Port Ellen

Size limits

LOA 89.9m, beam 16.4m, draught 3.8m, 3,859DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 0.90m.

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: Approach from a position 1.25nm SSE of Carraig Fhada Light, the line of bearing 328° of this light leads NNW within the white sector (311°-340°) of the light towards the deeper part of the entrance channel, passing (with positions from Carraig Fhada Light):

WSW of shallow patches with a least depth of 6.7m (1.25nm E), which extend up to 0.45nm S and SW from The Big Wheel Reef (1.25nm E) which is the SE of numerous islets and rocks extending up to 0.65nm SE from Rubh'a'Chuinnlein:

Then WSW of shallow patches, with a least depth of 7.0m, which extend 0.2nm S and SW from McFayden's Reef (0.81nm ESE) which lies at the S end of the islets and rocks extending 0.5nm S of Rubh'a'Chuinnlein, and:

ENE of Otter Gander (0.7nm S), then:

ENE of Am Plodan (0.5nm S) which is the E of the foul ground extending up to 0.25nm offshore between Carraig Fhada and Lurabuss Head (0.8nm SSW). An Ganradh (The Gander) (0.5nm SSW) lies near the outer edge of this foul ground and:

WSW of a detached shoal, with a least depth of 5.0m, which lies 0.2nm WSW of Sgeir Thraghaidh (0.55nm ESE) a drying rock which lies at the SW extremity of the islets and rocks extending approx 0.4nm WSW from Eilean nan Caorach, sometimes called Sheep Island (0.9nm E) which is the largest of the islets off Rubh'a'Chuinnlein, then:

Close WSW of a reef which has 4 main heads with a least depth of 4.0m over them (0.35nm ESE), which lies in the fairway and extends SW, with a charted depth of 5.5m, well within the white sector of Carraig Fhada Light. A lightbuoy (starboard hand) is moored 0.05nm SW of the 4.0m head, this buoy is 0.07nm E of the 5.5m depth.

Entrance channel: When Carraig Fhada Light is distant 0.2nm and An Ganradh bears 222°, the line of bearing 042° of the beacon (red, barrel topmark) standing close S of Sgeir nan Ron (55°37'N 006°11'W), leads NE through the entrance towards the Car Ferry Terminal, passing (with positions from Carraig Fhada Light):

NW of the four headed reef (above) and:

SE of a pinnacle rock, with a least depth of 3.7m over it (0.15nm E), then:

NW of Ceann nan Ribheann (0.45nm ENE) which lies at the SW extremity of a chain of islets and rocks extending 0.35nm SW from Rubh'a'Chuinnlein (0.77nm ENE), the W extremity of The Ard. Named islets in the chain are: Ceann nan Sgeirean (0.5nm ENE); Sgeir Fhada (0.6nm ENE); and Sgeir Liath (0.72nm ENE). Then NW of a pinnacle, with a charted depth of 4.9m (0.52nm ENE), then:

SE of a pinnacle rock, with a depth of 1.8m over it, charted as dangerous rock, (0.57nm NE).

Anchorages

Outer anchorage, with good holding ground and suitable for small vessels, can be obtained on the bank outside the harbour in a depth of 16.0m, 1.25nm SE of Carraig Fhada.

Anchorage suitable for coasters and for use when the wind is from the W or N, can be obtained in the middle of Kilnaughton Bay in a depth of 9.0m with moderately good holding in sand, with Carraig Fhada Light in line with An Ganradh bearing 200°.

Tugs

There are no tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 2476, 2168. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).

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

Fresh water: Available.

Stores: Small quantities are available in the port.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Islay Hospital (16km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Islay Airport (8km).

Working hours

No restrictions.

Where it is

Port Ellen is located on the S coast of the Isle of Islay, off the W coast of Scotland.

The port

The port has 3 berths which can accommodate general cargo, bulk cargo and Ro-Ro vessels.

What are the pilot arrangements at Port Ellen?

Pilotage is not compulsory but local knowledge is required for entering harbour.

What time zone is Port Ellen in?

Local time at Port Ellen 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 Port Ellen?

The deepest berth listed is at Port Ellen Ferry Terminal: 4.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Port Ellen?

1025.

Which load line zone is Port Ellen 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 Port Ellen?

Port State Control at Port Ellen: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Port Ellen?

The UN/LOCODE of Port Ellen is GBPLN.

What crews who called at Port Ellen 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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