Stranraer Marina and Loch Ryan

Stranraer Marina and Loch RyanAnchorage0-5.02493100016311354.90927200036827Contacts Stranraer Marina Office VHF #14 (when office manned), tel 01776 706565 (often voicemail), mobiles 07827 277247 and 07734 073421. Office is open 0800 to 1030 & 1500 to 1730 Loch Ryan provides good accessible shelter for yachts and motorboats. The entrance is wide and straightforward, although there can be heavy seas off Milleur Point. Constant lookout for fast ferry traffic will be needed. Both Stenna Lines and P&O have moved their operations out of Stranraer at the head of the Loch; Stenna now works fast (23kt) monohulls out of Loch Ryan Port and P&O has HSS Cats out of Cairnryan Ferry Terminal which means that you can expect to meet at least one of their boats during your transit of the Loch. They tend to keep to the deeper buoyed channels and there is plenty of room to keep out of their way. Be aware that Stenna has a habit of calling their port "Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan" which can confuse (well, it did me for a while!) On the plus side; moving the ferry bases further up the East side of the Loch has opened the south end up for leisure craft and you will get an untroubled night's sleep down there either at anchor or within the marina! The local council has built a small Marina around the West Pier at Stranraer, with pontoons and an additional breakwater to provide more protection from the North West. The town can provide decent local facilities and has very good transport connections. That leaves us with four authorities with interest in this loch. Essentially three of them (the two new ferry ports and the old Stranraer East Pier are basically Stenna with P & O leasing Cairnryan from Stenna and Dumfries & Galloway Council who run the West Pier Marina). This means that each is isuing Notices to Mariners, each is laying and numbering its own navigation marks - and the channel from the Spit Buoy to the old port is part of the Stranraer East Pier Port Authority (basically Stenna) who are not running any bottoms into and out of that pier - thus not interested in the depths and haven't been for years. Also you will find that there is a No 1 SHM in the entrance to the Marina and a No 1 SHM at the outboard end of the East Pier channel as well as No1 & 2 buoys (both red) in the approach to Loch Ryan Port. On top of that you have areas where anchoring is prohibited and a line across the entrance to the Loch declaring itself to be the "Limit of Loch Ryan/Stranraer Harbour" There are also anchoring possibilities within the loch... a quick look at the chart will show there are extensive shallow areas surrounding an area known as The Wig. This can provide some good shelter for those wishing to anchor. Admiralty 1403Many no anchoring restrictions in Loch Ryan, see chart Fast Ferries, Wash +0055 Dover MHWS 3.0m, MHWN 2.5m, MLWN 0.6m, MLWS 0.2mWhen entering Loch Ryan, it's best to keep well clear of the Western side..... .... as there are various drying rocks. A northerly cardinal buoy (Q) is moored 0.3 miles off Milleur Point, and leaving this on your starboard side clears all dangers as you enter. Despite the repositioning of the ferry terminals this is still the local recommendation. Once within the loch proper, favouring the eastern shore and passing Garry Point, Old House Point, will keep you clear of most ferry traffic until in the closer approaches to Loch Ryan Port, Cairn Point (with it's lighthouse Fl(2)R.10s14m12M), and the Cairnryan Ferry Terminal. Keep watch on VHF Ch14 for traffic (no requirement to report in). Where you choose to cross the ferry channel will be dependant on the traffic, wind conditions etc but the best place is around the Forbes Shoal area and you should aim to give Cairn Point a good offing, whilst being mindful of the shallows of The Scar and The Spit on your starboard side. Make for the green conical Spit buoy (Fl.G.6s), and leave it on your starboard side. Keeping to the 5m (at CD) contour line should keep you away from ferry activity, and the shallows too. From the above-mentioned buoy a course can be shaped up for a point slightly to the NW of Stranraer, from where an entry can be made into the Stranraer Marina The main points to be borne in mind are keeping away from The Spit and The Scar, drying banks and shallows that radiate out from Kirkcolm Point in a SE direction, and at the same time keeping away from the ferries who tend to follow well defined tracks. The fast ferries can make a considerable wash. In general there is plenty of water within the loch for small craft, and absolutely no reason to mix it with the ferries. Providing attention is paid to the shallows mentioned above, and various unmarked rocks lying to the north of Kirkcolm Point, Loch Ryan could provide plenty of sheltered sailing for enthusiasts. There is no reason why a night-time entry could not be made into Loch Ryan, there are plenty of navigational lights, and the main routes down to Stranraer are well lit. The arrangements for entering the new Marina are best seen on the plan, .... a new breakwater has been constructed and access to the pontoons is via a short channel. The start of the channel is marked by a green conical and a red can buoy, both are lit. After passing between these, the visitors berths will be seen on the very first pontoon you come to. Further red buoyage on your starboard side marks the edge of a drying mud bank. This Marina is owned by the Dumfries and Galloway Council, who also own the West Pier. Contact the Harbourmaster Lesley Smith 07734073421 or assistant Alan McLaughlin 07827277247. The office is near the clock tower. The charges here (2022) are in bands and work out at £26.50 per night for a 10 metre boat, with a minimum of £21.50 for 8 metres (pontoons can take 12m boats) with the possibility of accommodating yachts up to 28 m long with prior notice. Charges include VAT, showers & water. A total of seven berths are reserved for visitors only, with a further 50 Odd for residents. Shelter in this spot may not be perfect in NW Gales, but we have heard plenty of good reports about this new facility. There are plenty of anchoring opportunities around the loch, but many may be subject to wash from passing ferries. There are also various no anchoring areas, best seen on the chart. A popular anchorage will be found in an area called The Wig, lying in a bit of a bight formed by the drying Scar, and shallows of The Spit. As has been said by "Fearless Friend" in the local advice below it would be daft not to put down a tripping line with your gear in this area. Lady Bay on the NW side of the Loch has been found to be a viable (if noisy with passing ferries at night) anchorage and if time is of the essence it's useful as it's a further six miles down to the Marina from there This area is sheltered from the North West and West, and shallows mentioned above provide some kind of shelter when the wind is in the north-east. (Tuck in close as possible under Kirkcolm Point) Strong winds with a S or SE component will make things rough here. No water or fuel here, and nearest shops are at Kirkcolm. Loch Ryan Sailing Club has a slipway in front of its' premises on the western shore of The Wig. Visitors are welcome when the club is open, a link to their website is provided below: http://www.lochryansailingclub.com/ We are grateful for the help we have received from local sailors (Gordon Baird and Phillip Taylorson) on the new conditions in the Loch The Marina at Stranraer can provide water and electricity (prepaid cards, so check the bollard to see if there is any left over!) on all the pontoons and it has a brand new amenities block with showers (free), toilets and coin op laundrette facilities. Fuel (in jerry cans) and Calor gas are available at the local garage (they don't do Camping Gaz but. if you talk to the HM. he knows of a place where that can be arranged) There is now a slip for launching trailer sailors and they hope to have some form of lifting facilities in the near future. The town itself can provide shops, post office and banks, with a Tesco Metro and Morrisons within easy walking reach of the Marina. Car hire is available close by for those who wish to abandon their boats and do a bit of exploring. Transport connections for crew changes are very good. Stranraer railway station is the southern terminus for one of the branch lines of the Glasgow South Western Line. Trains are provided by First ScotRail daily to Ayr, Glasgow, and Newcastle. The main national coach providers operate services from Stranraer. National Express offer a service to London. Trailer Sailers will find a decent concrete slipway (originally used for seaplanes), in front of the Loch Ryan sailing club, at The Wig. Care is required with launch and recovery because of the wash from fast ferries. Stranraer is a fair sized town, having a reasonable selection of pubs and restaurants. Suffice to say the crew won't go hungry or thirsty, with all sorts on offer, from fish and chips through to Indian and Chinese. Naturally there are plenty of pub restaurants too. The links below may give the curious a starting point: Pubs http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/results.shtml/el/Stranraer%3BWigtownshire/ Restaurants Restaurants & Places to Eat in Stranraer 2022 Things to Do http://www.visitsouthwestscotland.com Loch Ryan is a Scottish sea loch that acts as an important natural harbour for shipping, providing calm waters for ferries operating between Scotland and Northern Ireland. The town of Stranraer is the largest settlement on its shores, with boats operating both from the town and from the village of Cairnryan further north on the loch. Historically the loch has seen human activity on its shores since ancient times. Sheltered from the rough seas of the North Channel and the North Atlantic the loch has been an important safe harbour for vessels. In the spring of 1307 at the beginning of Robert the Bruce's campaign in the wars of independence he sent two forces to attempt to gain control of south west Scotland. One force, led by his two brothers and comprising of eighteen galleys, landed in Loch Ryan. They were immediately overwhelmed by local forces, led by Dougal MacDougal, who was a supporter of the Comyns. The loch would have been used historically for traditional maritime activities including fishing. The Statistical account of Scotland 1791-99, records: "This bank abounds with oysters of a most excellent flavour. They are found indeed all around the shores and might be got in great quantities would people drag for them ....... A variety of fish, as skate, flounders, small cod, haddocks, whiting, lobsters, crabs and sometimes turbot are caught within the loch" The later Account of 1834-45 expands on this issue, as it states: "Loch Ryan at one time was famous for its herring fishery. I have heard old people say that they have known 300 sail boats in the bay at one time which had come from the highlands and other places, in order to fish or purchase herrings. For many years past the shoals of herrings may be said to have deserted the loch." A lighthouse was built at Cairn point in 1847 at the northern end of the village of Cairnryan. In 1849 the principle link to Northern Ireland was moved from Portpatrick to Stranraer in Loch Ryan. The reasons for this move were the increasing tonnages of the vessels operating the route which were more susceptible to harsh storms when moored at the exposed Portpatrick harbour on the Rhins coast. The calmer safer waters of the loch allowed larger ships to ply the route as demand increased. During the second world war the loch was busy with wartime activity. Cairnryan became No. 2 Military port, an important secondary large-scale port facility that was available for use should facilities on the Mersey and the Clyde became unavailable due to enemy bombing. Two large piers were built at Cairnryan to enable large tonnage ships to dock and unload cargo. The harbour was used as an import point for troops coming from the USA after 1942. Only one of the two piers still stands today, and it is unusable due to the poor condition of the wooden piles (the pier has been unused since a small section collapsed with tragic consequences in the 1990's). With U-Boat menace in the Atlantic taking a heavy toll on merchant shipping the area became an important centre for anti-U-Boat operations. Flying boats operated from the loch to protect allied shipping making its way to Liverpool or Glasgow either via the North Channel or the Firth of Clyde. There were two RAF stations on the Loch, RAF Wig Bay operating from Wig Bay near Kirkcolm and RAF Stranraer operating from the town. Just north of Cairnryan are what looks like a number of concrete 'boats' resting on the shore - these too are a legacy of the second world war. They are in fact 'Beetles' from the Mulberry harbour project. The beetle pontoons were used to hold up the 'Whale' roadway sections, with four of the whales being built at Cairnryan. With easy access to the North Atlantic, Loch Ryan was used as the surrender destination for the U-Boats who were out in the Atlantic in 1945 when hostilities ceased. The U-boats and their crews were held at Cairnryan, before the boats were finally towed out into the Atlantic and sunk. Other wartime activity on the loch included construction of target rafts made out of wood and cork, which were built in Stranraer then floated out the Loch and round the Rhins of Galloway to their positions in Luce Bay for bombing practice (operating out of West Freugh). The loch was also used by Winston Churchill when he departed from Stranraer in a Boeing Flying boat on 25 June 1942 when making his second visit of the war to the USA. Today the loch serves as an important location for the ferry link to Northern Ireland, representing the shortest crossing distance between Britain and Ireland. The port activity has increased substantially since the route first started operating out of the Loch in 1849. There are currently a total of 5 ferries, 3 conventional RORO ferries and 2 fast ferries. This is split between two ferry companies, Stena Line and P&O - Irish Sea. Stena, operating from the east pier in Stranraer, with 1 conventional (Stena Caledonia) and the HSS fast ferry (Stena Voyager), while P&O, operating from Cairnryan run 2 conventionals (European Causeway & European Highlander) and the P&O Express fast ferry. Between 1992 and 1999 Sea Containers Ltd operated the Seacat fast ferry on the Stranraer - Belfast route. They subsequently moved to Troon, before finally ending the service altogether in 2005. While conventional ferries (moving at around 15 knots) have worked the route for many decades the newly introduced fast ferries are capable of much greater speeds (around 40 knots). The wash that these large craft generate has led to speed restrictions being imposed within the majority of the loch, with fast ferries unable to increase their speeds above 12 knots (22 km/h) until they are to the north of Old House point on the northern side of Cairnryan. Further speed restrictions are imposed on the HSS during the Tern breeding season, when wash from the ship can cause problems for the breeding birds on The Scar. The levels of wash that the fast ferries create has been the subject of some controversy, with many suggesting that the death by drowning of a man and his two sons in the loch in July 2003 was due to their boat being overwhelmed by a large wave created by a nearby passing ferry. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report on the incident suggested however that the condition of the boat, the lack of safety equipment onboard and a poor look out were more likely to have been contributing factors, but did emphasise that speed limits should be adhered to and that small boat owners should be made aware of the dangers of ferry-induced washes. There has also recently been criticism of the erosion that the wash from the boats are creating in and around Kirkcolm bay on the loch's western shores. The questions of speed and the environmental impact that it has have to be balanced with the efficiency and speed of operation, with the Loch Ryan - Northern Ireland route under pressure from other competing routes and methods of transport, not least the Holyhead - Dublin ferry link and low cost airlines. It is this pressure on efficiency and crossing time that has led to the decision of Stena proposals to move in a few years its operations from Stranraer further north to Cairnryan to share facilities with P&O. This will allow them to cut out the slowest part of the journey, enabling the HSS to reduce its overall roundtrip time by around 30 minutes. This proposal, coming as it does with a significant redevelopment and investment in new port facilities at Cairnryan, will give good security to the future of the North Channel route. It will also lead to future potential small craft maritime development at the southern end of the Loch, which will be completely free from large and regular ferry traffic. The Loch already sees small craft usage, with the Loch Ryan Sailing club operating from Wig Bay, and Stranraer Marina in Stranraer harbour beside the West Pier. The text on this HISTORY page is covered by the following licence http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License0Stranraer Marina and Loch RyanChart, Loch RyanChart of Stranraer HarbourLoch RyanStranraer MarinaChart, North ChannelCairnryan Ferry TerminalStranraer Ferry TerminalStranraer Harbour looking SWStranraer Looking NorthStranraer marina PontoonsJohn Waugh MachineryJohn Waugh MachineryCommerce RoadStranraerWigtownshireDG9 7DFWigtownshireStranraerUK054.8935657-5.0208763John Waugh MachineryCommerce RoadStranraerWigtownshireDG9 7DFWigtownshireStranraerUKJohn Waugh Machinery01776 70644401776 706444Sea Angling Scotlandwww.seaanglingscotland.comSea Angling Scotland11 Thorn StreetLochansDG9 9AUStranraerStranraerUK054.8677511-5.0148101Sea Angling Scotland11 Thorn StreetLochansDG9 9AUStranraerStranraerUKSea Angling [email protected] [email protected] 820244The Graphics Boatwww.thegraphicsboat.co.uk/lettering-designer.htmlThe Graphics Boat is the UK's leading supplier of vinyl self adhesive boat name stickers. Producing high quality vinyl boat name lettering, stickers and decals in cut vinyl and/or full-colour printing. Ranging from vinyl boat names, roses and castles, flourishes, index numbers, SSR numbers, boat safety stickers, vinyl coachline tape to more customised designs like photos turned into printed graphics. Our Lettering Designer is consistently rated by our customers as the easiest to use, which is why so many boat owners come back to us time after time for their graphics and boat name decals. Our decals are suitable for all kinds of boats, from fishing boats, yachts, narrowboats, dutch barges, tenders, kayaks and even model boats. Also adding a Port Name to your vessel is a popular choice for many boat owners. Our graphics have been sent and are seen all over the globe. As boat owners ourselves, we know how important your boat name is which is why we take great pride in ensuring the quality of our products is second to none. We also offers quality embroidered products at competitive prices, so why not have your boat name embroidered on one of our garments?The Graphics BoatThe Cabin1 DundeughCastle DouglasDG7 3SXDalryUK055.1661306-4.199705The Graphics BoatThe Cabin1 DundeughCastle DouglasDG7 3SXDalryUKThe Graphics [email protected]@thegraphicsboat.co.uk01644625005Loch Ryan Sailing Clubhttp://loch-ryan-sailing-club.co.ukLoch Ryan Sailing ClubKirkcolmWigtownshireStranraerStranraerUK054.9074877-5.0325359Loch Ryan Sailing ClubKirkcolmWigtownshireStranraerStranraerUKLoch Ryan Sailing [email protected]@loch-ryan-sailing-club.co.ukArdwell Marinewww.ardwellmarine.co.ukArdwell MarineArdwell StoreArdwellStranraerDG9 5LSWigtownshireStranraerUK054.7693901-4.9412083Ardwell MarineArdwell StoreArdwellStranraerDG9 5LSWigtownshireStranraerUKArdwell MarineContact Form01776 860297Contact Form01776 860297Onyer Marks Fishing Charters & TackleOnyer Marks Fishing Charters & TackleThe Old Mill HallDrummoreStranraerDG9 9HWWigtownshireStranraerUK054.6640863-4.9012167Onyer Marks Fishing Charters & TackleThe Old Mill HallDrummoreStranraerDG9 9HWWigtownshireStranraerUKOnyer Marks Fishing Charters & TackleSkipperSkipperDon Thomson2015-04-09T09:20:00+01:00Update 2015These notes were reviewed by Don in April 2015. There has been a slight change in prices since we last checked but much is the same. The harbour office hours may change this summer to become HO but until then they will remain split shift with a "long lunch".-1Contender2024-07-19T19:52:00+01:00Channel not now markedJuly 2024. Anchored just off the entrance to the marina in good holding 5m depth. The channel to Stranraer is now not marked. The one time row of green buoys right the way to the harbour are no more. The one green mark that is necessary to round for entry to the Whig area is replaced with a smaller one, but there's no more marks to S of this one. The channel is still about 5-6m depth, but there's enough water anywhere for all but the deepest draft yachts. There's a few V berths in the marina, but shallow at LW.-1Don Thomson 32022-08-24T09:53:00+01:00UPDATE AUGUST 2022No changes - but, if you are very deep keeled keep an eye on the depths from the Spit buoy in-1Don Thomson 32019-07-05T13:04:00+01:00Update Summer 2019These notes were reviewed in July 2019. Prices have changed and we've updated the charts.-1Don Thomson2013-03-11T09:44:00+00:00Update 2013The notes for Stranraer and Loch Ryan were updated by Don T on the 11th March 2013. The opening of the Loch Ryan Port terminal has left the South end of the Loch free of ferries and, whilst it has concentrated the ferry traffic on the East side of the Loch, it has made little difference to the cruising yachtsman. The provision of a Marina at Stranraer has greatly improved facilities there and the new prices for 2013 have been included-1Don Thomson 32021-07-19T11:01:00+01:00UPDATE SUMMER 2021I've reviewed these notes in July 2021. Not a lot changed here. They now have a lift out facility and their prices have increased.-1Trevor Harrison2010-10-01T23:21:00+01:00Stranraer MarinaThis is an excellent council run facility with two of the most helpful harbour masters I have come across. Lesley and Peter will help out with any queries and give advice when its asked for. I have berthed my 36 foot yacht here since the marina opened in August 2008 and the only drawback it has is its vulnerability to north east winds. If there's a north east wind (or high northwest winds) forecast make sure that you tie up securely as the swell can be a bit on the wild side with the movement of the pontoons better than a visit to Blackpool pleasure beach. As an aside, if you want to anchor at 'The Wig' (Wig bay) do not trust the marker buoys off the slipway. Most of them are NOT moorings and are not safe. And do use a trip line on the anchor. There are disused and unmarked moorings on the sea bed just waiting to claim your anchor. I have in the past dived and retrieved an anchor for a visitor and I know of one local who bent a fortress type anchor retreiving it by brute force from an old mooring chain.-1Don Thomson2012-01-30T09:11:00+00:00Lady BayI anchored overnight in Lady Bay in the early noughties and had a pleasant stop. Wash from the ferries didn't pose a problem though their coming and going was a bit noisy. I was North bound to the Clyde from Devon in a 22footer so stopping there saved a couple of hours (at least) of transitting up and down the loch. The bonus? As I was hauling in the chain to sail off the anchor an otter popped his head out of the water about ten yards off the port bow and said good morning - a lovely start to what was a memorable day's sail.-1Thuggie2016-02-28T22:51:00+00:00UpdateI am a berth-holder. The feedback from most of our visitors is good, with friendly welcome. There is ALWAYS space for a few more. Apart from a NW gale, the marina is well sheltered. Facilities in the town involve a trip for fuel (a local will usually offer you a lift) and there are general/agricultural engineers who will turn a hand to most repairs. There will soon be a lift-out facility. The town is better served with good pubs and restaurants than ever - the Grapes is an excellent traditional pub with real ales; Henry's restaurant is a few hundred yards away for a little more gourmet experience; Craignelder great pub food and the North-West Castle is a grand dining room and good value. At the budget end there are good Indian and Chinese food and a Belhaven pub/Restaurant within 50 yards. Good local butchers and bakers and supermarkets close by. rail and bus connections to Glasgow and Dumfries. Portpatrick is a great day walk of about 10 miles on the Souther upland way - good footpath and quiet roads with the charm and restaurants that have been there for many years.-1Don Thomson2017-04-18T12:13:00+01:00UPDATE APRIL 2017I reviewed these notes in April 2017. The price per night has changed but little else.-1Merrill2024-04-09T11:25:00+01:00Limited lift out hoursIn September 2022 I exchanged vessels requiring lift/launch at Stranraer harbour only to find that the crane is not staffed at weekends, and thus had to hire a crane from an independent operator at excessive cost. I also asked at Girvan and Troon only to be advised their cranes do not work weekends either.-1Error fetching data: Quota Exceeded