PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Scrabster
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory, but is advisable. Pilots are available from Scrabster Harbour Trust on VHF Ch 16 or 12, Tel: +44 1847 892779, Fax: +44 01847 892353. The pilot boarding position is located approx 0.5nm E of the harbour.
Key data
updated Jun 2016Size limits
LOA165m, draught 6.5m.
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 5.0m MHWS, 3.7m MHWN. Spring 4.0m, neap 1.6m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizaberth Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Scrabster Harbour | — | — | 1 |
| Scrabster Harbour | — | — | 3 |
| St Ola Terminal | — | — | 2 |
| Scrabster Harbour | — | — | 1 |
| Scrabster Fish Market Terminal | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2016Approach
From a position approx 1.5nm NE of Holborn Head the approach to Scrabster Road leads SSW passing (positioned from Holborn Head Light):
Clear of The Grounds (1.25nm ENE) over which the sea breaks heavily in NW gales; in calm conditions it is extensively fished by local craft.
Then ESE of Holborn Head (0.5nm NNE), a steep-to cliff 30m high, then:
ESE of Little Head.
The minimum width of the basin between the Ola Pier and the new QE Pier is 164m.
Port limits
All waters below the level of HW forming part of Thurso Bay commencing at a point at 58°37'N 003°31'W (ND 110 716), then in a N'ly direction for 1,100m to a point at 58°38'N 003°31'W (ND 110 727), then turning in an E'ly direction for a distance of 2,600m to a point at 58°38'N 003°29'W (ND 136 727), then turning in a S'ly direction for a distance of 2,020m to a point at 58°36'N 003°29'N (ND 136 707), then turning in a SW'ly direction for a distance of 2,850m terminating at a point at 58°36'N 003°31'W (ND 111 691) and shall include any water channels, quays, piers, jetties and other works, land, buildings, wharves and erections which are for the being vested in or occupied or administered by the Trustees.
Anchorages
The best berth is in a depth of 9.0m, blue clay, 0.2nm S of Little Head. Larger vessels may safely anchor on the alignment (189°) of Saint Andrews and Saint Peters Churches with Thurso breakwater distant 0.6nm, avoiding as necessary, (positioned from Little Head), The Grounds (1.25nm ENE) and a wreck (charted as foul) (0.3nm SE). Vessels anchoring closer to the S shore of Thurso Bay are cautioned to note a 4.0m patch (PA) (0.6nm SSE) and a submarine pipeline outfall (1nm SE) extending NNW from Thurso Harbour.
Restrictions
Entrance to tanker berth, width 28m. Inner Harbour, width 15m.
Charts and publications
BA 2162, 1462. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).
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.
About Scrabster
updated Sep 2018Where it is
Scrabster is located at the W head of Thurso Bay, on the far N coast of Scotland.
The port
The port possesses approx 400m of quayage, which is used to accommodate general cargo, bulk cargo, Ro-Ro and tanker vessels. Containers are moved by conventional cranes. The port has two Ro-Ro ramp berths with frequent international ferry services, which are extended during the summer season.
Traffic
Approx 8,570,000t of cargo, 2,200 vessels and 134,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Scrabster
What are the pilot arrangements at Scrabster?
Not compulsory, but is advisable.
What time zone is Scrabster in?
Local time at Scrabster is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.
What is the water density at Scrabster?
1025.
Which load line zone is Scrabster 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 Scrabster?
Port State Control at Scrabster: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Scrabster?
The UN/LOCODE of Scrabster is GBSCR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Scrabster 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.