Liverpool

1. Liverpool boarding — Point Lynas Pilot boards53°25.0′N 004°17.0′W
2. Liverpool Bar Pilot Station (vicinity of the Bar Buoy) Pilot53°32.0′N 003°21.0′W

Size limits

LOA 380m, beam 60m, draught 12.8m, 318,918DWT.

Water density

1022.

Load line zone

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

Tides

MHWS 8.4m, MHWN 4.5m. Strong NE winds reduce the tidal height and SW winds increase the tidal height. Tidal heights are from Hilbre Island, heights at Gladstone Dock entrance, Alfred Dock entrance and Eastham Lock are available on request.

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

Approach

The port is entered through Queen's Channel and Crosby Channel, min depth maintained at approx 7.0m, the approach to which lies through Liverpool Bay. The channel is encumbered by banks on either side which extend up to 8nm offshore, but these dangers and the channel are well marked by floating lighted sea marks and lightbuoys.

The approach to the Queen's Channel is marked by the Bar Light Float, moored 3nm WNW of the entrance to the channel. Vessels with a draught of 12.8m can enter the port at any HW and vessels with a draught of 14.1m can enter on 75% of the HW's during the year.

Between the entrance to the river and Liverpool Landing Stage there are depths of 6.0m to 21.0m in the fairway. From the Landing Stage to Tranmere Oil Terminal depths vary between 11.4m and 19.1m. Between Tranmere Oil Terminal and the entrance to Eastham Dock there is a least depth of 0.7m.

The levels in the docks on the Liverpool side is approx 9.7m CD and on the Birkenhead side approx 10.0m, levels are maintained by pumping water from the river.

Port limits

The port limits include the River Mersey and approaches from a line between Hilbre Point and Formby Point, extending approx 15nm seaward and up river to Warrington Bridge, excluding any waters belonging to the port of Manchester.

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 Light Float. 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 Light Floats and extending to 3nm W of Bar Light Float.

Restrictions

Locks:

Gladstone Lock: Length 326.1m, width 39.6m, depth over sill 5.6m CD.

Langton Lock: Length 251.5m, width 39.6m, depth over sill 5.29m CD.

Alfred Lock: Length 146.3m, width 30.3m, depth over sill 2.0m CD. For longer vessels the whole Dock is used as a lock.

Tugs

Tugs are available. VHF Channels 08 and 10 are intended for towage communications from 3 hours before to 3 hours after HW, and should be kept clear for this purpose. Reduced power should be used if possible.

Charts and publications

BA 3490, 1951, 1978. US Publications 142. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should send their ETA at least 24 hours in advance, 48 hours in advance for vessels carrying a dangerous cargo, or on leaving the last port of call whichever is the later, to Port Operations Control Centre.

Communications

Pilot: Tel: +44 151 9496137, +44 151 9496141, +44 151 9496132 (outside normal office hours only)

Liverpool Bar Pilot Station: Call: Liverpool Bar Pilot, VHF Channel: CH 11, 12.

Lynas Pilot Station (Alternate boarding station for Liverpool Pilots: Call: Lynas Pilot, VHF Channel: Ch 09.

The Mersey Docks and harbour Company Limited: Tel: +44 151 9496000, Email: [email protected], website: peelports.com/marine/our-ports/liverpool

Tugs: Ch 08, 10.

Albert Dock: Ch 22. Tel: +44 151 647 8074, Email: [email protected].

Garston Dock: Ch 20, Tel: +44 151 427 5971, Fax: +44 151 494 3232, Email: [email protected].

Gladstone Dock: Ch 05.

Langton Dock: Ch 21.

Tranmere Oil Stage: Ch 19.

Mersey Wharf: Tel: +44 151 643 8723, Fax: +44 151 643 8724, Email: [email protected].

Health

International health regulations are to be observed. Any vessel which is suspect should make radio contact with Liverpool Port Health Authority, callsign "Portelth Liverpool", prior to arrival and be prepared to anchor at River Mersey Bar or, if the situation is appropriate, in the river.

The Master of foreign going vessels are required to inform the Port Health Authority by radio if any person onboard is suffering from an infections disease or has symptoms which may be indicative of an infectious disease, or if there are any circumstances requiring the attention of the Port Medical Officer. This message should be made not more than 12 hours and not less than 4 hours before arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates renewed.

Notices and regulations

Copies of bye laws which might affect a vessel's stay in port can be obtained from the Port Authority and include the disposal of waste food products ashore into special containers.

Regulations concerning entry: There are dangerous cargo regulations for vessels within River Mersey. There are heavy penalties for failure to conform with the regulations.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargo are required to report to Control Centre when passing Bar Light Float inbound.

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

Cammell Laird Shipyard: Repairs of all types can be carried out.

Tranmere Basin: A fitting out basin, lies 0.25nm S of Princess Drydock, and is entered from the river through a 42m wide gateway.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all docks by arrangement.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers can be delivered by barge or road tanker. The principal bunkering centre is at Birkenhead, but vessels may bunker with fuel oil in any of the docks subject to certain bye-laws. For Tranmere Oil terminal bunkers only by barge.

Stores: Available. Tranmere Oil Terminal has 2t crane N Stage, 1t crane S Stage available for taking stores.

Medical

Walton Hospital, Liverpool.

Transport

Nearest airport: John Lennon International, 11km from city centre, Manchester 64km from city centre.

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections, crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Liverpool, Lime Street.

Channel Tunnel: There are daily trains from the port of Liverpool Euro Rail Terminal to various destinations.

Working hours

General Cargo and Seaforth Timber Terminal: Normally Mon-Fri, 12 hour shifts. Overtime by arrangement.

Container Terminal: Throughout 24 hours.

Seaforth Grain Terminal: Normally Mon-Fri 0800-2100hrs; overtime by arrangement.

Dry Bulk Berths: Working subject to individual stevedoring companies agreements.

Where it is

Liverpool is located at the mouth of the River Mersey on the W coast of England.

The port

The port handling a wide range of cargos including agribulks (such as grain and animal feed), biomass, bulk liquids, bulk solids (including metals and aggregates), containers and forest products, as ell as providing services to RoRo and cruise customers.

Traffic

Approx 31,000,000t of cargo, 419,000TEU, 5,000 vessels and 173,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Liverpool?

The pilot boards at Liverpool boarding — Point Lynas, 53°25.0′N 004°17.0′W. Liverpool has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Liverpool in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Liverpool?

The deepest berth listed is at Royal Seaforth Dock Berths: 12.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Liverpool?

1022.

Which load line zone is Liverpool 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 Liverpool?

Port State Control at Liverpool: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Liverpool?

The UN/LOCODE of Liverpool is GBLIV.

What crews who called at Liverpool 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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