Wick

Size limits

LOA 89m (summer), draught 5.0m.

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range springs 2.8m, neaps 1.4m. There is little or no tidal stream within the bay. However, it sets strongly parallel to the coast and mariners are advised to make allowances when approaching the bay, especially during spring tides and in darkness.

Approach

North approach: When approaching Wick Bay from N, Noss Head Light (58°29'N 003°03'W) bearing not more than 358° and well open E of the land near the village of Staxigoe, 1.5nm farther, S passes E of a detached 2.7m patch (0.5nm NE of North Head).

South approach: When approaching from S mariners are advised to keep Noss Head Light bearing not more than 358° and well open E of the land near Staxigoe until South Pier Light (white 8 sided tower, 11m in height) (58°26.4'N 003°04.6'W) on the head of South Pier bears approx 280° or when in the white sector of Wick Harbour Direction Light (0.375nm WNW of South Pier Light).

Outer Harbour: South Pier Sector Light (Fl. GWR.3s).

Entering Wick Harbour: Wick Harbour Direction Light (metal column 7.0m in height, 0.375nm WNW of South Pier Light) on the N end of the bridge at the head of River Harbour is exhibited by day and at night.

From a position approx 1nm E of South Pier Light, the white sector (287.25-290°)of Wick Directional Light seen through the entrance of River Harbour leads WNW through Wick Bay to a position approx 0.1nm NE of S Pier passing, (positioned from South Pier Light);

SSW of North Head, 0.65nm ENE,

NNE of South Head, 0.5nm SE,

NNE of the outer extremity, 0.225 ESE of a shallow spit, parts of which are dry, extending 0.15nm NE from the S shore of the bay.

A beacon, N cardinal, 0.2nm ESE, 3.7m in height, stand approx 0.05nm inside the extremity of the spit and marks the outer end of a breakwater which formerly extended along the spit.

The alignment (285°) of South Pier Light with the disused light tower, 0.1nm WNW, passes clear NNE of the spit.

SSW from a position on the N shore 0.35nm NE of South Pier Light.

Leading Lights: In the Outer Basin are two fixed red light in line, 20m apart, near the root end of the South Pier, not visible until entrance is opened.

River Harbour: Harbour Bridge DIR.IS.WRG 4s light. The entrance is between North and South River Piers and marked by double red and green vertical fixed light.

There is a sandbar outside the River basin, depth 2.6m CD.

Light sectors: The reef fringing North Head lies in the green sector (253°-270°) of South Pier Head Lights.

The spit extending NE from the S shore and marked by a beacon (N cardinal) lie in the red sector (286°-329°) of South Pier Light.

Anchorages

During winds from SSW through N to NE there is good sheltered anchorage on a sandy bottom in Wick Bay. It is necessary to avoid an area of foul ground, on the N side of the bay in which there is unexploded ordnance on the seabed.

Charts and publications

BA 1462, 115. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 2 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Wick Harbour: Ch 16, 14. (during office hours).

Notices and regulations

River Harbour may not be entered without permission.

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.

Transport

Nearest airport: Aberdeen (international) 450km. Wick (domestic) 3km.

Airport facilities: Wick Airport Tel +44 1955 602294. Domestic flights only, connecting to international flights.

Nearest railway: Wick (passenger and freight) 2km, Tel +44 1955 602131.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Other times by arrangement.

Where it is

Wick is located on the NE coast of Scotland.

The port

Wick is a tidal harbour consisting of three basins, named Outer, Inner and River harbour.

The Inner and Outer harbours contain the main fishing and leisure berths while the River harbour handles the commercial activities. Imports include agricultural lime, coal, cement, fertilisers and oil related equipment. Exports include peat, grain and oil related equipment.

Traffic

Approx 21,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Wick?

Compulsory for vessels over 90GT except fishing vessels.

What time zone is Wick in?

Local time at Wick 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 Wick?

1020.

Which load line zone is Wick 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 Wick?

Port State Control at Wick: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Wick?

The UN/LOCODE of Wick is GBWIC.

What crews who called at Wick 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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