Cromarty Firth (GBCRN)

The port mainly handles general cargo, project heavy, offshore, steel, passenger and Ro-Ro.

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

Deep water sheltered port on the NE coast of Scotland, in Cromarty Firth, close to the North Sea oilfields.

Approx 1,600,000t of cargo, 100 vessels and 167,000 passengers handled annually.

The Firth opens out to 1.5nm within the entrance and for 4.5nm farther W there is ample sheltered anchorage for vessels of all sizes, in depths from 9.1-31m. There is anchorage for tankers in a depth of about 21.0m, sand and mud, 3.25nm ESE of South Sutor. Quarantine anchorage for vessels not exceeding 5.0m in draught is within an area 1.5nm W of Invergordon. Quarantine berths for vessels of greater draught are available on request from the Port Authority.

Fairway Buoy: This is a red and white spherical buoy (L Fl 10s Racon "M") in position 57°40.0'N 003°54.0'W. The entrance has a least depth of 15.1m CD. Prominent land marks N and S Sutors at entrance to Firth.

BA 8276,1889. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

Coastguard search and rescue area covered by Aberdeen, Tel: +44 1224 592334, VHF Ch 16, working VHF Ch 67. Auxiliary Stations are maintained at Cromarty and Invergordon.

Mean 1022.

..... Call Cromarty Firth Pilots on VHF Ch 16 or 11. 1. Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels navigating in the Cromarty Firth Port Authority Pilotage District except for the following; a. Vessels, excluding fishing vessels, under 300GT b. All fishing vessels 475m in length and under c. Vessels moving within the Pilotage District with the permission of the Harbour Master 2. Vessels should send ETA 24 hours in advance and call Port Radio on VHF Ch 11 when about 30nm from the Fairway Light Buoy. Pilots board as follows: 1. Tankers bound for Nigg Oil Terminal and other deep draught vessels: in position 57°39.6'N 003°53.34'W, approx 1 nm SE of the Fairway Light Buoy 2. Other vessels: 11nm ENE of the Ness Light.

Seaward limit: To the N from a position S of Port an Righ (rock which dries 2.0m) to a position 57°42.5'N 003°52'W then a straight line from this position to 57°38'N 003°57'W, to the S a straight line from this position to Navity Chimney to a position 57°38'N 003°57'W. Inland limit: Straight line across the Cromarty Firth from Ardullie Point to the north shore to Findon Pier on the south shore.

"The Ness" Lighthouse position 57°41.0'N 004°02.0'W; (Occ W R 10s on a white tower). Cromarty Lighthouse (white tower, height 13m) (57°41.0'N 004°02.1'W).

Min entrance channel depth 15.1m CD. Vessels up to 17.0m draught have used the Firth. Cromarty Bridge (57°37.0'N 004°22.0'W) is supported by 67 pillars about 20m apart; minimum vertical clearance beneath the bridge is 3.0m; the bridge is unlit. Between lines joining S Sutor and N Sutor in the E, and the Ness and Nigg Oil Terminal in the W, vessels must not exceed a speed of 8kts. A ferry plies between Cromarty Harbour and Nigg Pier.

Range 5.0m springs, 3.5m neaps. When snow is melting in spring and during periods after heavy rain, both the duration and rate of the outgoing tidal stream are increased and those of the incoming tidal stream are correspondingly decreased.

There is a 24 hour presence at Port Radio, working VHF Ch 11, callsign "Cromarty Firth Port Radio". Surveillance radar only.

Tugs are available.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

CROMARTY FIRTH 57°41.18'N 4°00.45'W UNCTAD LOCODE: GB CRN For details see: GENERAL NOTES ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

{ "widget_1_pilotage": { "area_groups": [ { "area_name": "Cromarty Firth Port area", "pilots_area_description": "Compulsory pilotage within the Cromarty Firth Port area which lies to the W of longitude 4°00.00W; includes specific vessel requirements and exceptions.", "pilots_contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "Cromarty Firth Port Radio", "vhf_primary_watch": "16", "vhf_secondary_working": "11", "telephones": [ "+44(0)1349 852308" ], "emails": [ "shipping@cfpa.co.uk" ], "websites": [ "www.pocf.co.uk" ], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Pilotage is compulsory within the Cromarty Firth Port area which lies to the W of longitude 4°00.00W for: (a) All vessels 60m LOA or over including fishing vessels other than excepted vessels under section (2); (b) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying over 12 passengers; (c) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying hazardous cargo.", "when_to_report": "Inward-bound: provide not less than 12h notice of ETA at the Pilot boarding station to Cromarty Firth Port Radio with ETA update 6h and 2h prior to arrival. Outward-bound: provide not less than 2h notice of ETD to Cromarty Firth Port Radio on VHF Ch 11.", "how_to_report": "Initial arrival notification by email and call on VHF Ch 11 when approximately 2h from the Fairway Lt buoy; report when passing Buss Bank Lt buoy, when departing the berth, and when all fast on the berth.", "what_to_report": [ "Vessel name", "IMO Number", "LOA", "Maximum Draught", "Last Port/Location", "ETA", "gt", "Any defects", "Cargo", "Agent" ], "pilot_boarding_positions": [ { "designator": "Outer Pilot Position", "coordinates_or_verbose": "57°39.60N 3°53.34W (approximately 1 n mile SE of the Fairway Lt buoy)", "vessel_particular_constraints": "Deep-draught vessels and Mobile Offshore Units (MOU)" }, { "designator": "Inner Pilot Station", "coordinates_or_verbose": "57°41.19N 4°00.09W (approximately 0.35 n miles NW of Buss Bank Lt Buoy)", "vessel_particular_constraints": "Other vessels" } ], "leftover_text_notes": [ "Pilotage is excepted for: (a) Vessels in the service of the Crown; (b) Warships under foreign flag; (c) Vessels under the control of the Northern Lighthouse Board and not undertaking work for commercial gain; (d) Offshore vessels (AHTS or PSV) less than 100m in length, proceeding directly to sea after towing a vessel into, or attending to a vessel within the compulsory pilotage area; (e) Under special circumstances the Port Manager may give permission for a vessel to navigate within the pilotage area without employing an Authorised Pilot; (f) Pilotage services will be provided on request to excepted vessels. Port of Cromarty Firth strongly advise any excepted vessel requesting the use of a tug should also ask for the assistance of an Authorised Pilot.", "For details of Merchant Shipping (Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 as amended and MSN 1899 (M+F) for statutory reporting arrangements see GENERAL NOTES." ] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": null, "area_groups": [ { "area_name": "Cromarty Firth Port Radio / Local Port Service", "vts_boundaries": { "description": "Cromarty Firth Port area W of longitude 4°00.00W", "coordinates": [ { "sequence_id": 1, "latitude": "57°39.60N", "longitude": "3°53.34W", "label": "Outer Pilot Position (Fairway Lt buoy area)" }, { "sequence_id": 2, "latitude": "57°41.19N", "longitude": "4°00.09W", "label": "Inner Pilot Station (Buss Bank Lt Buoy area)" } ] }, "contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "Cromarty Firth Port Radio", "vhf_primary_watch": "16", "vhf_secondary_working": "11", "telephones": [ "+44(0)1349 852308" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [ "shipping@cfpa.co.uk" ], "websites": [ "www.pocf.co.uk" ], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Vessels over 20m LOA must maintain communication with Port Radio on VHF Ch 11. Vessels under 20m LOA are requested to maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 11.", "general_rules": [ "Initial arrival notification must be sent at least 24h before arrival at the Fairway Lt buoy.", "Report when passing Buss Bank Lt buoy (57°40.98N 3°59.53W), when departing the berth, and when all fast on the berth.", "Notice of ETA: send initial arrival notification 24h in advance (or as much notice as practicable) by email and call on VHF Ch 11 when approximately 2h from the Fairway Lt buoy." ] }, "reporting_lines_and_points": [ { "designator": "Reporting Line 1 / S Reporting Line", "description": "Buss Bank Lt buoy area", "coordinates": [ { "sequence_id": 1, "latitude": "57°40.98N", "longitude": "3°59.53W" } ] } ], "reporting_requirements": [ { "report_name": "Entry Report", "when_or_where_to_report": "At least 24h before arrival at the Fairway Lt buoy (or with as much notice as practicable)", "how_to_report": "Email and call on VHF Ch 11 when approximately 2h from the Fairway Lt buoy", "what_to_report": [ "Vessel name", "IMO Number", "LOA", "Maximum Draught", "Last Port/Location", "ETA", "gt", "Any defects", "Cargo", "Agent" ] }, { "report_name": "Exit Report", "when_or_where_to_report": "When departing the berth", "how_to_report": "VHF Ch 11", "what_to_report": [] }, { "report_name": "All fast on the berth", "when_or_where_to_report": "When all fast on the berth", "how_to_report": "VHF Ch 11", "what_to_report": [] } ] } ] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [ { "provider_name": null, "vhf_channels": [], "telephones": [], "emails": [] } ], "availability_hours": null, "notes": [] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [ { "station_call_name": "Cromarty Firth Port Radio", "vhf_primary_watch": "16", "vhf_secondary_working": "11", "telephones": [ "+44(0)1349 852308" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [ "shipping@cfpa.co.uk" ], "websites": [ "www.pocf.co.uk" ], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "standalone_general_notes": [ "Pilotage is compulsory within the Cromarty Firth Port area which lies to the W of longitude 4°00.00W for: (a) All vessels 60m LOA or over including fishing vessels other than excepted vessels under section (2); (b) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying over 12 passengers; (c) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying hazardous cargo.", "Pilotage is excepted for: (a) Vessels in the service of the Crown; (b) Warships under foreign flag; (c) Vessels under the control of the Northern Lighthouse Board and not undertaking work for commercial gain; (d) Offshore vessels (AHTS or PSV) less than 100m in length, proceeding directly to sea after towing a vessel into, or attending to a vessel within the compulsory pilotage area; (e) Under special circumstances the Port Manager may give permission for a vessel to navigate within the pilotage area without employing an Authorised Pilot; (f) Pilotage services will be provided on request to excepted vessels. Port of Cromarty Firth strongly advise any excepted vessel requesting the use of a tug should also ask for the assistance of an Authorised Pilot.", "For details of Merchant Shipping (Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 as amended and MSN 1899 (M+F) for statutory reporting arrangements see GENERAL NOTES.", "Inward-bound notice of ETA: not less than 12h to Cromarty Firth Port Radio with ETA update 6h and 2h prior to arrival. Initial notification by email and call on VHF Ch 11 when approximately 2h from the Fairway Lt buoy, reporting: vessel name, IMO number, LOA, maximum draught, last port/location, ETA, gt, any defects, cargo, agent.", "Outward-bound notice: not less than 2h to Cromarty Firth Port Radio on VHF Ch 11.", "Vessels over 20m LOA must maintain communication with Port Radio on VHF Ch 11; vessels under 20m LOA are requested to maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 11.", "Report to Port Radio when passing Buss Bank Lt buoy (57°40.98N 3°59.53W), when departing the berth, and when all fast on the berth.", "Pilot boards: Deep-draught vessels and MOU at Outer Pilot Position 57°39.60N 3°53.34W (approx. 1 n mile SE of the Fairway Lt buoy); Other vessels at Inner Pilot Station 57°41.19N 4°00.09W (approx. 0.35 n miles NW of Buss Bank Lt Buoy)." ] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: (1) Pilotage is compulsory within the Cromarty Firth Port area which lie to the W of longitude 4°00·00W for the following: (a) All vessels 60m LOA or over including fishing vessels other than excepted vessels under section (2) (b) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying over 12 passengers (c) Any vessel over 40m LOA carrying hazardous cargo (2) Pilotage is excepted for the following vessels: (a) Vessels in the service of the Crown (b) Warships under foreign flag (c) Vessels under the control of the Northern Lighthouse Board and not undertaking work for commercial gain (d) Offshore vessels (Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) or Platform Supply Vessel (PSV)) less than 100m in length, proceeding directly to sea after towing a vessel into, or attending to a vessel within the compulsory pilotage area (e) Under special circumstances the Port Manager may give permission for a vessel to navigate within the pilotage area without employing an Authorised Pilot (f) Pilotage services will be provided on request to excepted vessels. Port of Cromarty Firth strongly advise any excepted vessel requesting the use of a tug should also ask for the assistance of an Authorised Pilot (3) Inward-bound vessels requiring a Pilot should provide not less than 12h notice of ETA at the Pilot boarding station, to Cromarty Firth Port Radio with ETA update 6h and 2h prior to arrival. (4) Outward-bound vessels requiring a Pilot should provide not less than 2h notice of ETD to Cromarty Firth Port Radio on VHF Ch 11. (5) Pilot boards as follows: (a) Deep-draught vessels and Mobile Offshore Units (MOU): Outer Pilot Position in position 57°39·60N 3°53·34W (approximately 1 n mile SE of the Fairway Lt buoy) (b) Other vessels: Inner Pilot Station in position 57°41·19N 4°00·09W (approximately 0.35 n miles NW of Buss Bank Lt Buoy) \n\nLOCAL PORT SERVICE CONTACT DETAILS: Call: Cromarty Firth Port Radio VHF Channel: Ch 16; 11 Telephone: +44(0)1349 852308 E-mail: shipping@cfpa.co.uk Website: www.pocf.co.uk HOURS:\tH24 PROCEDURE: (1) For details of Merchant Shipping (Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 as amended and MSN 1899 (M+F) for statutory reporting arrangements see GENERAL NOTES. The reports should be sent at least 24h before arrival at the Fairway Lt buoy. (2) Notice of ETA: Vessels should send initial arrival notifications 24h in advance (or with as much notice as practicable) to Cromarty Firth Port Radio by email and call on VHF Ch 11 when approximately 2h from the Fairway Lt buoy. Initial arrival notification message should state: (a) Vessel name (b) IMO Number (c) LOA (d) Maximum Draught (e) Last Port/Location (f) ETA (g) gt (h) Any defects (i) Cargo (j) Agent (3) Vessels over 20m LOA should maintain communication with Port Radio on VHF Ch 11. Vessels under 20m LOA are requested to maintain listening watch on VHF Ch 11. (4) Reporting: Vessels should report to Port Radio as follows: (a) When passing Buss Bank Lt buoy (57°40·98N 3°59·53W) (b) When departing the berth (c) When all fast on the berth \n\n\n"}}

WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 45/22 Port of Cromarty Firth correspondence, (RSDRA2022000242659), 45/22

Pilotage services can be contacted by radio call "Cromarty Firth Port Radio" via Ch 11 and 16.

At boarding on arrival: ..... 1. One copy Maritime Health Declaration (only required if ill health onboard). 2. Ship Sanitation Control Exemption or Certificate. 3. List of members of the crew who are aliens or who were engaged outside the UK. 4. Form C13, General Declaration (in duplicate). 5. Form C142; Declaration of Goods by Ship's Crews, in duplicate. This form is required only for vessels arriving from outside the European Union (EU). 6. One Crew List, plus a list retained onboard. 7. Declaration of personal items in possession of crew members, ie: cigarettes, spirits, cameras, radios, videos (video tapes), etc. 8. Form C142A now incorporated in form C142, ie, Master must declare small packages of merchandise and addresses of packages not borne on ship's report. Vessels arriving from the UK Continental Shelf and non EU countries: 1. One full set of documents to remain onboard. 2. One full set to HM Customs and Excise. Vessels arriving from EU countries: 1. Crew List for immigration purposes only. Vessels arriving UK coastwise: - No documents required. Delivery of forms: When a vessel is not boarded by a Customs Officer on arrival, The master must deliver one copy of C13 and C142 forms, Crew List and Passenger List, to his authorised agent who will fax all Custom and Immigration forms to their Aberdeen offices, originals to be retained by the agent. The second copy of forms C13 and C142 (where appropriate) must be retained onboard by the Master or other responsible officer for the use by Customs Officers who may subsequently visit the vessel. To the agent: Bills of Lading and Cargo Manifests. The following certificates are required to be held onboard for production when required: ..... 1. International Load Line Certificate 2. Safety Equipment Certificate 3. Safety Radio Certificate 4. Oil Pollution Insurance Certificate (tankers only) 5. Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (other than tankers) 6. Certificate of Registry 7. Tonnage Certificate 8. Trinity House Light Dues Certificate.

Notify Cromarty Firth Port Control of ETA 24 hours prior to arrival. For vessels carrying dangerous or polluting cargoes see country section for special reporting requirements in UK/EU countries.

International quarantine signals to be used. Advise Porthealth Dingwall in advance if any suspected diseases onboard. Also Maritime Declaration of Health to be filled out if there is or has been any sickness, disease or death during the voyage. Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate possible.