Great Yarmouth

1. Great Yarmouth boarding, Voluntary Area (Cockle) Pilot boards52°42.8′N 001°47.0′E
2. Great Yarmouth Inner pilot boarding area (0.7 NM from Outer Harbour entrance) Pilot boards52°34.8′N 001°46.0′E
3. Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Outer pilot boarding position Pilot boards52°32.0′N 001°51.9′E

Size limits

LOA 220m, beam 26m, 33,171DWT

Water density

1021.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 2.0m springs, 1.0m neaps.

The S going stream outside the harbour entrance runs past the N Pier and turns NW passing S Pier as the ingoing stream. The main part of the stream runs W to Brush Bend but a part forms an eddy current running E along N Pier. In these conditions inbound vessels must take care to avoid being set onto the N Pier, as the NW going eddy current acts strongly on the port bow deflecting vessels towards the N Pier.

The outgoing stream runs past N Pier and turns N with the N going stream. The latter does not set so sharply across the entrance as the eddy on the in-going stream. However at S Pier part of the stream sets SE before joining the N going stream. Inbound vessels may then round S Pier stemming this stream. In mid channel inbound vessels may find the bow deflected to port towards S Pier by this set.

During and after heavy rain the duration and rate of the outgoing stream is increased and the ingoing stream correspondingly reduced. Under these circumstances the outgoing stream may attain 6kts off Brush Quay and there may be a continuous out-going stream for 18 hours.

Slack water normally occurs at local HW+1.5 hours and LW+2 hours. Prolonged strong winds or heavy rainfall may cause these times to vary and also alter the tidal range by more than 1.0m.

A quick flashing amber light is displayed on the S Pier brick building when the tide is flooding between the pierheads, with an arc of visibility 235°-295° from seaward.

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

Approach

The Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour is entered between two lighted breakwaters. The entrance to Great Yarmouth River Port is formed by the mouth of the River Yare. From the entrance the river leads 0.25nm W, then turns abruptly N at Brush Lighthouse opening up the haven itself.

The alignment (264°) of Brush Quay leading lights leads through the haven entrance, which is 61m wide, passing:

S of N pier (0.25nm E) which projects 150m E from the coast and exhibits a light (green metal column, ladder, height 7m) from its head, then N of S pierhead (0.2nm E) which extends from the coast at Gorleston-on-Sea, and lies 140m SW of N Pierhead. A main light is exhibited from the Equipment building (red brick building close W of Pierhead). The lower half of the building is painted white and illuminated to assist mariners in low visibility and at night. Seven sets of lights are also exhibited from the coping of the pier.

Then S of the training wall (1.5nm E) which lies parallel to and 40m S of the embanked N side of the haven entrance. Five sets of lights are exhibited from the training wall.

Then N of S Pier (0.1nm E) which is embanked. At the inner end of S Pier the embankment curves sharply to the N to form Brush Quay or The Brush. Lights are exhibited from S Pier and Brush Bend. A buoyed anchor should be ready to assist the turn if necessary at the bend. Tugs may also assist the turn. On completion of the turn there is direct approach to the various riverside berths lying to the N.

From a position E of Brush Lighthouse, the River Yare runs 2nm N to Haven Bridge. This part of the river forms the haven, which has a generally uniform width of 80m.

Anchorages

An anchorage can be obtained in any part of Caister and Yarmouth Roads, depth 10.0-24.0m, sand, shells, stones and shingle, but clear of the spoil ground and other charted obstructions.

The roads are exposed to E winds which cause a short choppy sea, in some respects worse than that outside the sandbanks. In these conditions it is best to anchor off shallower parts of the off lying sandbanks, indicated by the heavier breakers, in particular close W of the S part of Scroby Shoals. In the latter position no direct sea is experienced but some swell finds its way round the ends of the bank.

During Easterly winds it is best to anchor near the off-lying banks in particular close W of the S part of Scroby Sands. Gorleston Roads, SE of the entrance to the river provides good anchorage with depths of 10.0-20.0m.

At night, an anchorage off the coast between Britannia Pier and the haven entrance is used.

Masters should ensure that they do not anchor in the approaches to the port entrance.

Restrictions

All vessels should maintain a slow speed in the river. The maximum speed of 7kts is not necessarily a safe speed and a slower speed may be appropriate.

Haven Bridge is a lifting bridge with a vertical clearance of 2.3m when closed and a width of 26.8m when open. When passage upriver through the bridge is prohibited, three fixed lights, vertically disposed will be displayed on the Eastern end. When passage down river is prohibited three fixed red lights will be displayed on the Western end.

Small craft are strictly prohibited to the Outer Harbour.

Tugs

A port tug of 550hp available. Additional tugs available from Lowestoft. Twenty four hours notice is required, if possible.

Charts and publications

BA 1536. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA should be sent at least 24 hours, or immediately upon departure from last port or offshore installation. Confirmation of ETA is required at 8 hours and 2 hours prior to arrival. ETA for pilotage is 8 hours or departure from last port, confirmed at 2 hours.

Communications

VHF: Great Yarmouth Harbour: Ch 12, 09, 11. Tel: +44 1493 335511, Fax: +44 1493 653464.

Yarmouth Pilots: Ch 12. Tel: +44 1493 335515. Email: [email protected].

Haven and Breydon Bridges: Ch 12.

Tugs: Ch 11.

All communications relating to dangerous substances can be sent throughout 24 hours by fax or email.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates renewed.

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

Repairs of all kinds can be carried out.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: A full range of bunker facilities is available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

James Paget Hospital, Great Yarmouth. North Sea Medical Centre, Gorleston.

Transport

Nearest airport: Norwich Airport (37km).

Airport facilities: Heliport at Caister services the Southern North Sea Basin (3.2km).

Nearest railway: Great Yarmouth (0.8km).

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Great Yarmouth is situated on the E coast of England.

The port

The port is 86nm from mainland Europe and has good air, rail, road and sea links.

The port consists of a deep water outer harbour and 3,000m of commercial quays along the River Yare, adjoining the South Denes industrial area.

The main traffic in the port is supplying the offshore gas industry in the S North Sea.

In addition, bulk cargoes such as grain, fertiliser, animal feed, oil, stone and aggregates are handled along with import and export of various forest products.

Traffic

Approx 2,000,000t of cargo and 174 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Great Yarmouth?

The pilot boards at Great Yarmouth boarding, Voluntary Area (Cockle), 52°42.8′N 001°47.0′E. Great Yarmouth has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Great Yarmouth in?

Local time at Great Yarmouth 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 Great Yarmouth?

1021.

Which load line zone is Great Yarmouth 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 Great Yarmouth?

Port State Control at Great Yarmouth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Great Yarmouth?

The UN/LOCODE of Great Yarmouth is GBGTY.

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