The Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 2020

PART 2 Regulations applicable to vessels of 20 metres or more in length

General

33.—(1) The regulations in this Part apply to vessels of 20 metres or more in length.

(2) The Queen’s Harbour Master may direct that a provision of this Part applies to any other vessel or type of vessel when necessary—

(a) for safety in the dockyard port; or

(b) for the purposes of an operational requirement connected to national defence.

Notification of arrival of inbound vessels

34.—(1) The master of a vessel who wishes the vessel to enter the dockyard port must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of the vessel’s estimated time of arrival in the dockyard port (“ETA”) at least 24 hours beforehand.

(2) If the point of departure of the vessel is less than 24 hours transit from the dockyard port the master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of the vessel’s ETA when it leaves the point of departure.

(3) After a vessel enters the dockyard port the master of that vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master by radio when the vessel passes the latitudes—

(a) 50°19’.030N (Penlee Point, Shag Stone);

(b) 50°20’.068N (Plymouth breakwater); and

(c) 50°21’.150N (Melampus).

(4) When a vessel moors or anchors in the dockyard port the master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master within 30 minutes that the vessel is moored or anchored in the dockyard.

Notification of the manoeuvre of vessels in the dockyard port

35.—(1) The master of a vessel berthed or anchored in the dockyard port must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of his or her intention to manoeuvre the vessel—

(a) at least 60 minutes before commencing any manoeuvre; and

(b) immediately on commencing the manoeuvre.

(2) The master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master that the vessel has come to anchor or completed the manoeuvre no later than 30 minutes after the completion of the manoeuvre.

(3) If it is not reasonably practicable to give the notification mentioned in subparagraph (1), the master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of the proposed navigation as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4) The master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master as soon as is reasonably practicable of any change to the notification mentioned in subparagraph (1)

Notification of the departure of vessels from the dockyard port

36.—(1) The master of a vessel berthed or anchored in the dockyard port must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of the vessel’s intended departure from the dockyard port—

(a) at least 60 minutes before departure; and

(b) immediately on getting underway.

(2) Once the vessel is underway, the master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master when the vessel passes the latitudes—

(a) 50°20’.068N (Plymouth breakwater); and

(b) 50°19’.030N (Penlee Point, Shag Stone).

(3) If it is not reasonably practicable to give the notification mentioned in subparagraph (1), the master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master of the proposed navigation as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4) The master of the vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master as soon as is reasonably practicable of any change to the notification mentioned in subparagraph (1).

Anchoring within the dockyard port

37.  A vessel must not anchor within the dockyard port without permission.

Towing of vessels or other objects

38.  When the master of a vessel plans to tow another vessel or object into or in the dockyard port, the master of the towing vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master that the tow is planned and confirm—

(a) the nature of the tow, the propulsion method, and details of the type, length and draught of the towing vessel and the vessel or other object being towed;

(b) whether the tow involves a disabled or partially disabled vessel, an unstable vessel, a vessel leaking a dangerous good, or a vessel with an excessive list or trim; and

(c) any other defect or damage that may cause the tow to be a hazard within the dockyard port,

not less than 60 minutes before commencing the tow, or as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.

39.  For the purposes of paragraph 38, a vessel shall be considered 20 metres or more in length if the combined length of that vessel and of the vessel or object being towed is 20 metres or more.

Vessels with mechanical or structural defects

40.  A vessel with any of the following defects must not be navigated in the dockyard port without permission—

(a) a defect to the vessel’s engine, steering gear or any other machinery that could adversely affect the manoeuvrability of the vessel;

(b) a defect in the vessel’s navigation or communication equipment that could affect the vessel’s ability to navigate safely;

(c) an inoperable capstan or winch, or inoperable mooring equipment or anchors that are not cleared and ready for use;

(d) a list of five degrees or more, or which is excessively out of trim;

(e) damage to cargo, the hull or machinery which may affect the safety of the vessel or the containment or safety of the cargo or bunkers; or

(f) the vessel is unseaworthy in any respect.

Bridge manning and the use of automatic pilot steering devices

41.—(1) The master of a vessel navigating within the dockyard port must ensure that—

(a) sufficient, suitably qualified and experienced personnel are present on the bridge to enable the safe passage of the vessel;

(b) adequate additional manning is available to enable an effective and immediate response to machinery failure, or any other emergency which has the potential to affect navigational safety; and

(c) if an automatic pilot steering device is being used on that vessel, a competent helmsman other than the master or pilot is in attendance at the steering position to steer the vessel manually if circumstances so require.

(2) In this paragraph, “competent helmsman” means a person trained and experienced in the steering of the vessel and familiar with all reversionary modes of control.

Compass adjustment

42.  The master of a vessel must notify the Queen’s Harbour Master 24 hours or more before any intended adjustment to the compass of the vessel in the dockyard port and, immediately before adjusting the compass, must confirm to the Queen’s Harbour Master that the adjustment is to take place.