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.

Compulsory Pilotage

Pilotage is compulsory within the Competent Harbour Authority areas for the following ships:

  • All passenger vessels over 65 metres overall length.
  • All other vessels over 80 metres overall length.

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

Pilotage Exemption Certificates

A Master or Mate applying for a Pilotage Exemption Certificate in respect of his vessel must on examination satisfy the CHA or the Examining Body thereof that he has, in their opinion, sufficient skill, experience and knowledge of local navigation to render him capable of piloting the vessel of which he is at the time Master or Mate or any other vessel in respect of which a certificate is desired.

See the Orkney Pilotage Direction 1988 as amended 2007 for detailed information on the above: