Sailing in the Portsmouth area.
The Solent is 15 miles long and varies in width between 21 to 3 miles due to the undulating shape of its opposing coasts.
Within the Solent, strong currents flow through the Hurst Narrows (1.8 metres per second onspring tides) at the western entrance to the Solent (Velegrakis 1994). However, at the entrances to Portsmouth, Langstone and Chichester Harbours, surface currents may reach in excess of 3 metres per second on a full spring ebb (Admiralty Chart 3418).
To the west of Portsmouth is Portsmouth Harbour, this is a roughly triangular natural harbour, each of the three sides is approximately two and a half miles long.
Portsmouth Harbour is home to Portsmouth Naval Base, a Cross Channel ferry port and a commercial dock and is therefore very busy with maritime traffic.
Vessels over 20m in length have to enter and leave Portsmouth Harbour in the main channel, and must have permission from the Queen's Harbour Master (QHM). QHM controls shipping on VHF Ch11.
Vessels over 48m in length must have a pilot boat to enter and leave Portsmouth Harbour.
To the East of Portsmouth is Langstone Harbour, at high tide, water covers about 1900 hectares but at low tide only about 200 hectares are under water.
Langstone Harbour has a number of mooring areas providing both deep water and dry moorings for several hundred boats.
A small fleet of commercial fishing vessels operate from the harbour and there are some commercial shipping movements to and from the two commercial aggregate wharfs.
Useful contacts.
Solent Coastguard Maritime Rescue
If at sea call on VHF channel 16 or depress the RED distress button on your DSC controller.
For routine traffic and other information Tel: 02392 552100 or call on VHF 67.
Digital Selective Calling MMSI 002320011.
Portsmouth Lifeboat Station
Address: Ferry Road, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9LY
Tel: 02392 814811
Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service (GAFIRS)
Independent Lifeboat based in Gosport on call 24 / 365
area of coverage is from Hillhead Harbour to South Parade Pier, including all of Portsmouth Harbour.
Address: GAFIRS, Military Road, Stokes Bay, Gosport, Hampshire, PO12 2TR.
Tel: 02392 584017 (HQ - Operational Calls)
Tel: 02392 988016 (HQ - General Calls)
Web: GAFIRS
In an Emergency Please Contact the Coastguard using 999
Langstone Harbour
Captain N. Jardine, Harbour Master
Nick Lyon, Deputy Harbour Master
Tony Sharp, Environment Officer
Tel: 02392 463419
Queen's Harbour Master, Portsmouth
Address: Semaphore Tower, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LT
Tel: 02392 723124
Customs
If you are arriving or departing from any country outside the EU or the Channel Islands, you must complete the Customs form C1331.
HM Customs Portsmouth Tel: 02392 852148
Boatability.
Access to power boating for people of all abilities. Boatability boat club, based at Port Solent is designed to increase your boating fun
whilst reducing the usual costs, hassle of buying, maintaining and selling a boat.
If you have the urge to go out on to the water but for whatever reason do not have
access to a boat or the appropriate facilities, perhaps Boatability has the answers.
Whether it's a corporate outing by boat, a hen / stag do, boat / marine photography,
or just an exhilarating boat trip in the Solent to experience the thrill of high speed turns
and 'Wake chasing', we will endeavour to meet your requirements.
Boatability has facilities to cater for all areas of community, not just disabled or special needs,
it is all inclusive.
Membership Scheme / RYA Training Courses / Charters / Corporate Days.
Contact Boatability:
Tel: 0845 260 8777 or
Web: www.boatability.co.uk
