np52 north coast of scotland pilot 2006

8/16/2019 NP52 North Coast of Scotland Pilot 2006

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NP 52

RECORD OF AMENDMENTS

The table below is to record Section IV Notices to Mariners amendments affecting this volume.Sub paragraph numbers in the margin of the body of the book are to assist the user when making amendments to this volume.

Weekly Notices to Mariners (Section IV)

2006 2007 2008 2009

IMPORTANT − SEE RELATED ADMIRALTY PUBLICATIONSThis is one of a series of publications produced by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office which should be consulted by users of Admiralty Charts. The full list of such publications is as follows:

Notices to Mariners (Annual, permanent, temporary and preliminary), Chart 5011 (Symbols and abbreviations), The Mariner’sHandbook (especially Chapters 1 and 2 for important information on the use of UKHO products, their accuracy and limitations),Sailing Directions (Pilots), List of Lights and Fog Signals, List of Radio Signals, Tide Tables and their digital equivalents.

All charts and publications should be kept up to date with the latest amendments.

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NP 52

NORTH COAST OF

SCOTLAND PILOTNorth and North−east Coasts of Scotland from

Cape Wrath to Rattray Head including the Caledonian Canal,Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands and Føroyar (Færoe Islands)

SIXTH EDITION2006

PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED KINGDOM HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE

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Crown Copyright 2006

To be obtained from Agentsfor the sale of Admiralty Charts and Publications

Copyright of some of the material inthis publication is owned by the authority

named under the item and permission for itsreproduction must be obtained from the owner.

Area formerly covered by part of the following previous editions:

North Sea Pilot Vol. I North Sea Pilot Vol. II

First Published 1857 First Published 1857. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2nd Edition 1876 2nd Edition 1868. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3rd Edition 1887 3rd Edition 1875. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4th Edition 1894 4th Edition 1885. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5th Edition 1903 5th Edition 1895. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6th Edition 1910 6th Edition 1905. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7th Edition 1921 7th Edition 1914. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8th Edition 1934 8th Edition 1923. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9th Edition 1949 9th Edition 1935. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10th Edition 1960 10th Edition 1949. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

11th Edition 1959. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

North Coast of Scotland Pilot

First Published 1975. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Second Edition 1994. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Third Edition 1997. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fourth Edition 2000. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fifth Edition 2003. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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PREFACE

The Sixth Edition of the North Coast of Scotland Pilot has been prepared by Commander D.J.D. Acland, Royal Navy, and Captain M.Waight, Master Mariner. The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office has used all reasonable endeavours to ensure that this Pilot contains allthe appropriate information obtained by and assessed by it at the date shown below. Information received or assessed after that date will beincluded in Notices to Mariners where appropriate. If in doubt, see The Mariner’s Handbook for details of what Admiralty Notices to Mariners are and how to use them.

This edition supersedes the Fifth Edition (2003), which is cancelled.

Information on climate, currents and ice has been based on data provided by the Met Office, Exeter.

The following sources of information, other than UKHO Publications and Ministry of Defence papers, have been consulted.

British: Local Port Authorities

Port Handbooks produced by Port Authorities

Lloyd’s Register Fairplay, Ports and Terminals Guide 2005

Lloyds Ports of the World 2005

Ports of Scotland (Graham Ogilvie) (2004/2005)

The Statesman’s Yearbook (2005)Whitaker’s Almanack (2005)

Danish:Tórshavn Port Authority

Charts

Den Færøske Lods, Seventh edition (1983)

Havneoplysninger for Færøerne, First edition (1983)

Dr D W WilliamsUnited Kingdom National Hydrographer

The United Kingdom Hydrographic OfficeAdmiralty WayTauntonSomerset TA1 2DNEngland12th January 2006

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PREFACEto the Second Edition (1994)

The Second Edition of the North Coast of Scotland Pilot has been compiled by Lieutenant Commander P.J. Payne, RN, and contains thelatest information received in the Hydrographic Office to the date given below.

This edition supersedes the First Edition (1975) and Supplement No.10 (1993), which are cancelled.

The following sources of information, other than Hydrographic Office Publications and Ministry of Defence papers, have been consulted.

British:Guide to Port Entry 1993/94

Lloyds Maritime Guide 1992

Port Handbooks produced by Port Authorities

Ports of Scotland (Graham Ogilvie) (1993/94)

Ports of the World 1994

The Statesman’s Yearbook (1993/94)

Danish:Charts Den Færøske Lods, Seventh edition (1983)

Havneoplysninger for Færøerne, First edition (1983)

N. R. ESSENHIGH Rear Admiral

Hydrographer of the Navy

Hydrographic OfficeMinistry of DefenceTauntonSomersetEngland4th June 1994

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CONTENTSPages

Preface iii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Preface to the Second Edition (1994) iv. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Contents v. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Explanatory notes vii. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Abbreviations ix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Glossary xi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Index chartlet facing page 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 1

Navigation and regulationsLimits of the book (1.1) 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Navigational dangers and hazards (1.2) 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Traffic and operations (1.8) 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Charts (1.27) 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aids to navigation (1.30) 4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pilotage (1.32) 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Radio facilities (1.37) 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Regulations — International (1.41) 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Regulations — United Kingdom (1.47) 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Regulations — European Community (1.50) 6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Regulations — Føroyar (1.68) 9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Signals (1.73) 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Distress and rescue (1.74) 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Countries and portsUnited Kingdom (1.91) 13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Føroyar (1.100) 14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Principal ports, harbours and anchorages (1.108) 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Port services — summary (1.109) 16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Natural conditionsMaritime topography (1.113) 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Currents, tides and tidal streams (1.115) 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sea and swell (1.121) 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sea water characteristics (1.124) 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Climate and weather (1.128) 19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Climate information (1.155) 40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Meteorological conversion table and scales (1.165) 51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 2

Offshore waters and channels 53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 3

North coast of Scotland including Pentland Firth 61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 4

Moray Firth 87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 5

The Orkney Islands 155. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 6

The Shetland Islands 229. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CHAPTER 7

Føroyar 297. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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APPENDICES AND INDEX

Appendix I — Territorial Waters Order in Council, 1964 337. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix II — Territorial Sea Act 1987 340. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Appendix III — Regulations for the Caledonian Canal 342. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Distance Table 343. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Index 344. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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EXPLANATORY NOTES

Admiralty Sailing Directions are intended for use by vessels of 150 gt or more. They amplify charted detail and contain informationneeded for safe navigation which is not available from Admiralty charts, or other hydrographic publications. They are intended to be read inconjunction with the charts quoted in the text.

This volume of the Sailing Directions will be kept up-to-date by the issue of a new edition at intervals of approximately 3 years, without

the use of supplements. In addition important amendments which cannot await the new edition are published in Section IV of the weeklyeditions of Admiralty Notices to Mariners. A list of such amendments and notices in force is published quarterly. Those still in force at the endof the year are reprinted in the Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners.

This volume should not be used without reference to Section IV of the weekly editions of Admiralty Notices to Mariners.

CD−ROM

Status. A compact disc is provided at the back of this volume. The paper publication of Sailing Directions satisfies the requirements of Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. The CD version does not satisfy these requirements and should onlybe used in conjunction with the paper publication and any amendments affecting the paper publication. Where any discrepancy existsbetween data on the CD and in the paper publication of Sailing Directions, the paper publication (inclusive of amendments) is to be reliedupon.

Disclaimer. Whilst the UKHO has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the data on the CD was accurate at the time of production, ithas not verified the data for navigational purposes and the CD is not suitable, and is not to be relied upon, for navigation. The use of the CD forthis purpose is at the user’s own risk. The UKHO accepts no liability (except in the case of death or personal injury caused by the negligenceof the UKHO) whether in contract, tort, under any statute or otherwise and whether or not arising out of any negligence on the part of theUKHO in respect of any inadequacy of any kind whatsoever in the data on the CD or in the means of distribution.

Conditions of release. The material supplied on the CD−ROM is protected by Crown Copyright. No part of the data may be reproduced,stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the UKHO. The copyright material, its derivatives and its outputs may not be sold or distributed orcommercially exploited in either an original or derived form without the prior written permission of the UKHO. For the avoidance of doubt,the supplied material, its derivatives and its outputs shall not be placed, or allowed to be placed, on a computer accessible to Third Partieswhether via the Internet or otherwise. The release of the supplied material in no way implies that the UKHO will supply further material.

References to hydrographic and other publications

The Mariner’s Handbook gives general information affecting navigation and is complementary to this volume.

Ocean Passages for the World and Routeing Charts contain ocean routeing information and should be consulted for other than coastalpassages.

Admiralty List of Lights should be consulted for details of lights, lanbys and fog signals, as these are not fully described in this volume.

Admiralty List of Radio Signals should be consulted for information relating to coast and port radio stations, radio details of pilotageservices, radar beacons and radio direction finding stations, meteorological services, radio aids to navigation, Global Maritime Distress andSafety System (GMDSS) and Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) stations, as these are only briefly referred to in this volume.

Admiralty Maritime Communications is a comprehensive guide on all aspects of maritime communications for the yachtsman and smallcraft user. It provides general information on Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), the management of VHF, Maritime

Safety Information, NAVTEX, Inmarsat and Radio Facsimile, and detailed information and procedures for marinas and harbours used bysmall craft.

Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners contains in addition to the temporary and preliminary notices, and amendments andnotices affecting Sailing Directions, a number of notices giving information of a permanent nature covering radio messages and navigationalwarnings, distress and rescue at sea and exercise areas.

The International Code of Signals should be consulted for details of distress and life-saving signals, international ice-breaker signals aswell as international flag signals.

Remarks on subject matter

Buoys are generally described in detail only when they have special navigational significance, or where the scale of the chart is too smallto show all the details clearly.

Chart index diagrams in this volume show only those Admiralty charts of a suitable scale to give good coverage of the area. Marinersshould consult NP 131 Catalogue of Admiralty Charts and Publications for details of larger scale charts.

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Chart references in the text normally refer to the largest scale Admiralty chart but occasionally a smaller scale chart may be quoted whereits use is more appropriate.

Firing, practice and exercise areas. Submarine exercise areas are mentioned in Sailing Directions. Other firing, practice and exerciseareas maybe mentioned with limited details. Signals and buoys used in connection with these areas maybe mentioned if significant fornavigation. Attention is invited to the Annual Notice to Mariners on this subject.

Names have been taken from the most authoritative source. When an obsolete name still appears on the chart, it is given in bracketsfollowing the proper name at the principal description of the feature in the text and where the name is first mentioned.

Tidal information relating the daily vertical movements of the water is not given; for this Admiralty Tide Tables should be consulted.Changes in water level of an abnormal nature are mentioned.

Time difference used in the text when applied to the time of High Water found from the Admiralty Tide Tables, gives the time of the eventbeing described in the Standard Time kept in the area of that event. Due allowance must be made for any seasonal daylight saving time whichmay be kept.

Wreck information is included where drying or below-water wrecks are relatively permanent features having significance fornavigation or anchoring.

Units and terminology used in this volume

Latitude and Longitude given in brackets are approximate and are taken from the chart quoted.

Bearings and directions are referred to the true compass and when given in degrees are reckoned clockwise from 000° (North) to 359°Bearings used for positioning are given from the reference object.Bearings of objects, alignments and light sectors are given as seen from the vessel.Courses always refer to the course to be made good over the ground.

Winds are described by the direction from which they blow.

Tidal streams and currents are described by the direction towards which they flow.

Distances are expressed in sea miles of 60 to a degree of latitude and sub-divided into cables of one tenth of a sea mile.

Depths are given below chart datum, except where otherwise stated.

Heights of objects refer to the height of the object above the ground and are invariably expressed as “... m in height”.

Elevations, as distinct from heights, are given above Mean High Water Springs or Mean Higher High Water whichever is quoted in Admiralty Tide Tables, and expressed as, “an elevation of ... m”. However the elevation of natural features such as hills may alternatively beexpressed as “... m high” since in this case there can be no confusion between elevation and height.

Metric units are used for all measurements of depths, heights and short distances, but where feet/fathoms charts are referred to, theselatter units are given in brackets after the metric values for depths and heights shown on the chart.

Time is expressed in the four-figure notation beginning at midnight and is given in local time unless otherwise stated. Details of local timekept will be found in Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 2.

Bands is the word used to indicate horizontal marking.

Stripes is the word used to indicate markings which are vertical, unless stated to be diagonal.

Conspicuous objects are natural and artificial marks which are outstanding, easily identifiable and clearly visible to the mariner over alarge area of sea in varying conditions of light. If the scale is large enough they will normally be shown on the chart in bold capitals and may bemarked “conspic”.

Prominent objects are those which are easily identifiable, but do not justify being classified as conspicuous.

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ABBREVIATIONSThe following abbreviations are used in the text:

AIS Automatic Indentification SystemALC Articulated loading columnALP Articulated loading platformAMVER Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue

System

°C degrees CelsiusCALM Catenary anchor leg mooringCBM Conventional buoy mooringCDC Certain Dangerous CargoCVTS Co−operative Vessel Traffic System

DF direction findingDG degaussingDGPS Differential Global Positioning SystemDW Deep WaterDSC Digital Selective Callingdwt deadweight tonnage

DZ danger zone

E east (easterly, eastward, eastern, easternmost)EEZ exclusive economic zoneELSBM Exposed location single buoy mooringENE east-north-eastEPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio BeaconESE east-south-eastETA estimated time of arrivalETD estimated time of departureEU European Union

feu forty foot equivalent unitfm fathom(s)

FPSO Floating production storage and offloadingvesselFPU Floating production unitFSO Floating storage and offloading vesselft foot (feet)

g/cm3 gram per cubic centimetreGMDSS Global Maritime Distress and Safety SystemGPS Global Positioning SystemGRP glass reinforced plasticgrt gross register tonnagegt gross tonnage

HAT Highest Astronomical TideHF high frequencyHMS Her (His) Majesty’s Shiphp horse powerhPa hectopascalHSC High Speed CraftHW High Water

IALA International Association of LighthouseAuthorities

IHO International Hydrographic OrganizationIMO International Maritime OrganizationITCZ Intertropical Convergence Zone

JRCC Joint Rescue Co−ordination Centre

kHz kilohertzkm kilometre(s)kn knot(s)

kW kilowatt(s)

Lanby Large automatic navigation buoyLASH Lighter Aboard ShipLAT Lowest Astronomical TideLF low frequencyLHG Liquefied Hazardous GasLMT Local Mean TimeLNG Liquefied Natural GasLOA Length overallLPG Liquefied Petroleum GasLW Low Water

m metre(s)mb millibar(s)MCTS Marine Communications and Traffic Services

CentresMF medium frequency

MHz megahertzMHHW Mean Higher High WaterMHLW Mean Higher Low WaterMHW Mean High WaterMHWN Mean High Water NeapsMHWS Mean High Water SpringsMLHW Mean Lower High WaterMLLW Mean Lower Low WaterMLW Mean Low WaterMLWN Mean Low Water NeapsMLWS Mean Low Water Springsmm millimetre(s)MMSI Maritime Mobile Service IdentityMRCC Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre

MRSC Maritime Rescue Sub-CentreMSI Marine Safety InformationMSL Mean Sea LevelMV Motor VesselMW megawatt(s)MY Motor Yacht

N north (northerly, northward, northern,northernmost)

NATO North Atlantic Treaty OrganizationNavtex Navigational Telex SystemNE north-eastNNE north-north-eastNNW north-north-westNo numbernrt nett register tonnageNW north-west

ODAS Ocean Data Acquisition System

PEL Port Entry LightPLEM Pipe line end manifoldPOL Petrol, Oil & LubricantsPSSA Particularly Sensitive Sea AreasPWC Personal watercraft

RCC Rescue Co−ordination CentreRMS Royal Mail ShipRN Royal Navy

Ro-Ro Roll−on, Roll-off RT radio telephony

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ABBREVIATIONS

x

S south (southerly, southward, southern,southernmost)SALM Single anchor leg mooring systemSALS Single anchored leg storage systemSAR Search and RescueSatnav Satellite navigationSBM Single buoy mooring

SE south-eastSPM Single point mooringsq squareSS SteamshipSSE south-south-eastSSW south-south-westSW south-west

teu twenty foot equivalent unitTSS Traffic Separation Scheme

UHF ultra high frequencyUKHO United Kingdom Hydrographic Office

ULCC Ultra Large Crude CarrierUN United NationsUT Universal TimeUTC Co-ordinated Universal Time

VDR Voyage Data RecorderVHF very high frequency

VLCC Very Large Crude CarrierVMRS Vessel Movement Reporting SystemVTC Vessel Traffic CentreVTMS Vessel Traffic Management SystemVTS Vessel Traffic Services

W west (westerly, westward, western,westernmost)WGS World Geodetic SystemWMO World Meteorological OrganizationWNW west-north-westWSW west-south-westWT radio (wireless) telegraphy

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xi

GLOSSARY

SCOTTISH/GAELIC WORDS AND GEOGRAPHICAL TERMS

THE DEFINITE ARTICLE IN GAELIC

Singular Plural

Masculine Feminine Masculine and feminine

Nominative: an a’ naam (before b, f, m, p) an (before d, t, l,n, r, fh

and s followed by b,g, m, p, t)

na h− (before vowels)

an t− (before vowels) an t− (before s followed bya vowel, or s followedby l, n, r)

Genitive: a’ na nan

an (before d, t, l, n, r, fh) na h− (before vowels) nam (before b, f, m, p)

an t− (before s followed bya vowel, or s followedby l, n, r)

Gaelic English Gaelic English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

abhainn, g. aibhne river. . . . . . . . . . . . . .acair anchor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .acairseid, acarsaid anchorage. . . . . . . . . . . . . .achadh field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ail, aileach rocky or stony place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ailean green spot, enclosure, meadow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .airbhe, eirbhe dividing wall or boundary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aird, Ard height, promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aiseag ferry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aisir, aisridh pass between rocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .allt burn, stream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aoineadh steep brae with rocks, moraine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .aonach moor, market place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .àth ford (m); kiln ( f ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

bac, g. b(h)aic, pl. bacaichean bank, peat bank. . . .bad, g. b(h)aid tuft, clump of trees, place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bàgh, g. b(h)àigh bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .baile, g. b(h)aile town, hamlet, homestead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bàn, ( f ) bhàn, g. (m) bhàin ( f ) bàine, pl. bàna fair, white. . . . . . . . . . . . . .barr top, summit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .beag, ( f ) bheag, g. (m) bhig ( f ) bige, pl. beaga little. . . . . . . . . . . . . .bealach, g. b(h)ealaich pass. . . . . . . . . .bearn gap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .beinn, g. beinne, g.pl. beann mountain. . . . . .ben mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .b(h)reac speckled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .b(h)uidhe yellow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bidean pinnacle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .binnean small and peaked mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .biod peak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .biorach sharp pointed. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bo, boghar, bodha below−water rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . .bràighe, g. b(h)ràghad upper part. . . . . . . . . . .breun foul. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bruach, g. bruaich bank, brink. . . . . . . . . . . . . .bruthach, g. b(h)ruthaich steep place, brae. . . . . . . . .bun foot, mouth of river. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

cabhsair causeway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .caisteal castle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cala, caladh harbour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

camas channel, bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .caol, caolas narrow, strait, firth, kyle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .carraig rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .carse low flat land near a river. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cas, g. chais, caise steep. . . . . . . . . . . . . .ceann, g. c(h)inn head, headland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cill, g. cille, g.pl. ceall church, burial place. . . . . . . . . .clach, g. cloiche stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cladach, g. c(h)ladaich shore, beach. . . . . . . . . .cleit rock, cliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cnap, cnoc hillock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cóig five. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .coille wood, forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .coire whirlpool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .corran low cape tapering to a point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .craobh, g. craoibhe tree. . . . . . . . . . . . .crasg, g. c(h)raisg, c(h)roisg a crossing. . . . . .creag, g. creiga crag, rock, cliff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .crois cross. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cruach heap, stack, bold hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cuan sea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cùl back, hill−back. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .cumhann, g. chumhainn, cuinge narrow, strait. . .

dà two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dail, g. dalach field, dale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dearg, g. d(h)eirge red. . . . . . . . . . . . . .deas south. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dobhar water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dóirlinn isthmus, usually covered at HW. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .domhain deep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .donn brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dorcha dark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .drochaid bridge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dubh, ( f ) dhubh, g.(m) dhuibh ( f ) duibhe, pl. dubha black. . . . . . . . . . .dùn, g. dùin fortress, castle, heap, mound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ear east. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .eas, g. easa, pl. easan waterfall. . . . . . . . . . .eileach narrow shallow stream joining. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

two lochseilean, g. eilein, pl. eileanan island. . . . . .

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GLOSSARY

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Gaelic English Gaelic English. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

fada long. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fadhail ford in sea channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fang, g. f(h)aing, fank sheep pen. . . . . . . . . . .faoilinn beach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .feadan, g. f(h)eadain narrow glen, streamlet. . . . . . . . . . . .fearnan land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

féith, g. féithe bog, slow moving stream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fireach hill ground. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fliuch wet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fraoch heather. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fuar cold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

garbh, ( f ) gharbh, g.(m) ghairbh ( f ) gairbhe, pl. garbha rough. . . . . . . . . .geal, ( f ) gheal, g.(m) ghil ( f ) gile white. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gearr short. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .geò, geodha chasm, rift. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gil ravine, water−course. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .glais stream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .glas, ( f ) ghlas, g.(m) ghlais ( f ) glaise, pl. glasa grey, green. . . . . . . . . . . . .

gleann, g. g(h)linne narrow valley. . . . . . . . . . . . .gob, g. g(h)uib point, beak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gorm, ( f ) ghorm, g.(m) ghuirm ( f ) guirme, pl. gorma green, blue. . . . . . . . . . .guala, gualainn shoulder of a hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

heugh crag, steep hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iar west. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inbhir junction of two rivers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .inis, g. In(n)se island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iochdar lower part. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iosal, g. isle low. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

klet rugged eminence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kyle narrow passage or strait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

lag, g. luig a hollow. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .leac, g. lice flat stone, slab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .learg, g. leirge plain, hillside. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .leth half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .liath, g. léith, léithe grey, blue. . . . . . . . . . . . .linn, linne pool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .loch, g. locha lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lòn, g. lòin a slow stream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .long, g. luinge ship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

machair, g.(m) m(h)achaire,mach(d)rach plain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .maol, g. maoile bare top. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

meall, g. m(h)ill lump, rounded hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .meikle great. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mòinteach, monadh mossy ground, moor. . . . . . . . . . . . .mol, mal, mul shingly beach. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mór, ( f ) mhór, g.(m) mhóir ( f ) móire, pl. mora large, great. . . . . . . . . . . . .

muckle great. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .muir, g. m(h)ara the sea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mull promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mullach, g. m(h)ullaich top, summit. . . . . . . . . .

ob, g. òba, òib bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .oitir, g. oitire sandbank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ord steep hill, mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .os, g. òsa, òis river mouth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ploc, g. p(h)luic lumpish promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .poll, g. p(h)uill pool, mud. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .port, g. p(h)uirt port, harbour, ferry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

rathad, g. rathaid, rothaid road. . . . . . . .reamhar thick, fat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

riabhach brindled, greyish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rinn, roinn, pl. reanna point, promontory. . . . . . . . . . .ruadh red, brown. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rubha, rhu promontory, cape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

sàl, sàil, g. sàile salt water, sea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .salach foul, dirty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .salann, salean salt water bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .seachd seven. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sean old. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sgarbh, g. sgairbh cormorant. . . . . . . . . . . . . .sgeir, g. sgeire, pl. sgeirean rock in the sea, skerry. . . . . .sgorr, sgurr rocky peak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sròn, g. sròine nose, point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sruth, g. srutha current. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .stac, g. staca steep conical hill or rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

strath river valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

tigh, g. tighe house. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tòb bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tobar, g. tobair well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .torr, g. torra hill, castle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tràigh, g. tràighe, tràghad beach (tidal). . . . . . . .tri three. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tuath north. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tulach, g. tulaich knoll, hillock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

uaine green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .uamg, g. uamha cave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .uig bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Note: In the pronunciation of Gaelic, dh and gh at the ends of syllables are very frequently silent; bh is frequently pronounced

as v.

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GLOSSARY

xiii

WORDS IN COMMON USE IN ORKNEY ISLANDS, SHETLAND ISLANDS AND FØROYAR

In this book the spelling of place names in Føroyar (Færoe Islands) has been taken from Den Færøske Lods (1983). Where ageographical feature of interest to the mariner is not mentioned in Den Færøske Lods (1983) the charted spelling has beenused.

aa river ayre open beach of sand or. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .of sand and shingle

baa sunken rock on which the sea. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .breaks in bad weather only

banke bank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bjerg mountain, hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .boÉi below−water rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bow buoy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .brough, burgh circular Pictish tower. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .brough detached, precipitous,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

rocky isletbue below−water rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bugt bay, gulf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .bygd village, settlement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

dal dale, valley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .drangur, drangar high, pointed, isolated rock in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

the seadyb deep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .dyke wall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

eiÉi isthmus, low tongue of land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ejde isthmus, low tongue of land. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

fjeld mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .flak flat shallow area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .fles above−water rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

geo rocky creek or opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .gjógy rock fissure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .grund shoal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

hamna voes of basin−like form in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Shetland Islands

hamari steep wall of a mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .hav sea, ocean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .havn harbour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .holm islet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .høvdi, høvde headland, cape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .huk point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ide eddy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

kap cape, promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .kirk, kirke church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .klipp rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

lille little. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

løb channel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

mellem, midjel middle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .muckle great. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .muli, mule promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .mull promontory, cape, headland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

næb bill, point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .næs ness, point, cape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .neap, noup lofty, precipitous headland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nord, nordre north, northern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .nøv promontory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

o, øer island, islands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .odde point, cape, headland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ost, østre east, eastern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

plade flat, shallows. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .pynt point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

red roadstead. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rev reef . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .røst tide race. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

sandtange, sandflak spit, sandflat. . . . . . . . . . . . .skær rock, skerry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .skarÉ, skar mountain pass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .skerry reef or rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .stack precipitous isolated rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .stak stack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .stakkur stack, round detached rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .sten stone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .stræde strait. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

sund sound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .syd, sydre south, southern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

taing rocky point. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tange tongue, spit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .tjørn small lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

vaag small bay or cove. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vig creek, cove, inlet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .vest, vestre west, western. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .voe long narrow firth in Shetland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Islands

ward, wart, vord cairn on hilltop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .wick open bay. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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Inverness

Stonehaven

Aberdeen

Peterhead

Rattray Head

BuckieB u r g h e a d

L o s s i e m

o u t h Nairn

NP 66 WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND PILOT

N P 6 6

W

E S T C O A S T O F S C O T L A N D P I L O T

Cromarty Firth

Loch Ness

C a l e d

o n i a n C

a n a l

Loch Lochy

D o r n o

c h F i r t h

M o r a y

F i r t h

Wick

D u n c a

n s b y H

d.

S t r a t h y P t .

L . E r i b o l l

C. Wrath

Sule Skerry

Stack SkerryMAINLAND

HOY

ORKNEY ISLANDS

S. Ronaldsay

Westray

Stronsay

Sanday

N. Ronaldsay

Fair Isle

Foula

MAINLAND

SHETLANDISLANDS

Unst

Yell

PENTLAND FIRTH

Halibut Bank

Little Halibut Bank

N O R T H

S E A

T h u r s o B .

NP 54 NORTH SEA (WEST)

PILOT

West

Bank

North Haven

xiv

3

5

2

6

6

2

5

3

4

4

4

7

7

7

219

1233

1119 1234

1942 1954

2720

291

278

115

1409

1239

1 2 3 9

0 1 0 6

278

291

1119

115

1 9 4 2

1 2 3 4

1954

North Coast of Scotland Pilot NP 52

Longitude 4° West from Greenwich

Chapter Index Diagram

5° 4° 3° 2° 1° 0°

3° 2° 1° 0°

61° 61°

60° 60°

59° 59°

58° 58°

57° 57°

5°

62°

6°7°

6°7°W

62°

FØROYAR

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1

LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPERTAINING TO NAVIGATION

While, in the interests of the safety of shipping, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office makes every endeavour to include in its

hydrographic publications details of the laws and regulations of all countries appertaining to navigation, it must be clearly understood:−

(a) that no liability whatsoever can be accepted for failure to publish details of any particular law or regulation, and

(b) that publication of details of a law or regulation is solely for the safety and convenience of shipping and implies no recognition

of the international validity of the law or regulation.

NORTH COAST OFSCOTLAND PILOT

CHAPTER 1

NAVIGATION AND REGULATIONSCOUNTRIES AND PORTSNATURAL CONDITIONS

NAVIGATION AND REGULATIONS

LIMITS OF THE BOOKCharts 2, 245

Area covered1.1

1 This book contains Sailing Directions for coastal andoffshore waters bordering the N and E coasts of Scotlandfrom Cape Wrath to Rattray Head, including theCaledonian Canal, and the Orkney Islands, the ShetlandIslands and Føroyar (Færoe Islands).

2 The sea area covered is defined as within the followinglimits:

Lat Long

From Cape Wrath 58°38′N 5°00′W

N to 60°00′N 5°00′W

Thence W to 60°00′N 15°00′W

Thence N to 62°00′N 15°00′W

Thence NE to 63°00′N 10°00′W

Thence E to 63°00′N 1°44′E

Thence S to 62°12′N 1°40′E

Thence S to 61°44′⋅2N 1°33′⋅6E

Thence S along the United Kingdom/NorwegianContinental Shelf Boundary

to 57°37′N 2°06′E

Thence W to RattrayHead 57°

37′

N 1°

49′

W

Thence along the Scottish coast to Cape Wrath.

NAVIGATIONAL DANGERS AND HAZARDS

Coastal conditions

North Coast of Scotland and Pentland Firth1.2

1 The coast between Cape Wrath and Duncansby Head(58°39′N 3°01′W) is generally bold with few outlyingdangers and, except in the vicinity of Pentland Firth whichseparates the Scottish Mainland from the Orkney Islands,can be safely approached to within about 2 miles. Thehinterland consists of rugged mountains in the W part androlling hills of moderate height in the E part.

2 Pentland Firth, although deep, requires carefulnavigation at all times, particularly by night or in poorvisibility, because of both very strong tidal streams andraces and very high and turbulent seas which these can attimes cause. The W approach to the firth is clear, but themain channel through the firth is restricted to a width of about 2¾ miles by the islands of Stroma (58°42′N 3°07′W)and Swona (2¾ miles NNE); the E approaches areobstructed by Pentland Skerries (58°41′N 2°55′W). Fulldetails, including navigational advice and recommendationsfor transit of Pentland Firth are given commencing at 3.96.

Moray Firth1.3

1 Moray Firth, a large bight in the NE coast of ScotlandSW of a line joining Rattray Head and Duncansby Head, is

clear of dangers except near its head and where it isobstructed by the Beatrice Oil Field (58°07′N 3°05′W). TheW side, and the E part of the S side of the firth are bold.

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The Orkney Islands1.4

1 The Orkney Islands are much indented and apart fromHoy (58°52′N 3°26′W), the most SW of the group, aregenerally low−lying. Navigation in the vicinity of theOrkney Islands, except in the vicinity of Pentland Firth (seeabove), presents little difficulty in clear weather. In poor

visibility, however, caution is necessary, particularly onaccount of the tidal streams which, except within ScapaFlow, are generally strong in the firths and sounds betweenthe islands. For further details see 5.1.

The Shetland Islands1.5

1 The Shetland Islands are relatively high with fewoutlying dangers; depths of 50 m exist little more than1 mile off several of the salient points on the E side andwithin 1⋅5 miles of some of the salient points on the Wside and also around Foula (60°07′N 2°04′W). In clearweather the Shetland Islands can therefore be approachedboldly, but in poor visibility the islands should beapproached with great caution both on account of strongtidal streams and because their coasts generally lackdistinctive features, making positive identification difficult.For further details see 6.1.

Føroyar1.6

1 Føroyar (Færoe Islands) lie on Wyville Thomson Ridge(1.113), the submarine ridge which connects Scotland withIceland and Greenland and separates the deep basin of theArctic ocean from the North Atlantic Ocean. They risesteeply out of the sea and many of the islands havespectacular and distinctive outlines. The N and W sidesconsist mainly of cliffs which in places rise vertically toheights of nearly 500 m; the E sides are less high and

inhospitable. Tidal streams around the islands are strongand they run very strongly in the sounds and fjords thatlead between the islands. There is little difficulty in makinga good landfall on Føroyar or navigating in their vicinity inclear weather, but great care is needed when approachingthe islands in thick weather as the 100 m depth contour is,in several places, only a few miles from land. Early andcontinuous sounding is therefore advised in thesecircumstances.

2 For further details see 7.1.

Former mined areas1.7

1 Mines were laid in a number of areas during the war of 1939−1945. Due to the lapse of time the risk from mines to

surface navigation is considered to be no more than theordinary hazards of navigation; but a real risk still existswith regard to anchoring, fishing or any form of submarineor seabed activity. Positions where unexploded ordnance isknown to exist are indicated on the chart. For furtherdetails see Annual Notice to Mariners No 6.

TRAFFIC AND OPERATIONS

Traffic

Servicing of offshore oil and gas fields1.8

1 There is considerable traffic by vessels of many types

between support bases in the NE part of Scotland and inthe Shetland Islands and the offshore oil and gas fieldinstallations described below.

Pentland Firth and Fair Isle Channel1.9

1 When navigating in the vicinity of Pentland Firth andFair Isle Channel, the passage between the Orkney andShetland Islands, mariners are advised to consider that thereis traffic, including ferries on scheduled services, across aswell as through these seaways. In Pentland Firth large

vessels may be encountered manoeuvring prior to enteringor after leaving Scapa Flow.

Fishing

General1.10

1 The whole area covered by this book, is fishedintensively throughout the year by craft ranging in sizefrom small boats operating close inshore to large deep−seavessels which may be encountered either singly, in pairs ormore usually in groups throughout the area; the vesselsmay be of many nationalities. Fishing vessels are oftenhampered and may need to make immediate andunannounced manoeuvres; other vessels are advised to keep

well clear of them.

Fishery limits1.11

1 United Kingdom. See 1.94.Føroyar. See 1.102.

Methods of fishing and types of fishing vessels1.12

1 Methods of fishing, with general description of associated equipment and type of vessel are described inThe Mariner’s Handbook .

Fishing grounds1.13

1 North coast of Scotland. Trawling, pair trawling,seining and purse seining take place off Cape Wrath, onNun Bank (58°53′N 4°58′W) and around Sule Skerry(59°05′N 4°24′W) throughout the year, but particularlyfrom October to February. A few drifters fish off CapeWrath from September to March. In good weatherthroughout the year small boats trawl for prawn in thevicinity of Cape Wrath. Salmon fishing using fixed netsprojecting a short distance seaward from the shore is alsocarried out.1.14

1 Moray Firth. Trawling by small boats for prawns ispermitted at a distance of not less than 3 miles offshore Sof a line drawn 090° from Brora Point (58°01′N 3°51′W).No other trawling is permitted W of a line joiningDuncansby Head (58°39′N 3°01′W) and Rattray Head(57°37′N 1°49′W). A few drifters may be found near thecoast on both sides of the firth between June andSeptember.

2 Seining is carried on throughout the year, as is alsohand−lining from small boats which operate within a radiusof about 20 miles from the numerous fishing ports aroundthe firth. Creel, also known as pot, fishing takes placethroughout the year, marker floats and associated gearbeing found as much as 7 miles offshore in some areasbetween March and September. Salmon fishing using fixednets projecting a short distance seaward from the shore isalso carried out in many places.1.15

1 North Sea. Trawling and pair trawling takes place inmost of the N part of the North Sea throughout the yearbut most intensively during the summer months. Seining

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and purse seining are carried on intensively throughout theyear, particularly between latitudes 58°N and 61°N andlongitudes 0° and 3°E. Long−lining is carried on, mainly Nof latitude 59°N, between April and September.1.16

1 Orkney Islands. Trawling and pair trawling take placeon a considerable scale throughout the year, but particularly

during spring and early autumn, on Papa Bank (59°49

′N3°17 ′W), between Papa Bank and Westray, and off

Copinsay (58°54′N 2°40′W). Purse seiners operate in thesame areas and at the same time as the trawlers.Long−lining is carried on N and W of the islands duringthe summer. Creel fishing is conducted close inshore bysmall boats throughout the year.1.17

1 Shetland Islands. Bottom trawling takes placethroughout the year in all sea areas N, NW and W of Shetland and E of Fair Isle; bottom trawling E of Shetlandoccurs predominantly from December to March. Purseseining and mid−water trawling is carried out intensively allround the Shetland Islands throughout the year. Close

inshore scallop dredging and creel fishing are carried onthroughout the year. Light trawling for scampi is conductedE of Shetland during the winter months.1.18

1 Føroyar. Trawling takes place all round Føroyarthroughout the year. The greatest concentration of trawlersoccurs from February to April, mainly on Føroyar (Færoe)Bank (60°55′N 8°30′W) and off the W and E sides of themain group of islands. Long−line fishing is carried onthroughout the year, mainly on Føroyar Bank.

Marine farms1.19

1 The farming of marine species has been developed inmany sheltered locations in the area covered by this book;the development has been rapid and is continuing at a fastrate. Marine farms, which may be fixed or floatingstructures sometimes moored to the seabed by a spread of anchors, are marked by yellow buoys or beacons whichmay be lit by yellow flashing lights. The position of anchors when used may be marked by a different type andcolour of buoy. The charted position of the farms areapproximate and the area covered by individual farms andassociated moorings can be extensive.

2 The farms are visited frequently by service craft of various types and sizes and diving operations on theinstallations are a frequent occurrence.

The ground tackle of sites temporarily vacated forbiological recovery may remain in place.

3 Mariners are cautioned to avoid areas of marine farms,and to note that their presence has rendered many hithertoaccepted anchorages either unsuitable or limited inswinging space.

Exercise areas

Submarine exercises and operations1.20

1 Practice exercise area (PEXA) Charts Q6404 and Q6405show the limits of British exercise areas covered by thisbook. Such areas are also shown on all new, and newedition navigation charts. Details of the warning signals and

firing practices for all British warships, submarines andaircraft are given in Annual Summary of Admiralty Noticesto Mariners Nos 5 and 8.

2 Subfacts. Information relating to the activity of bothsurfaced and dived submarines off the W coast of Scotland(see West Coast of Scotland Pilot ) is broadcast by BelfastCoastguard, Clyde Coastguard and by StornowayCoastguard (Subfacts − Clyde). See Admiralty List of RadioSignals Volume 3 (1) for details.

3 In submarine exercise areas mariners may encounter

submarines on the surface. A good lookout is essentialwhen transiting these areas.

Firing practice areas1.21

1 Firing and bombing practice and defence exercises, takeplace in a number of sea areas around the coasts of theUnited Kingdom. These areas, many of which are shownon navigational charts, are in use or are available for use,by the Ministry of Defence for practice and exercises, withor without live ammunition.

2 The designated Range Authorities are responsible forensuring that there should be no risk of damage to anyvessel which may be in a practice area. Firing will onlytake place when the range is clear of all shipping.

For further details see Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners for the current year.

3 Gunfacts. Information relating to missile firing, firing of 20 mm calibre guns and above, and controlled underwaterexplosions is broadcast by Belfast Coastguard, ClydeCoastguard and Stornoway Coastguard (Gunfacts − Clyde).See Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 3(1) for details.1.22

1 See The Mariner’s Handbook for information concerningvessels requiring special consideration, warning signals usedto indicate the presence of submarines and the navigationlights they show. The Mariner’s Handbook also describesprocedures in the event of a dived submarine being unableto surface.

Marine exploitation

Limits1.23

1 Continental Shelf Boundaries agreed between Denmark,the Federal Republic of Germany, Netherlands, Norway andUnited Kingdom define the sectors in which countries mayexploit the natural resources of the seabed and sub−soil of the continental shelf. The boundaries agreed between thesecountries are shown on the relevant charts.

Oil and gas fields1.24

1 Numerous oil and gas fields have been established in the

area covered by this book and, with the exception of theMurchison and Statfjord Oil Fields and the Frigg Gas Fieldwhich extend into both the United Kingdom andNorwegian sectors, all lie in the United Kingdom sector.

2 The main concentration of producing fields exists in thewaters to the NE of the Shetland Islands, and to the E of Rattray Head, with scattered fields in between; they arelisted alphabetically at 2.33 and shown on diagram 2.33.

These fields with their platforms, pipelines bothinter−connecting and laid to terminals ashore, cables andloading facilities are charted.

Further fields are continually being developed.

Information concerning oil and gas fields1.25

1 Information relevant to the mariner is contained in The Mar iner’s Handbook and includes information aboutsurveys, mobile drilling units, methods of exploitation,

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Development Areas, wells, types of platforms and rigs,mooring and loading systems, navigational and visualidentification marking of offshore installations, visualsignals and international safety regulations (see also the Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners).

2 Single Well Oil Production System. This system(SWOPS) now operates within the area covered by this

book. The submerged wellhead structure is, for substantialperiods of time, serviced by a tanker dynamicallypositioned over it. When oil recovery is in progress thetanker is lit as an offshore installation and protected by a500 m radius safety zone.

Current turbines1.26

1 In order to develop re−usable energy sources, trials of prototype underwater current driven systems are takingplace (2006) at sites in the waters of the Orkney Islands.The prototype systems may have structures extending up to6 m above the seabed. Test sites are marked by light−buoys(special) and with high visibility floats directly above the

current turbines. Mariners are advised to give such areas awide berth.2 Successful trials are likely to lead to permanent current

turbine sites being established within the waters covered bythis book.

CHARTS

Admiralty Charts1.27

1 United Kingdom. The area is well covered by modernmetric British Admiralty Charts which include large scale

plans of all harbours and anchorages of any consequence.However, it must be stressed that apart from the areaslisted below, the charted depths are mostly from lead andline surveys supplemented by shoaler depths which havebeen reported from time to time. In many areas thesoundings are widely spaced and some areas areunsurveyed. It should be noted however, that some leadlinesurveys are very detailed. Where the seabed is rocky andirregular, as it is close to all the islands and over some of the isolated banks, there is little doubt that below−waterrocks, shoaler than the charted depths, may still remain tobe discovered.

2 Masters of deep−draught vessels bound to or from oilterminals in the Orkney or Shetland Islands should beaware of the limitations of the charts when planning routes,and are advised to allow large safety margins wheneverpossible. Headlands and islands away from harbours andwell established routes should be given a wide berth. Thefollowing description of the discovery of an uncharted rockgives some indication of the degree of danger. In 1976 afishing vessel reported a steep rise on her echo soundertrace when about 1½ miles SW of Fair Isle (59°32′N1°38′W) (Chart 3299 plan of Fair Isle) close to a charted30 fm depth contour. A survey in 1979 found a depth of 16⋅8 m 1½ miles SSW of the SW extremity of the island atthe outer edge of a submarine ridge, aligned with the mainaxis of Fair Isle. This ridge was found to extend fartherseaward than shown on a 19th century survey of the islandwhich was concerned mainly with charting the lesser depths

closer inshore. This example may be considered typical of the potential hazards to deep−draught vessels in thesewaters; it is not an exceptional case.

3 Hydrographic surveys since 1983 have covered largeareas SW of the Orkney Islands and around the ShetlandIslands, Pentland Firth and the S part of Moray Firth. Adeep water passage from the Minch to Fair Isle wassurveyed in 1975 as an alternative to passage throughPentland Firth when towing deep−draught oil fieldstructures. A passage from Frigg Gas Field (59°53′N

2°04

′E), via Ninian (60

°51

′N 1

°28

′E) and adjacent oilfields, to the N of the Shetland Islands was surveyed

between 1976 and 1979.Source data. The date and scale of surveys for specific

areas are given in Source Diagrams on the relevant charts.4 Horizontal datum. Most coastal and inshore charts in

the area covered by this volume are referred to EuropeanTerrestrial Reference System 1989 (ETRS 89), whichallows WGS 84 positions to be plotted without adjustment.The remaining charts of Scottish waters which are referredto OSGB 36, and those of the North Sea which are referredto ED 50 are scheduled for conversion to ETRS 89 by theend of 2006. Until conversion is complete the differencebetween WGS 84 and the horizontal datum of the

published chart is given on the chart.5 Vertical datum used for the reduction of soundingsequates approximately to LAT (lowest astronomical tide).When predicting offshore tidal heights reference should bemade to the Co−Tidal Charts.1.28

1 Føroyar are covered by British Admiralty Charts, whichgive soundings in fathoms and feet and are compiled fromDanish Government charts.

In certain areas where the British Admiralty Charts showinsufficient detail for navigation close inshore these SailingDirections have been written using Danish GovernmentCharts. These are not quoted as reference charts in the text,which has been written on the assumption that marinerswishing to navigate in these areas will have provided

themselves with suitable charts on which to do so.2 Danish Government Charts may be obtained from the

publishing authority shown below and in the Catalogue of Admiralty Charts. These charts are not issued by theHydrographic Office nor are they corrected by Admiralty Notices to Mariners.

Danish Charts1.29

1 Danish Charts of Føroyar, on a somewhat larger scalethan the corresponding British Admiralty Charts, areavailable from the following address: Farvandsvæsenet,Overgaden oven Vaudet 62B, PO Box 1919, DK–1023København K.

AIDS TO NAVIGATION

Buoyage1.30

1 United Kingdom. The IALA Maritime System, RegionA, is in force throughout United Kingdom waters describedin this book; for details of this system see The Mariner’s Handbook . The basic conventional direction of the buoyageruns E along the N coast of Scotland and N along the Ecoast and thence N through the Orkney and ShetlandIslands.

2 Radar reflectors are not included with the descriptions of the buoys in this book as they are fitted to most of theimportant buoys.

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Føroyar. Buoys are little used as navigation marks inFøroyar waters. The few that do exist conform to the IALASystem, Region A.

Ocean Data Acquisition Systems and wave recorderbuoys1.31

1 Ocean Data Acquisition Systems and wave recorderlight−buoys are established in the area covered by thisbook. These buoy systems vary considerably in size andmay be either moored or free−floaing. As far as possiblethe positions of moored systems will be promulgated by thecountry concerned and those systems considered to be of amore permanent nature are charted. The systems should begiven a clearance of at least 1 mile, or 2½ miles in the caseof vessels towing underwater gear.

2 Wave recorder buoys, generally of smaller dimensionsthan ODAS buoys, coloured yellow and exhibiting similarlights, may also be encounted off these coasts. They shouldbe given a berth of at least 5 cables.

For further information about ODAS buoys see The

Mariner’s Handbook .

PILOTAGE

United Kingdom

General1.32

1 Every port of consequence covered by this book has adesignated Competent Harbour Authority under the PilotageAct (1987). It is the duty of these authorities to providelicensed pilots if required and to decide whether pilotageshould be compulsory.

2 Information relevant to entry is given under the portconcerned. See Ad mi ra lt y Li st of Ra di o Si gn al sVolume 6 (1) for full details.

Signals1.33

1 The usual signals to be made by a vessel requiring apilot are laid down in the International Code of Signals:

By day Flag G.At night Morse letter G (−−⋅) by light.In low visibility Morse letter P ( ⋅−−⋅) by sound.

Pilot vessels1.34

1 Most British pilot vessels are black−hulled with the letter

“P” or PILOT painted on the bow or side. A pilot flag isflown when pilots are embarked. In low visibility pilotvessels may sound Morse letter H (⋅⋅⋅⋅).

Deep−sea pilots1.35

1 The services of a licensed deep−sea pilot may beobtained from a number of pilotage authorities borderingthe North Sea. See Admiralty List of Radio SignalsVolume 6 (1) for details.

Føroyar1.36

1 There are no licensed pilots for Føroyar but on request

arrangements can be made with Harbour Authorities of thelarger ports, as mentioned in the text of this book, for asuitable person with local knowledge to give competent

pilotage assistance. See also Admiralty List of RadioSignals Volume 6 (2).

Signals described at 1.33 apply also in Føroyar waters.

RADIO FACILITIES

Electronic position fixing systems

1.371 Full details of electronic position fixing systems,including satellite navigation systems, are given in Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 2; those with alimited applicability are described below.

Loran C. The Ejde Chain provides ground−wavecoverage over the whole area.

Radio aids to navigation1.38

1 Full details of radio aids to navigation outlined beloware given in Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 2.Individual stations and services which may be of assistanceto the mariner are listed as necessary within the text of thisvolume.

2 DGPS. Beacons transmitting corrections for differentialGPS (DGPS) operate from the following stations:

Sumburgh Head (59°51′⋅2N 1°16′⋅5W)Butt of Lewis (58°30′⋅9N 6°15′⋅7W) (West Coast of

Scotland Pilot ).Girdle Ness (57°08′⋅3N 2°02′⋅8W) ( North Sea (West)

Pilot ).For details see Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 2.

3 Racons are fitted to many lighthouses, light−floats andbuoys.

Automatic Identification System (AIS). For details see1.53 and Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 1(1).General information about AIS may be found in The Mariner’s Handbook.

4 VHF direction finding service for emergency use onlyis operated by UK Coastguard; see 1.84.

Radio navigational warnings1.39

1 The area lies within NAVAREA I.Navigation warnings can also be obtained via NAVTEX

service or from HM Coastguard stations.For further details of navigational warnings see

Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 3 (1) and Volume 5.

Radio weather reports1.40

1 For details see Admiralty List of Radio SignalsVolume 3 (1).

REGULATIONS — INTERNATIONAL

Submarine pipelines and cables

Submarine pipelines1.41

1 The area is crossed by a large number of submarinepipelines inter−connecting individual offshore oil and gasfields and connecting the fields with the shore. They areshown on the chart with the appropriate legend (oil, gas,water); where pipelines are close together, only one may becharted. See The Mariner’s Handbook for a full descriptionof pipelines.1.42

1 Caution. Mariners are advised not to anchor or trawl inthe vicinity of pipelines. Gas from a damaged oil or gaspipeline could cause an explosion, loss of a vessel’s

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buoyancy or other serious hazard. Pipelines are not alwaysburied and may effectively reduce the charted depth by upto 2 m. They may also span seabed undulations and causefishing gear to become irrecoverably snagged, putting avessel in severe danger. See Annual Notice to MarinersNo 24 and The Mariner’s Handbook.

Submarine cables1.43

1 See The Mariner’s Handbook for information on theInternational Convention for the Protection of SubmarineCables.

Pollution

General1.44

1 In the area covered by this book pollution of the sea by

oil is forbidden. See The Mariner’s Handbook forinformation on the International Convention for thePrevention of Pollution from Ships 1973 (MARPOL 1973)and the 1978 Protocol to MARPOL 1973.

2 All the countries which border the North Sea haveagreed to co−operate in combating oil pollution by meansof surveillance and in the pooling of resources in anemergency incident. Other European Council measurescontributing to the subject include Port State ControlInspections (Directive 95/21/EEC), Port Reception Facilitiesfor Ship−Generated Waste and Cargo Residue (Directive2000/59/EC) and the phasing out of single−hull tankers(Directive 417/2002/EEC).

See also Admiralty List of Radio Signals Volume 1 (1)

for pollution reports by radio within the waters of theUnited Kingdom.

Single−hull petroleum tankers1.45

1 Regulation 417/2002/EC. This regulation establishes atimetable for the phasing out of all single−hull petroleumtankers of more than 5000 dwt in European waters.Ultimately only double−hull tankers or tankers of equivalent design will be permitted to visit European portsand offshore terminals.

The timetable is based upon a vessel’s date of build, itsdesign and the types of petroleum carried. The schedule forCategory 1 and 2 tankers will complete in 2007 and forCategory 3 tankers in 2015.

Western European Tanker Reporting System1.46

1 The Western European Tanker Reporting System(WETREP) is a mandatory reporting system covering theWestern European Particularly Sensitive Sea Area. Theobjectives of the system are to initiate SAR and measuresto prevent pollution.

The system applies to every kind of oil tanker of morethan 600 dwt carrying a cargo of:

Heavy crude oil.Heavy fuel oils.

Bitumen and tar and their emulsions2 For limits of the area and further details see Admiralty

List of Radio Signals Volume 6(1).

REGULATIONS — UNITED KINGDOM

Routeing measuresAreas to be Avoided1.47

1 To avoid the risk of pollution and severe damage to theenvironment and economy of Orkney Islands, Fair Islands,

and Shetland Islands, all vessels over 5 000 gt carrying, orcapable of carrying oil or other liquid hazardous cargoes inbulk should avoid the areas shown on the chart. The areasextend up to about 18 miles offshore around the OrkneyIslands N of Pentland Firth, about 6 miles offshore aroundFair Isle and up to about 20 miles offshore around the S,W and N parts of the Shetland Islands.

2 These areas are approved by the IMO.

Precautionary Areas1.48

1 In order to avoid the risk of oil pollution and severedamage to the environment and economy of the ShetlandIslands Precautionary Areas are established in the N andSE approaches to Yell Sound and in the SE approaches to

Lerwick, as shown on the charts. Large deep−draughtvessels with limited manoeuvrability may be encountered inthe N and SE approaches to Yell Sound, and in the latterthey may also be encountered anchored close to the coast.Navigation within the Precautionary Areas should thereforebe conducted with caution.

Fair Isle Channel1.49

1 Recommended directions of traffic flow in the Fair IsleChannel are given at 2.13.

REGULATIONS −EUROPEAN COMMUNITY

Vessel traffic monitoring andinformation system

Directive 2002/59/EC1.50

1 General information. This Directive establishes acommon vessel traffic monitoring and information systemthroughout European Community (EC) waters. Theprincipal provisions are described below. They apply ingeneral to all commercial vessels over 300 gt but the rulesconcerning the notification of carriage of dangerous andpolluting goods applies to all vessels regardless of size.

Caution. These extracts are for reference purposes onlyand are not to be regarded as a statement of the applicablelaw. The full text of the regulations is the sole authoritativestatement of the applicable law and should be consulted.The regulations to which the following refers is Directive2002/59/EC or the appropriate enabling legislation draftedby individual member states, which in the United Kingdomis The Merchant Shipping (Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004, a copy of which can be obtained from Her Majesty’s StationeryOffice (www.hmso.gov.uk).1.51

1 Ship reports. All vessels bound for a port within theEC must report to the port authority at least 24 hours priorto arrival, or, if the voyage is less than 24 hours, no laterthan the time of departure from the previous port. Thereport shall include the following information:

Name, call sign, IMO or MMSI number.

Port of destination.ETA and ETD at port of destinationTotal number of persons onboard.

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2 Upon receipt of a ship’s report, the port authority willnotify the national coastguard authority by the quickestmeans possible. This information will then be pooled in theEuropean−wide telematic network called SafeSeaNet.

Any amendments to the initial ship report must benotified immediately.

Mandatory ship reporting systems. All vessels shall

report to the coastguard authority on entering an IMOadopted mandatory ship reporting system, the report beingmade in the recognised format (See ALRS Volume 6 ). Thecoastguard authority is to be informed of any changes tothe initial report.1.52

1 VTS. All vessels are to participate in and comply withVTS systems operated by EC member states and also thosesystems operated by member states in conjunction withco−operating non−member states. This includes thosesystems operated by member states outside their territorialwaters but which are operated in accordance with IMOguidelines.

Routeing Schemes. All vessels must comply with IMO

recommended TSS and Deep Water route regulations. (SeeIMO publication Ships’ Routeing Guide).1.53

1 AIS and VDR. All vessels are to be equipped with AISand VDR. The systems shall be in operation at all times.

By 2008 individual coastguard stations throughout theEC are required to be able to receive AIS information andto relay it to all other coastguard stations within the EC1.54

1 Notification of dangerous and polluting goods. Allvessels leaving an EC port are to report dangerous andpolluting goods as specified within the Directive to theharbour authority. Vessels arriving from outside EC watersmust transmit a report to their first EC port or anchorageupon departure from their port of loading. If, at the time of

departure, the port of destination in the EC is not known,the report must be forwarded immediately such informationbecomes known. Where practical, this report is to be madeelectronically and must include the information described inAnnex 1(3) of the Directive.

2 When a harbour authority receives a dangerous orpolluting cargo report, it shall retain the report for use inthe event of an incident or accident at sea, forwarding itwhenever requested by the national coastguard authority.1.55

1 Reporting of Incidents and Accidents. Whenever avessel is involved with one of the following, the coastguardauthority of the EC coastal state is to be informedimmediately;

(a) any incident or accident affecting the safety of theship;(b) any incident or accident which compromises

shipping safety, such as a failure likely to affect aship’s manoeuverability or seaworthiness;

(c) any event liable to pollute the waters or shores of the coastal state;

(d) The sighting of a slick of polluting material ordrifting containers and packages.

The owner of a vessel, who has been informed by themaster that one of the above has occured, must inform thecoastguard and render any assistance that may be required.1.56

1 Measures to be taken in the event of exceptionally

bad weather or sea conditions. If, on the advice of thenational meteorological office, the coastguard authoritydeems a threat of pollution or a risk to human life exists

due to impending severe weather, the coastguard authoritywill attempt to inform the master of every vessel about toenter or leave port as to the nature of the weather and thedangers it may cause.

2 Without prejudice to measures taken to give assistanceto vessels in distress, the coastguard may take suchmeasures as it considers appropriate to avoid a threat of

pollution or a risk to human life. The measures mayinclude:(a) a recommendation or a prohibition on entry or

departure from a port;(b) a recommendation limiting, or, if necessary,

prohibiting the bunkering of ships in territorialwaters.

3 The master is to inform his owners of any measures orrecommendations initiated by the coastguard. If, as a resultof his professional judgement, the master decides not to actin accordance with measures taken by the coastguard, heshall inform the coastguard of his reasons for not doing so.1.57

1 Measures relating to incidents or accidents at sea.

The coastguard authority will take measures to ensure thesafety of shipping and of persons and to protect the marineand coastal environment. Measures available to EC statesinclude;

(a) a restriction on the movement of a ship or aninstruction to follow a specific course.

(b) a notification to put an end to the threat to theenvironment or maritime safety;

(c) send an evaluation team aboard a ship to assessthe degree of risk and to help the master remedythe situation;

(d) instruct the master to put in at a place of refugein the event of imminent peril, or, cause the shipto be piloted or towed.

2 The owner of the ship and the owner of the dangerous

or polluting goods onboard must cooperate with thecoastguard authority when requested to do so.1.58

1 Places of refuge. EC states are required to designateplaces of refuge where a vessel which has undergone anaccident or is in distress can receive rapid and effectiveassistance to avoid environmental pollution.

Measures to enhance maritime security

Security information1.59

1 In compliance with Regulation 725/2004/EC, subjectvessels are required to provide security information, asrequired by SOLAS XI−2 and the ISPS Code, to theappropriate national authority 24 hours prior to arrival.

Closure of ports

Signals1.60

1 Should it become necessary to control the entrance of ships into, and the movement of ships within, certain portsunder the control of the Ministry of Defence in the UnitedKingdom, the signals (Diagram 1.60) will be displayed.They will be shown from some conspicuous position in ornear the approaches to the ports concerned and may also bedisplayed by an Examination or Traffic Control Vessel(1.62) operating in the approaches.

2 These lights, when exhibited by Examination Vesselswill be carried in addition to their ordinary navigationlights.

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Port entrance control signals (1.60)

Dangerous areas1.61

1 Masters of vessels are warned that should they approachthe entrance to a port being controlled by the Ministry of Defence, they should not enter a declared Dangerous Areawithout permission, nor anchor or stop in a DangerousArea or prohibited anchorage unless instructed to do so.Masters are advised therefore to communicate with anyGovernment or Port Authority vessel found patrolling in thevicinity to ascertain the recommended approach route to theport.

Examination Service1.621 In certain circumstances it may be necessary to take

special measures to examine or establish the identity of individual vessels desiring to enter ports and to controltheir entry. This is the function of the Examination Service,whose officers will be afloat in Examination Vessels orTraffic Control Vessels. These vessels will wear thedistinguishing flag of the Examination Service, asillustrated, together with a Blue Ensign, or exceptionally aWhite Ensign.

Examination Service special flag

2 If ordered to anchor in an Examination Anchorage,Masters are warned that it is forbidden, except for thepurposes of avoiding an accident, to do a

np52 north coast of scotland pilot 2006

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