The Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999

Article 5

SCHEDULE 2 RULES

Collision Regulations

1.  All vessels when within the limits of the Dockyard Port shall, except as is otherwise provided in Rules 3 and 9(2) below, carry such lights, flags or shapes prescribed by the Collision Regulations and all vessels shall observe the steering and sailing rules set forth in such Regulations except in so far as they are inconsistent with the Rules hereinafter contained.

Narrow channels

2.  For the purposes of the Collision Regulations and Rule 13 of this Schedule all the navigable waters of the Dockyard Port north of 50°20'.00 North, that is to say the line passing through Plymouth Breakwater in an east-west direction, shall be deemed to be a ‘narrow channel’.

Anchor and other lights and signals (exemptions) etc

3.—(1) Unmanned vessels and vessels with only shipkeepers on board, where secured to moorings out of the fairway, may be exempted by the Queen’s Harbour Master from the necessity of carrying anchor lights.

(2) Vessels carrying cargoes of hazardous, dangerous or noxious substances as defined in Regulation 8 of the 1987 Regulations when anchored, moored, or secured alongside within the Dockyard Port shall, in addition to the lights and shapes prescribed in Rule 30 of the Collision Regulations, display the following lights or signals:

(a) between sunset and sunrise, a red all round light visible for 2 nautical miles situated above any other light being displayed by the vessel;

(b) between sunrise and sunset, a red swallow-tailed flag (International Flag Bravo) at the masthead which shall also be displayed when the vessel is underway.

(3) Submarines secured to buoys within the Dockyard Port shall, without prejudice to any requirement prescribed by Rule 30 of the Collision Regulations, display between sunset and sunrise an all round amber light, flashing at a frequency of between 90 and 105 flashes per minute.

4.—(1) The Queen’s Harbour Master may on any occasion when it is necessary to facilitate or ensure a clear passage for any vessel or for any other purpose, direct the Plymouth Port Control traffic light signals to be displayed.

(2) All vessels within the area bounded on the north by latitude 50° 24'.0 North and on the south by the southern limit of the Dockyard Port, are to observe the restrictions appropriate to that signal as specified below, for so long as the signal is displayed.

(3) Light signals displayed over Plymouth Sound located for the time being on Drake’s Island shall govern the movement of vessels to seaward of a line drawn due south from Mutton Cove to Cremyll. Light signals displayed at Flag Port Control Station shall govern the movement of vessels north and west of a line drawn due south from Mutton Cove to Cremyll.

(4) The light signals will be disposed vertically and shall have the following meanings—

Unlit:	No restrictions unless a contrary intention is given on Very High Frequency radiotelephony Channel 13, 14 or 16.
3 red flashing lights:	Serious emergency. All traffic movements suspended throughout the Dockyard Port except as specifically directed by Flag or Longroom Port Control Station.
1 red occulting light over 2 green occulting lights:	Outgoing traffic only may proceed along the channel for deep draught vessels. Vessels requiring to cross that channel are to seek Port Control Station approval. Vessels navigating in the Hamoaze are to ensure a clear passage for any vessel required to be given clear passage in accordance with paragraph (6)(a) of this rule proceeding southward in the main channel.
2 green occulting lights over 1 red occulting light:	Incoming traffic only may proceed along the channel for deep draught vessels. Vessels requiring to cross that channel are to seek Port Control Station approval. Vessels navigating in the Hamoaze are to ensure a clear passage for any vessels required to be given clear passage in accordance with paragraph (6)(a) of this Rule proceeding northward in the main channel.
2 green occulting lights over 1 white occulting light:	Traffic may proceed in either direction but shall give a wide berth to any vessel designated in paragraph (6)(a) of this Rule proceeding along the channel for deep draught vessels or navigating in the Hamoaze.
3 green fixed lights:	Entrance to the Dockyard Port permitted.
3 fixed lights; red over green over red:	Movement of shipping within the Dockyard Port prohibited.

(5) (a) Subject to paragraph 5(b) below, when any of the light signals specified in paragraph (4) of this Rule are displayed—

(i) no vessel shall enter the main channel so governed except in the direction indicated by the light signals;

(ii) vessels already in the said channel and proceeding in a contrary direction shall clear the said channel;

(iii) Notwithstanding any light signal displayed under paragraph (4) (other than the serious emergency signal) vessels of less than 20 metres in length may proceed in the contrary direction, so long as they navigate with caution and do not impede the passage of any vessel or vessels for which the light signal is being displayed.

(b) When the serious emergency signal as specified in paragraph (4) above is displayed, all vessels are to remain alongside or at anchor until movement is approved by the Queen’s Harbour Master. Vessels already underway shall either return to their point of departure or proceed to their destination (whichever is closer) or act as directed by either port control station.

(6) (a) Vessels which are to be given a clear passage, or the tug or tugs in attendance on such vessels shall display the international Code Pennant superior to Pennant Zero by day (no signal being displayed by night), while underway in the area specified in paragraph (2) of this Rule.

(b) Any master in any doubt as to which vessel is favoured by the traffic lights should call the appropriate port control station by any means to seek the answer.

5.  When within the limits of the Dockyard Port the signals, lights and shapes prescribed in the Collision Regulations for a vessel not under command, or constrained by her draught, or restricted in her ability to manoeuvre are exhibited

(a) by any of Her Majesty’s vessels, by any vessel in the charge of Her Majesty’s Officers or any other deep draught vessel; or

(b) by any tug or tugs attending such vessels,

then all other vessels underway shall keep clear of such vessel, tug or tugs, provided always that nothing in this Rule shall relieve the restricted vessel or any attendant tug of the duty to navigate with care and at safe speed.

Low visibility

6.  When visibility is less than 500 metres the Queen’s Harbour Master may suspend all traffic and control individual movements.

Vessels entering or leaving Her Majesty’s Naval Base

7.  When any of Her Majesty’s vessels in the charge of Her Majesty’s Officers is turning in, entering or leaving Her Majesty’s Naval Base at Devonport, every other vessel of whatever size underway in the vicinity of the said Naval Base shall then keep clear of that vessel and of tugs which may be in attendance upon her.

Pilotage

8.  Save where the Queen’s Harbour Master directs otherwise pilotage of vessels by qualified Admiralty pilots is mandatory for—

(a) any of Her Majesty’s vessels entering, leaving or otherwise navigating within the Dockyard Port;

(b) any government owned vessels or auxiliaries, or any foreign warships or auxiliaries navigating within the Dockyard Port for the purposes of taking up or leaving a Ministry of Defence owned berth, dock, or mooring;

(c) any vessel, including government chartered vessels, proceeding between Plymouth Sound and a Ministry of Defence owned berth, dock or mooring within the Dockyard Port.

Harbour ferries

9.—(1) Any harbour ferry vessel or floating bridge plying in the Dockyard Port shall give way to any other vessel which can only navigate in a narrow channel or fairway.

(2) Yachts and other recreational vessels shall be handled in such a way that interference with the timely operation of floating bridges on fixed tracks is reduced to the minimum.

(3) Instead of the lights directed to be carried by the Collision Regulations, any floating bridge which is confined to a fixed track shall display the following lights—

(a) carry four lights, one at each corner, showing white ahead and astern in the direction of the ferry track and red on the beam or athwart the ferry track;

(b) when such floating bridge is in progress an amber flashing light at the masthead at the leading end in the direction of progress;

(c) where such floating bridge is being used by the emergency services, a blue flashing light shall be displayed below the said amber flashing light indicating direction of progress.

(4) Any light referred to under paragraph (3) above must be visible for at least two nautical miles.

(5) Where visibility is less than 300 metres, any floating bridge in progress or stopped temporarily along a ferry track, shall ring a bell rapidly for between 4 and 6 seconds duration at intervals of not more than 30 seconds.

Speed limits in certain areas

10.—(1) Except as provided for in paragraph (2) below no vessel shall exceed a speed of 10 knots through the water north of 50°20'.00 North (the latitude of Plymouth Breakwater) or any waters of the Dockyard Port within 400 metres of the shore, save with a licence in writing signed by the Queen’s Harbour Master.

(2) Vessels under 15 metres in length overall may exceed the speed limit specified in paragraph (1) above in the following areas—

(a) Plymouth Sound outside 400 metres from the shore and in the access lane for water-skiers and jet-skiers which is bounded to the east by the line joining Fisher’s Nose to the western extremity of Mount Batten Breakwater, and bounded to the west by the line joining the western extremity of the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club to the West Mallard Buoy;

(b) water skiing Areas shown on current Admiralty charts;

(c) such other areas of the Dockyard Port as the Queen’s Harbour Master shall from time to time determine and publish as a local Notices to Mariners.

(3) No vessel within the Dockyard Port shall exceed a speed of 8 knots through the water to the east of a line drawn from Fisher’s Nose to the western end of Mount Batten Breakwater, save with a licence in writing signed by the Queen’s Harbour Master and where authorised in accordance with paragraph (2) (b) above.

(4) No vessel within the Dockyard Port shall exceed a speed of 4 knots through the water in the approaches to Sutton Harbour north of a line drawn due east from Fisher’s Nose, save with a licence in writing signed by the Queen’s Harbour Master.

(5) No vessel shall exceed a speed of 4 knots through the water in designated Bathing Areas shown on current Admiralty charts.

(6) No vessel shall exceed a speed of 4 knots through the water in designated Diving Areas shown on current Admiralty charts.

Vessels to be navigated with care and caution

11.  The master of a vessel navigating within the Dockyard Port shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such a manner as shall not cause annoyance to the occupants of any other vessel or cause damage or danger to any other vessel or to any moorings or other property.

Conduct within the Dockyard Port

12.  The master of a vessel shall not navigate within the Dockyard Port when unfit by reason of drink or drugs to do so.

Vessels passing within the narrow channels of the Dockyard Port

13.  Notwithstanding Rule 4, when two power-driven vessels proceeding in opposite directions are about to meet one another in any narrow channel of the Dockyard Port, the power-driven vessel navigating against the tidal stream shall give priority of passage through such narrow channel to the vessel navigating with the tidal stream by easing her engines and waiting until the vessel navigating with the tidal stream shall have passed clear.

Vessels turning round

14.  Within the limits of the Dockyard Port, a power-driven vessel underway which is about to turn round shall sound five short blasts on the whistle in rapid succession, followed after a short interval by—

(a) one short blast if turning with her head to starboard;

(b) two short blasts if with her head to port.

Signal directing vessels and boats to keep out of the way

15.  If any power-driven vessel underway within the limits of the Dockyard Port is at risk of colliding with any other vessel, she shall sound one prolonged blast followed by two short blasts on the whistle, and all other vessels shall take all reasonable steps to keep out of the way.

Special sound signals for vessels leaving Millbay Docks

16.  All vessels over 60 metres in length, shall when leaving Millbay Docks and prior to entering the main channel, sound one prolonged blast, in accordance with Rule 34(e) of the Collision Regulations.

Marking of wrecks and submerged obstructions

17.  Should a vessel sink, be stranded, or become a wreck in any part of the Dockyard Port so that an obstruction is caused, or is likely to be caused, the master or owner of such vessel shall immediately notify the Queen’s Harbour Master.

Diving signals

18.—(1) If the size or construction of a craft or vessel engaged in diving operations makes it impracticable to exhibit the shapes prescribed in Rule 27(d) of the Collision Regulations, a rigid replica of the International Code Flag “A” not less than 600 millimetres in height shall be exhibited and measures taken to ensure all-round visibility, such replica to be illuminated between sunset and sunrise on the approach of other vessels.

(2) Free swimming divers are to be marked by short-scope orange marker buoys, such buoys to be lit between sunset and sunrise with a white or amber light.

Blue flashing lights

19.—(1) Vessels of the following organisations are authorised to exhibit a blue flashing light in the course of their duties:

• Queen’s Harbour Master Plymouth

• Ministry of Defence Police

• Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise

• Her Majesty’s Coastguard

• Devon and Cornwall Constabulary—Marine Police Unit

• Devon Fire and Rescue Service—Plymstock Fire boat

• The Royal National Lifeboat Institution

• The Torpoint Ferry

(2) Save with the licence in writing signed by the Queen’s Harbour Master no other vessel is to exhibit a blue flashing light (of any frequency) on the waters of the Dockyard Port of Plymouth.

(3) All vessels shall be ready to respond to instructions and requests for assistance from vessels displaying blue flashing lights.