The Clyde Dockyard Port of Gareloch and Loch Long Order 2011

Article 7

SCHEDULE 6 Rules

Navigation of Large Vessels

1.—(1) Where it is intended that any vessel with a gross registered tonnage equal to or exceeding eighty tons is to enter the dockyard port, the owner, agent or master of that vessel shall notify the Queen’s harbour master of its anticipated time of arrival and departure before entering the dockyard port, and

(2) The owner, agent or master of any such vessel shall comply with any direction given by the Queen’s harbour master as to the timing of the vessel’s entry to and exit from the dockyard port and the navigation of the vessel whilst it is within the dockyard port.

Temporary Restrictions on Navigation within the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel

2.—(1) Where it is necessary for any naval vessel and/or auxiliary to proceed to or from a Crown Establishment or to be turned, moved, berthed or docked within the dockyard port, the Queen’s harbour master may direct that no person shall:

(a) enter, pass through or remain in the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel;

(b) cause or permit any vessel or thing to enter, pass through or remain in the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel.

(2) Where any such direction is made, notice of the direction—

(a) shall be broadcast by the Queen’s harbour master on VHF channel 73 from time to time during the period in which the direction is in force, and

(b) shall be indicated by the illumination of a red light above two green lights supplemented by a red rectangular flag with a white diagonal bar displayed on any naval vessel or auxiliary within the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel and at masts at the following locations:

(i) the Port Control Building at Faslane;

(ii) Rhu Hard;

(iii) the DG Range building adjacent to Green Isle; and

(iv) the Navy Buildings, Greenock.

Exclusion Zones – Submarines

3.—(1) Whenever a submarine is underway within the dockyard port, no person shall at any time:

(a) enter, pass through or remain in, or

(b) cause or permit any vessel or thing to enter, pass through or remain in

any part of the dockyard port that falls within a zone of 250 metres radius surrounding the submarine.

(2) Notice that a submarine is underway within the dockyard port shall be broadcast by the Queen’s harbour master on VHF channel 73 from time to time during the period in which the submarine is underway.

Exclusion Zone – Surface Vessels

4.—(1) The Queen’s harbour master, on any occasion when it is necessary to facilitate or ensure a clear passage for any surface vessel, may direct immediately before the vessel becomes underway that there be an exclusion zone of up to 250 metres radius in the water around the vessel.

(2) Notice that a direction under sub – paragraph (1) above has been given shall be broadcast by the Queen’s harbour master on VHF channel 73 from time to time during the period in which the submarine is underway.

(3) The vessel to which the exclusion zone applies shall display—

(a) (by day) two diamond shapes vertically disposed where best seen; or

(b) (by night) two flashing red lights at the masthead horizontally disposed.

(4) Where a direction specified in sub-paragraph (1) above has been given and whilst the shapes or light signals specified in sub-paragraph (2) above are displayed—

(a) no vessel underway in the dockyard port, save any vessel authorised by the Queen’s harbour master to escort the vessel to be given clear passage, shall enter the exclusion zone surrounding that vessel; and

(b) vessels alongside, at anchor, at a buoy or at a mooring within the exclusion zone shall remain in such a position whilst the direction remains in force.

(5) The direction shall remain in force until either—

(a) the vessel which is to be given clear passage leaves the limits of the Dockyard Port; or

(b) the Queen’s Harbour Master rescinds the direction and broadcasts notice of the same on VHF Channel 73.

Speed Limits

5.—(1) Within the limits of the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel; the Faslane Restricted Area; the Coulport Restricted Area and the Coulport Fishing Exclusion Zone, the speed of any vessel shall not exceed seven knots through the water unless a speed in excess of seven knots is essential for the safety of navigation.

(2) Elsewhere within the dockyard port, no vessel shall exceed twelve knots through the water.

Vessels Turning

6.  When a power driven vessel under way is about to turn around, the vessel shall indicate her intention to turn to any other vessel in her sight by four short whistle blasts followed after a short interval by one further short whistle blast if turning to starboard or two further short whistle blasts if turning to port.

Wrecks and Submerged Objects

7.  Should a vessel sink, be stranded or become a wreck in any part of the dockyard port so that an obstruction is caused, or is likely to be caused, the master of the vessel shall immediately notify the Queen’s harbour master.

Port Radio Telephone Communication

8.—(1) Save with the permission of the Queen’s harbour master, all vessels of an overall length of 20 metres or more, and, when engaged in any type of commercial activity, small boats navigating within the dockyard port, shall carry fixed or portable VHF radiotelephony equipment.

(2) The Queen’s harbour master from time to time may by notice published as a general or local notice to mariners direct that the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) be extended to small boats when necessary for safety within the dockyard port.

(3) Port radio telephone communications shall be conducted in accordance with any direction issued by the Queen’s harbour master from time to time.

Vessels to be navigated with care and caution

9.  The master of a vessel navigating the dockyard port shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such a manner as shall not cause annoyance to the occupants of any other vessel or cause damage or danger to any other vessel or to any moorings or other property.

Conduct within the Dockyard Port

10.  The master of a vessel shall not navigate within the dockyard port when unfit by reason of intoxication through drink or drugs.