Stromness

1. Stromness / Hoy Mouth boarding position Pilot boards58°56.6′N 003°21.8′W

Size limits

Stromness Pier: Max LOA 135m, increase is possible with HM permission.

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

Tidal range is 4m. Mean spring range, 2.9m; mean neap range 1.3m. Prevailing currents, 4-8.5kts in Hoy Sound.

Tidal streams: Tidal streams are imperceptible within the harbour. However, when entering Stromness mariners are advised that they may pass suddenly out of a very strong tidal stream in Hoy Sound into virtually slack water in the harbour entrance.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached from E or W by Hoy Sound.

Hoy Sound can be readily identified from a considerable distance to seaward by Kame of Hoy (58°55'N 003°24'W) and the high red-coloured cliff on the coast of Hoy S of it, and by Black Craig (58°59'N 003°22'W) N of it.

Approach from the W: From a point S of Skerry of Ness Light Beacon the alignment 228° of Hoy Sound (low) Light (58°56'N 003°18'W) on Point of Oxan and Cuilags (2.75nm SW) on Hoy, passes clear SE of the dangers bordering Ness.

Leading lights: Front light (metal post on white tower, 6.0m in height) (0.5nm NNW of Ness) on rising ground in the town.

Rear light (metal post on white tower, 4.0m in height) (0.25nm NW of front beacon) on higher ground.

The alignment 317° of these lights, which are exhibited throughout 24 hours, leads through the harbour entrance, approx width of 75m passing (positioned from Point of Ness):

NE of Point of Ness; the outer edge of the shallow bank bordering the W side of the harbour is marked, 0.1nm N of Point of Ness by a lightbuoy (port hand); and:

SW of Outer Holm (0.2nm NE) which is fringed by a drying reef and shallow bank; the outer edge of the bank abeam the N end of the islet is marked by a lightbuoy (starboard hand).

When approx abeam the N end of Outer Holm, course may be adjusted N as necessary for anchorage or berthing, taking care to avoid the shallow banks on either hand.

Port limits

S limit: A line drawn from Brims Ness (58°46'N 003°14'W) ESE to the SW extremity of Swona (58°44'N 002°58'W), then E of Brough Ness (58°44'N 002°58'W).

W limit: A line joining Braebuster Point (58°56'N 003°21'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.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Stromness is covered by the Orkney Harbours Navigation Service. A vessel reporting system is in force.

Anchorages

Anchorage close to Stromness and suitable for vessels up to 6.0m draught can be found at Cairston Road to the SE of Outer Holm. Additional anchorages can be found in Scapa Flow.

Restrictions

Entry by arrangement with Harbour Authority.

Tugs

There are 3 x 4,000hp tugs available. Tugs based in Scapa Flow.

Charts and publications

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

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels more that 300GT should be reported to Orkney Harbour Radio 12 hours before arrival and updated 2 hours before port limits.

Any vessel over LOA 20m or certified to carry more than 12 passengers, when navigating within 1,000m of, or arriving or departing, Stromness Pier, is required to report it's position and intended movement to Stromness Harbour Radio.

Communications

VHF: Stromness Harbour Radio (office hours) Ch 12, 16; Orkney Harbour Radio continuous watch Ch 09, 11, 12, 16, 20.

Customs and immigration

Contact Customs and Excise, 28 Build Street, Aberdeen, AB11 6EY, Tel: +44 1224 844616, Fax: +44 1224 844601/2.

Flags

National ensign, courtesy flag and appropriate code flags.

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.

Dry docks

Drydock available at Lerwick.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available for vessels berthed alongside.

Bunkering: Gas oil is available by road tankers.

Medical

Medical and dental facilities available. Hospital is at Kirkwall, 26km E of Stromness.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kirkwall.

Airport facilities: Regular flights to the mainland.

Nearest railway: Thurso.

Working hours

Tugs: Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Stromness is situated on the W side of Orkney Mainland.

The port

Stromness is a ferry port but also handles fishing cargo. The harbour is quite small, providing just 4 berths. These are suitable for accommodating small general cargo and Ro-Ro vessels. Copland's Dock Terminal has been constructed for commercial used.

Where does the pilot board at Stromness?

The pilot boards at Stromness / Hoy Mouth boarding position, 58°56.6′N 003°21.8′W.

What time zone is Stromness in?

Local time at Stromness 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 Stromness?

1025.

Which load line zone is Stromness 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 Stromness?

Port State Control at Stromness: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Stromness?

The UN/LOCODE of Stromness is GBSNS.

What crews who called at Stromness 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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