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News

18/08/2008 - Public Meeting for Small Boat Users
02/07/2008 - RUSSIAN OIL PRODUCERS INVITED TO ORKNEY
02/07/2008 - Presentation to retired Marine Officer
30/06/2008 - Orkney VTS - vhf ch 20 broadcasts

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Notices

14/11/2008 - TGL’s tidal turbine tripod foundation at the EMEC tidal test site at the Fall of Warness
10/11/2008 - Graemsay Pier Lights
05/11/2008 - Recovery of mooring buoys – Fall of Warness
03/10/2008 - Oyster Power Capture Unit (PCU) Pipeline Installation

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Shipping

Ships Expected

23/11/2008 - Orkney Spirit - Flotta Jetty

Ships in Port

06/09/2008 - Open Hydro Barge - Hatston 3

16/11/2008 - Ocean Prima - Anchor Scapa Flow

21/11/2008 - SKS Segura - STS 1

21/11/2008 - Stena Sirita - STS with SKS Segura.

Ships Sailed

20/11/2008 - Daroja - Hatston 2

Kirkwall

Pre-arrival

Vessels requiring a pilot should give 12 and 2 hours notice prior to arrival. All other vessels over 12 meters in length and arriving from out with Orkney, should give 2 hours notice prior to arrival at the harbour limits (see “Port VTS Information Service”).

Approach and Navigation

Reference documents include: Charts: BA 2584 and 1553. North coast of Scotland Pilot NP52. Admiralty Tidal Atlas NP209.

Vessels over 12 meters in length and arriving from out with Orkney should advise Orkney VTS when crossing the harbour limits. VHF radios should be set to channels 11 and 14. Ships navigating in the port should do so with caution, paying particular attention to tide flows and the traffic situation. On approaching within 1000meters of Kirkwall Harbour, vessels over 12 meters in length or certified to carry more than twelve persons, should contact “Kirkwall Harbour Radio” on VHF Ch.14. While in the port, these vessels should also advise “Kirkwall Harbour Radio” when they are securely moored and just prior to any movement they are about to make in the port. Note:- the VTS system operated by Orkney Harbour Authority has radar coverage over the Kirkwall Bay, Wide Firth and Shapinsay Sound areas.

Anchorages

During foul weather, vessels can anchor in the Bay of Isbister or north Shapinsay Sound in strong northerlies, or Inganess Bay or Kirkwall Bay in southerlies. Swept anchorages in Kirkwall Bay are ½ mile and 1 mile north of Kirkwall pier.

Pilots

Service operates 24hrs. Pilotage is compulsory for passenger vessels over 65 metres and all other vessels over 80 metres in length.
Arrival: A pilot launch is on station, listening on VHF Ch.11 when a vessel is expected. Call “Kirkwall Pilots”.
Pilot launch: 12knots.
Boarding speed: as requested by launch coxswain. Departure Vessels requiring a pilot for departure should give at least 2 hours notice.

Tugs

The pilot launch “Kirkwall Bay” is normally available for towage duty. See section on “Harbour Craft”.

Berths

See chartlets for details.

Kirkwall Services

Tel: 01856 872 292

Bunkers

Gas oil is available from road tankers. There is no local supply of fuel oil. Fresh Water Fresh water is available for vessels berthed alongside.

Stores

There are no restrictions to vessels taking on stores in the port. There are two supermarkets and numerous smaller shops in the town.

Cranes

Cranes are available by arrangement with local contractors.

Garbage Disposal

Garbage may be landed. Euro bins, a skip and an oil collection tank is provided. Charges may apply.

Scapa Flow Harbours