Boston

1. Boston boarding, Freeman Channel entrance Pilot boards52°57.5′N 000°16.2′E
2. Boston boarding, near Lighted Buoy No. 9 Pilot boards52°57.8′N 000°08.5′E

Size limits

Max LOA 120m, beam 13.6m, draught 5.7m and 5,790DWT.

Note: Vessels with a wider beam may be accepted subject to discussion with the harbour master.

Water density

1010-1020.

Load line zone

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

Tides

It is known that the tidal currents are fairly strong. The flood current is reported to attain a spring velocity of approx 4kts during its first half off Boston, after which the velocity decreases. In Boston Deep, the tides are influenced by the winds. NW'ly gales, during springs, will cause a tidal rise of up to 0.6m higher than normal. In turn SW'ly gales will lower the height of the tide by the same amount.

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

Approach

Boston is approached through Freeman Channel which leads to New Cut and the River Witham.

Freeman channel: From the vicinity of Roaring Middle Lightfloat (52°58.6'N., 000°21.2'E), the route leads 3.5nm WSW to the E entrance point to Freeman Channel, the main approach channel to Boston, then in a generally WNW direction 2.5nm through the channel to a position at the NE end of Lower Road, passing:

Clear of Boston Roads Lightbuoy (safe water) (52°57.7'N., 000°16.0'E), then to the E entrance point of Freeman Channel (52°58.0'N., 000°15.0'E), which is marked by Boston No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) and Alpha Lightbuoy (port hand), then following the buoyed channel. The channel is 0.12nm wide at its narrowest part and lies between The Ants, a detached drying sandbank close W of the SW end of Long Sand and Roger Sand which dries and is attached to the coastal bank by Toft Sand and Hook Hill at its SW extremity. Then to the W end of Freeman Channel (52°58.0'N., 000°11.0'E), marked by Freeman Inner Lightbuoy (W cardinal) and Delta Lightbuoy (port hand) and which lies at the NE end of Lower Road.

Boston Deep: The shoal banks around the channel are constantly changing and the buoys might not mark the channel; nor is it easy to identify objects ashore. Local knowledge is required to use this channel.

Lower Road to New Cut: From a position at the NE end of Lower Road (52°58.0'N., 000°11.0'E), the route leads 2nm SW, then a further 2nm WSW, through the main entrance channel leading to New Cut, passing (with positions from Tabs Head Light Beacon (52°56.0'N., 000°05.0'E):

Through Lower Road (3.5nm NE), which is buoyed and lies between Butterwick Low, a drying flat 2nm wide fronting the shore, and the offshore shoals of Roger Sand, Bar Sand and Toft Sand. Then S of Clay Hole (2nm NE) which lies at the SW end of Lower Road, then across the drying portion of the main channel (1.8nm) ENE.

Then NW of Black Buoy Lightbuoy (port hand), then through the channel which is marked by lightbuoys (starboard hand), then N of Welland Light Beacon (port hand) (0.25nm ENE), which marks the seaward end of Welland Cut half-tide training wall. Then between Tabs Head Light Beacon (port hand) and Dolly Peg Light Beacon (black triangular topmark), which marks the entrance to New Cut. A light beacon (tide gauge, conical topmark) stands on the N bank 0.13nm W of Tabs Head Light Beacon.

Caution: the channels at the S end of Lower Road continually alter and buoyage is frequently changed, often without warning.

New Cut and River Witham: From Tabs Head Light Beacon, New Cut curves 2nm WNW to the entrance of the River Witham; Boston Dock is situated a further 2.5nm NW above the river entrance. The track is marked by a series of paired white leading lights, Nos 1 and 1a to 9 and 9a, and by red lights on the southerly bank and green lights on the northerly bank.

The basin of the port is entered via a 91m long and 13.7m wide lock and has depths on the sill of 7.5m at springs and 5.4m at neaps.

Port limits

Northern limit: Skegness Pier, southern limit: Dawsmere Creek through the middle of The Wash.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Note: For the ports of Boston and Fosdyke (52°52.3'N., 000°2.4'W): Vessels navigating the River Witham and River Welland seawards of Grand Sluice at Boston and the bridge at Fosdyke are to monitor VHF Ch 12. Vessels proceeding inwards from the Golf Lightbuoy or outwards to the Welland Beacon should maintain watch on this channel.

Information Broadcasts: The Port Control, at Boston, broadcasts a traffic forecast 2 hours before HW together with a revision at HW.

Anchorages

Caution: During NE gales there is a considerable sea in Boston Deep from the half flood to the half ebb, but generally there is less sea at the SW end. In N gales vessels ride more securely in Boston Deep than in the more exposed Lynn Deeps.

Restrictions

The port locks are operated 2.5 hours before to 1.5 hours after HW. Marine Control Operations will extend these times if required.

Overhead cables with a vertical clearance of 45m span the River Witham close E of the entrance to Boston Docks.

Tugs

There is 1 work boat available, "Bostonian", 7t bollard pull.

Mooring

Mooring personnel are compulsory for all commercial vessels.

UKC 1.5m is normally required.

Charts and publications

BA 108, 1190, 1200. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 12 hours prior to arrival at Clay Hole/No 9 Buoy. Vessels are required to give 24 hours notice of their arrival or as soon as possible for shorter voyages.

If dangerous or polluting goods are to be loaded or discharged, nature and quantity of such goods is to be stated, see Country/Navigation sections for reporting requirements.

Notices and regulations

Vessels are required to report to Boston Port Control when passing Boston Roads Lighted Buoy (52°57.7'N., 0°16.0'E.), No. 9 Lighted Buoy (52°57.52’ N., 000°08.19’ E.), and before entering or leaving the River Witham (on passsing Tabs Head).

It is worth noting that vessels must maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 when navigating the River Witham, or the River Welland for Fosdyke, seaward of Boston Grand Sluice or the Fosdyke Bridge.

No waste is to be disposed of in the river or in the Port of Boston Jurisdiction Area.

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

Minor repairs only available. Prior permission must be granted by the Harbour Master for any works that include: diving, surveying, river/harbour works or any other operations that may affect navigation.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Bunkers can be delivered by road tanker. A minimum of 24hr notice should be provided to the Harbour Authority via ships agents prior to bunkering.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Boston West Hospital (1.2km) and Pilgrim Hospital (2.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Humberside Airport (71km), Nottingham City Airport EGBN (71.8km), East Midlands Airport (89.75km) and Birmingham Airport (129km).

Nearest railway: The port has direct rail connections, including a daily steel train service. Boston railway station (1.3km).

Nearest highway: A16 and A52.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Boston.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1300-1700hrs. Overtime by arrangement.

Where it is

Boston is located 4.5nm from the mouth of the River Witham on the E coast of England.

The port

The Port of Boston, historically recognised as the most significant port in England outside of London during medieval times, has evolved into a modern hub of maritime activity since its current incarnation in 1884. Currently operated by Victoria Group, the port is strategically situated within a tidal basin, providing a unique advantage for handling various types of cargo. Small craft use the riverside quays.

Access to the port is facilitated through a 91m long lock, which allows for the efficient movement of vessels in and out of the basin. The port's facilities are equipped to manage a diverse range of cargo, including steel coils, timber, chemicals, construction steels, containers, grain, pallets, paper reels, waste bales, and RDF/SRF (Refuse-Derived Fuel/Solid Recovered Fuel). This versatility makes the Port of Boston a vital player in the regional supply chain.

In recent years, the port marked a significant milestone with the first phase completion of the Boston Barrier Tidal Flood Defence Scheme. The project, located along The Haven and adjacent to the tidal basin, aims to enhance the area's resilience against flooding, ensuring the safeguarding of the surrounding communities. The Boston Barrier & flood protection works will continue throughout 2025.

Traffic

Approx 700,000t of cargo and 400 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Boston?

The pilot boards at Boston boarding, Freeman Channel entrance, 52°57.5′N 000°16.2′E. Boston has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Boston in?

Local time at Boston 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 Boston?

The deepest berth listed is at the port's berths: 5.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Boston?

1010-1020.

Which load line zone is Boston 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 Boston?

Port State Control at Boston: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Boston?

The UN/LOCODE of Boston is GBBOS.

What crews who called at Boston 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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