NOTICE TO MARINERS
NO 4/04
Mariners are advised that vessels
bound to or from the
This service is provided by two
operational centres, namely:
OVERVIEW
Associated British Ports (ABP) now operate a vessel information service, call sign Severn
VTS. The service will be operational
on a 24 hour basis every day of the year and can be contacted directly on VHF
channel 69 or, alternatively, by telephone on 0845 6018870, by fax on 02920
835006, or be email at SevernVTS@abports.co.uk.
The Bristol Port Company will
continue to provide a vessel traffic service on a 24 hour daily basis, call
sign Bristol VTS (formerly Avonmouth
Signals). Bristol VTS can be contacted
directly on VHF Channel 12 or, alternatively, by telephone on 0117 982
2257, by fax on 0117 923 5320, or by email at bristolvts@bristolport.co.uk.
All commercial vessels (50grt and
greater) navigating in the waters contained within the area bounded by a line
running south from Nash Point to Hurlstone Point and
to the Second Severn Crossing are required to participate in the reporting procedures
associated with the service and report to Severn VTS and/or Bristol VTS, as
appropriate, at the nominated reporting points.
(Please refer to forthcoming amendments to Admiralty publications for
more details.)
1 Severn VTS (CH 69) will offer formally an Information Service as
defined by the IMO in Marine Guidance
Note 238. Port Information will continue
to be provided directly from the Ports of Barry,
2 Charted reporting points in the Severn VTS area are Nash Point
(In/Out), Breaksea (In), Holms (In/Out), Lavernock Point
(In), Newport Deeps (In/Out).
3 Vessels reporting at the reporting points to provide Severn VTS
(Ch 69) with information on their
position, identity and intentions.
4 Vessels are to report to Severn VTS prior to departing the locks
in Barry,
5 Vessels passing from the Severn VTS area to the Bristol VTS area, or
vice versa, are required to report
to the VTS whose coverage they are entering.
6 Vessels within the Severn VTS may call another vessel on VHF
Channel 69 and, unless passing a
short message relating directly to safety of navigation, move to an agreed
working channel.
7 Vessels communicating with Severn VTS, ports and other vessels
within the Severn VTS area must
use standard marine communication
phrases.
8 Vessels at anchor in the Severn VTS area must call Severn VTS 30
minutes before weighing anchor
and again when underway.
1 Bristol VTS (CH 12) will provide an information service and Port
Information for Avonmouth and Royal Portbury Docks on VHF (CH 14).
2 Charted reporting points in the Bristol VTS area are Flatholm (In/Out), English and Welsh (In/Out), Welsh Hook (In/Out), Lower Shoots
(In/Out) and for vessels clearing the locks at Avonmouth and Royal Portbury. Vessels outbound from
3 Vessels reporting at the reporting points to provide Bristol VTS
(CH 12) with information on their
position, identity and intentions.
4 Vessels operating in the River Avon should report (In/Out)
Sea Mills (In/Out)
Shirehampton (In/Out) (vessels of
30m and greater)
5 Vessels within Bristol VTS area may call another vessel on VHF
12 and, unless passing a short message
relating directly to navigational safety, move to an agreed working channel.
Reference should be made
to British Admiralty Charts 1152, 1176 and 1102
Notices to Mariners may
be viewed on the Trustees’ website:
www.gloucesterharbourtrustees.org.uk
Owners, Agents and Charterers should ensure that the contents of this Notice
are made known to the Masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.
M Johnson
Marine Officer