Reproduced by kind permission of the 'Port of Bristol Company' - Note this information was last updated July 2002.

Advice to Small Craft

• Keep a listening watch of VHF Channel 12 for VTS information and advice. Avoid unnecessary transmission on this channel.
• Keep clear of the main shipping channel unless it is necessary to cross. If it is necessary to cross, do so in the crossing area, at right angles and as quickly as possible.
• Use the waiting areauntil the channel is clear to cross.
• Inward bound craft intending to use the 'Inshore Route' should join it at the Avon Buoy.
• Avoid a close quarters situation. Do not approach closer than 500 metres ahead and 200 metres astern or to the side of commercial vessels.
• Be aware that larger vessels require considerable room for themselves and for their attendant tugs to manoeuvre.
• Avoid using VHF Channels 8 and 72. These are used for ship/tug communications.

Communications Procedures

Traffic control for the area is provided by the Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Centre located at Avonmouth, call sign 'Avonmouth Radio'.

• Inward bound commercial vessels report their ETA Portishead Point to Avonmouth Radio on VHF channel 12 when passing the 'English and Welsh' buoy and 'Welsh Hook' buoy.
• Outward bound commercial vessels report to Avonmouth Radio on VHF Channel 12 at the following positions.

1. Prior to leaving Avonmouth or Portbury Locks.
2. When passing Shirehampton (for vessels leaving River Avon).
3. When passing Lower Shoots Beacon (for vessels leaving Sharpness).

• Small craft in the estuary should maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 for the above information.
• Small craft awaiting an outward lock at Portishead Marina should obtain this information by monitoring VHF Channel 80 and the lock-side public announcement system.

PCC Boats in Convoy

Radio Procedures for the Avonmouth Area General communication procedures are given above, however PCC members are often travelling in convoy or taking part in races. It is for these occasions that the following notes have been compiled from existing guidance, supplemented by extra notes, designed to avoid unnecessary radio traffic on Ch12.

Report position, destination and ETA to Bristol VTS on Ch12 at the following times:-

1) When leaving Portishead Marina

2) When leaving the River Avon - call at Nelsons Point

3) When returning to Portishead Marina / River Avon from the SW - call at Welsh Hook and Portishead Point (Battery Point - is the local name)

4) When returning to Portishead Marina / River Avon from the NE - call at Lower Shoots beacon.

When crossing close in front of the Avonmouth (Royal Edward) dock, it is recommended that Bristol VTS be contacted (CH12) to ascertain any impending shipping movements. At all other times maintain a listening watch on Ch 12. NOTES If there is more than one boat travelling together, nominate one to be the spokesperson, with the other vessels monitoring VHF Ch12.

When exiting the lock gates at Portishead Marina don't forget to switch promptly from VHF80 to VHF Ch12. You will then hear traffic reports of shipping movements and avoid the repeated calls to Bristol VTS.

Vessels should contact Bristol VTS directly even when passage plans have been provided to Portishead Marina staff. At all other times try to keep radio traffic to a minimum on Ch 12

Report to Severn VTS on Ch 69 when heading further down channel See below chartlet for Severn VTS/Bristol VTS areas of durasdiction.

For a complete listing see Notice to Mariners no 4/04

N.B. Race Control

- Land based PCC race controllers must not use VHF radio for contacting Bristol VTS except in emergency when Ch12 may be used.

A phone call should be made to establish shipping movements prior to the race and a mobile number provided for subsequent use during the race if available. Note Bristol VTS is not licensed to use Ch37 (named 'M1' on some VHF sets) and PCC is not licensed to use Ch12 from land based stations

Commercial Vessels

Be aware of vessels entering and leaving Avonmouth and Portbury Docks.

• Large deep draught vessels will generally make a direct approach to Portbury from the west on a flood tide.
• Other vessels, including car carriers and all those vessels entering Avonmouth will generally swing to port off the entrance to the River Avon when entering on the flood tide.
• Normally a direct approach from the west will be made on the ebb tide.
• Commercial vessels will often pass within 200 metres of Portishead Point. Craft using the 'Inshore Route' should therefore remain well inshore to allow these vessels sufficient sea room.

River Avon

Navigation

• When approaching the entrance inward bound, leave South Pier Lighthouse close to port.
• Make allowance for flood tide, running northeast across entrance at up to 4.5 knots at 3 hours to high water on spring tides.
• On entering the river and on departure, keep to the North bank.Do not attempt to cross the Swash bank.
• On departure keep the St. George's transit astern then north of the line of the Swash leading lights until abeam of the South Pier Lighthouse.

Speed Limit

• The speed limit in the River Avon for small craft is 9 knots between Shirehampton and Cumberland Basin.
• Slow down when passing Pills and Creeks where other craft are moored.

Horseshoe Bend

• Vessels going down the river against the flood are to stop above the Horseshoe Bend when vessels coming up river are rounding the bend.