgow Airport (111.5km).

Nearest railway: Oban (23.15km).

Nearest public transport: Bus route throughout Lochaline.

Working hours

Normally 8 hours per day.

Where it is

Lochaline is located on the NW coast of Scotland at the entrance to Loch Aline.

The port

The Port of Lochaline, situated along the Morvern Peninsula, serves as a vital maritime hub equipped with a ferry terminal that facilitates regular crossings to Fishnish. The service runs regularly from Monday to Saturday between 0700 and 1900, and on Sundays from 0845 to 1805.

In addition to its ferry operations, Lochaline is home to the Lochaline Mine, an industrial site that has been in operation since 1940. This mine is one of only two underground mines in Scotland and the only underground sand mine in Europe. After a period of closure from 2008 to 2012, the mine was revitalized under the stewardship of Lochaline Quartz Sand. The mine specialises in the extraction of high-quality LQS85 Silica Sand and LQS120 Silica Sand from the adjacent pier.

Traffic

Approx 57,000t of cargo handled annually.

What time zone is Lochaline in?

Local time at Lochaline 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 Lochaline?

The deepest berth listed is at Lochaline Ferry Terminal: 1.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lochaline?

1000-1025.

Which load line zone is Lochaline 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 Lochaline?

Port State Control at Lochaline: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lochaline?

The UN/LOCODE of Lochaline is GBLOL.

What crews who called at Lochaline 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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