Seaham

1. Seaham pilot boarding Pilot boards54°50.9′N 001°17.9′W

Size limits

LOA 120m, beam 18m, draught 6.7m, 8,000DWT.

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

Spring 5.2m, Neap 4.1m.

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

Approach

From a position 1nm ESE of the harbour entrance the route leads WNW to the entrance, passing (with positions from the harbour entrance 54°50.0'N 001°19.0'W).

SSW of Louis Rocky Patch (0.6nm E), then NNE of North Scar, a rock (0.2nm SE) the E point of Liddle Scars, then close SSW of a rock (0.1nm E) the S point of North East Bush, a rocky patch then:

To the harbour entrance, between the breakwaters, which faces ESE with a width of 85m. The breakwater heads both exhibit lights, North Breakwater Head Light (white metal column, black bands, 10m in height) (54°50.3'N 001°19.2'W) and S Breakwater Head Light (red metal column, 7m in height), then:

To the dock entrance passing through the wave screen which exhibits 3 red lights in a triangle (red metal column, 4m in height) on its S side. The dock gates are 19.8m wide and operated from 2.5hrs before HW to 1.5 hrs after HW. They cannot be operated during SE gales due to scend. There is a depth over the sill of 6.7m at MHWS.

Traffic schemes and VTS

A vessel must await appropriate signal before entering or leaving. Advice given via VHF or port working lights.

Lights displayed on mast at N of dock entrance. Red light for entry, green light for sailing.

Anchorages

Anchorage may be obtained, in depths of 8.0 - 16.0m, between 0.2nm and 0.8nm NE of the N Breakwater. The bottom is sand and fairly clear of rocks, but there is no protection.

Restrictions

Max LOA 120m, Max DWT 8,000, max beam 18.0m, max draught 7.0m subject to tidal rise.

Tugs

There is 1 x 8t bollard pull tug available.

Mooring

In accordance with instructions from the Pier Master.

Charts and publications

BA 1627. Admiralty Pilot NP54.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA a min of 24 hours prior to arrival to include previous port, callsign, (nationality) port of registry and draught.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16 calling and safety, Ch 12, 06 working.

Notice of readiness

As per Charter Party.

Health

Contact Port Health, Tel: +44 191 527 0501.

Customs and immigration

Contact Customs, Tel: +44 191 257 9441. Immigration, Tel: +44 191 259 5117.

Notices and regulations

Byelaws are in force. The speed limit in the harbour is 5kts.

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

Available at Sunderland, Newcastle and Teeside.

Bunkers, water and stores

Available, 24 hours notice required.

Crew change

Arranged via agents.

Transport

Nearest airport: Newcastle 32km or Teesside, 40km.

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

Nearest railway: Seaham. Main line at Durham, passenger, 20km. Sunderland, freight 9.6km.

Nearest motorway: A19, 4.8km

Working hours

Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs. The following working times are available upon request: 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs. Times can be varied as required.

Where it is

Seaham is located 5nm S of Sunderland.

The port

Seaham is a commercial port handling bulk, semi bulk and unitised cargoes.

The inner harbour is retained at a constant level by means of dock gates while the outer harbour is protected by two stone piers. The commercial dock consists of 5ha of enclosed water with a 19.8m entrance and 900m of quay frontage.

Traffic

Approx 522,000t of cargo and 200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Seaham?

The pilot boards at Seaham pilot boarding, 54°50.9′N 001°17.9′W.

What time zone is Seaham in?

Local time at Seaham 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 Seaham?

1025.

Which load line zone is Seaham 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 Seaham?

Port State Control at Seaham: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Seaham?

The UN/LOCODE of Seaham is GBSEA.

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