Littlehampton

Size limits

Max LOA 72m, draught 4.5m, beam 15m.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 5.5m springs, 2.7m neaps. The level of the Littlehampton Bar which extends 600m S from the end of the West Pier is 0.9m above CD so the depth of water over the bar can be found by subtracting 0.9m from the height of tide.

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

Approach

Front light (black metal column) (50°48.1'N 000°32.4'W).

Rear light (white tower) (64m NNW of the front light).

From the vicinity of 50°43'N 000°30'W, the alignment 346° of these lights leads to the harbour entrance, passing (with positions from the front light):

WSW of Kinmere Rocks (5.5nm SSE), which extends 2.75nm ESE,

WSW of a tide and meteorological station (tubular steel pile surmounted by small platform) (3nm SE), then:

WSW of a lightbuoy (special) (2nm SSE) marking the seaward end of the outfall which runs approx 2nm SSE from the shore close E of the harbour entrance, then:

To the harbour entrance (0.2nm S), which is formed by West Pier, 0.2nm in length, and a low training wall, covered at half tide. The latter terminates at its shore end in East Pier on which stand the leading lights. There is a light (black metal column) and a tide gauge at the head of West Pier. A light beacon (starboard hand) marks the head of the training wall and its length is marked by 7 iron posts (diamond topmarks). The sands either side of the harbour entrance dry up to 0.5nm offshore.

Caution: Winkle Island, a hard bank of stones and shells lies to the E and N of the training wall beacon. The bank is liable to change and small craft to the E of the entrance should keep S of the line of bearing 090° from the beacon.

The tidal stream sets W over the training wall from 2 hours before to 4 hours after HW and is particularly strong off East Pierhead while the ingoing stream is running.

It is advisable to wait for a clear channel before entering harbour.

It is dangerous to approach the harbour in strong SE'ly winds.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained 2nm S of the harbour entrance, in depths of 5.0-7.0m, stiff blue clay. The anchorage is sheltered, particularly from the W and SW, by The Owers (50°40'N 000°40'W) which acts as a natural breakwater.

Small craft may anchor nearer the harbour entrance, clear of the leading line, according to the wind.

Restrictions

From three hours before then to 2 hours after HW depending on draught and tides. There is a speed limit over the ground of 6.5kts in the river.

Charts and publications

BA 1991, 1652. US Publications 191. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA to Harbour Master 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

Communications

VHF: Port & Pilot: Call: Littlehampton Pilot: Ch 16, 71. Listening watch only when vessel is expected.

Local Port Service: Tel: +44 1903 721215. Fax: +44 1903 739472. Email: [email protected].

Notices and regulations

Regulations concerning entry: When the pilot boat flies a white over red flag by day or exhibits a white over a red light by night, it indicates that a ship is about to enter or leave harbour and all vessels should keep clear. A ship may signal one long blast followed by two short blasts, with a whistle or siren, to give warning of its approach. On hearing the signal, all vessels should keep clear of the fairway, in particular the narrows at the harbour entrance.

Vessels crossing the harbour are required to keep clear of vessels proceeding up and down the harbour with the exception of the ferry, which other craft give way to at all times.

Vessels navigating against the tide on approaching sharp bends in the river are to allow vessels navigating with the tide to round and pass clear.

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, with limited capabilities by outside contractors.

Dry docks

None available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by arrangement with Harbour Master.

Bunkering: The following fuels are available by road tanker on 48 hour notice, marine fuel oil, Intermediate fuel oil, and marine diesel oil. Bunkering is possible subject to arrangements with Harbour Master.

Medical

There is a small hospital, clinic, dentist and optician available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Shoreham, domestic 15km Gatwick, International, 43km.

Nearest railway: Littlehampton.

Nearest highway: M27/A23, 5km.

Working hours

As required.

Where it is

Littlehampton is situated at the mouth of the River Arun on the S coast of England, approx 29km E of Brighton and 38km W of Portsmouth.

The port

It is a small commercial and yachting port. There are two commercial wharves in Littlehampton. Stone is imported for processing in the asphalt plant north of the wharf and there are occasional exports of sand and steel.

Traffic

Approx 17,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Littlehampton?

Compulsory for all merchant vessels over 60GT.

What time zone is Littlehampton in?

Local time at Littlehampton is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

Which load line zone is Littlehampton 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 Littlehampton?

Port State Control at Littlehampton: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Littlehampton?

The UN/LOCODE of Littlehampton is GBLIT.

What crews who called at Littlehampton 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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