OBAN BAY, FIRTH OF LORN, SOUND OF MULL AND THE INNER HEBRIDES (KERRERA, MULL, SCARBA, JURA)

Oban: boating safety

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Oban is a ferry and fishing port on the west coast of Scotland and a busy stopping point for cruising yachts heading to Mull and the Inner Hebrides. Oban Bay is shared by ferries, commercial, fish-farm and leisure vessels. The surrounding waters have strong tidal streams, notably around Scarba and Jura.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 999
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

United Kingdom: all rescue numbers → On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

Oban harbour is run by the Argyll and Bute Council Harbourmaster's Office at Oban North Pier (phone 01631 562892, VHF channel 12). All vessels in the bay are asked to keep a listening watch on VHF channel 12, where large vessels announce their movements.

Argyll and Bute Council – Notice to Mariners 03/26 · CalMac Harbours – Oban harbour ▾
argyll-bute.gov.uk (2026-10-14): “please contact the Harbour Master on 01631 562892 or via VHF Channel 12.”
corporate.calmac.co.uk (2026-10-14): “All vessels operating in the bay are requested to listen to VHF CH 12 at all times. Large vessels will make movement safety announcements on VHF CH 12.”

Visitor pontoons are at the council's Oban North Pier. After breakwater repairs in 2026 the finger pontoons reopened; navigate with caution near the breakwater and follow harbour staff instructions.

Argyll and Bute Council – Notice to Mariners 03/26 ▾
argyll-bute.gov.uk (2026-10-14): “the finger pontoons are now open and available for use. Mariners are requested to navigate with caution in the vicinity of the breakwater”

Weather

HM Coastguard broadcasts maritime safety information, including the inshore waters forecast for area 15 (Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point), on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64 after an announcement; channel 10 is the backup.

MCA – Maritime safety information leaflet · MCA – Maritime safety information leaflet ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “MSI is permanently broadcast on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64. The use of VHF Channel 10 for MSI backup and pollution control remains unchanged.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14): “15 - Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point”

Local rules

Within Oban Harbour limits the speed limit is 5 knots (except in an emergency). Large vessels leaving Oban Bay have right of way over all vessels entering it.

Argyll and Bute Council – Oban Bay Code of Practice · Argyll and Bute Council – Oban Bay Code of Practice ▾
argyll-bute.gov.uk (2026-10-14): “All vessels within the Oban Harbour limits shall not exceed 5 knots, except in the case of an emergency.”
argyll-bute.gov.uk (2026-10-14): “Large vessels "leaving" Oban Bay shall have the right of way over all vessels "entering" Oban Bay.”

Hazards

The Gulf of Corryvreckan (between Scarba and Jura) has tidal currents of up to ten knots, the strongest on Britain's open coast, with whirlpools and standing waves; the Grey Dogs channel between Lunga and Scarba can be as dangerous.

NatureScot – NSA special qualities · NatureScot – NSA special qualities ▾
nature.scot (2026-10-14): “The Gulf of Corryvreckan is particularly notorious, with the tidal currents here reaching ten knots, the strongest on the open coast of Britain.”
nature.scot (2026-10-14): “known as Bealach a'Choin Ghlais or the Grey Dogs, can be as dangerous and equally spectacular.”

A seaplane service operates in Oban Bay. It only lands or takes off when the area is clear of surface craft.

Argyll and Bute Council – Oban Bay Code of Practice ▾
argyll-bute.gov.uk (2026-10-14): “A seaplane service operates to and from Oban Bay.”

Hospital and medical

The nearest emergency department is the Accident and Emergency unit at Lorn and Islands Hospital, Glengallan Road, Oban (NHS Highland).

NHS Highland · NHS Highland ▾
nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk (2026-10-14): “Lorn and Islands Hospital - Accident and Emergency (Oban)”
nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk (2026-10-14): “Glengallan Road Oban PA34 4HH”

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Oban?

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Oban?

Oban harbour is run by the Argyll and Bute Council Harbourmaster's Office at Oban North Pier (phone 01631 562892, VHF channel 12). All vessels in the bay are asked to keep a listening watch on VHF channel 12, where large vessels announce their movements.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Oban?

HM Coastguard broadcasts maritime safety information, including the inshore waters forecast for area 15 (Mull of Kintyre to Ardnamurchan Point), on VHF channels 62, 63 or 64 after an announcement; channel 10 is the backup.

Read before you sail

Cold water shock and hypothermia: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Kinsale and Cork Harbour 303 nmPlymouth 367 nmThe Solent 370 nmFalmouth, Cornwall 377 nmBergen and the western fjords 414 nmHarlingen and the Wadden Sea 422 nmChannel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier) 432 nmIJsselmeer (Enkhuizen and Lelystad) 436 nm

Local rules change. Spotted something out of date? support@vesselsos.com