Dover

1. Dover pilot boarding Pilot boards51°07.3′N 001°25.3′E

Size limits

LOA 317.14m, beam 38m, draught 9m, 38,717DWT.

Water density

1025

Load line zone

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

Tides

MHWS 6.0m, MHWN 3.2m.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached directly from seaward and entered through the Eastern or Western entrance which lie at either end of the Southern breakwater. The Eastern harbour entrance is 204m wide and the Western harbour entrance is 225m wide, minimum depths in both entrances are 12.0m CD. The entrances are separated by the southern breakwater. Allowances must be made for tidal stream when entering, or leaving, once the vessel is exposed to the tidal stream outside the breakwater.

Note: Entry for commercial and cruise vessels exceeding LOA 180m is limited to the period between HW-3 hours and HW due to adverse tidal streams at both entrances.

During periods of reduced visibility high intensity strobe lights are exhibited from the Admiralty Pier Extension. These lights are aligned so that on an approach course of approximately 265° their intensity is similar.

Tidal Harbour: Channel dredged to 5.0m. Access to non tidal basins Granville Dock and Wellington Dock, with 24 hours access.

Port limits

Port limits are 1nm to seaward of breakwaters.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Inbound vessels should send ETA 24 hours in advance, requesting instructions.

Vessels passing Dover Harbour and the area within 1nm to seaward of the breakwaters should contact Dover Port Control on VHF Ch 74 to advise their ETA at a range of 3nm from the port and should monitor VHF Ch 74 for harbour movements.

Anchorages

Anchorage is available in the outer harbour, with a depth of 8.0m, 0.2 to 0.35nm NW of S breakwater for vessels up to LOA 100m. The holding ground is good but caution is required in strong winds. The inner limit of the anchorage is marked by buoys and lightbuoys at the extremities of the limit. Vessels should not anchor outside the designated anchorage area.

There is good holding ground in East Wear Bay which lies between Abbot's Cliff and Copt Point. The shore of the bay is flat and covered with large stones which make landing difficult at LW. However the bay is only sheltered from the W by Copt Point and Copt Rocks, and should only be used as a temporary anchorage. The best berth is in the middle of the bay in depths of about 9.0m.

Restrictions

Speed restriction in Outer and Inner Harbour:

All vessels are to observe a maximum speed limitation of 8 knots. The approach to and from the public slipway through the designated swimming area is a maximum speed of 4 knots.

Speed trstriction in the Wick Channel from Inner Harbour to Tidal Basin and Marina.

All vessels to observe a maximum speed limitation of 4 knots when in the Wick Channel, Tidal Basin and Marina.

Tugs

There are 2 x 55t bollard pull tugs available. Subject to weather conditions, 1 tug should provide 1 hours notice, and 2 tugs should give 2 hours notice.

Mooring

Due to frequent ferry movements, the recommended minimum moorings should consist of four stern/head lines and two springs at each end of the vessel. Additional moorings may be required in adverse weather. When berthing the first lines ashore, unless advised otherwise, should be springs forward and aft. Weighted heaving lines are not permitted.

Charts and publications

BA 1698,1828, 323. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels passing Dover Harbour and the area within 1nm to seaward of the breakwaters should contact Dover Port Control at a range of 3nm from the port on VHF Ch 74 to report their presence and should monitor VHF Ch 74 for harbour movement broadcasts.

Vessels over 300GT are required to report to CALDOVREP when entering the Dover Strait from E or W - Also requested to report to MAREP when entering the English Channel from E or W. See Country section and NP286(1) for further details.

Vessels arriving in a UK port carrying dangerous or polluting cargoes are required by EU regulations to report by Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of the full details of all such cargoes - See Country section for further details.

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

All mechanical, electrical and other services available in the area.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: A bunkering service is provided. The barge service can supply blended grades of fuels and distillates to vessels working cargo or making a bunkering only call. Max bunkering vessel size 3,500DWT alongside P&O ferry berths and max permitted draught 6.0m in approaches.

By road tanker: Shell, Esso, BP and others.

Fuelling berths are situated at Eastern Arm in the Outer Harbour and within the enclosed docks.

Medical

Buckland Hospital, Dover (1.6km).

Crew change

A 24 hour launch service operated by George Hammond PLC (Tel: +44 1304 201201), providing stores, charts and personnel transfer is available in Dover Roads or Dover Strait.

Transport

Nearest airport: Kent International (24km). London Gatwick (171km), London Heathrow (228km).

Nearest railway: Dover Priory Station (1.6km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Dover is located in the Dover Straits, in the English Channel.

The port

The port is divided into two sections, the Eastern Docks and Western Docks. The Eastern Docks comprise a car ferry terminal with eight Ro-Ro berths and three deep water general cargo berths. The Western Docks comprise two dedicated cruise terminals.

The port is synonymous with cross channel traffic and is the busiest international drive-on, drive-off terminal in the world. Ferries flow out of the port entrances on average every 20 minutes (DFDS Seaways, P&O Feries and MyFerry Link) destined for, and returning from, three other major European ports. Dover is also Britain's premier S coast port for fresh produce and can handle a wide range of cargoes from a terminal at Eastern Docks. It is also one of Northern Europe's busiest cruise ports for turn round calls and is also a popular port of call for cruise vessels.

The port is benefitting from a number of infrastructure improvements, including a more efficient road system with better signage and larger holding areas for vehicles at times of peak ferry traffic use.

Traffic

Approx 19,000,000t of cargo, 16,000 vessels and 9,000,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Dover?

The pilot boards at Dover pilot boarding, 51°07.3′N 001°25.3′E.

What time zone is Dover in?

Local time at Dover 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 Dover?

The deepest berth listed is at Eastern Docks Terminal: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Dover?

1025

Which load line zone is Dover 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 Dover?

Port State Control at Dover: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Dover?

The UN/LOCODE of Dover is GBDVR.

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