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.




