Crinan Canal Skipper's Guide
Our Skipper’s Guide tells you everything you need to know about boating on the Crinan Canal. In addition to important safety advice and tips on how to transit the canal, you’ll find details of local facilities and more.
Safety on the Crinan Canal
Do
- Do have an adequate number of competent crew aboard. Single-handed passage is possible but may be subject to delays depending on staff availability to assist
- Do take time to plan ahead, lay out warps, fenders, and clear decks before you set off
- Do check fuel and oil levels before starting the engine and also that all controls are working properly
- Do make sure that children and non swimmers wear life jackets
- Do relax and take your time.
Don’t
- Do not ask members of the public to handle your ropes or walk vessels through locks
- Do not speed in the waterway, this damages banks and affects other waterway users
- Do not cruise after darkness
- Do not cruise near weirs or attempt to shoot them in canoes
- Do not allow pets to wander – keep them on leads and do not allow them to foul the canal banks
Navigation
Maximum lock dimensions:
Length: 26.8m (88ft)
Width: 6.1m (20ft)
Fresh water Draft: 2.5m * (8ft 10in)
AS OF AUGUST 2023 PLEASE NOTE Reduced draft - Draft: 2.2m
Air draft: 29m (95ft)
Please add at least 100mm (4 in) to your saltwater draft for calculating your draft in the canal. Boats sit deeper in fresh water than salt water.
Due to possible weather-related level changes, customers with a draft of more than 2.2m should always check with the appropriate sea lock 24 hours in advance to confirm the draft for the date of passage.
Please note that water conditions continually change and that the maximum draft cannot be guaranteed. Consult the sea lock keeper for the maximum draft of the day. During drought conditions the maximum draft is considerably lower than in the rainy season and managed daily.
VHF Radio
The sea locks work on Channel 74.
Please note when our team members are performing locking or maintenance duty they will be unable to respond to VHF calls.
If you do not get an immediate response, you can contact the Crinan Canal office, or approach the lock if open to the sea - it is likely that the Lock Keeper has spotted you.
Navigational Charts and Information
Admiralty charts: Loch Fyne 2381; Lochs and Harbours in the Sound of Jura and Approaches 2476; Loch Crinan to the Forth of Lorne 2326.
Imray charts: Firth of Clyde C63; Upper Clyde & Loch Fyne 2900; Belfast Lough to Crinan C64; Crinan to Mallaig and Barra C65.
Pilots: Admiralty West Coast of Scotland Pilot; Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions - Firth of Clyde; Kintyre to Ardnamurchan; Imray Pilot: Clyde to Colonsay.
Speed limits
Please observe the speed limit on the canal to help avoid bank erosion through excessive wash and please slow down when passing moored craft. The final approach to Crinan between Crinan Bridge and Lock 14 is narrow, with moored craft lying above Lock 14. Please exercise caution while transiting this section of the canal.
Use of locks after closedown
Do not use the canal locks after the canal has closed for the day as water levels are adjusted for the following day and any unplanned locking can lead to flooding or water loss.
Cill markers
To avoid possible contact with the lock cill please ensure your vessel does not pass the cill marker on the lock wall and remains clear of lock gangways during lock operations. If you are in any doubt please ask Scottish Canals staff for advice.
Local restrictions
Please note that to maintain access for emergency vehicles we are unable to rotate Ardrishaig Sea Lock Bridge and Lock 4 Bridge at the same time and must also comply with slight restrictions during school term time, both of which may cause short delays to boating traffic.
Commonly asked questions
Use of Pilots
At peak times, such as summer season, we aim to provide assistance to boaters moving through the inland locks from Lock 5 to 13 as these are manually operated, requiring physical effort to push lock gates and wind sluices. It can take at least two people to open and close lock gates and sluices from Lock 5 to Lock 13.
Boaters should have sufficient crew on board to handle ropes on the bow and stern, as well as operating the lock gates and sluices in the event that Scottish Canals' staff are delayed or unavailable at a specific location..
Customers may wish to consider the use of additional support crew if they are short-handed, are in a rush to transit or have never transited the canal before.
There are several operators locally who offer 'assisted passage' to boaters - their details can be found via web search or on boater forums.
Please note that use of external individuals is not mandatory on the Crinan Canal.
Please note that it is the boat owner / operator’s responsibility to ensure that your chosen individual is appropriately qualified and that your insurance covers you adequately.
Radar
Please ensure radar scanners are switched off while craft are within or approaching locks.
Last locking times
Please remember to allow 30 minutes before closedown to complete lockings, in particular at sea locks.
Rafting
Rafting of boats is normal on the Crinan Canal, in particular during events or busy periods.
Please assist us by following staff instructions to ensure that we can make best use of the space available.
Litter
Refuse should be disposed of in the skips located at Ardrishaig, Cairnbaan, Bellanoch Bay and Crinan. Please help us to keep the Crinan Canal tidy by disposing of rubbish in a thoughtful manner. Please only use the dry recycle bins for waste as described on the lid and avoid putting domestic waste into these bins. Remember, plastic bags thrown overboard could block your water intake, or foul the prop of your craft.
Pets
While pets are welcome, it would be much appreciated if owners could take care to prevent animal fouling on the banks. Animal waste bins are located along the canal for disposal. Particular care should be taken at main lock flights and mown areas as these have heavy foot traffic.
Swimming
The canal may look inviting, but please do not swim in it. This is very dangerous as there may be an underwater obstruction or sudden current, and the banks are very steep.
Shore power
Limited shore power is available at key points along the canal, mainly for use by long term customers. Please make contact with the lock staff regarding availability and charges for power. Payment should be made to the appropriate Sea Lock Office. Power may be available at pontoons in Ardrishaig Basin, above Lock 4, Oakfield, Cairnbaan or Crinan.
Showers and toilets
Toilets and showers are available free of charge to licence holders, at various locations. Further information can be obtained from the sea lock staff.
Please help us to maintain a pleasant environment by making use of shore facilities and not using sea toilets whilst your vessel is in the canal.
Large craft
Certain sections of the canal are narrow, in particular towards Crinan, and for this reason we may require to traffic manage vessels with a wide beam. Therefore, owners should expect a slight delay while Scottish Canals staff ensure the reach is either clear of other vessels or a large craft transits the section. Your patience to ensure a trouble free passage is much appreciated.
Legislation
Port Waste Management
Scottish Canals has produced Port Waste Management Plans which are now agreed with the Marine Coastguard Agency (MCA) and must be complied with at all times. It is an offence to discharge oil or bilge water into the canal or its adjacent waters, and any contravention of this ruling will result in notification to the MCA and SEPA.
Emergency discharge facilities can be arranged through specialist contractors at additional cost.
Oil disposal
Oil disposal can be arranged by contacting the Canal Office in advance of arrival.
International catering waste
Customers from outside EU waters transiting or staying in the Crinan Canal, who wish to dispose of meat or animal by-products which were purchased outwith the EU, must bag the waste and inform the Crinan Canal Office.
Boat Safety
All craft berthing within the canal system in excess of 30 days must obtain a Boat Safety Certificate. Owners using the canal for less than 30 days may be subject to spot checks to ensure their craft meet the minimum standards of safety required under the scheme. Checks will cover the gas and electrical systems, and will be visual, or in the case of the gas test, carried out by use of a leak detector.