Poole VTS

Poole VTS provides an essential Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) as defined by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Until February 2025, Poole VTS was known as “Poole Harbour Control”. This change has been made at the specific request of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to fall in line with IALA Guideline G1083. There are 23 designated Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Centres in the UK, listed in MSN 1796, with the last few exceptions expected to rename during 2025.

Poole VTS is manned by one of five Officers, 365 days, 24/7 providing information for all vessels and traffic clearances for those over 25m in length.

Poole VTS monitors VHF channels 14 and 16, Radar, CCTV, AIS 3D monitoring equipment, weather stations and tidal gauges so that a comprehensive service can be delivered at all times. They are assisted by several patrol vessels, third-party organisations across the harbour and, where required, individual harbour users.

Poole VTS use Message Markers and Standard Marine Phrases to ensure clear and concise communications are upheld at all times

In the event of an underway incident or emergency, Poole VTS should be informed as soon as possible. In a distress situation where immediate assistance is required, the Coastguard should be contacted first via VHF 16 and 999 first. For all marine accidents or near miss incidents within Poole Harbour and its approaches, no matter how minor, a written report should be submitted using the form here as soon as practicable following an immediate verbal report to Poole VTS on VHF Channel 14 or by telephoen to 01202 440230.

Poole VTS Objectives

Safety of life at sea.
Safety of navigation.
Efficiency of vessel traffic movement.
Protection of marine environment.
Protection of the adjacent communities and infrastructure.
Contribution to the efficiency of related activities and supporting maritime security.

VHF Channel: 14

Call sign: “Poole VTS”

Telephone: 01202 440230

Email: vts@phc.co.uk

Poole Harbour Entry Procedure for vessels over 25m

Arrival:

Shipping due at the Port should send their ETA 24h in advance to Poole VTS and the port agents indicating requirement for a Pilot when appropriate. CERS workbooks, any additional ISPS documentation plus the ship’s Pilot Card or Master’s Return Form should be e-mailed to vts@phc.co.uk on departure from previous port.

More information ships subject to compulsory pilotage is available here. All other vessels over 25 metres in length overall should establish contact with PHC no later than one hour from arrival at the Bar Buoy via VHF Channel 14, then again 15 minutes from the Bar Buoy to request permission to enter the Swash Channel (known as “Traffic Clearance”). Masters of ship’s subject to compulsory pilotage will be requested to confirm via VHF the nature of any current defects affecting manouverability or navigation or state “no defects”, and confirm that their pilot boarding arrangements will be rigged to IMO standards.

During entry, further inbound reporting points are at Bar Buoy, Channel Buoy, Aunt Betty Buoy, Stakes Buoy and when secured alongside.

Departure or Shifting Location

A minimium of 1 hours notice of sailing is required if a pilot is required. Shipping subject to compoulsory pilotage should give as much notice of their expected departure time as possible because their confirmed depature time remains subject to pilot availability as well as expected shipping movements under Pilot Exemption Certification (PEC).

Vessels operating under a PEC should contact VTS at both 60 minutes and 15 minutes before their anticipated departure, then request permission to slip lines (“Traffic Clearance”) immediately before departure.

All vessels of 25m LOA or over should establish contact with Poole VTS 15 minutes before their aniticpated departure and then request permission immediately before slipping lines at berth or re-entering main shipping channels from other operating locations accross the harbour. Poole VTS will inform vessels of other movements which may affect their navigation. All vessels of over 25m LOA must report when underway with further outbound reporting points are at Stakes Buoy, Aunt Betty Buoy and Bar Buoy.

Authorisations and Notifications Forms:

See below for authorisation forms for a number of controlled activities aboard vessels alongside and ashore on the Port Estate which are administered by Poole VTS. Completed forms can be sent to vts@phc.co.uk.

To enquire about processes and forms for other controlled activities (including import/export of dangerous goods etc.), email vts@phc.co.uk in the first instance.

– Pre Arrival Pack and Return Form for Masters – including a helpful short briefing pack on local procedures for ships in port

– Bunkering Notification

– Helicopter Landing Request

– Hot Works Authorisation Request

– Commercial Diving Authorisation Request