The Solent Forum

Working in partnership for the future

Associated British Ports

1. Name and address of organisation ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
Ocean Gate
Atlantic Way
Southampton SO14 3QN
Tel. No. 023 8048 8800
Fax. No. 023 8033 6402

Emergencies and out of normal working hours
c/o Harbour Master
VTS Centre
37 Berth
Eastern Docks
Southampton Tel: 023 8060 8204
Telex: 477161
Fax: 023 8023 2991
2. Main contacts Captain Ray Blair, Deputy Harbour Master
Ron Hancock, Environment Co-ordinator
3. Type of organisation Statutory Harbour Authority
Competent Harbour Authority
4. Terms of reference
  • Harbours, Docks Piers Clauses Act, 1847
  • Various Southampton Harbour Acts
  • British Transport Docks Acts
  • Harbours Act, 1964
  • Pilotage Act, 1987
Plus other relevant Acts which relate to the responsibility of a Statutory Harbour Authority.
5. Membership Associated British Ports is a sector of Associated British Ports Holdings PLC.
6. Geographical Area Statutory Harbour Limits:
  • Hillhead to Castle Point (IoW) seaward eastern limit;
  • Cowes Harbour (Northern Limit) southern seaward limit;
  • Egypt Point to Stansore Point seaward western limit;
  • Southampton Water less River Hamble;
  • River Itchen to Woodmill; and
  • River Test to Redbridge Causeway.
The above areas to the line of mean high water spring tides.

Competent Harbour Authority Limit Pilotage.

In addition to the above areas the East Solent less the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour to a line from Selsey Bill - Nab Tower - Culver Cliff (IoW) outer eastern limit.
7. Publications
  • Port of Southampton Harbour Bye Laws, 1988
  • Port Users Information and Navigation Guidelines
  • Navigational Safety Review 1991
  • Port of Southampton Notice to Mariners
  • Solent and Southampton Water Marine Emergency Plans (SOLFIRE/SOLSPILL)
  • Port of Southampton Yachtsmen’s Guide
  • Port of Southampton Annual Tide Tables.
8. Relevant projects/initiatives
  • Southampton Water Recreational Users Group
9. Affiliations
  • Solent Area Sailing Advisory Committee
  • Solent Harbour Masters Association
  • Solent Forum
  • Hampshire and IoW Trust for Maritime Archaeology
  • River Hamble Management Sub-Committee
  • Southern Ports Welfare Committee.