Kirkwall (GBKWL)

Kirkwall Harbour port primarily handles the shipment of livestock, grain and fertilizer, as well as supporting the inter-island ferry trade. Nearby, Hatston Pier has been extended to include a Ro-Ro ferry berth, along with general and cruise ship berths, enhancing the harbour's capacity for diverse maritime activities.

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

Kirkwall is situated on Mainland, the largest of the Orkney Islands, at the southern end of Kirkwall Bay.

LOA 333.33m, beam 39m, draught 8m, 38,997DWT.

Although the Bay of Kirkwall is exposed to N winds these do not raise a heavy sea within the bay and the holding ground is good. Anchorage available, 0.2nm N of pier in 6.0m and 1nm N of pier in 14.0m. In strong N'ly winds use Bay of Ibister or North Shapinsay Sound. In strong S'lys use Ingarness Bay or Kirkwall Bay. No restriction on vessels size at anchorage. Max draught 10.0m.

The principal approach is from E by Shapinsay Sound; lesser approaches exist through the N part of Wide Firth from NW by Eynhallow Sound and NE at the NW end of Stronsay Firth. Directions for entering harbour: From a position in the S part of Wide Firth approx 0.5nm SW of Strombery the approach to Kirkwall leads S passing (positioned from Thieves Holm, (59°01'N 002°56'W): E of Five Fathom Patch (0.9nm WNW), then: W of Thieves Holm, then: E of Scargun Shoal (1.25nm WSW), situated near the E side of a detached bank of sand, stone and coral with depths of less than 10.0m over it; Scargun Shoal Lightbuoy (E cardinal) is moored on the bank 0.1nm N of the shallowest part. Then: W of Iceland Skerry (0.6nm SSW), which dries near the outer end of a reef extending 0.1nm from the coast; a beacon (steel pole 4m in height) stands on the W end of the Skerry. Then: E of Crow Ness (1.5nm SW) where Bay of Kirkwall narrows appreciably and is further constrained by a bank, with depths over it of less than 5.0m, which extends up to 0.25nm offshore from the coast S of Crow Nest. By night the white sector (183°-192°) of Kirkwall Pier Light leads S in clear water through Bay of Kirkwall to Kirkwall, Five Fathom Patch and Scargun Shoal and associated bank being covered by the green sector (153°-183°) of Kirkwall Pier Light. Vessels approaching Kirkwall from the W part of Wide Firth can use the passage between Ramberry (59°01'N 003°00'W), the E extremity of Quanter Ness, from which a drying reef and dangerous rocks extend 0.1nm NE, and Scargun Shoal (0.7nm ENE). A marine farm is situated 0.3nm E of Ramberry. Leading and clearing marks for this passage: Kirkwall Cathedral spire bearing 154° and seen over Crow Ness passes NE of the marine farm and SW of Scargun Shoal and its surrounding bank, and leads clear through the passage. Helliar Holm Beacon bearing 071° and open SE of Thieves Holm passes SE of Thieves Holm passes SE of Scargun Shoal and associated bank.

BA 1553, 2584, 2249. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

Shetland Coastguard, Tel: +44 1595 692976.

1025.

Compulsory and throughout 24 hours for passenger vessels over LOA 65m and all other ships over LOA 80m. Pilot launch/tug steel 18m, white, blue and red and GRP 15m pilot launch, white, blue and red. Notify Orkney Harbour Radio of ETA 3 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station by calling Kirkwall pilots on VHF Ch 11. Pilot will board the vessel 1.0nm NW of Renwick Head. Vessels requiring a pilot for departure should give 2 hours notice.

Kirkwall lies within the Orkney Harbour Authority Area: E limit: A line joining Hacksness (59°01'N 002°50'W) on Shapinsay with Rerwick Head (1.75nm SSE) on mainland. N limit: A line joining Strombery (59°02'N 002°56'W) on Shapinsay with Harpy Taing (2.5nm WNW) on Mainland.

Saint Magnus Cathedral (red sandstone with spire) (58°59'N 002°57'W), the most prominent building in Kirkwall. Kirkwall Pier Light (concrete tower, 0.4nm N of cathedral) on the NW corner of pier. Iceplant, conspicuous, (0.4nm N of cathedral) at the head of Kirkwall Pier. Wideford Hill (2nm W of cathedral). (Pilot book 20/3/01) ..... Kirkwall Pier End Iso WRG 5s. Helliar Holm Fl WRG 10s.

Entry by arrangement with Harbour Authority. Masters are advised to navigate with caution. Pay particular attention to tide flow and other traffic.

Range springs 3.0m, neaps 1.0m. Prevailing currents are 2-5kts at the entrance.

Any vessel over 20m in length or certified to carry 12 or more passengers, when arriving or departing or navigating within 1,000m of Kirkwall Pier, must report its movement to Kirkwall Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 12. if unable to raise Kirkwall Harbour Radio, contact Orkney Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 11 or 16. Such a vessel should also declare to the Harbour Master any particulars under the Orkney Harbour Byelaws, including tonnage, draught, port of origin and cargo details.

One tug is available, 1 x 800hp. Vessels lines are used.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

KIRKWALL, ORKNEY ISLANDS 58°59.94'N 2°57.61'W UNCTAD LOCODE: GB KWL For details see: ORKNEY ISLANDS PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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VHF: Kirkwall Harbour Radio (office hours) Ch 16, 12. Orkney Harbour Radio continuous watch Ch 16, 20, 11, 09. When crossing port limits set VHF to Ch 11, 12. When entering Kirkwall Bay, contact Kirkwall Harbour on Ch 12 for berthing instructions.

..... Documents Copies 1. Passenger Manifest 3, sent 14 days in advance to agents 2. Disembarking Passenger Manifest Transit only 3. Embarking Passenger Manifest Transit only 4. Crew Manifest 2 5. Stores List 2 6. Customs Declaration (ship) 2 7. Customs Declaration (crew) 2 8. Customs Declaration (passengers) 3 9. Health Declaration 1

Notify Orkney Harbour Authority of ETA 12 hours prior to arrival and update 2 hours prior to arrival at port limits. Port passage plan should be checked at this stage.

National ensign, courtesy flag and appropriate code flags.

As per UK regulations.