With the decline of the coal trade and shipbuilding, Sunderland has turned itself into a commercial port handling bulk cargoes, containers, steel, etc, while also providing ship repairs and engineering. The visiting yachtsman or motorboater is also catered for in the smaller North Dock, with Marina facilities. It is simple to enter, close to the main entrance of the port, has good maintained depths, and no locks to content with. ... read more

Sunderland is very conspicuous from seawards being built on high ground, and has it's fair share of tower blocks. The huge stone breakwaters are also conspicuous, as is the lighthouse on the northern one (Fl.5s.25m23M), being over 75' tall.

Approach is clear and straightforward from all directions except for the unlit and unmarked Hendon Rock. This lies to the south-east of the present harbour entrance, and just a bit over half mile eastwards of the old South entrance to the docks. This patch has less than 1 m at CD, so any kind of approach from this direction at LW should be cautious.

More Pilotage Details... ... read more

The Marina consists of lots of fore and aft moorings, plus fully serviced pontoon berths. Minimum depths are well over 2 m and there are no locks to negotiate... very straightforward.

Visitors will be accommodated on the serviced pontoons, berth where directed. ... read more