SOUTHAMPTON WATER TERNOTICE TO MARINERS APort of Southampton – Precautionary Area (Thorn Channel) 1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in support of planning for the forthcoming busy season for all users of The Solent that all vessels navigating within the Port of Southampton shall ensure that a vessel SOUTHAMPTON Wgreater than 220 metres in length overall shall be given a ‘clear channel’ in the area between the Hook Buoy and the Prince Consort Buoy (hereinafter referred to as ‘The Precautionary Area’ - (see Chartlet 1)). The term ‘clear channel’ is defined as: ‘a clear and unimpeded passage ahead of a vessel when transiting the Precautionary Area’. The term ‘clear channel vessel’ is defined as: ‘a vessel greater than 220 metres in length overall which requires a clear and unimpeded passage ahead when transiting the Precautionary Area’. Vessels may enter ‘The Precautionary Area’ maintaining a safe distance astern of a ‘clear channel vessel’. 2. Two vessels each having a length greater than 180 metres length overall shall not pass or overtake each other between Hook Buoy and a line drawn due south of West Bramble Buoy. 3. Moving Prohibited Zone (MPZ) (See Chartlet 1) Southampton Harbour Byelaws 2003 Byelaw No 11 enforces the requirement that all vessels over 150 metres in length overall when navigating within ‘The Precautionary Area’ referred to in this notice are automatically allocated a ‘Moving Prohibited Zone’ (MPZ). The MPZ is defined as an area extending 1000 metres ahead of the bow and 100 metres from the ship’s side on both sides of any vessel of over 150 metres in length overall whilst it is navigating within ‘The Precautionary Area’ (See Chartlet 1). The master of a small vessel (defined in Southampton Harbour Byelaws 2003 Byelaw No 3 as any vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel) shall ensure that the vessel does not enter an MPZ. For the purpose of indicating the presence of the MPZ the master of any vessel of over 150 metres length overall shall display on the vessel, where it can best be seen, by day, a black cylinder, and by night, 3 all round red lights in a vertical line. 4. Tracks followed by Large Vessels Masters of small vessels are advised that the tracks followed by large vessels within The Precautionary Area will vary considerably depending on the tidal and wind conditions prevailing at the time and the manoeuvring characteristics of the vessels themselves. Chartlets 2 to 4 below demonstrate likely tracks for both inbound and outbound vessels in flood and ebb tide conditions. The tracks and courses shown are indicative only and inbound and outbound vessels may use the full extent of The Precautionary Area. Unless prevented by emergency circumstance, Masters of small vessels should give all large vessels in The Precautionary Area a wide berth and, in particular, they should ensure that they do not enter a vessel’s MPZ. 120 solenthandbook.com