VHF R/T

Port Operation Channels

Yachts are reminded that Channel 16 is
a DISTRESS SAFETY AND CALLING
The yachtsman’s guide to CHANNEL ONLY.

Southampton Water Other than for distress it must only be

used to establish contact before going to a
and it’s approaches working channel. Port Operation channels
must not be used for boat communications.
The recognised boat to boat channels are 6,
72 and 77.

Port operation channels are as follows:

12
14 } Vessel Traffic Services (VTS)
Southampton Harbour Master
11 Queen’s Harbour Master, Portsmouth
68 Harbour Master, Hamble
69 Harbour Master, Cowes

67
73 } HM Coastguard
Working channels
If you can’t
see the ship’s
}
71 Ship/tug/pilot working channels
74 NOT TO BE USED BY
wheelhouse, 10
09
RECREATIONAL CRAFT

the ship can’t 08

see you! 80 Marina working channels

VESSELS OVER 20 METRES MUST

REPORT TO VTS AT DESIGNATED
REPORTING POINTS (AS PER
ADMIRALTY CHARTS AND ALRS
VOLUME SIX)
Welcome to the background shore lights when viewed
from a large commercial vessel.
Give her a wide berth.

Port of Southampton
10. VHF Channels. Keep your radio on
6. Study the ship’s lights. If you can see both Channel 12 which is the port working
sidelights you are dead ahead and need to frequency used by Southampton Vessel
react quickly. Traffic Services (VTS) and shipping. Every
2 hours from 0610-2210 there will be a
This information has been produced by 8. There are numerous other small vessels 7. Precautionary Area. See ‘Caution One’ broadcast on Channel 14 ( pre-empted
Associated British Ports specifically for operating within the Solent and Port of on the accompanying chartlet. Be aware by a transmission on Channel 12) giving
people who enjoy recreational activities Southampton. Watch out for ferries, fast that ships make large alterations of course information on large ship movements,
afloat. catamarans, fishing boats and tugs towing at the West Bramble and Calshot turns. local weather conditions and any new
barges (especially at night when barges Ensure that you comply with the MOVING Navigational Warnings.
Some facts you should keep in mind: may not be clearly visible). PROHIBITED ZONE.
Note that a towing cable may be partially Personal Watercraft (PWs)
1. The number of large commercial ships submerged. 8. Recognise whistle signals. Five or more
serving the Port of Southampton and the short blasts means your intentions are not PWs, otherwise known as jet-skis and
number of recreational craft afloat in local What can you do? understood and you are causing concern waterbikes, are required to exercise caution
waters is increasing. It is essential that to the ship. One short blast means the ship with due regard to other water users when
1. Whenever possible, avoid sailing in is altering course to starboard. Two short in the Port of Southampton and approaches.
close quarters situations are minimised.
commercial shipping channels, especially blasts, altering course to port. Three short When close to the shoreline, in particular,
in poor visibility. If it is absolutely blasts the ship is putting engines astern. keep a good lookout for swimmers. Be aware
2. Most of the commercial vessels you meet
necessary to use these channels then of your speed and keep clear of ships and
will have a UK Pilot on board regardless observe Rule 9 of the COLREGS by
of the ship’s flag. They will be monitoring 9. Know ship signals. A ship which displays other craft. Always wear the Kill Cord. The 6
keeping to the starboard side of the a black cylinder in the daylight or three red knot limit in the Docks applies to all powered
VHF Channel 12. channel and crossing, at right angles, only lights in a vertical line at night indicates craft!
when this does not impede the passage that she is constrained by her draught.
3. Most ships travel at manoeuvring speeds
of a vessel that can safely navigate only
of between 10 and 15 knots whilst in the within that channel.
Solent and Southampton Water. This will Collision Avoidance Check List
vary from ship to ship and is “as safe as 2. Do not underestimate the speed of ships.
navigation and conditions permit”. • Avoid ship channels when possible. Cross them quickly and at right angles
If your vessel is slow, allow sufficient time
to take any necessary action. • Be alert, watch for ship traffic
4. Light, partially loaded or unevenly trimmed • Be seen, especially at night
ships may require to maintain a higher 3. Be visible. At night, make sure your • Know whistle signals- five or more short blasts, your intentions are not understood!
“as safe as navigation permits” speed to navigation lights can be seen. If you • Listen to VHF channel 12 - if you have to transmit keep your message brief
remain under full control. suspect that you have not been seen • Use up to date navigation charts - read Local Notice to Mariners at your local club/marina
by an approaching ship shine a torch, or on www.southamptonvts.co.uk
5. It may take less than 10 minutes for a ship
searchlight or spotlight on your mast or • When in doubt, keep clear. Always be prepared for the unexpected
to reach you from your visible horizon, in sail. Carry a radar reflector high on your
hazy conditions it will take a lot less. At 10 • Lifejackets do not help if you’re not wearing them!
mast. Remember that from the bridge of a
knots a ship travels one nautical mile in large container ship or tanker the Pilot or
six minutes. At 15 knots it takes only four 5
Master may lose sight of you up to half a
Typical
First H.W. Springs

minutes. mile ahead even though you can see the 4.5
Second H.W.

6. Ships cannot easily avoid small craft in

ship quite clearly. Southampton 4

narrow channels, it is better for you to stay

clear.
4. Be alert. Keep a good lookout at all times, Tidal Curves 3.5
Neaps

especially astern! For Springs 3

7. A large ship that is slowing down may not

and Neaps

Metres
5. Night-time sailing. Even on a clear night
2.5

steer very well, it needs propeller action you may have difficulty seeing a ship
Springs

on the rudder to respond. When the ship’s

2

approach. You might notice it first as a Young Flood Stand

engine is put astern it’s manoeuvrability black shadow against a background of
1.5

will be affected. Remember that it takes shore lights, or as a growing shadow – at Dock Head Spring Tide Curve 1
time and a considerable distance for a ship that point you are not far apart! Remember Dock Head Neap Tide Curve
to stop. that your lights may not be easily spotted Mean Tide Level
0.5
Low Water
Time
from a ship, especially lights at the top 0
Chart Datum

of your mast which can merge with

0:00 3:0 6:00 9:00 12:00 15:00 18:00 21:00 00:00
 Southampton Water
Kemps Marina

See Saxon Wharf

Continuation
Shamrock Quay
Below
DP World

and it’s approaches

Container Western Docks
Terminal

No.10 SG Southampton
No.6 SG
Bury No.8 SG
Millbrook
No.4 SG

No.2 SG
Marchwood YC Cracknore Itchen Bridge
(28.9m above chart datum)
Husband’s
Shipyard Mulberry Ocean Village Marina
Town Quay Marina Woolston
Pier Head

For centuries the Port of Southampton has played a vital

Crackmore Hard SC
Royal Southampton YC
Dibden Bay
Marchwood

Caus
eway
Waterskiing Area
Military Port Gymp Elbow Eastern Docks

Southampton SC
role in British sea trade and is situated on one of the finest
See Caution Two

Gymp
Southampton Harbour Master
Vessel Traffic Services Centre (VTS)
natural harbours in the world. Southampton Water and it’s
Dibden Bay
Port Development Land No.1 approaches offer any leisure user excellent sailing waters and
numerous facilities from the Isle of Wight to the Rivers Test
Hythe Knock Swanwick Marina

Weston SC

and Itchen.
Weston Shelf

Moorhead
Hythe Marina Village Universal Marina

Eling SC
Upstream of this line
MAX SPEED 6 Knots
NW Netley
Netley Cliff SC
Mercury Yacht Harbour
This guide is designed to provide yachtsmen with a level of
information which will contribute to the safe navigation and
Deans Elbow

Eling Netley

No.16
No.12
Hythe Hythe SC
Port Hamble Marina enjoyment of the area.
Redbridge Channel No.14
Bird Pile Hound RAF YC

Bury Lains Lake

Royal Southern YC

After Barn Hamble River SC

Caution One
Marchwood YC
Symbols Key Hamble Warsash
Hamble Point Marina
Greenland
Slipway
Cadland
Recommended
Crossing Points
BP Hamble Jetty

Hamble Harbour Master Precautionary Area

Warsash SC
All vessels over 150m in length, whilst navigating this area, will have
College of Maritime Studies
a MOVING PROHIBITED ZONE 1000m ahead and 100m to either
side. These vessels are required to display a black cylinder by day
Sewage Waste Disposal

Fawley Marine

Southampton Marina Facilities Terminal

Hamble Pt
and three all round red lights in a vertical line at night.
Oil Waste Disposal

Available
Vessels under 20m are prohibited from entering the Moving
Scrubbing Berth

Solent Breezes
Visitor Moorings
Launching Slip

Available Saxon Wharf

Prohibited Zone.
Rubbish Bins

Bald Head
Bottled Gas

Available Hamble Yacht Services Hook

Laundrette

VHF Radio
Boat Hoist

Whenever possible, vessels over 150m will be escorted by a patrol

Provisions

Ashlett SC
Recycling

Boat Yard
Electricity
Showers

Ashlett Creek

launch showing a blue flashing light. The absence of the launch will
Fawley
Diesel
Petrol

Coronation
Hook
Bar

not invalidate the Moving Prohibited Zone. (see LNTM No. 3/2014)
Hythe Marina Village 02380 207073 CA
Calshot Black Jack
LS
Fawley Power Station SC Radar Tower Reach
HO
Fawley TR
Kemps Marina 02380 632323 Chimney EA
Calshot SC
CH
Ocean Village Marina 02380 229385 Castle Pt Caution Two
Shamrock Quay 02380 229461 Calshot

Waterskiing
Calshot Spit
Town Quay Marina 02380 234397 NO
Calshot
RT
Hamble Point Marina 02380 452464 HC
HA
Waterskiing is not permitted in the port except in the designated area
Bourne Gap NN at Redbridge or with the written permission of the Harbour Master. It
Port Hamble Marina 02380 452741 North Thorn
EL

Mercury Yacht Harbour 02380 455994

East Knoll Hill Head
is an offence under Harbour Bye-Laws to waterski outside this area
and offenders may be prosecuted. The Bye-Laws also require there
L
NE

Swanwick Marina 01489 884081

to be two people in any boat towing a waterski.
AN

Bramble Bank

it
t Lim
CH

Universal Marina 01489 574272

Thorn Knoll
Bn
West Knoll
Redbridge – This area is usable from approximately 1 hour before

Por
Stansore Pt.
RN

until 2 hours after the 1st High Water. There are some obstructions
O

West Bramble
TH

in the area and large scale Admiralty Charts should be consulted

NE Gurnard
Stone Pt. Typical track of commercial vessels at
Be Ebbtide (Floodtide) South Bramble

au
lie
u Precautionary Area beforehand.
Po

Lepe Spit
R iver
See Caution One
rt
Li
m

W Ryde
it

Middle

Prince Consort

Western
Approach Gurnard
Caution Three
NOT TO BE USED Channel Norris

Osborne Bay: This area is not recommended as a small craft

East Lepe Royal Yacht Squadron

FOR NAVIGATION
Egypt Old
Point Isle of Wight Castle
Royal London YC Point

Island SC
OSBORNE BAY
See Caution Three anchorage due to the possibility of wash from passing vessels.
Cowes Cornathian YC

Gurnard Ledge
Legal requirement and navigation used mainly to escort large vessels
safely into or out of the harbour area
Speed of vessels

Guidance Notes to ensure that the main navigable

channels are kept clear for their safe
In compliance with Southampton
Harbour Bye-Laws:
transit.
1. Proceed at a safe speed with
Navigational Safety and the ship itself.
The Harbour Patrol Launch due regard to other water users,
Recreational users of the port must buoys, moorings and banks of
maintains a listening watch on VHF
The principal deep water navigational familiarise themselves with, and
Channel 12 ( call sign Southampton the harbour area or any other
channels within the statutory limits observe, the COLREGS, Port of
Patrol). The crew will be happy to property.
of the Port of Southampton are Southampton Bye-Laws and Local
offer advice and information on the
well marked by buoys and lights. Notice to Mariners.
Harbour and Approaches. 2. Reduce speed and wash when
These channels are in constant use
passing a dredger, vessel engaged
by commercial vessels, including Information is available on:
This vessel, having a royal blue hull in diving operations or vessel
large deep-draught tankers (VLCC), www.southamptonvts.co.uk
with white upper works, is easily working on a buoy or mooring.
container ships, ferries and other
recognisable by the broad yellow
traffic.
diagonal stripe on each side of the 3. Observe 6 knot speed limit north
Recreational users of the area are
bow. At night, in addition to the of an imaginary line between
advised to keep clear of these
steaming lights, an all round blue light Hythe Pier and Weston Shelf buoy.
channels and use the recommended
is displayed at the mast head.
crossing points (as shown on chartlet
overleaf). When channels have to be
crossed, this should be done as nearly LARGE SHIPS OFTEN HAVE
as practicable at right angles.
RESTRICTED VISIBILITY
AVOID CROSSING THE BOWS HT
OF ON-COMING COMMERCIAL LINE OF SIG
TRAFFIC

Large container ships, in particular, 1/2 MILE

usually have restricted visibility ahead
(see diagram below). You may be
able to see them clearly but can
they see you? If the full width of the
wheelhouse on the ship is not visible DEEP DRAUGHT VESSELS
then you may not have been seen! HAVE LITTLE ROOM TO
Most recreational sailors take a MANOEUVRE IN NARROW
CHANNELS
justifiable pride in the responsible way Harbour Patrol
they conduct themselves. Part of this
is the realization that hindering the The Harbour Master operates a
safe passage of commercial vessels Harbour Patrol Launch service within
is not only bad seamanship but the limits of the Port of Southampton
dangerous to themselves, their crews throughout the year. This service is
UNDERKEEL CLEARANCE CAN BE AS LITTLE AS 1 METRE
 Black Code Flag A Port Side View Bow Stern
By Night
Black By Night view view

Towing Lights & Signals

Side vessels

Visual & Sound Signals in Fog

Foul Side
Red Red may pass

White Red White Green

COLREGS
Rule 27 (b) Red Red Green
Red Vessels Not Under
Lights (Vertical) Lights Deep Draught Vessels Vessels at Anchor
Command
By Day By Day By Day
Sound Signal Sound Signal

Port Side Rule

COLREGS View 35(c) COLREGS Rule 35(c) Bow Stern
COLREGS Rule 27(e) Black Cylinder 2 Black Balls 1 Black Ball
view view
By Night By Night By Night

VisualEntry
Marina & Sound Signals
Signals in Fog
Common Flag Signals COLREGS COLREGS COLREGS
Rule 28 Rule 27(a) Rule 30(a)
Lights Meaning R 3 Red Lights (Vertical) 2 Red Lights (Vertical) All Round White Light
Deep Draught Vessels Vessels Not Under Vessels
Pass at slow
me at Anchor
speed
Command Sound Signal Sound Signal
Vessels shall Y
Fixed
By Day By Day
not proceed By Day
Bell
I COLREGS Rule 35(c) COLREGS Rule 35(g)
Vessels may Engaged in survey work
Black Fixed
Cylinder 2 Black
proceed with Balls
caution R 1 Black Ball
Two way traffic Power Driven Vessels Sailing Vessels COLREGS
By Night By Night By Night
Sound Signal Sound Signal
COLREGS Vessels mayCOLREGS Manoeuvering & Warning Signals
COLREGS COLREGS: International
Fixed
Rule 28 proceed with caution
Rule 27(a) Rule 30(a) Making Way
Regulation for
3 Red Lights (Vertical)One way traffic
2 Red Lights (Vertical) AllbeRound
These signals may White Light
supplemented by
Preventing Collisions
light signals Stopped
Sound Signal
Serious Emergency Sound Signal at Sea 1972-As amended
all vessels to stop 1 Short blast Altering to starbord
Flashing or divert according Bell COLREGS Rule 35(a) or (b) COLREGS Rule 35(c)
2 Short blasts Altering to port
to instructions 3 Short blasts Going astern
COLREGS Rule 35(c) COLREGS Rule 35(g)
5 Or more short blasts Your intentions are unclear
Vessels Restricted in Vessels Engaged in Vessels Engaged in
Only ONE GROUP of lights to be shown Their Ability to Manoeuvre Dredging/Underwater Ops Diving Ops
Power Driven Vessels Sailing Vessels COLREGS By Day By Day By Day
Ball
Sound Signal Sound Signal Diamond Side vessels
Foul Side may pass
Making Way COLREGS: International Ball
Regulation for Black Code Flag A
Preventing Collisions By Night
Black By Night
Stopped at Sea 1972-As amended Side vessels
Foul Side
Red Red may pass

COLREGS Rule 35(a) or (b) COLREGS Rule 35(c) White Red White Green
COLREGS
Rule 27 (b) Red Red Green
Red
Lights (Vertical) Lights
Vessels Restricted in Vessels Engaged in Vessels Engaged in
Their Ability to Manoeuvre Dredging/Underwater Ops Diving Ops
Sound Signal Sound Signal
By Day By Day By Day
Ball
Diamond Side vessels
Foul Side may pass COLREGS Rule 35(c) COLREGS Rule 35(c) COLREGS Rule 27(e)
Ball
Black Code Flag A
By Night
Black By Night
Marine information and Useful addresses and
Environmental Data Telephone Numbers
Associated British Ports (ABP) Solent Harbour Master
Legend
Ocean Gate Atlantic Way Beaulieu River 01590 616200
Special Protection Areas Southampton Cowes 01983 293952
Special Areas of Conservation
Hampshire. SO14 3QN Hamble 01489 576387
Portsmouth 02392 723694
Tel: 02380 488800 (Harbour Control, QHM)
Fax: 02380 336402
HM Coastguard
Harbour Master’s Office Lee on Solent 02392 552100
Tel: 02380 608208
Fax: 02380 232991 HM Revenue and Customs
Yachtline 0845 723 1110
Vessel Traffic Services Centre Customs Helpline 0300 200 3700
(VTS) Customs Hotline 0800 595 5000
Tel: 02380 608208 (24hrs) www.hmrc.gov.uk
Produced by ABPmer
© ABPmer, All rights reserved, 2014
www.southamptonvts.co.uk
Border Force South (Immigration)
Data Sources: Natural England © Crown Copyright & Database Right 2014.
NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION
0 2.5 5 10
km
Visitors can access regularly N.O.H 0300 056 8120
updated shipping movements, O.O.H - Until 22.30 02380 627107
Southampton Water is of ABP, in its role as the Statutory cruise schedules, Notices to www.gov.uk/border-force
international importance for nature Harbour Authority for Southampton Mariners and tidal forecasts.
conservation. Its mudflats and other Water, has a strong commitment Port Health
habitats support a wide variety to protecting the local environment Southampton 02380 226631
of birds and the creatures they and we play an active role in the Portsmouth 02392 688653
feed on throughout the year. In management scheme for the The Yachtsman’s Guide is produced by
ABP as a reference and safety guide only
recognition of this, Southampton European Marine Site. Recreational
and must not be used as a navigation
Water is designated as part of the sailors are well known for enjoying chart.
Solent European Marine Site, with and taking care of the environment
Special Protection Areas (SPAs) in which they spend their leisure All numbers and information contained
for birds and Special Areas of time. In order to maintain within were correct at time of publication.
Conservation (SACS) for habitats Southampton Water as a pleasant If your organisation needs additional
and other species. A management place to sail, remember that the UK copies of this publication please forward
scheme has been developed to has strict rules on dumping litter at your requests to ABP.
ensure that a balance of activities sea, with substantial penalties for
Tel: 02380 608206 or 02380 608211
can be maintained within the offenders. Please retain all rubbish
site, allowing port operations, on board and dispose of it safely in Designed and Produced by Media10
recreational sailing and wildlife to proper facilities once you return to www.media10.co.uk 07852 582822
co-exist. shore. Isssue 2- Apr/2014