Rye

Size limits

LOA 89.75m, beam 13.0m, 3,785DWT.

Larger vessels enter at HM discretion and are dependant on prevailing weather conditions.

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 5.5m (springs); 3.6m (neaps). The harbour dries at LW.

The E going stream in Rye Bay, which forms the ingoing stream into the harbour, produces an eddy NE of the W training wall which sets W to the head of East Pier before being diverted up the river. It is advisable not to leave the harbour at the strength of the ingoing stream, but wait until it eases 1 hour before HW. The best time to enter harbour is 1 hour either side of HW.

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

Approach

The harbour is approached directly from seaward through the entrance which lies between 2 training walls. At the entrance there is a sand bar with a depth over it of 5.2m at HW springs.

From a position SE of Rye Harbour (50°56'N 000°46'E) the route leads 4.5nm NW to the vicinity of Rye Fairway Lightbuoy, passing (with positions from the harbour entrance):

SW of Stephenson Shoal (5nm SE), then:

NE of Boulder Banks (4.5nm SW), several shoals of sand and gravel, then:

NE of Tower Knoll (3.5nm SW) a sandy spit, then:

To the vicinity of Rye Fairway Lightbuoy (safe water) (2nm SE).

An alternative route from the SE leads towards the harbour entrance across the W end of Stephenson Shoal, in a depth of 7.3m on alignment 308.5° of Rye Harbour Church (spire) (50°56'N 000°45'E) with Rye Church spire (1.1nm NW).

Rye Landfall Buoy 1.8nm x 149° from the pier head.

The white sector (326°-331°), which is subject to change, of the light on No 11 Beacon (green triangle point up, wooden structure) at the NW end of the E training wall, leads NW through Rye Bay. The light is difficult to identify against the background lighting in the harbour.

Port limits

Extends 100m seaward of the pier head.

Anchorages

Anchorage can be found 0.1nm NW of Fairway Buoy. Foul ground for 0.5nm W of Fairway Buoy.

Restrictions

Subject to Harbour Master's permission, usually 1 hour each side of HW. Vessels over 64m must enter in daylight only.

The river dries at low tide but remains navigable for small craft 2 hours before to 3 hours after HW.

Tugs

Small harbour launch available for hire (150hp). Larger tugs stationed at Dover.

Charts and publications

BA 536, 1991. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA a min of 12 hours prior to arrival, to include vessel's name, particulars, draught, last port of call, port of destination and cargo including hazardous cargoes, etc.

Communications

VHF: Ch 14 or Tel: +44 1797 225225.

Documents

Tonnage Certificate.

Health

Available via agent.

Flags

Courtesy flag must be flown (very important).

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available from Rye Oil Ltd, Shell Refineries. Details available from Harbour Master or agents.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Bexhill Hospital, 28.4km.

Crew change

By arrangement with the Harbour Master.

Transport

Nearest airport: London Gatwick Airport, 87.3km.

Nearest railway: Romney Hythe & Dymchurch Railway, 23.8km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

A Cinque Port situated between Newhaven and Folkestone on the River Rother.

The port

Rye is a small commercial port, approx 500 pleasure craft moor along the river bank structures and at the Strand Quay. The port imports stone, aggregates and handles breakbulk cargo.

Traffic

Approx 72,000t of cargo and 20 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Rye?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 30m.

What time zone is Rye in?

Local time at Rye 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 Rye?

1025.

Which load line zone is Rye 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 Rye?

Port State Control at Rye: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Rye?

The UN/LOCODE of Rye is GBRYE.

What crews who called at Rye 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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