SOUTHAMPTON WATER Southampton Water is an extremely popular area for yachtsmen because it offers sheltered cruising in nearly all weather conditions, while the Hamble and Itchen Rivers are perfect for leisurely exploration.
As one of the country’s busiest and most successful deep-water ports, Southampton is a natural choice for a wide range of customers and trades, with facilities to handle virtually any type of cargo. Its natural deep-water harbour and unique double tide allow unrestricted access for the world’s largest vessels. ABP Southampton, in its role as the Statutory Harbour Authority for Southampton Water, has a strong commitment to protecting the local environment and plays an active role in ensuring that a balance of activities can be maintained, allowing port operations, recreational sailing, and wildlife to co-exist. In addition to its varied commercial activities Southampton Water is a haven for yachts and leisure craft, and ABP strives to preserve the safety of all users including recreational boat owners, as they sail the waters of the Solent. Contact: ABP Southampton, Vessel Traffic Services, Ocean Gate, Eastern Docks, Southampton, SO14 3QN. Tel: 02380 608208. southamptonvts.co.uk Before contacting VTS by telephone, please consider whether the answer to your question can be found on the website. Keep your VHF tuned to Ch 12, the Port working frequency, and listen for traffic information from the Harbour Master’s Operations Room, Call Sign ‘Southampton VTS’ (Vessel Traffic Services). The VTS Centre guards Ch 9, 12, 14, 16, 20 and monitors Ch 71 and 74. The following extracts from the Yachtsman’s Guide to Southampton Water and its Approaches are reproduced with the permission of ABP Southampton. Facts to keep in mind: The number of large commercial ships serving the Port of Southampton and the number of recreational craft afloat in local waters is increasing. Most commercial vessels you meet will have an ABP Southampton Pilot on board regardless of the ship’s flag. They will be working on and listening to VHF Ch 12. Most large ships travel at a speed of between 10-15 knots whilst in the Solent and Southampton Water. The lower limit will vary from ship to ship and is ‘as safe navigation permits’. For various reasons, ships travel faster than you might think, even in congested areas.
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SOUTHAMPTON WATER
50º49’.00N, 01º17’.05W +(ENT)
