Pilotage Services

The port has five Class 1 licensed pilots with two pilots generally available at any one time. All pilots are Class 1 Master Mariners. For detailed information:

Compulsory Pilotage

Pilotage shall be compulsory within the Competent Harbour Authority areas specified in Article 2 above for the following ships:

  • All passenger vessels over 65 metres overall length.
  • All other vessels over 80 metres overall length.
  • All vessels under tow where the combined overall length of the towing vessel and the vessel being towed is over 65 metres.
  • All vessels over 300 GT carrying persistent oils in bulk.

Embarkation

The designated Pilotage embarkation positions are:

  • Kirkwall - 59 00.42N 002 48.83W
  • Scapa Flow West - 58 45.7N 003 07.83W
  • Scapa Flow East - 58 45.82N 003 01.73W
  • Stromness and Hoy Mouth - 58 56.6N 003 21.8W

Disembarkation

The designated Pilotage disembarkation positions are:

  • Kirkwall - 59 00.42N 002 48.83W or 59 00.8N 002 53.15W
  • Scapa Flow West - 58 45.7N 003 07.83W or 58 50.0N 003 03.3W
  • Scapa Flow East - 58 45.82N 003 01.73W or 58 50.0N 003 03.3W
  • Stromness and Hoy Mouth - 58 56.6N 003 21.8W

Vessels requiring or requesting a pilot must provide a minimum of 2 hours' notice to Orkney VTS.