PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Macduff
Pilot
updated May 2010- Macduff (Banff Bay) pilot boarding Pilot boards57°40.6′N 002°30.7′W
Pilotage is not compulsory but is advisable and can be obtained on request to the harbour office 1 hour prior to arrival. The pilot boarding position is 0.5nm NW of the harbour entrance.
Key data
updated May 2016Size limits
LOA 61m, max draught 4.0m, beam11.0m.
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.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berths | — | — | 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 2016Approach
Depth of entrance channel and outer basin is 3.0m below MLWS, while the inner basin is 2.4m below MLWS.
Approach: When entering Banff Bay care is necessary to avoid Collie Rocks, detached drying rocks situated 0.2nm N of the E entrance point of the bay. They are covered by the red sector of Lighthouse Pier Light at Macduff; the alignment 210° of Duff House (0.75nm S of Meavie Point) with the summit of Hill of Alvah, passes 0.05nm W of the rocks. Mariners are advised to give Collie Rocks a wide berth, particularly during N winds when there is nearly always an E tidal set towards the rocks.
Local knowledge is required for navigation of a narrow channel between Collie Rocks and the mainland S.
Entry: From Banff Bay, the alignment 127° of leading lights situated on relatively high ground in Macduff:
Front light (fluorescent orange triangular daymark) on the roof of a building.
Rear light (mast, 5.0m in height, with fluorescent orange triangular daymark) (60m SE of front light), lead to the harbour entrance in the white sector of Macduff Lighthouse Pier Light and into the outer basin.
Anchorages
Anchorage may be obtained off the entrance to Banff Bay, in depths of about 12.0m with Knock Head bearing 276° and Duff House bearing about 190°.
Smaller vessels can anchor further inshore, as appropriate to draught, where the ground swell which persists in the approaches the bay is felt less.
Restrictions
NW to E entry not advisable for commercial vessels in wind greater than force 17-27kts.
Tugs
Nearest available tugs Peterhead (64km), Aberdeen (80km).
Charts and publications
BA 1409, 222, 1462. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify the Harbour Master or agent 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Ch 16 and Ch 12 working.
Customs and immigration
Contact Harbour Master.
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 2016Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Available on request.
Medical
Deveron Medical Practice, 2.9km.
Crew change
Contact Harbour Master.
Transport
Nearest airport: Aberdeen International Airport located at Aberdeen, 72.3km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Macduff
updated Jun 2016Where it is
Located on the E side Banff Bay.
The port
Macduff is a general cargo and fishing port. The port steady cargo trade consist of import and export of fishmeal, soya meal, rock salt and sugar beet.
Questions about Macduff
Where does the pilot board at Macduff?
The pilot boards at Macduff (Banff Bay) pilot boarding, 57°40.6′N 002°30.7′W.
What time zone is Macduff in?
Local time at Macduff 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 Macduff 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 Macduff?
Port State Control at Macduff: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Macduff?
The UN/LOCODE of Macduff is GBMCD.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Macduff 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.