Oban (GBOBA)

Oban has 3 piers (North Pier, South Pier and the Railway Pier), giving a total berth length of 610m. The port caters mainly for ferries, fishing vessels and yachts. The South Pier and Railway Pier are owned privately by Caledonian McBrayne Ltd. The North Pier is under the authority of Argyll & Bute Council.

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

The port of Oban is situated in the Firth of Lorn.

LOA 72m, draught 4.8m.

Oban Bay is very deep for an anchorage and should be used with caution. The holding ground is bad and winds from the SW blow with great force up Kerrera Sound making it unsafe to remain at anchor in vessels with a high freeboard.

Outer approach: From the vicinity of 56°26'N 005°30'W, the line of bearing 134°, of Dunollie Light (stone tower with white lantern, 6.0m in height) (56° 25.4'N 005°29.0'W) standing on low cliffs on the E side of the entrance, leads towards the N entrance to Oban Bay, passing (with positions from Dunollie Light): SW of foul ground which extends 45m W from the SW end of Maiden Island (0.5nm NNW) which is otherwise steep to. Reefs and shoal water extend from the mainland to within 35m of the E side of this island. and: NE of Rubh'a Bhearnaig (0.55nm WNW), then: NE of N spit of Kerrera Light (white concrete column with red bands, 10m in height) (0.3nm WNW) which stands on the outer edge of a ledge of rocks which extends 0.1nm NE from the N end of Kerrera, then: SW of Carraig Mhicheil (0.2nm NNW), a rounded point with an elevation of 44m which forms the N entrance point to Port Mor. The ruins of Dunollie Castle, which stands on the summit of a precipitous cliff within Carraig Mhicheil, is covered with ivy and is only distinctive from N and S, however a flagstaff stands on the castle during the summer months. Inner approach: From a position SW of Carraig Mhicheil the track leads generally S in mid channel, passing (with positions from Dunollie Light): Between Dunollie Light and a detached shoal, with a depth of 4.0-6.0m over it, (0.12nm W), then: E of the drying reef and shallow bank which extends E from Rubh'a Chruidh, marked near the NE extremity of the reef by a light (metal post, 3.0m in height), then: W of Corran Ledge (0.2nm SSE) comprised of rocks and shingle which dry for 0.1nm from the shore. Vessels are advised to keep well clear of the lightbuoy (W cardinal) which marks the S end of the W edge of the ledge as it is reported that several vessels have grounded in this vicinity, also that the sewer outfall passing close SSE of the buoy, stands 0.5m above the ledge in places. Caution: A submarine power cable crosses Kerrera Sound from a position 0.1nm S of Port nan Cuile (56°23.6'N 005°30.9'W) to Dall Righ, 0.35nm WNW. A beacon on the shore marks each landing place.

BA 1790. US Publications 141m. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).

1025.

If required, Harbour Master will carry out pilotage operations.

The harbour limit extends SSW from a position 0.05nm S of Dunollie light, across the mouth of the bay to the boat house at Brandystone, 0.8nm SSW.

Hutchesons Monument (56°25.3'N 005°29.7'W) a conspicuous obelisk standing on the NE end of Kerrera. Conspicuous radio mast (56°24.3'N 005°29.1'W), standing on the NE end of a ridge. Conspicuous radio mast (56°23.5'N 005°30.3'W), standing 0.25nm SE of Dun Uabairtich, a hill near the coast.

Ships can enter the port at any state of the tide.

Range 3.3m springs.

Safety of Navigation Code of Practice.

Prevailing winds: SW'ly.

OBAN 56°25'N 5°29'W UNCTAD LOCODE: GB OBA ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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DESCRIPTION: Vessels navigating in Oban Bay and approaches should be aware of the existence of a Voluntary Code for Safe Navigation within the area. Details can be found on www.obanharbour.scot REPORTING POINTS: Inward-bound Reporting Points have been established in the following positions: (a) 56°26.12N 5°32.32W (b) 56°27.25N 5°30.39W PROCEDURE: (1) All vessels operating in Oban Bay should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12. (2) All vessels of LOA 20m and greater entering or leaving Oban Bay by the northern entrance, are requested to broadcast a warning message on VHF Ch 16, followed by a more detailed message on VHF Ch 12 giving an ETA at Dunollie light (56°25.37N 5°29.04W) or ETD from the berth, mooring or anchorage as appropriate. Example messages are as follows: (a) Warning message transmitted on VHF Ch 16: Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй All stations, all stations, all stations This is [Vessel Name, repeated 3x] For urgent navigational warning listen Channel 12 Out (b) Detailed message transmitted on VHF Ch 12 inward-bound: Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй All stations, all stations, all stations This is [Vessel Name, repeated 3x] approaching the northern channel [Vessel Name] is inbound for [e.g. Number 1 linkspan, Railway Pier] ETA abeam Dunollie lighthouse is [Time hhmm]. [Vessel Name] out (c) Detailed message transmitted on VHF Ch 12 outward-bound: Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй, Sйcuritй All stations, all stations, all stations [Vessel Name, repeated 3x] will be departing [e.g. Northern Lighthouse Pier] in approximately 10 mins outbound to sea via the northern channel. ETA abeam Dunollie lighthouse is [Time hhmm]. [Vessel Name] out ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ PORT CONTACT DETAILS: North Pier Call: North Pier VHF Channel: Ch 16; 12 Railway Pier Call: Cal-Mac VHF Channel: Ch 16; 12 Telephone: +44(0)1631 566588 Port Authority Telephone: +44(0)1631 562892 Fax: +44(0)1631 563550 E-mail: info@obanharbour.scot Website: www.obanharbour.scot Northern Lighthouse Board Call: Northern Lighthouse Board VHF Channel: Ch 16; 12 Telephone: +44(0)1631 562146 Fax: +44(0)1631 565871 HOURS: North Pier: 0700-1900 LT Railway Pier: 0700-0100 LT NOTES: (1) For the North Pier, the authority is Argyll and Bute Council. (2) For the Railway Pier, the operators are Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. (3) For the Northern Lighthouse Commissioners Pier, the operator is the Northern Lighthouse Board. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 01/25 Oban Assistant Harbour Master correspondence, (RSDRA2024000358824), 01/25

VHF: Port: Ch 12, 16. Available North Pier 0900-1700hrs, Railway Pier 0700-0100hrs. Railway Pier: Tel: +44 1631 566588. All vessels operating in Oban Bay should maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 16.

Vessels of LOA 40m and over should make a brief safety announcement on VHF Ch 16 prior to entry or departure.

Special bye-laws are in force for vessels carrying petroleum and carbide of calcium.