NtM 02’2026
Port of Ramsgate General Notices
- OIL POLLUTION
Mariners should note that it is illegal to discharge any oil or Petroleum products into the Harbour Waters. In the event of any accidental discharge Mariners should immediately contact Ramsgate Port Control on VHF channel 14 or Telephone: 01843 572100 to advise of the incident and to receive instructions.
Mariners are advised that it is illegal to use oil dispersants within the Harbour Area, without the prior approval of the Harbour Master.
2. TRANSITING TURNING CIRCLE
Pleasure craft are reminded that their passage across the Western Ferry Terminal Turning Circle should be carried out as quickly as possible. The hoisting or lowering of sails should not be undertaken in this area without permission from port control.
3. VESSEL SPEED RESTRICTIONS
Mariner’s attention is drawn to clause 9 of the Ramsgate Harbour Byelaws:-
“Except with the permission of the Harbour Master, and subject to the collision regulations, the master of a vessel shall not knowingly cause or permit the vessel to proceed at a speed greater than 5 knots through the water”
4. PORT SIGNAL LIGHTS
Mariners are advised that the International Vessel Traffic Signals situated above the Port Control Building on the Royal Harbour East Pier, Position 51˚ 19.62N 001˚ 25.4E have the following characteristics and meanings.
1) ROYAL HARBOUR SEAWARD SIGNALS – Three Vertical Red or Green Lights facing seawards.
2) ROYAL HARBOUR SIGNALS – Three Vertical Red or Green Lights facing into the Royal Harbour.
3) FERRY TERMINAL MOVEMENT SIGNAL – An all round Flashing Orange Light.
The Royal Harbour Signals (1) and (2) apply only to vessels bound to and from the Ramsgate Royal Harbour.
When the Seaward Signal lights (1) are RED such vessels may not, without the specific permission, by VHF, of the Port Control, enter the Harbour Limits from Seaward
When the Harbour Signal lights (2) are RED such vessels may not, without the specific permission, by VHF, of the Port Control, Leave the Royal Harbour.
In each case a green signal indicates that vessels may proceed into the Harbour Limits or out of the Royal Harbour as applicable.
These signals are augmented by the Ferry Terminal Movement Signal (3), which will be displayed when a commercial movement is in progress. Whilst this signal is displayed, no vessel other than the commercial vessel moving may, without the specific permission, by VHF, of the Port Control:-
Enter the Harbour Limits from Seaward
Leave the Royal Harbour
Move from or to any Berth or Place in the Western Ferry Terminal.
5. REPORTING POINT- POINT ROMEO
As shown on Admiralty Chart 1828, is defined as any point on a circle of radius 2.5 nautical miles centred midway between the charted positions of the channel entrance buoys (Nos.1 & 2)
6. ARRIVAL AND SAILING REQUIREMENTS FOR VESSELS NOT REQUIRING PILOT
Any vessel over 20 metres in length and not requiring a pilot must report to the Port Control by VHF radio or by telephone at the following times:-
| Vessel Type | Arrival Advice’s | Sailing Advice’s | |||||||
| 1Hour Befre Romeo | 30’ Before Romeo | At Point Romeo | Entering the Channel | Vessel Secure | 20’ Before Sailing | 5’ Before Sailing | Ready to Sail | Clear of the Channel | |
| See Notes | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 , 3 | 2 | ||||
| Conventional Vessels | T | T | T | T | T | T | T | T | T |
| High Speed Craft ** | T | T | T | T | T | T | T | T | |
Notes:-
** As Defined in the International Code of Safety for High Speed Craft.
1 Vessels must advise any circumstances which might affect the manoeuvring capability of the vessel, and also the number of any Exemption Certificate.
2 To obtain permission to proceed into the channel or to leave the berth.
3 Vessels are advised to keep listening on VHF channel 14 from this time until the vessel is secure or clear of the channel.
7. ARRIVAL AND SAILING REQUIREMENTS VESSELS REQUIRING A PILOT
Any vessel requiring a pilot must, in accordance with the Pilotage Directions, report to the Harbour Authority on VHF Channel 14 (or Telephone 01843 572112 or email: port.control@thanet.gov.uk at the following times :-
Vessel Type | Arrival Advice’s | Sailing or Movement Advice’s | ||
12 hours before pilot station. | 2 hours before pilot station | On Arrival | 2 hours before pilot required | |
| See Notes | A | B | ||
| All Vessels | T | T | T | T |
Notes :-
A. On arrival, the vessel shall give the Harbour Authority (usually via the pilot) the best estimate of their departure time.
B. Vessels must also advise if the pilot required time changes. Failure to do so can result in a detention charge being made.
8. COMMUNICATIONS
Use of Other Channels: Vessels must obtain permission from Ramsgate Port Control before using any VHF channel other than those specified above for Port Operations purposes.
Contingency Monitoring: Ramsgate Port Control will monitor VHF Ch. 68 as a calling channel in the event that VHF Ch. 14 is masked by continuous carrier or transmission.
Mariners using the Fishermen’s Association fuelling facility must contact Port Control on VHF Ch. 14 PRIOR to moving to or departing from the fuel berth. This is necessary to ensure no vessels are entering or leaving the inner basin at that time.
| Channel | Call Sign | Purpose / Requirement |
| VHF Ch. 14 | Ramsgate Port Control | Mandatory Listening Watch for all vessels navigating within the Harbour Limits and Approaches. |
| VHF Ch. 68 | To be used for communication with Tugs within the port. A listening watch on VHF Ch. 14 must be maintained whilst working on Ch. 68, as far as is practicable. | |
| VHF Ch. 14 | Ramsgate Port Control | Approach and Departure: Vessels intending to enter the port must listen on Ch. 14 until safely inside the Royal Harbour. Vessels intending to leave the Royal Harbour must commence listening on Ch. 14 prior to departure and maintain the watch until clear of the approaches. |
| VHF Ch. 80 | Ramsgate Marina | For communicating with Marina Staff regarding berthage, fuelling requests, and other Marina Matters within the Royal Harbour. Note: Leisure Craft must not switch from Ch. 14 until they are inside the Royal Harbour. |
| VHF Ch. 14 | Ramsgate Dock Office | For obtaining information on the opening and closing times of the dock gates for access to the Inner Harbour Marina. |