STRANRAER

• GBSTR
• Latitude: 54.9069
• Longitude: -5.02962
• UK Coast & Atlantic
• Marina in UK

Location: UK

Stranraer is a town in the southwest of Scotland, located in the Dumfries and Galloway region. It is situated on the shores of Loch Ryan, providing a natural harbor setting. Although historically known as a significant ferry port for services to Northern Ireland, its role in this capacity has diminished since the closure of the ferry services in 2011, which were relocated to the nearby Cairnryan port.

Here’s a concise marine port description and specification for Stranraer:

Marine Port Description:

Location:

• Latitude: 54.9080° N
• Longitude: 5.0270° W
• Located on the northern edge of the town of Stranraer, along the shores of Loch Ryan.
• Proximity to Cairnryan ferry terminals that serve Northern Ireland.

Facilities and Infrastructure:

• Historic ferry terminals (no longer in use for ferry services).
• Marina facilities accommodating leisure craft and smaller vessels.
• Nearby town center provides amenities, shops, restaurants, and accommodation options.
• Access to road networks (A77 and A75) linking to other parts of Scotland and proximity to Northern Ireland ferry routes at Cairnryan.

Depth and Berthing:

• Water depth varies, with certain areas previously catering to ferry vessels.
• Modern marina facilities have suitable berths for smaller vessels, including yachts and leisure boats.
• Lack of current significant commercial cargo operations.

Activities and Usage:

• Predominantly leisure and recreational activities, including boating and maritime tourism.
• Some potential for future redevelopment or other maritime uses.
• Local fishing activities observed, albeit on a smaller scale.

Navigation:

• Loch Ryan is a sheltered waterbody, providing a relatively calm setting for navigation.
• Navigation aids and markers are present, especially in areas previously used by ferry services.
• Piloting services for leisure vessels may not be as robust as for commercial ports.

Environmental Considerations:

• Being in a historically significant area, conservation efforts may be in place.
• The marine environment is typical of a sheltered loch setting with attention to water quality and habitat preservation.

Summary:

Stranraer’s port has seen a transition from a significant ferry hub to a more leisure-oriented maritime setting. The area offers a sheltered harbor with facilities suitable for smaller craft and leisure activities. Despite the cessation of major ferry services, Stranraer remains an important maritime gateway in the region with potential for future redevelopment and continued support for recreational maritime activities.