The Harbours of Irvine are owned and operated by The Irvine Harbour Company.
Page updated 17 April 2008
POSITION
On the Ayrshire Coast between Ardrossan and Troon. Entry is by the starboard hand beacon at 55o36'.18 N 04o42'W. Admiralty charts 1866, 2220 & 2126. Notice to Mariners number 01/07 IH refers to the missing porthand perch.
TIDE CONSTANTS
Dover +0055. Greenock (Standard Port) -0020. Spring range 3.5m - Neaps range 1.6m.
THE ENTRANCE
From a distance, Irvine can be identified by five blocks of multi story flats located near to the town centre, together with numerous chimneys and church spires. Two nautical miles down the coast, the two and a half cable long, light coloured facade of a paper mill is prominent, particularly when approaching from the south. Near to, a tall white pilot house, surmounted by a signal mast, is just within the harbour entrance. It is usually seen before the pair of six metre high entrance beacons, each of which is surmounted by a circular deck and solar panels. At night the entrance beacons (Fl.R.3s 6m 5M - Fl.G.3s 6m 5M) flash red and green lights every three seconds. A pair of leading lights, (F.R.15m5M - F.G.10m5M) red showing above green 051oT, located on towers 100 metres apart on the harbour wharf, initially give the line of the fairway, and can usually be picked out in daylight. The extent of the stone groynes forming the channel from the entrance beacons to the shoreline is indicated by lines of wooden perches to port and starboard. The entrance beacons also mark the approximate position of the sand bar, which has a charted depth of less than a metre at MLWS. There can be breaking seas at the bar in wind over tide conditions, especially after a spell of heavy rain, when the rivers Irvine and Garnock are in spate
IRVINE HARBOUR BRIDGE
A retracting pedestrian bridge has been established at: 55o 36'.46N 04o 41'.44W. just up stream from the second leading light. At MHWS, this hazard to navigation has an air draft of 5 metres under the central span. In the open position the channel is through the opening marked by port and starboard lights on the two bridge supports. In the closed position two additional red lights, mounted on the bridge mid channel, are illuminated.
The Big Idea has closed down and the harbour bridge has been left in the open position. However, there were pontoons downstream of the bridge on each side of the river, where vessels may tie up and wait should the bridge have been closed. Clyde Coastguard may have more information on this.
MOORINGS
A two level visitors wharf is located approximately 90 metres beyond the bridge on the starboard side. A water point is housed in a metal box at road level. The Harbour Office is directly opposite. Depth alongside the wharf is 2.2metres at MLWS. The bottom is soft mud. The trots further up river are used by local boats, and are not normally available to visitors. Arrangements can be made to use the slip, situated beyond the Maritime Museum pontoon, by contacting the Harbour Office.
RADIO
VHF Channel 12. Call signs:
NOT IN USE, PLEASE CONTACT DUTY HARBOURMASTER ON 01294 314050 or 07958500953
CHARGES
Berthing alongside the visitors wharf is free for the first night then £15.00 per night. Payment should be sent to:
NPL Estate
Fyfe Chamber
105 West George Street
GLASGOW
G2 1PB
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Irvine Harbour Master, Aran Cameron, 0141 242 7900
Duty Harbourmaster, Trevor Fotheringham, 01294 314050 or 07958 500953
Irvine Harbour Office 01294 314050
Irvine Water Sports Club 01294 274981
Magnum Leisure Centre 01294 278381
Scottish Maritime Museum 01294 278283
Harbour Arts Centre 01294 274059
Scottish Boat Jumble 07721 888789
Harbourside Hotel 01294 275515
FUEL & BOTTLED GAS
Petrol, diesel and bottled gas at garages in town (nearest 1.5km)
FACILITIES
There are numerous pubs, restaurants and hotels in the harbour area. The Magnum Leisure Centre offers facilities for most indoor sports, including an indoor swimming pool and sauna. The Harbour Arts Centre exhibits the work of local artists and often has live entertainment. Further up the harbour adjacent to the slip, Irvine Water Sports Club offers hospitality to the crews of visiting vessels. Showers are also available. The Scottish Maritime Museum is located at various sites about the harbour area. Exhibits include a Clyde puffer, a Victorian ship workers flat, an historic engine shop which has been transported from a Govan shipyard and re erected in Irvine. The railway station is close by with frequent fast trains to Glasgow and Prestwick Airport. Beyond the railway station is an extensive shopping mall which offers a 24 hour choice of supermarkets and most other shopping requirements. Bogside Flats on the north shore of the harbour is a registered site of special scientific interest, largely mud flats and bird sanctuary. Extra care should be taken not to pollute the Harbour. Toilets and Showers are provided by North Ayrshire Council at their facility adjacent to the Pilot House Telephone 01294 277670
DEPTHS
The depth on the bar is affected by the wind. Vessels without local knowledge should exercise extreme caution in northerly or southerly winds as there is a set across the entrance. In particular, note that the charted depth over the bar may vary from season to season.
NOTE
Whilst every care has been taken in compiling these Sailing Directions and they are believed to be correct at the time of printing (Spring 2008), Irvine and District Tourist Association will not be held responsible for any loss, mishap or accident occurring as a result of using the information contained herein.
Irvine and District Tourist Association 01294 275515. www.visitirvine.com
Irvine Harbour Company is owned and operated by NPL Estates. www.npl-estates.com
Aerial photography: Air Images. www.aerialphotography.com
