Fleetwood

Size limits

Max draught 5.5m, max beam 20.3m, max LOA 160m, approx 5,000DWT.

Fish Dock: Max draught 5.5m.

Largest vessel handled: Ro-Ro "Pioneer", draught 4.5m, 4,385DWT.

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

Range 9.2m MHWS, 7.3m MHWN.

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

Approach

Approach is made from Lune Deep and entry through a narrow channel, formed by River Wyre.

Approach channel: From the vicinity of the pilot station off Fairway No 1 Lightbuoy, the track leads SE then 2nm SSE through the buoyed approach channel which separates 2 large areas of drying sandflats; North Wharf, which extends 1.75nm N from the coast between Rossall Point (53°55.0'N 003°03.0'W) and Fleetwood, and Bernard Wharf, which extends 2.5nm N from the coast E of Fleetwood.

The channel buoys, all of which are lit, are numbered from seaward, those on the starboard hand with odd numbers and those on the port hand with even numbers. The track passes (positions given from Wyre Lighthouse (disused) (53°57.0'N 003°02.0'W).

NE of No 3 Lightbuoy (starboard hand).Then ENE of Wyre Lighthouse (disused) (black metal structure on piles) which stands close within the NE corner of North Wharf, then: ENE of No 11 Light Beacon (starboard hand) (1nm SSE), situated on Black Scar, then: NNE of Steep Breast Perch (platform on black wooden post, black base, 8m in height) (1.6nm SSE), which exhibits a light. Between Fleetwood and the head of Knott End on Sea Ferry Pier from which a light (platform on column, 10m in height) is exhibited.

Lights in line: Front light (buff coloured square tower; 12m in height) (situated on the esplanade at the N end of the town of Fleetwood) which is visible on the bearing only.

Rear light (similar but taller structure to front light; 25m in height) (0.15nm SSE of the front light) visible on the leading line only.

Both lights are shown throughout 24 hours.

Caution: The alignment (156°) of the lights marking the general axis of the channel, which is liable to change, can only effectively be used between No 8 Lightbuoy and No 11 Light Beacon.

Dock channel: A maintained channel leads SSE from the Ro-Ro berth towards the entrance to Fleetwood Docks.

Slade Slip Corner, 0.2nm NNE of the dock entrance and from which lights are disposed vertically from a metal post, marks the turning point SW for the docks.

Port limits

The part of River Wyre extending 2nm N of Rossall Point on the W side, and 3nm N of Knott End on the E side and from the extreme SW point of a headland of which Hay Nook (53°54.0'N 002°59.0'W) lies at the N end, W to the opposite shore.

Traffic schemes and VTS

This should be started with a PREAMBLE on VHF Ch 16, eg: "Securite" (3 times) All ships (3 times) this is name of vessel (3 times) for Fleetwood traffic information listen to VHF Ch 12. Out.

"Securite" (3 times) this is (Ship's name (3 times)) with traffic information.

The vessel (ship name) will shortly be passing Fleetwood Fairway Buoy, inbound. All vessels are requested to navigate with caution whilst in the main channel. This is (ship's name) Out.

A similar broadcast should be made when leaving a location within Fleetwood Harbour.

Anchorages

Vessels can find open anchorage approx 1.8nm NNW of Wyre Lighthouse (disused) (53°58.0'N 003°02.0'W), in depths of approx 18.0m. An area of foul ground lies 1nm NW of the lighthouse.

Vessels of less than LOA 50m can anchor in Heysham Lake at its SW end, approx 2.75nm NNE of the disused Wyre Lighthouse and 0.5nm WNW of No 1 Lightbuoy (53°59.0'N 002°59.0'W), in depths of approx 12.0m.

Vessels waiting to enter Fleetwood should anchor approx 1nm NNW of Fairway No 1 Lightbuoy.

Restrictions

Wyre Lock: Length 76.2m, width 15.2m, depth 7.4m MHWS over the sill. Enclosed dock operates 1.5 hours before HW to approx 1 hour after HW.

Harbour berths: Entrance available throughout 24 hours, except at LW spring tides.

Tugs

Fleetwood Tugs (Tel: +44 1706 640143). Tugs usually kept in enclosed dock, therefore require 1 tide notice to proceed out from harbour.

Mooring

For the benefit of other port users, vessels berthing at the Ro-Ro berth on an ingoing tide always swing with bow to quay and on an outgoing tide, stern to quay.

Charts and publications

BA 2010, 1552. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send ETA and draught 24 hours in advance with subsequent amendments at least 12 hours before original ETA, through any UK CRS to docks manager. Vessels carrying dangerous cargo must advise the Harbour Master at least 48 hours in advance or, when the journey is less than 48 hours, give as much notice as possible prior to arrival.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Notices and regulations

The Master of a vessel must pass the Fairway Lightbuoy on the starboard hand when entering River Wyre from the sea and must not cut through between the Fairway Lightbuoy and Wyre Lighthouse.

The Master of a vessel shall navigate within the harbour with care and caution and so as not to cause obstruction, damage, risk of displacement or backwash, or inconvenience to any vessel or property, or to any vessel in tow, dredger, tug, lighter or other craft working within the harbour.

In the event of any vessel grounding in any part of Fleetwood Harbour the Master shall not attempt to refloat the vessel by reversing the engines, or by any other means whatsoever, until all vessels following have passed the stranded vessel and the channel is clear of shipping. No commercial diving operations may take place within the port and harbour limits without the prior permission of the Harbour Authority.

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.

Dry docks

None.

Bunkers, water and stores

Stores: Available

Medical

Blackpool Victoria Hospital (approx 17km S). There is a dentist, optician and clinic locally.

Crew change

Can take place. There are no restrictions.

Transport

Nearest airport: Blackpool domestic, Squires Gate (16km). Manchester International (120km).

Airport facilities: Internal and limited Inter Continental.

Nearest railway: Blackpool North or Poulton-Le-Fylde (11km).

Nearest motorway: M55 (12km).

Working hours

No commercial work in enclosed docks. Ro-Ro vessels worked as per Stena Lines published roster.

Sat-Sun and UK public holidays, by arrangement.

Where it is

Fleetwood is located on the S side of Morecombe Bay on the W side of the River Wyre.

The port

The port is no longer used for commercial shipping but is still extensively used by fishing vessels. The Fish Dock has modern facilities for landing, processing and distribution.

What are the pilot arrangements at Fleetwood?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels 50GT and over (vessels of not more than 1,500GT regularly trading on the British coast and not carrying passengers are exempt) and is arranged through the Dock Office.

What time zone is Fleetwood in?

Local time at Fleetwood 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 Fleetwood?

1025.

Which load line zone is Fleetwood 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 Fleetwood?

Port State Control at Fleetwood: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fleetwood?

The UN/LOCODE of Fleetwood is GBFLE.

What crews who called at Fleetwood 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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