Swansea

1. Swansea Bay pilot boarding area — Swansea position Pilot boards51°33.1′N 003°57.2′W

Size limits

LOA 185m, beam 25m, draught 9.5m, 30,000DWT.

Water density

1022

Load line zone

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

Tides

MHWS:12.32m, MLWS: 3.32m, MHWN: 10.02m, MLWN:6.02m.

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

Approach

From the pilot boarding position, the harbour is entered through a dredged channel (controlling depth 4.2m), which is marked by lightbuoys and lights in line.

Approach Jetty, built of concrete extends 300m SSW from the E entrance point of King's Lock forming a lead into the lock.

Kings Lock entrance, is 27.4m wide and has a depth over the sill of 12.4m at MHWS and 10.1m at MHWN, which gives access to Kings Dock and from there to the other docks.

From the Pilot boarding position, the track to the seaward limits of the entrance channel, marked by SW Inner Green Grounds Lightbuoy (S Cardinal) (51°34'N 003°57'W), leads 1nm through Outer Roadstead and between Mumbles Head and Outer Green Grounds, an area containing a large number of shoal patches 2nm E.

Caution: The depths over Outer Green Grounds are frequently changing.

Entrance Channel: From the vicinity of SW Inner Grounds Lightbuoy, the entrance channel, dredged over a width of 122m, leads NNE for a distance of 2.5nm across Green Grounds, foul ground which encumbers the greater part of the W side of Swansea Bay with detached patches of rock and stones over which there are frequently changing depths. Lightbuoys (port and starboard hand) mark the edges of the channel.

Lights in line, at each end of the approach jetty, bearing 020°, indicate the E limit of the dredged channel.

At the harbour entrance a light (yellow metal column) is exhibited from the head of West Pier and from a yellow framework tower at the head of Eastern Breakwater.

Turning area: A turning area, NW of the approach jetty, has been dredged to enable vessels of up to 20,000t to be swung if required. Lights are exhibited at the S end and close to the N end of the approach jetty.

Port limits

The port of Swansea is bounded at its outer limits by a line, which extends up to 2.5nm SSW of the harbour entrance. The inner limit lies seaward of River Tawe Barrage (51°37'N 003°56'W).

Anchorages

Normal anchorage can be obtained 2nm SE of Mumbles Light.

Restrictions

Vessels are docked over HW period. Any vessel whose dimensions are approaching maximum, should advise the Dock and Harbour Master well in advance.

Vessels with a beam of over 26.2m are not normally accepted unless fitted with a bow thruster.

Tugs

Tugs are available throughout a 24 hour and are based in King's Dock. Advance notice is required through local agents.

Mooring

Docking instructions will be given on arrival off Mumbles Head and berthing instructions on arrival in the lock.

Charts and publications

BA 1161, 8264, 1165. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels should forward their ETA and draught, through their local agents, at least 24 hours in advance.

Vessels should notify Swansea Docks Radio of final ETA and draft approx 2 hours prior to arrival and on arrival off Mumbles Head, when docking instructions will be given. Vessels may call Swansea pilots callsign "Swansea Pilots" from 4 hours before to 4 hours after HW.

Communications

VHF: Port Radio: Ch 14.

Tel: +44 870 609 6699. Fax: +44 1792 332255.

Email: [email protected]

Pilots: Ch 14, 11.

Tel: +44 1792 651391. Fax: +44 1792 332299.

Tugs/pilots: Ch 69, 71.

Severn VTS: Ch 69.

Health

International health regulations are to be observed. Any vessel which is suspect should inform Port Medical Officer of Health.

Valid Ship Sanitation Control Certificate.

Notify in advance of any animals or birds onboard. Notify in advance of any illness or death onboard the vessel.

Notices and regulations

Port Bylaws.

Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations.

Docks Regulations.

Prevention of Pollution Regulations.

Vessels approaching the port should not expect to receive precise information about movements until within 5nm of the harbour entrance, and should not attempt to enter harbour until the appropriate visual or radiotelephone signal has been received from the Dock Master.

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

Repairs of all kinds can be effected; a diver is available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available from Welsh Water, by hose at most berths.

Bunkering: By barge via Crescent Shipping or Road Tanker.

Stores: All kinds available.

Medical

Singleton Hospital, (Swansea 4.8km approx).

Transport

Nearest airport: Swansea (8km). Cardiff (56.3km).

Airport facilities: Swansea has one terminal and no facilities for crew change (accommodation). No airfreight facilities.

Nearest railway: Swansea (3.2km).

Working hours

Mon-Thu 0700-1630hrs, Friday 0700-1530hrs, Sat-Sun 0600-1400hrs. Overtime two hours to finish Mon-Fri.

Where it is

Swansea is located near the seaward end of the Bristol Channel on the S Wales coast.

The port

The port handles general cargo, steel, dry bulk & forest product.

Traffic

Approx 430,000t of cargo and 90 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Swansea?

The pilot boards at Swansea Bay pilot boarding area — Swansea position, 51°33.1′N 003°57.2′W.

What time zone is Swansea in?

Local time at Swansea 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 Swansea?

The deepest berth listed is at King's Dock: 9.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Swansea?

1022

Which load line zone is Swansea 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 Swansea?

Port State Control at Swansea: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Swansea?

The UN/LOCODE of Swansea is GBSWA.

What crews who called at Swansea 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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