Port Operation Channels
Mariners are advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch12 within the Southampton VTS area.
Channel 16 is a DISTRESS, SAFETY AND CALLING CHANNEL ONLY - Other than for distress it must only be used to establish contact before going to a working channel.
The recognised ship to ship channels are 6, 8, 72 & 77.
Channel No. | Type | Description | Information |
06 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
08 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
09 | Simplex | "Southampton Pilots" use this channel to co-ordinate boarding and disembarking of pilots from ships. This is not to be used for recreational vessels. | |
10 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
11 | Simplex | Kings Harbour Master (KHM) Portsmouth | "KHM" Operate 24/7 traffic management and information north of a line between Fort Gilkicker and Horse Sand Fort. All vessels over 20 meters are required to report before the OSB. All vessels must report before crossing the main channel in the harbour. |
12 | Simplex | ABP Southampton Vessel Traffic Services
| "Southampton VTS" Operate 24/7 traffic management and information in the VTS area. All vessels are to maintain listening watch on VHF Channel 12 when in VTS area. There is mandatory reporting for all vessels over 20 meters. Southampton Patrol 'SP' can be contacted on Ch12. |
13 | Simplex | Queens Harbour Master (QHM) Portsmouth | Ch13 is normally used to control naval movements within the naval base but on occasion QHM may authorise its use in the event of Ch11 being busy |
14 | Simplex | Portsmouth Harbour Radio | |
15 | Simplex | Yarmouth Water Taxi |
|
16 | Simplex | Solent Coastguard | Ship to Ship calling and DISTRESS |
17 | Simplex | Ships On-Board working | 1 Watt transmissions for communications on board ships |
19 | Duplex | ESSO Marine Terminal | "ESSO Marine Control" Operate 24/7 ship monitoring for vessels approaching and alongside at Esso |
20 | Duplex | ABP Southampton VTS | Southampton VTS utilize this channel at the discretion of the Harbour Master |
29 | Simplex | Portsmouth Continental Ferry Port | |
62 | - | Maritime Safety Information Broadcast | Selsey Bill to Lyme Regis inshore waters forecast |
65 | Duplex | National Coastwatch Institution
| Recreational users able to use for routine radio checks rather than Ch16 |
66 | Simplex | Lymington Harbour Commissioners |
|
67 | Simplex | Solent Coastguard - Routine Calls | |
68 | Simplex | Hamble Harbour Radio Yarmouth Harbour Beaulieu River Radio |
|
69 | Simplex | Cowes Harbour Radio | |
70 | DSC | Digital Selective Calling | NOT TO BE USED FOR VOICE CALLING |
71 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
72 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
73 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | |
74 | Simplex | Working Channel Tug / Ship / Pilot | Southampton Pilots / Ships / Tugs use this channel when manoeuvring in Southampton Water |
75 | Simplex | Ships On-Board working | 1 Watt transmissions for communications on board ships |
76 | Simplex | Ships On-Board working | 1 Watt transmissions for communications on board ships |
77 | Simplex | Ship to Ship | |
80 | Duplex | Marina Working Channels |
|
87 | Simplex | Southampton Container Terminal | "DP World Southampton" Container Terminal (SCT) use this channel to monitor vessels approaching and alongside at SCT. |
88 | Simplex | ABP Southampton VTS secondary channel | Backup channel for Southampton VTS should operations require |
M1 | Simplex | Yacht and Sailing Clubs | Used for race control and safety |
M2 | Simplex | Yacht and Sailing Clubs | Used for race control and safety |
VESSELS OVER 20 METRES MUST REPORT TO VTS WHEN PROCEEDING IN THE SOUTHAMPTON VTS AREA