Ramsgate

1. Ramsgate pilot boarding Pilot boards51°20.4′N 001°29.9′E

Size limits

Max LOA 180m and draught 6.5m.

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 0.3-5.2m.

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

Approach

The approach is from the E through a maintained channel which is marked by lightbuoys.

From a position E off the harbour entrance (51°19.5'N 001°25.6'E) the track leads W, passing (with positions from the harbour entrance):

Clear of wrecks (2.9nm E) wire swept to a depth of 5.3m, then:

N of East Brake (2.5nm E) an isolated shoal, which is marked by East Brake Lightbuoy (E cardinal).

Leading lights: Front directional light (black triangle point up, orange stripe, on white mast) (51°19.5'N 001°25.0'E) on SW corner of the Western Marine Terminal.

Rear Light (black triangle point down, orange stripe, on white mast) (0.25nm W of the front light).

The alignment 270° of these lights leads through the approach channel, which is marked by lightbuoys and the harbour entrance, which both lie in the white sector 269°-271° of the directional light, passing (with positions from harbour entrance):

N of North Brake (1.5nm ESE) a shoal, then:

To E end of the approach channel (1.1nm E) which lies between No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) and No 2 Lightbuoy (port hand). The channel has a width of 110m and marked by lightbuoys, then:

N of Quern (0.45nm ESE) a shoal which dries at its W extremity and is marked on its N side by Quern Lightbuoy (N cardinal), then:

S of Dyke (0.25nm E) a chalk flat which extends S from the coast close E of the harbour. No 5 Lightbuoy (S cardinal) is close E of the S extremity of Dyke, then:

To the harbour entrance where the channel has a width of 160m and lies between the heads of South Breakwater and North Breakwater. A light stands on the head of North Breakwater (white pillar, green bands, platform with wind generator) and also on the head of South Breakwater (white pillar, red bands, platform with wind generator).

Direct approach can be made to the ferry berths, 0.3nm W and WNW. The entrance to Royal Harbour is 0.15nm NW and lies between the heads of East and West Pier, on which stand lights. It has a width of 63m facing SSW. Harbour Lightbuoy (starboard hand) marks a bank extending S from East Pier head.

Caution: Although the harbour can be entered at any state of the tide, care is necessary as the stream runs strongly across the entrance. In particular it has been reported that the NE going stream produces an eddy off the head of South Breakwater, which runs SW taking vessels onto the breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Sailing Advice

Before Sailing

Sailing or movement advice

Anchorages

There is good anchorage in depths of approx 3.0m on Ramsgate Road (51°19'N 001°25'E) with winds between WNW and NNE, but winds between S and E, coupled with a strong tidal stream produce a cross sea which makes for an uneasy anchorage. The recommended anchorage is 0.25nm S of the E end of South Breakwater and 0.2nm NW of Quern marked at its W extremity by a lightbuoy (W cardinal).

Tugs

There is a tug on standby in port at all times, 14t bollard pull. Vessels requiring the service of a tug must give 1 hour notice by telephone, fax or VHF Ch 14 (Ramsgate Port Control).

Charts and publications

BA 1827, 1828. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Restricted vessels are required to give 1 hour and then 20 minutes, notice of their ETA at Point Romeo to Ramsgate VTS. Point Romeo is an arc of 2.5nm radius centred on the channel entrance buoys.

Notices and regulations

A Restricted Vessel is one for which pilotage is compulsory or one which is constrained by draught or size and unable to divert from the intended course of action or carrying hazardous cargo.

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.

Dry docks

There are 3 slipways of 30t, 100t and 500t available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Truck supply facilities available at each of the Ro-Ro pontoon berths.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital, 7.4km.

Crew change

Possible, by launch if required.

Transport

Nearest airport: Manston International Airport, 6.1km.

Nearest railway: Thanet Parkway Railway Station, 5.0km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Ramsgate is located on the SE coast of England, on NE shore of Kent.

The port

Ramsgate is a modern all weather port with 3 Ro-Ro berths, a dedicated aggregate berth and basin capable of accepting vessels with draughts up 6.5m. An increasing number of cargo ships belonging to freight only operators use the port. Its 3 linkspans are able to accept heavy loads as they transfer between ship and land, all being of the modern pontoon design with double roadway bridge sections. The inner basin, which is separate and contains a small general cargo berth and a marina area which is non tidal, provides 500 berths for small pleasure craft.

Traffic

Approx 170,000t of cargo and 18,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Ramsgate?

The pilot boards at Ramsgate pilot boarding, 51°20.4′N 001°29.9′E.

What time zone is Ramsgate in?

Local time at Ramsgate 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 Ramsgate?

The deepest berth listed is at Ramsgate Ferry Terminal: 6.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ramsgate?

1025.

Which load line zone is Ramsgate 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 Ramsgate?

Port State Control at Ramsgate: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ramsgate?

The UN/LOCODE of Ramsgate is GBRMG.

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