Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Speed Limits - KHM Portsmouth General Direction No 4/25
Published 21:48 on 9 Jun 2025
1. Mariners are advised that the Kings Harbour Master has made the following General Direction under the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth Order 2005, that within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth the following speed limits apply:
a. Within Portsmouth Harbour - 10 knots.
b. Within 0.5 nautical miles of the line of mean low-water springs in any part of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth outside the Harbour - 10 knots.
The speed limit in each case is to be taken as "speed through the water".
2. Mariners are also reminded of the importance in proceeding at a safe speed at all times as defined in Rule 6 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). In particular in the approaches to and inside Portsmouth Harbour, when determining a safe speed, special consideration must be given to small vessels. Small vessels may exhibit combined navigation lights which may be difficult to pick out against background lighting, and they may not be detected by vessels with radar at adequate range.
3. The above speed limits do not apply within designated water-skiing and personal watercraft (jet ski) areas (see General Direction 02/25). Ministry of Defence vessels may also be exempt on occasions for training and operational policing reasons, as well as recognised search and rescue organisations when responding to an emergency. Any person who has a requirement to exceed the above speed limit for specific exceptional reasons should apply to the Kings Harbour Master, seeking permission from Portsmouth VTS via VHF Channel 11 if appropriate.
4. General Direction 05/23 is hereby cancelled.
Last updated 21:48 on 9 June 2025