Southampton

1. Southampton Pilot Boarding Position A Pilot boards50°36.1′N 000°57.5′W
2. Southampton Pilot Boarding Position B Pilot boards50°39.4′N 000°55.1′W
3. Southampton Pilot Boarding Position D Pilot boards50°41.8′N 000°57.9′W
4. Southampton Pilot Boarding Position E Pilot boards50°43.4′N 001°01.8′W

Size limits

LOA 400m, beam 61.5m, draught 15.5m, 320,917DWT

Water density

1015-1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

The port has double HWs, the second occurring about 2 hours after the first, without any appreciable fall between the two, so that HW lasts nearly 2 hours.

Tidal range for Springs is 4.0m amd 1.9m for Neaps.

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

Approach

The main approach to Southampton Water lies through the Western Approach Channel, which can be entered either from the W or the E part of the Solent, the latter being the main channel for deep draught vessels. It can also be approached through N Channel, a subsidiary channel for light draught vessels. Channels through Southampton Water to The Docks are dredged to depth of 12.6m.

Western Approach Channel: The channel leads into Thorn Channel and Calshot Reach and is bounded on its W side by Calshot Spit and on its E side by Bramble Bank, which lies at the SW end of the coastal bank which fronts the coast on the N side of the approaches to Southampton Water; Thorn Knoll, a spur, extends from the NW side of Bramble Bank. The entrance to the channel is marked by NE Gurnard Lightbuoy (port hand) and the W Bramble Lightbuoy (W cardinal), moored 0.7nm and 1.3nm, respectively, E of Stansore Point (50°47.1'N 001°20.5'W) and is marked on either side by lightbuoys.

Port limits

The seaward limit of the port is bounded by a line joining Stansore Point (50°47.0'N 001°20.0'W) and Egypt Point, 1.5nm SE, then along the N limit of Cowes Harbour and then by a line joining Old Castle Point (50°46.0'N 001°16.0'W) and a position on the mainland 0.05nm SE of Hillhead Beacon.

The N limits lie at Woodmill (50°46'N 001°22.0'W) on River Itchen and at Redbridge (50°55.0'N 001°28.0'W) on the River Test, but excluding the River Hamble.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Description: The service covers The Solent and Southampton Water, including the ports of Southampton and Portsmouth, and involves the monitoring and coordination of shipping movements.

Anchorages

A controlled anchorage is situated between a line drawn NE from Calshot Castle (50°49.2'N 001°18.4'W) to Hook Beacon (orange diamond topmark on white triangular base), 1.3nm NE, and from the vicinity of the NW end of Esso Marine Terminal (50°50.0'N 001°20.0'W) and the NE side of Southampton Water.

Assistance Lights: Common Rear Light (yellow diamond, red border, on metal tower) (50°51.7'N 001°20.7'W); Inshore front light (yellow triangle point up, red boarder, on metal tower) (0.5nm SE of rear light); Offshore front light (yellow disc, red border, on metal tower) (0.5nm SE of rear light).

The alignments (326°) and (327.5°) of the inshore and the offshore, respectively, sets of assistance leading lights, exhibited in shallow water SW of Netley Great Dome, assist mariners using the controlled anchorage, and berthing at Esso Marine Terminal.

Regulations: No vessels may anchor in this anchorage without prior permission of the Harbour Master; permission may be obtained through the Duty Vessel Traffic Service Officer, Southampton VTS. Permission must be obtained prior to entering the Western Approach Channel or N Channel.

Vessels of more than 91.4m in length must anchor in Berths No 1, 2, 3.

Smaller vessels may, with prior permission, anchor in an area N of Hook Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (50°49.5'N 001°18.2'W).

Vessels must be anchored so as to be clear of vessels leaving or berthing at adjacent jetties, and also clear of the main channel.

No vessel in the anchorage shall be voluntarily immobilised without permission from the Harbour Master, who shall be informed immediately should a vessel be unable to move.

Vessels awaiting a berth should anchor in Cowes Roads.

Restrictions

Max draughts at the various locations are Fawley 14.9m, Hamble 13.1m and at the Container Terminal 15.0m.

All vessels navigating within the Port of Southampton shall ensure that all large vessels LOA 220 and above shall be given a "clear channel" between the Hook Buoy and the Prince Consort Buoy. The term "clear channel" is defined as; "A clear channel vessel is one which requires a clear and unimpeded passage ahead when transiting the Precautionary Area. A vessel of any size experiencing manoeuvrability problems may request a "clear channel".

Tugs

Comprehensive towage services available.

Mooring

The Master of a vessel which is berthed or moored in the Port of Southampton shall ensure that their vessel is securely made fast and that the moorings are adjusted as necessary to allow for the rise and fall of the tide and for the loading and unloading of cargo.

Masters of high-sided vessels berthed in Southampton are reminded of their responsibility to ensure that the vessel remains securely alongside when strong offshore winds are forecast and/or experienced. Measures to be considered include the adjustment of moorings as necessary, the correct use of tension winches, the use of additional moorings and tug(s) to “push up”.

Charts and publications

BA 2036, 2038, 2041 and 8002. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

The Port of Southampton is responsible for providing pilots throughout the East and Central Solent, Southampton Water and Rivers Itchen and Test. (Pilots are not available in the West Solent/Needles).

Ships requiring a pilot must inform Southampton VTS not less than 12 hours and then verified 3 hours in advance of ETA, maximum draught and destination within the pilotage area, and state where a pilot is required. A minimum of 3 hours notice is required for departure and berth shift notifications. A greater notice period significantly increases the likelihood of a vessel being allocated its desired time slot and/or berth as well as aiding with pilot allocation.

Ship owners, Masters or agents may order a pilot by email: [email protected]; telephone +44 (0)23 8060 8208 and Fax no +44 (0)23 8023 2991. Destination, draught and BOARDING POINT must be indicated.

Communications

VHF: Pilots: Nab Pilot, Sturbridge Pilot, Lepe Pilot or Southampton VTS: Ch 09, 12. Tel: +44 23 8060 8208. Fax: +44 23 8023 2991. Email: [email protected].

Southampton VTS: Ch09, 12, 14, 16 and 20.

Southampton Patrol: Ch 12.

Tugs: Ch 71 and 74

Berthing/unberthing, Ship/Tug/Pilot/Berthing Master: Ch 71, 74.

Esso Marine Terminal: Ch 16; 14, 19.

Documents

BREXIT (Jan 2020): Vessels and Agents should note that UK documentation may be subject to change, post BREXIT. A transitionary period is in place.

According to the port's Notice to Mariners No 06(T) of 2020, Southampton has reminded all vessels entering the Port that they are required to provide the information stated in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN)1899 in order to comply with Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004 (SI 2004/2110) (as amended).

The MSN also explains processes for collecting information to meet reporting obligations described in European Union (EU) Directive 2010/65/EU. Information which must be passed to port authorities in order to meet these obligations should be collected electronically and using the Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS) Workbook where appropriate. The Workbook has been produced in collaboration with industry and aims to streamline reporting processes for vessels arriving at UK ports.

In summary, the MSN applies to all ships of 300GT and above, fishing vessels, traditional ships, and recreational craft with a length of 45m or more. Notification is also required by all ships regardless of size, either departing from or bound to Southampton when carrying dangerous or polluting goods. There are also reporting requirements in the event of an accident/incident.

The MSN also explains processes for collecting information to meet reporting obligations described in European Union (EU) Directive 2010/65/EU. Information which must be passed to port authorities in order to meet these obligations should be collected electronically and using the Consolidated European Reporting System (CERS) Workbook where appropriate. The Workbook has been produced in collaboration with industry and aims to streamline reporting processes for vessels arriving at UK ports.

Attention is also drawn to MSN 1796 (Designation of Vessel Traffic Services) which identifies and designates UK Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) for the purpose of requiring compliance by shipping with regulations 6 and 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Reporting Requirements) Regulations 2004, implementing European Parliament and Council Directive 2002/59/EC. The MSN also provides the formal identification of UK VTS within UK waters for the benefit of the compliance of shipping with the Regulations and SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 12.

Notice to Mariners No 06(T) of 2020 remains in place by the Port until cancelled. MSN 1899 and 1796 can be found on the MCA website at www.gov.uk

ISPS: Documents required as per ISPS Code.

Notices and regulations

No vessel in the Docks shall be voluntarily immobilised without permission from the Harbour Master, who shall be informed immediately should a vessel be unable to move.

Special regulations concerning tankers. The regulations for tankers entering or leaving ports in the United Kingdom apply to the VTS and Pilotage District as a whole. Reports required by EU regulations should be made to the Southampton Harbour Master.

Special regulations to ensure the safe navigation of gas tankers are also in force within the Pilotage District. No vessel may anchor closer to a gas tanker than twice their combined length. At no time will more than 3 gas tankers be permitted to anchor within the designated small ships anchorage in Southampton water.

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. Fawley terminal will only permit barge delivery of fresh water, max 48m³.

Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers are available by barge or road tanker.

Stores: All types of provisions and stores available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Royal South Hants Hospital, 4.9km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Southampton Airport, 9.4km.

Nearest railway: Ashurst Railway Station, 9.5km.

Working hours

Normally, general berths 0700-2300hrs; container and tanker berths throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Southampton is located in the Solent on the English S coast.

The port

Southampton is the principal cruise liner port for the UK. Facilities comprise two dock basins and extensive river quays providing a total berthage in excess of 12km. Accommodation exists for a wide variety of vessels including dry bulk, Ro-Ro, container, passenger, reefer and general cargo ships. Tanker facilities are available at the Fawley Esso Oil Terminal and at BP Oil Hamble. The Port Authority is due to introduce shore power (cold ironing) during this year for all visiting cruise vessels.

Traffic

Approx 34,000,000t of cargo, 3,000,000TEU, 4,000 vessels and 1,400,000 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Southampton?

The pilot boards at Southampton Pilot Boarding Position A, 50°36.1′N 000°57.5′W. Southampton has 4 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Southampton in?

Local time at Southampton 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 Southampton?

The deepest berth listed is at DP World Southampton Container Terminal: 15.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Southampton?

1015-1025.

Which load line zone is Southampton 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 Southampton?

Port State Control at Southampton: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Southampton?

The UN/LOCODE of Southampton is GBSOU.

What crews who called at Southampton 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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