Bideford

Size limits

Max LOA 120m, beam 15.2m, draught 5.1m, 4,327DWT.

Water density

Tidal river.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 3.6m neaps, 6m springs.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The estuary is approached via a buoyed channel with leading lights for navigation over Bideford Bar.

Vessels proceeding to Bideford Town Quay from sea should negotiate the preferred shipping channel under the centre span of Torridge Bridge (a road bridge, 0.7nm downstream of Bideford) which exhibits a flashing orange light on both up and downstream elevations.

Port limits

The N limit of the port is a line joining the N extremity of Skern Point and Instow Church Tower, 1nm E. The S limit is Bideford Old Town Bridge (51° 0.987'N, 004° 12.186'W).

Anchorages

As defined by the port, there are no routine anchorages within the limits of the port or within the Taw and Torridge pilotage area.

Vessels waiting orders or tides for entry will normally anchor in Lundy Roads in position 51° 10' 651N, 004° 38' 882W or Clovelly Roads 51° 00' 303N, 004° 22' 956W. Locations are used entirely at the Masters discretion.

Note: In the event of an emergency and only during pilotage may it be possible to drop anchor/s anywhere in the channel but only at the discretion of the pilot or with the approval of the Harbour Master. It is worth noting that all water above Appledore will dry out 3 hours either side of High Water.

Restrictions

Berthing is possible when flood tide permits and it is worth noting that all waters above Appledore (located 1.6nm upstream from the port) will dry out 3 hours either side of High Water.

Torridge Bridge: A road bridge, 0.7nm downstream of Bideford has a vertical clearance of 24m.

Bideford Old Town Bridge: A road bridge, 0.1nm upstream of Bideford. The bridge consists of 24 arches.

The tidal streams and shifting banks in the river means that moving any vessel in the estuary requires considerable caution. A starboard hand beacon with a green shaped topmark in position 51° 01' 507N, 004° 12' 078W marks the seaward end of a submarine pipeline.

Tugs

Following on from the review conducted on the 15th December 2022, it was deemed that "the use of tugs is not

compulsory within the Taw and Torridge Pilotage District and in the Port of Bideford".

Towage capacity available to the Harbour Master:

1. "Two Rivers II": This is a pilot vessel however can be used as a tug on a very limited basis due to its limited manoeuvrability.

2. "Lundy Puffin": Owned and operated by the Harland and Wolff shipyard and listed as a Port Tender. Prior arrangement, agreement and assessment must be made in advance for towage.

3. "Severn Sea": Owned and operated by Keynvor Lift Ltd. Prior arrangement, agreement and assessment must be made in advance for towage.

4. "Goliath": Prior arrangement must be made in advance for towage.

Caution: Towage operations are not to be undertaken when visibility is severely restricted and falls below 250m.

Mooring

The quay offers one month mooring for vessels and an agreement must be in place with the Harbour Master prior to arrival.

Charts and publications

BA 1160. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify vessel's agent of ETA, pilots require 24 hours notice.

Communications

Bideford Port Authority:

Telephone: +44 1237 428734 or +44 1237 428700.

Standby officer (Out of hours) telephone: +44 1237 423200

E-mail: [email protected]

VHF: Ch 12, 16, (pilot boat), there is no shore station.

It is recommended that Ch 12 should always be monitored whilst under way in the River Torridge.

Health

International regulations apply.

Customs and immigration

International Immigration regulations apply.

Notices and regulations

Harbour by-laws are in effect at the port. The Harbour Master should be contacted for further details.

Harbour by-laws include:

1. Harbour, Docks, Piers Clauses Act 1847.

2. Bideford Harbour Act 1894 and 1925.

3. Bideford Harbour Revision Order 1988.

4. Pilotage Act 1987.

5. Merchant shipping Act 1995.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Major repairs and shipbuilding can be undertaken at Harland & Wolff (Appledore) which is located 1.6nm downstream from the port.

Diving operations are available at the port. All operations arranged for or on behalf of the port must be authorised, carried out by Diving Companies approved by the Board and Comply strictly with all current legislative requirements

The written approval must be given by the Harbour Master which includes:

a) Name of Diving Contractor.

b) Name of Diving Supervisor.

c) Reasons for the Diving Work.

d) Exact Diving position, to include plan of dive area unless diving in a single

location.

e) The date and time Diving will commence.

f) Estimated time of completion of the Dive.

g) Name of Diving Support craft or position from which Divers will be

deployed.

h) Any additional risk identified that requires special precautions by Bideford

Harbour.

Dry docks

Harland & Wolff (Appledore) is located 1.6nm downstream from the port.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: GO available. Must be organised through the vessels agents.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Bideford Medical Centre (0.7km), Torrington Hospital (8.5km) and North Devon District Hospital (13.4km).

Crew change

Not possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Exeter Airport (64km)

Nearest railway: Barnstable (11.6km) and Chapelton (12.6km).

Nearest public transportation: Bus routes available within the town of Bideford.

Nearest road: Port has direct access to the A386. This is a primary route through Devon and gives the port connections to Plymouth. The port also has access to the A39 (known as the Atlantic highway) which runs through Bideford and connects the port to Bath, Somerset. Bideford finally has access to the A361; a North Devon Link Road - 50 miles to M5 at Junction 27.

Working hours

The quay is open throughout 24 hours.

Bideford office is office is open Tue-Fri from 0900-1500hrs. 9am-3pm.

Where it is

Bideford port is situated inland on the River Torridge, in the northern region of Devon.

The port

The port, located in the town of Bideford, consists of a 300m NAABSA (Not always afloat but safely aground) quay. A variety of cargo is handled within the port including ball clay, aggregates, forest products (logs and sawn timber) construction materials and salt. The "MS Oldenburg" launches from either Bideford or Ilfracombe to the island of Lundy. The service regularly transports goods and passengers to and from the island.

The port is steeped in history with the first mention of the town in the Domesday Book (1086), which mentions a valuable fishery in the area. The port continued to expand and by the 16th century Bideford was Britain's third largest port.

Traffic

Approx 11,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Bideford?

The pilotage district of the Port of Bideford lies within a line drawn 270° for 2nm from Baggy Point (51°09.0'N 004°16.0'W), then 180° to the coast.

What time zone is Bideford in?

Local time at Bideford is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Bideford?

The deepest berth listed is at Bideford Terminal: 5.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Bideford?

Tidal river.

Which load line zone is Bideford in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Bideford?

Port State Control at Bideford: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bideford?

The UN/LOCODE of Bideford is GBBID.

What crews who called at Bideford say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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