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

ABP Southampton Pilotage

"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

Queens Harbour Master (QHM) Portsmouth

"QHM" 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



Langstone Harbour Radio

"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
Chichester 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


Calshot, Lee-on-the-Solent, Gosport, Stone Point

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

Recommended channel for recreational users to communicate

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