Garston

Size limits

Stalbridge Dock: LOA 150m, beam 19.2m, draught 8.5m, 8,500DWT.

Old/North Docks: LOA 150m, beam 19.2m, draught 7.0m, 6,800DWT.

Water density

1023.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range, 7.45m neaps; 9.34m springs.

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

Approach

Directions for entering harbour: From a position W of Pluckington Bank Lightbuoy (W cardinal) the track to the entrance to Garston Docks leads approx 4nm SE, through Garston Channel, passing (positions given from the entrance to Brunswick Dock, 53°23'N 002°59'W):

Between "G2" Lightbuoy (port hand) (0.5nm S) and "G1" Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (0.7nm SSE) which mark the entrance to Garston Channel, then between the lightbuoys marking the channel.

Leading Lights: Front light (vertical orange triangle) (53°20.8'N 002°54.3'W).

Rear light (similar structure) (175m SE from front light).

On passing "G8" Lightbuoy (port hand) (0.6nm NW of the front light), the alignment 125° of the leading lights leads through the fairway, passing between the N edge of Garston Rocks, a drying rocky ledge, marked by a light structure (black dolphin surmounted by a mast) (0.2nm NW of the front light), and the head of the jetty, marked by a light, 0.05nm NE of the dolphin.

Caution: The depths in Garston Channel, which is bordered by Devil's Bank, which dries, on its S side, are frequently changing and the buoys are moved as necessary.

Anchorages

In the event of berths not being readily available, there is good anchorage outside River Mersey in the open roadstead of Liverpool Bay. When anchoring, it is essential that vessels do so well clear of the buoyed channel and Bar Lightfloat. Vessels over 50GT may not anchor inside River Mersey, except in an emergency, without permission from Mersey Radio.

Prohibited anchorage: In order to avoid obstructing shipping in the approach to River Mersey, vessels may not anchor W from "Q2" and "Q1" Lightfloats and extending to 3nm W of Bar Lightfloat.

Restrictions

Entrance lock: Dimensions 84.1m x 19.8m, sill 0.7m below CD.

Vessels up to 70m in length may enter or leave dock 3 hours before and after HW, vessels over this length enter or leave when the river and dock are level approx 1 hour before and 30 minutes after HW. Vessels usually enter the lock from the river at slack water or with the outgoing tide flowing due to cross currents in the lock entrance during the ingoing tide.

Tugs

Available from Liverpool, arranged by local agents.

Charts and publications

BA 3490. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA to the port office and port traffic department.

Communications

VHF: Stalbridge Pier is linked to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Co Port operation radio telephone system. Docking and berthing instructions may be obtained through Ch 20 (callsign "Port of Garston"). Information will also be conveyed through these channels or through Anglesey Radio on R/T.

Pilots & Tugs: See Liverpool Pilotage.

Notices and regulations

Except under the direction or permission of the Dock Master, no vessel shall moor alongside the wooden jetty at the entrance to Stalbridge Lock.

No vessel shall anchor in the entrance channel to Stalbridge Dock except in the case of sudden emergency.

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

Divers and local contractors available.

Dry docks

Not available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkering: Mersey Bunkering, Tel: +44 1928 575926. Henty Oils, Tel: +44 1928 577741.

Bunkers/water/stores: Available.

Medical

Royal Liverpool Teaching Hospital, there is also a clinic, optician and dentist available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Manchester (international), 55km. Liverpool (Speke) (domestic), 3km.

Nearest railway: Cressington (Mersey Rail), 1.5km. Garston/Allerton, 1.5km.

Nearest motorway: M56 and M62.

Working hours

Arrangement through stevedores.

Where it is

Garston is situated on the N bank of the River Mersey, 10km S of Liverpool.

The port

The port is capable of handling a variety of cargo, using quayside cranes or ship's gear. There are three inter-connected docks, Stalbridge, North Dock and Old Dock, accessed by a lock from the river.

Principal commodities: Steel, grain, metals, timber, chemicals, fertilisers, coal and feedstuffs.

Traffic

Approx 610,000t of cargo and 140 handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Garston?

Pilotage is compulsory, except for HM Ships, within the port for all vessels of more than 82m in length and for all other vessels carrying hazardous cargoes or with defective equipment affecting their safe navigation.

What time zone is Garston in?

Local time at Garston 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 Garston?

1023.

Which load line zone is Garston 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 Garston?

Port State Control at Garston: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Garston?

The UN/LOCODE of Garston is GBGTN.

What crews who called at Garston 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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