Folkestone

Size limits

LOA 120m, approx draught 5.0m.

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 6.09m.

Approach

Approach to Ferry Terminals: Leading Lights: Red front light (yellow triangle, point down) (51°04.6'N 001°11.5'E) on The Hard.

Green rear light (yellow triangle, point up) (100m WNW of front light).

The alignment 295° of these occasional lights, which also assist ferries berthing, leads from seaward to the Ferry Terminal, passing (with positions from front leading light):

SSW of Copt Rocks (0.6nm NE), a drying ledge composed of sandstone rocks extending 0.3nm E from Copt Point. A wreck lies 0.2nm ESE of the rocks. Then:

SSW of Mole Head Rocks (0.5nm ENE) which are marked at their SW extremity by a buoy (special) and extend SW from Copt Rocks close to the entrance to Outer Harbour, and NNE of the head of Folkestone Breakwater (0.25nm ESE) on which stands a light from where direct approach to the ferry berths can be made.

Approach to Outer Harbour: The line bearing 304° of South Quay Head (51°04'N 001°11'E) leads in the fairway, close NNE of the Ferry Terminal and S of Mole Head Rocks, where direct approach to the entrance can be made. The entrance has a width of 38m and lies between the heads of South Quay and East Pier. A light (column 2.0m in height), stands on the head of East Pier.

Caution: The harbour entrance faces NE and the turn to line up for the entrance is sharp and requires considerable care.

Traffic schemes and VTS

None.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: The anchorage off Folkestone is exposed and only used by vessels waiting to enter harbour. The best holding ground is in depths of 12.0-18.0m, clay and sand.

A recommended anchorage is 205° from Folkestone Breakwater Light 0.2nm, which is also on the alignment of the light with Copt Point.

Prohibited anchorage: Four cross channel submarine power cables, buried to 1.5m, converge to land, 0.2nm W of Copt Point.

Vessels are warned not to anchor or trawl in their vicinity and on no account cut them should they be fouled in any way.

Tugs

Dover Harbour Board tugs available by arrangement. Additional tugs may also be available, request through Port Control.

Charts and publications

BA 1991. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Pilots to be advised ETA at 24 hours and a min of 15 minutes prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port Control: Ch 15, Ch 22 on request.

Documents

For further information contact the Freight Office, Tel: +44 1303 221456.

Customs and immigration

Available on request.

Notices and regulations

Contact Port Control on VHF Ch 15, for permission to enter or leave the port.

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 upon request.

Dry docks

None available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: By arrangement.

Medical

There is a doctor on call throughout 24 hours.

Crew change

Available on request.

Transport

Nearest airport: Lydd, approx 19km.

Nearest railway: Folkestone Central.

Working hours

0730-1630hrs throughout 5 days.

Where it is

Located on the SE coast of England between Dungeness and South Foreland and approx 95km ESE of central London.

The port

Folkestone is a tidal harbour with an area of 14ha. Small craft and foreign going vessels can be accommodated within the harbour. Vessels should enter with caution. Inner and outer harbours dry out at low tide.

Traffic

Approx 35,000 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Folkestone?

Compulsory for all vessels except those exempt by law, pilots should be requested from Folkestone Port Control.

What time zone is Folkestone in?

Local time at Folkestone 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 Folkestone?

1025.

Which load line zone is Folkestone 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 Folkestone?

Port State Control at Folkestone: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Folkestone?

The UN/LOCODE of Folkestone is GBFOL.

What crews who called at Folkestone 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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