Admiralty charts 1794 and 2529.  All vessels not in possession of current charts or navigational publications should make arrangements for a pilot to board on arrival.

The Port Authority as the Local Lighthouse Authority provides a network of navigation marks to assist vessels in navigating within the confines of the Harbour.  Several shoal patches are marked with unlit framework towers, or unlit beacons.  The entrance to Stornoway Harbour is dominated by Arnish Point Lighthouse.  Approach to the outer limits of Stornoway Harbour should be made within the White sector of Arnish Point Light (bn.122° and 193°).

Vessels should approach the Harbour from the south, keeping within the White sector of Battery Point Light (58° 12.2 N and 006° 22.1 W), and maintaining a distance of 2 cables east of Arnish Point, thereafter leaving the Reef Rock red buoy to port.  Vessels should then take up a westerly  heading across the Harbour, keeping within the White sector of Creed Point Light (58° 12.03N and 006° 23.48 W).  When Goat Island is abeam to starboard, and the White sector of the No. 1 Pier light is open, vessels should adopt a northerly heading, actual course dependent on which berth has been allocated. 

Vessels planning to use the facilities at Arnish Pier should make use of the Glumaig sector light (58° 11.3N and 006° 22.75W) for best line of approach to the berth.

There is a 27 berth marina located in the northern part of the Harbour, with limited water depth at chart datum.  All vessels should contact the Harbour Office prior to taking up a pontoon berth, as some berths are allocated to local users.

Notice to Mariners

Mariners are advised that Stornoway Port Authority has appointed a contractor to carry out maintenance dredging within the Harbour, specifically areas adjacent to Cromwell Street Quay, Esplanade Quay, No. 2 Pier and No. 3 Pier.

The dredging will be carried out utilising two self-discharging hopper dredgers, the 'Admiral Day' and 'Lantic Bay'. Recovered sediment will be disposed of under the terms of the licence in the Spoil Ground area, centred on position, 58deg 11.10'N 006deg 22.30'W.

The dredging operations will commence 01 March 2012 and are expected to take 4-6 weeks to complete.

Vessels not connected with the dredging works are requested to operate with caution whilst in the proximity of the dredgers and as far as possible give the dredgers a wide berth.

If you require further information or wish to see the plans of the dredging work-scope, then please contact the undersigned at the Harbour Office.

Captain Torquil Macleod Harbour Office
Harbour Master/Depute Chief Executive Stornoway
Stornoway Port Authority 06 February 2012

NOTICE TO MARINERS

Mariners are advised that two new starboard hand buoys have been established in Stornoway Harbour, one to the south of Sgeir Mhor and one to the south of Goat Island in positions:

Sgeir Mhor 58 deg 11'.946N 006 deg 22'.116W
Character F1(2)10s

Goat Island 58 deg 12'.006N 006 deg 23'.036W
Character Q.G

Captain Torquil Macleod
Harbour Master