Bridgwater

1. Bridgwater pilot boarding Pilot boards51°23.0′N 003°14.0′W

Size limits

LOA 82m, draught 4.5m.

Water density

1025 (variable).

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.6m springs, 1.9m neaps. A tidal wave called Bore Phenomena passes under the Town Bridge at Bridgwater 1 hour 40 minutes before HW. Due to unusual meteorological conditions, it may pass 5 minutes earlier or later.

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

Approach

Approach and entry: Approached from the W, the port is entered over Bridgwater Bar.

River Parrett is approached through a channel between Stert Flats and Gore Sand, and is entered 5nm W of Burnham-on-Sea. Within the bar the channel becomes narrower and deeper, but S of Stert Island the channel winds considerably and dries.

The S side of the channel shelves very gradually and consists of soft mud, but the N side of the channel shelves more steeply and consists of hard sand. The W entrance of the channel to Burnham is much wider than the buoys indicate and the sand and mud banks are very low, gradually getting higher as Burnham is approached.

Entrance channel: Gore Sand, which occupies the first 2nm of the channel, has a least depth of 0.3m. However, on spring tides there is a depth of 11.0m (8.0m neaps) over Bridgwater Bar.

From the vicinity of Gore Lightbuoy, the track leads ENE, passing (positions from Burnham Light, 51°15.0'N 003°00.0'W):

SSE of No 1 Lightbuoy (port hand) (2.5nm WSW), then NNW of No 2 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (0.9nm SW).

From the latter position the alignment (112°) of lights, 0.5nm S of Burnham Upper Light tower, marks the channel towards the pilot station at Burnham.

Front light (metal column on the esplanade, which resembles a street light, below which there is a conspicuous orange stripe with white background on the seawall).

Rear light (SW corner of St. Andrew's Church tower at Burnham-on-Sea).

The S edge of Gore Sand is covered by the red sector of Burnham Light and the N edge of Stert Flats is covered by the green sector of the same light.

Cautions: The approach channel is marked by lightbuoys which are moved as necessary to provide a channel with a least depth of 3.7m for 2.5 hours on either side of HW during which time vessels can proceed to and from Bridgwater. Alterations to the depths are constantly taking place.

South of Stert Island the river channel is winding and dries. For a distance of 3nm above Stert Island the channel leads SSE, passing W of Brue Light beacon (white mast, red bands) situated on the E side of the channel at the entrance to the River Brue, 1.5nm S of the Burnham-on-Sea Upper Light tower, through Stert Reach.

Marchants Reach, nearly 4nm within the mouth of the river is the only straight section.

Lights are exhibited from serveral positions on both banks of the river as far as Bibby's wharf (51°10.0'N 002°59.0'W).

Navigation within the Parrett Estuary requires local knowledge, as the channels constantly alter.

Lights, are exhibited from several positions on the E bank of the river as far as Bibby's Wharf (51°10.0'N 002°59.0'W).

Port limits

Port limits are contained within a line joining Hinkley Point to the centreline of the River Axe (51°19'N 002°59'W), keeping a radius of 0.8nm from WSW to ENE off the head of Brean Down.

Traffic schemes and VTS

None.

Anchorages

Vessels waiting to enter River Parrett can obtain good, though exposed anchorage 1.75nm NNE of Stoke Bluff (51°12'N 003°12'W) in a least depth of 7.0m. Keep clear of submarine cables.

Restrictions

Check with Harbour Master for draught and length restrictions on a particular tide.

Overhead cables: With a safe overhead clearance of 33m span the river 0.7nm below Combwich Wharf and with a safe clearance of 31m, 1.5nm above Dunball Wharf.

Tugs

None.

Mooring

Vessels normally berth 30 minutes before HW.

Vessels must be prepared to take the ground at the berths where the river dries at LW.

Charts and publications

BA 1152. US Publications 142. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA at least 24 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port/Bridgwater Pilots: Ch 16, 08. Tel: +44 1934 822666. Fax: +44 1934 823111. Email: [email protected].

Monitored from 3 hours before HW to 1 hour before HW when a vessel is expected.

Health

As per UK regulations.

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

Available, by arrangement with agent.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available in small quantities.

Bunkering: Available by road tanker.

Medical

Bridgwater.

Crew change

Available, by arrangement with agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bristol.

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections are available. There are limited crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Bridgwater.

Working hours

Normally 0700-1700hrs.

Where it is

The port of Bridgwater includes much of Bridgwater Bay and the River Parrett and is situated on the S side of the Bristol Channel.

The port

The port comprises 4 wharves, 3 of which are used by commercial vessels. Chief imports are sand, animal feed, fertilisers, granite, cement and coal.

Traffic

Approx 46,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Bridgwater?

The pilot boards at Bridgwater pilot boarding, 51°23.0′N 003°14.0′W.

What time zone is Bridgwater in?

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

What is the water density at Bridgwater?

1025 (variable).

Which load line zone is Bridgwater 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 Bridgwater?

Port State Control at Bridgwater: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Bridgwater?

The UN/LOCODE of Bridgwater is GBBRW.

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