Gunwharf Crossing (Portsmouth)

[Glossy2k]

Hello all, I am new to boating and have completed my VHF course today. I also have purchased my first ever 13ft speedboat which I am really looking forward to getting on the water. However, I am not certain what permission I need to ask when crossing from balas to camber and into the open water and which channel to follow. Is anyone please able to help me? I have a VHF handheld radio as well in my boat.

 

[philipdawsonladds]

You need to stick to the small ships channel as shown on your chart when entering and leaving the harbour.. Permission needed to cross the harbour from the QHM.

 

[Glossy2k]

You need to stick to the small ships channel as shown on your chart when entering and leaving the harbour.. Permission needed to cross the harbour from the QHM.

Yeah I gathered that to be the case. Would you be able to assist me identify the channel please? I just want to be extra triple safe...

 

[philipdawsonladds]

Channel 11 - Speed limit 10Kts - all in the Almanac

 

[Pinnacle]

This may be of assistance. 2102 PTSMTH HBR ENT APPROACH CHANNEL SMALL BOAT CHANNEL SWASHWAY AND INNER SWASHWAY | Royal Navy

 

[Poecheng]

Have a look at the printed Portsmouth Harbour Guide (available at marinas etc) and it shows it in there and also these:
Portsmouth Small Boat Channel update - Practical Boat Owner
Entering the Harbour | Royal Navy

There are three red buoys on the Gosport side and whether coming in or going out they need to be kept very close on your port hand side. Which means on the way in you are just in the channel and on the way out you are nearer to land (it seems odd but those are the rules) .
When we used it recently boats were generally on the channel side regardless but still keeping very close to the buoys and out of harm's way.

 

[Ian h]

Channel 11 - Speed limit 10Kts - all in the Almanac

It may well be 10 knots but also watch you wash. I was going in at 8 knots when the harbour master put his blue lights on and came over to me to have a word.
he asked my speed and I said 8 knots he then said look behind me. there was a big wake as the boat did not like going that slow

 

[lenten]

i do not have vhf---i just cross over to the camber

 

[SC35]

Just a note, as channel 11 is often busy, QHM prefers you to roll up the request into a single message.
e.g. "QHM, this is Glossy2k, requesting permission to cross from Ballast to Gunwharf, over"

 

[SC35]

i do not have vhf---i just cross over to the camber

May the Force be with you.

 

[ashtead]

I am sure if you stray into the wrong part of the channel on entering the harbour the zealous QHM volunteers will provide you with suitable vocal warning as many are retired CPO who have many years of naval training which they are happy not to forget. The biggest issue you find in a small craft but which I guess has a decent outboard like that is the risk of being unable to progress due to small underpowered vessels blocking the channel . It can be a challenge to keep going into the harbour when the tide is almost stopping small craft ahead during spring tides. Maybe don’t try it first on a Sunday evening . As to crossing to gunwharf take plenty of fenders as it can be very bouncy over there .

 

[henryf]

Could I make a suggestion ?

Firstly just on the off chance you spray cars hello, we have a Porsche business when not running the charter boat. I’m guessing that you trailer the boat and were going to use the camber slipway. Haslar marina in Gosport have just renewed their slipway in Gosport. Using this would put you on the correct side for the small ships channel in and out of Portsmouth. No need to radio QHM or get in the way of ferries. Just a thought.

If you do need to cross over try to be aware of commercial traffic entering and leaving the harbour. You’ve got the car ferries that use the camber basin and also the passenger ferries that berth by the train station. Then you’ve got vessels using the ferry / cruise terminals deeper into the harbour etc.

Time your request to cross when you know there is a bit of space. Listening to QHM on channel 11 for a while as you ready your boat will give you an idea of what’s happening. The larger ferries and cruise ships give notice that they will be slipping their berth, the smaller commercial vessels report as they approach the harbour, “name Of vessel 4 Bar inbound (one of the lateral marks on the harbour approach), or Swashway inbound (the area as you approach the main channel).

Don’t forget you need a VHF licence and I would suggest a minimum of Power boat level 2 if you want to head out to sea.

Portsmouth is a very busy commercial and Naval port so it’s important you know what you’re doing.

Traditionally people use places like Warsash on the Hamble as a starting point to their boating.

Henry

 

[lenten]

i fished out of the camber for 7 years and come from itchenor occasionlly to see an old fishing friend in the camber----is use/listen to vhf guidance or is one forbidden from accessing the camber without vhf

 

[henryf]

Use of VHF (channel 11 to QHM) to cross the harbour from the Ballast pile to either Gunwharf of the Camber basin is mandatory.

 

[lenten]

thanks henry-----no offence to you and your advice but i will stop crossing when i get official instruction/ from portsmouth authorities

 

[colhel]

As long as the QHM, Royal Navy and other harbour users are as easy going as Henry, you'll be fine.

thanks henry-----no offence to you and your advice but i will stop crossing when i get official instruction/ from portsmouth authorities

 

[SC35]

thanks henry-----no offence to you and your advice but i will stop crossing when i get official instruction/ from portsmouth authorities

Worst case is that you might get pulled over by the Volunteer Harbour Patrol and spend a few minutes having a chat.
Keelhauling isn't a thing any more, and QHM uses what was the dungeon as a rum store.

But a couple of times I have been asked to hold on one side or another pending a large vessel movement - it's a busy harbour and I don't want to cause a delay because I need to get to Gunwharf Quays for lunch.

 

[ashtead]

At least the VHP seem to know how to deal with jetski which is a skill other harbours might emulate . I’m actually surprised they haven’t started a branch at the Hamble to deal with all the issues reported there on other posts .

 

[Aardee]

thanks henry-----no offence to you and your advice but i will stop crossing when i get official instruction/ from portsmouth authorities

If you look at Portsmouth LNTM it is an official instruction. They won't tell us all individually, that's not how it works

 

[Pinnacle]

Section 8 c here deals with small fishing craft berthed at Camber. 2102 PTSMTH HBR ENT APPROACH CHANNEL SMALL BOAT CHANNEL SWASHWAY AND INNER SWASHWAY | Royal Navy