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OVERVIEW OF THE PORT
Description, Location & Layout Ullapool lies on Loch Broom in approx 57º 51.9' N, 05º 13.8' W. It is covered by British Admiralty Chart 2500. The Port Limits cover a broad outer anchorage, where medium sized vessels can anchor. An entrance channel narrows to the bank off the village then broadens into another anchorage south-east of the harbour where several small to medium sized vessels can lie. Cruise ships use this anchorage, as well as fishing vessels. The inner part of Loch Broom then shelves and is partly used for fish farming. At the fishing pier there are 6 quays with lengths from 38 to 74 metres. Vessels up to 72 metres LOA and 7 metres draft can be accommodated. The adjacent ferry pier is 77 metres long, with a minimum depth alongside of 6.0 metres but can accommodate larger vessels. The harbour office is in an elevated position at the head of the piers. It is equipped with radar giving surveillance over the Loch including the navigation channel and the inner anchorage.
Port Limits Per Ullapool Pier Order Confirmation Act 1981, the current harbour limits are:
§ the pier at that time § the new (1981) extension § the sea area to mean high-water springs in Loch Broom and it's seaward approaches to the east of Carn Skerries, south-east of a line between: o Cailleach Head, 57º 55.90' N, 05º 24.20' W; o South-east extremity of Meall nan Caorach, 57º 57.35' N, 05º 21.55' W; o Garbh Allt burn, 57º 58.27' N, 05º 14.65' W. Approach
There is open access from The Minch. Ferries from Stornoway and vessels from the north pass south of the Summer Isles. From the west there is direct access passing north of Greenstone Point and Cailleach Head. From the entrance to Loch Broom, the channel is well defined by clear radar targets and navigation aids on Rubha Cadail and Ullapool Point.
Anchorages
The outer anchorage in Annat Bay NW of Rubha Cadail, was used extensively in the 1980's and 1990's by Eastern Bloc fish factory vessels, with up to 80 medium sized vessels at times. Depths > 20 metres are available.
An inner anchorage is available south of the harbour, clear of the ferry route. Close to the harbour in depths of at least 20 metres, it is suitable for visiting cruise ships. The anchorage is large enough to accommodate typical coastal cruising vessels.
As depths shelve towards the head of the Loch the area is used occasionally by fishing vessels laying over.
Controlling Depths and Drafts
A minimum depth of 20 metres is available in the navigation channel and inner anchorage within 0.3 miles of the pier. 7 metres is available at the main quays. Rise of tide up to 5.7 metres occurs at Springs. Any vessel which can lie alongside can enter and leave safely.
Further details are given in the Marine Operations Procedures
Navigation Aids
Following are located at or in the approaches to Ullapool: § Cailleach Head Fl (2) 12 sec 9 miles § Rubha Cadail Fl W.R.G. 6 secs 9-6 M Various Sectors covering the approach through the Summer Isles and entrance to Loch Broom § Ullapool Point Buoy Qk Fl R marking the bank § Ullapool Point Iso R 4 sec 6 miles § Ferry Pier 2 FR (vert) § Fishing Pier Fl R 3 sec.
The outer lights are operated and maintained by Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB). The buoy is owned by the authority but maintained by NLB. The Point and harbour lights are operated and maintained by the authority.
Maintenance details are in the Marine Operations Procedures.
Traffic & Trade The port was set up originally to encourage fish landings in the NW Highlands and subsequent works have been aimed principally at improving facilities for fishing vessels and ferries. The harbour handles between 1,200 and 1,500 vessels per year.
Fishing Traffic About one third of the port's traffic is fishing vessels in a variety of sizes and trades. Pelagic, demersal and shellfish catches are landed at Ullapool. Fishing vessels also call for repairs/maintenance. There is a significant local fleet of small vessels catching shellfish. Mid-sized vessels from the East Coast of Scotland and the Hebrides use the port as do a few Spanish and French vessels. Some Scottish East Coast vessels lie over between trips. Occasional medium to large pelagic vessels land their catches at Ullapool.
Ferries In 2000/2001, about half of the traffic was passenger and vehicle ferries operating to and from Stornoway.
Passenger Vessels Cruise ships form a small but significant part of the port's traffic with about a dozen calls per year. About half lie at the inner anchorage and ferry their passengers to shore. One coastal cruising vessel calling about 6 times each summer, lies alongside.One or more excursion passenger vessels operate from the port and an occasional inshore ferry operates across Loch Broom. Other Traffic The remaining vessels include offshore supply, fish processors and a few cargo vessels. Small vessels support the fish farms in Ardmair Bay and at the head of the Loch.
A relatively small number of recreational craft are based at Ullapool. There is a local authority pier and slipway to the east of the harbour plus moorings close inshore. A moderate number of yachts visit the harbour each year.
Depths and Currents
A minimum 7 metres depth is available in the approach channel and at the main quays. The inner (northerly) quay dries out at it's inner (westerly) end. Rise of tide up to 5.7 metres occurs at Springs.
Tidal flows rarely exceed 0.75 knots in the Loch and 1.5 knots in the Narrows off Ullapool Point. Currents are not significant to the operation of the port.
Wind & Wave The harbour is well sheltered from westerly winds and swell, although the outer anchorage can be affected. Loch Broom is subject to squalls from the surrounding mountains and is subject to severe down draughts in windy weather, particularly from the SE, when wind speeds frequently exceed forecast.
Precautions are addressed in the Marine Operating Procedures.
Visibility
Poor visibility occurs occasionally, principally from fog but also heavy rain and snow blizzards rarely. It is not a significant problem.
Ice Ice is virtually unknown Loch Broom.
Environmentally Sensitive Areas
The following sites are in the general area and could be impacted by a serious pollution incident: § National Scenic Area at the head of Loch Broom § SPA at Priest Island, 5 miles SW of the Summer Isles § SSSI at Cailleach Head § Fish Farms in Ardmair Bay and at the head of the Loch Operating Constraints a) Depths of water:
o At the fishing piers 7 metres minimum at the outer faces, shelving at the inner quay to an inter-tidal dry area o 6 metres at the linkspan end of the ferry pier o Navigation channel > 20 metres o Inner anchorage - minimum 20 metres
b) Length
o Maximum 72 metres at the general pier o 100 metres at the ferry pier c) Weather
o The Inner anchorage and piers may become untenable in SE storms; if so, the Harbour Master will recommend that ferries avoid the port and that fishing vessels seek shelter elsewhere.
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