Sharpness and Gloucester

Size limits

LOA126m, beam 16.76m, draught 6.55m, 7,000DWT.

Water density

1000. Fresh water within Sharpness Dock.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 9.3m, MHWS; 5.8m MHWN; 0.2m MLWN; 0.5m MLWS.

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

Approach

Vessels bound for Sharpness pass through the River Severn to the port lock, this area is under the jurisdiction of Gloucester Harbour Authority. The main channel is clearly marked with leading lights, buoys and beacons over a distance of approx 14nm on the approach to Sharpness.

The entrance to the tidal basin leads ENE between N Pier and S Pier then to the lock.

Port limits

The seaward limit of the Port of Sharpness is an imaginary line drawn from the NW extremity of the N Pier to the W extremity of the S Pier.

Traffic schemes and VTS

VTS operates on the approaches to Avonmouth.

Anchorages

Barry Roads, 1nm E of Nell's Point (51°23'N 003°16'W), affords good anchorage in moderate weather. There are depths of 10.0m, gravel and clay, 0.5nm SE of the entrance to Barry Docks.

A wreck, with a least depth of 5.9m, lies 0.85nm E of Nell's Point, and there are detached patches, with a least depth of 3.4m, 1.75nm E of the point.

Anchorage can also be found in the N part of Barry Roads, out of the strength of the tidal stream, in depths of 7.0m, 0.5nm W of Sully Island (51°24'N 003°12'W).

Restrictions

The maximum beam for a vessel entering Sharpness Dock is 16.76m. There is no maximum length restriction. Movements into and out of Sharpness are dependent on clearance over outer sill, normal operating window, 2 hours before HW to HW.

Tugs

There are no tugs available at Sharpness. If tugs are required within the docks or approaches they should be booked in advance through vessel's agent.

Charts and publications

BA 1166, 1152, 1182, 1176. Admiralty Pilot NP37.

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify ETA 24 hours prior to arrival at the Breaksea pilot station.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes must notify ETA a minimum of 24 hours prior to arrival to include the following details: Quantity, IMDG Classification and UN Number.

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered on arrival at the berth.

Customs and immigration

Customs, Tel: +44 1179 843400. Immigration, Tel: +44 1275 818688.

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, at Sharpness Shipyard.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Diesel and fuel oil bunkers are available if required.

Medical

Berkeley.

Crew change

Available.

Transport

Nearest airport: Bristol.

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

Nearest railway: Bristol and Gloucester.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Thu 0800-1630hrs, Fri 0800-1530, overtime as required.

Where it is

Sharpness is located at the mouth of the Severn Estuary on the W coast of England.

The port

The Port of Gloucester comprises the wet docks at Sharpness and Gloucester, which are connected by the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal. Sharpness, the main port, is equipped with cargo and container handling facilities.

Traffic

Approx 432,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Sharpness and Gloucester?

Compulsory within the Gloucester Harbour approach area.

What time zone is Sharpness and Gloucester in?

Local time at Sharpness and Gloucester 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 Sharpness and Gloucester?

1000. Fresh water within Sharpness Dock.

Which load line zone is Sharpness and Gloucester 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 Sharpness and Gloucester?

Port State Control at Sharpness and Gloucester: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Sharpness and Gloucester?

The UN/LOCODE of Sharpness and Gloucester is GBSSS.

What crews who called at Sharpness and Gloucester 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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