Scapa Flow

1. Scapa Flow South Entrance – East boarding position Pilot boards58°45.8′N 003°01.7′W
2. Scapa Flow additional disembarkation position Pilot boards58°50.0′N 003°03.3′W

Size limits

LOA 275m, beam 48.0m, 170,000DWT

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 3.0m.

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

Approach

Recommended Routes:

Approaching from SE bound for W'ly pilot boarding station:

Vessel should pass 1.5nm E of Duncansby Head then steer a course to pass midway between Swona and Stroma Islands.

When approaching with the flood tide (E'ly flow) vessels should maintain a W'ly course until at least 1.5nm W of Swona Island before proceeding to the pilot boarding area.

With the ebb tide (W'ly flow) vessels can steer towards the pilot boarding area once they are clear of S end of Swona Island.

Approaching from W to W'ly pilot boarding area:

Vessels should pass at least 2.5nm S of Torness on the island of Hoy before setting course to the pilot boarding area.

E'ly pilotage boarding area N of Swona Island:

It is not recommended that first time callers proceed between the islands of Swona and South Ronaldsay unless instructed to do so by the pilot who should be on station at boarding area prior to the vessel entering the harbour area.

Masters who are familiar with the area may proceed between Swona Island and South Ronaldsay, but must ensure that when proceeding with the flood tide they do not set on to the Lother Rock and with ebb tide do not set on to Swona Island.

Port limits

S limit: A line drawn from Brims Ness (58°46.0'N 003°14.0'W) ESE to the SW extremity of Swona (58°44.0'N 002°58.0'W), then E of Brough Ness (58°44.0'N 002°58.0'W).

W limit: A line joining Braebuster Point (58°56.0'N 003°21.0'W) on Hoy and Breck Ness (1.75nm N) on Mainland.

E limit: W sides of Churchill causeways across Water, E Weddel, Skerry and Kirk Sounds.

Anchorages

Note: LVA - Large Vessel Anchorage. CVA - Coastal Vessel Anchorage

All anchorages are positioned at least 1nm apart, and are positioned at least 0.5nm from shipping routes. All LVA's are positioned at least 1nm from the coastline. LVA3 is the deep water STS position. LVA6 and LVA7 are the alternative STS positions.

Crude vessels: The commercial anchorage is situated N of Lat 58°55'N between Long 003°00'W and Long 003°05'W.

LPG vessels: The gas tanker anchorage is situated between 58°55.0'N 003°00.0'W; 58°55.0'N 002°58.7'W; 58°54.0'N 003°00.0'W; 58°54.0'N 002°58.9'W.

LNG STS operations: LNG transfers have taken place at 58°55.266'N 003°01.014'W.

Tankers waiting for a berth anchor in the E part of Scapa Flow as directed by the Port Authority.

Tugs

Three tugs in Scapa Flow are operated by the Orkney Islands Towage Company "Harald", "Einar", "Erlend", all with Twin Aquamasters of 4,000hp, bollard pull 55t ahead and 47t astern. It is a compulsory requirement that tugs are in attendance during berthing and unberthing operations. All towage is carried out under the United Kingdom Standard Conditions for Towage and Other Services (Revision 1986). Launch services from Flotta and SPM berths are available by arrangement with local agent. The service is provided throughout 24 hours. Fire fighting and oil pollution gear is fitted to all tugs.

Orkney Harbour Authority requires that certain vessels (primarily loaded tankers) navigating in the Hoxa Sound/Scapa Flow areas are escorted by tugs. The requirements, based on the quantity of pollutants carried, are outlined in the following table.

Note: For the purpose of setting out requirements for tug escorts, a pollutant is defined as crude oil or heavy bunker oil.

It is also recommended that ballasted tankers are accompanied by an escort tug, as follows:

Area A - 1 tug on standby

Area B - 1 tug on active mode

Area C - 1 tug on passive mode.

Mooring

Mooring and Hose Handling: AT SPMs: Ship's derrick and manifolds require to be prepared on the port side. An accommodation ladder should be rigged to starboard with a pilot ladder on the port side. All mooring and hose handling equipment is taken onboard from the company work launch using the ship's derrick. Ship's personnel must be available to take all the mooring equipment forward and carry out mooring and hose handling duties. The vessel is required to supply a good mooring rope on the forecastle head to use as a messenger for the SPM mooring. Vessels are required to have fitted an approved OCIMF tongue type chain stopper (min 200t SWL). Smitt towing brackets are not used. Forward Panama or fairleads require to have an opening of 355mm in order to accept 76mm mooring chain and 305mm for 67mm chain. Vessels of over 100,000DWT normally secure to the 76mm chain. Patent chain stoppers must be capable of accepting 67mm end links or 76mm end links depending on vessel size. Approx end link sizes are: (1) Common Link, diameter 67mm; End Link, diameter 81mm, width 264mm, length 447mm, and (2) Common Link, diameter 76mm; End Link, diameter 94mm, width 305mm, length 513mm.

Assistance in hose connecting is given to ship personnel by up to a max of 3 men depending on the operational requirements. Three 16in hoses with 150 ASA flanges are lifted onboard. Two hoses are for crude loading and one for ballast discharge. Standard 150 ASA reducers are available at the Terminal. Vessels with manifold sizes other than 150 ASA are required to provide suitable adapters. Camlock quick connectors on 16in 150 ASA flanges are bolted to the ship's manifold prior to connecting hoses. Vessels moored to the SPM's are required to maintain a tug towing astern to keep the mooring system under a tension of between 15-25t.

At Jetty: Mooring lines are run to jetty dolphins by the Terminal mooring launches. Vessels fitted with tension winches must have these on "Manual Brake" when moored to the jetty. Hydraulically operated hard arms are used for loading crude and LPG. Ballast is only accepted from crude vessels. All connecting and disconnecting is carried out by shore personnel. Vessels equipped with other than standard 150 ASA flanges at the manifold must be able to supply suitable adapters to permit 150 ASA flanges to be connected.

Arrival draught: Vessels must arrive at the company's facilities in an adequate ballast condition compatible with safe manoeuvring. It is recommended that vessels arrive with the propeller submerged and a max trim of 3.0m by the stern. Excessive trim or insufficient ballast could incur delay until such time as an acceptable condition is reached.

Charts and publications

BA 35, 2162, 2581, 2568. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should contact Orkney Harbour Authority 12 hours before arrival and update 2 hours prior to arrival at the port limits on VHF Ch 16, 11.

Flotta Terminal: ETA messages must be passed through a coastal radio station or telex 5 days prior to arrival or immediately on receipt of loading orders. Thereafter 72, 48 and 12 hour ETA's are to be given.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16 (calling and safety), Ch 09, 11 (working). Flotta Mooring Masters and the terminal monitor Ch 16 and work Ch 69. Launches listen on Ch 16 and work Ch 14, 12, 10, 09, 08, 06. Callsign "Orkney Harbour Radio".

Standard messages

If concurrent operations are not possible then vessels are required to load part cargo prior to discharging ballast.

Min 10t SWL derrick required on port side for SPM.

Derrick is required at jetty if it is necessary to fit spool pieces to accept loading arms.

Two crude lines and one ballast line are available at SPM.

Your attention is drawn to the serious view taken by port and terminal authorities of pollution. Heavy fines are imposed to which is added the cost of clean up operations. Please ensure that all crew members understand and comply with pollution requirements.

Principal pollution causes are leaking sea valves, overboard discharge valves and cargo or bunker overflows. We recommend sea valves, overboard discharge and bilge discharges are checked tight. Prior to arrival cargo and bunkering procedures should be reviewed with chief officer and chief engineer. All scuppers to be plugged.

Note: On subsequent visits vessels should only answer AAA to JJJ inclusive plus section XXX indicating acceptance of Terminal Conditions of Use.

XXX Please confirm acceptance of Terminal Conditions of Use per Section X of Flotta Terminal Port Information Book.

Unquote

Standard message to liquid gas carriers (initial visit):

Quote:

Liquid gas carriers arriving at Scapa.

LPG vessels arriving at Flotta Terminal with ballast for discharge to Scapa Flow will comply with the following instructions in respect of this ballast.

Vessels may be required to load sufficient coolant for purging and/or cool down to be carried out at anchor.

Note: On subsequent visits vessels should only answer AAA to JJJ inclusive plus section XXX indicating acceptance of Terminal Conditions of Use.

XXX Please confirm acceptance of Terminal Conditions of Use per Section X of Flotta Terminal Port Information Book.

unquote

Notice of readiness

NB: It should be borne in mind that acceptance of NOR is contingent upon complete compliance with all the requirements of the port conditions and acceptance of conditions of use.

NOR will not be accepted if the vessel is unable to comply with the terminal safety check list.

Documents

Cargo documentation Flotta Terminal: The terminal will prepare all the necessary documentation required for the particular parcel or parcels loaded on to the vessel.

Bills of Lading, Cargo Manifest, Quality and Quantity Report, Certificate of Origin are all computerised. The Tanker Time and Loading Report and the Cargo and Ships Ullage Report will be completed onboard by the Mooring Master.

Health

As per UK regulations. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption certificates can be issued within the statutory harbour area.

Customs and immigration

Weather permitting, officials attend onboard in Scapa Flow.

Flotta Terminal: Custom clearance inward and outward is the responsibility of the ship's agents. Harbour Dues and Trinity House Light Dues will be paid by the ship's agents. Loading will not commence until payment of dues has been made.

Flags

National ensign, courtesy flag and appropriate code flags.

Notices and regulations

Ship to Ship Transfer: All vessels must arrive with their propeller submerged and trimmed no greater than 4.0m by the stern. A trim must be maintained which allows the vessels to be manoeuvred without difficulty.

Transfer operations will comply with OCIMF STS Transfer Guide (Petroleum) 3rd Edition 1997 and any approved company STS procedures. Only contractors approved by OIC Harbours must supervise the operations. Company STS procedures must also be reviewed and approved by OIC Harbours on a 2 yearly basis.

In the event of the export vessel arriving several days earlier than the import vessel, it may be anchored in a position decided by the pilot based on the expected weather conditions. The export vessel must then be re-anchored within the designated STS anchorage prior to rigging of hoses and fenders and in good time for the arrival of the import vessel. There are three designated anchor positions for STS Transfers.

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

Minor repairs undertaken by local engineering firms in Kirkwall and Stromness.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available

Bunkering: Delivery by road.

Medical

Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall, Tel: +44 1856 888000. Dental facilities also available at Kirkwall.

Crew change

Possible through Kirkwall airport.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kirkwall, domestic daily flights to Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Shetland.

Nearest railway: Thurso.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Scapa Flow is located in the Orkney Islands off the northern coast of Scotland.

The port

Scapa flow is a major oil port, Flotta Terminal, owned and operated by Talisman Energy (UK) Limited, handles crude oil and gas from the North Sea fields. There is an STS anchorage located within the harbour area.

Traffic

Approx 7,400,000t of cargo and 340,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Scapa Flow?

The pilot boards at Scapa Flow South Entrance – East boarding position, 58°45.8′N 003°01.7′W. Scapa Flow has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Scapa Flow in?

Local time at Scapa Flow 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 Scapa Flow?

The deepest berth listed is at Flotta Marine Oil Terminal: 22.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Scapa Flow?

1025.

Which load line zone is Scapa Flow 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 Scapa Flow?

Port State Control at Scapa Flow: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Scapa Flow?

The UN/LOCODE of Scapa Flow is GBSFW.

What crews who called at Scapa Flow 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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