Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix 16-20 July 2025 - KHM Portsmouth LNTM No.85/25
Published 08:54 on 18 Jul 2025
1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Kings Harbour Master that the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix (SailGP) Championship will be conducted in the Dockyard of Portsmouth from 16 to 20 July 2025.
2. The event off Southsea seafront will involve high-speed foiling catamarans (F50s) racing in a designated course area. To ensure the safety of competitors, support craft, and spectators during the scheduled practice and race days, an Exclusion Zone (EZ) will be established between 1500 and 1800 on 18, 19 and 20 July General Direction 5/25 refers.
3. The F50s and support vessels will be based in both HM Naval Base Portsmouth and ABP Port of Southampton. Twelve teams will compete in this series, and racing will be on a relatively short course.
4. Given the speed of the craft involved, the arrangements for this event are extensive, and are primarily focussed on ensuring the safety of competitors, other personnel involved in the racing, spectators and other water users.
Programme of Events
5. The participating vessels and teams will arrive in their respective base locations in early July, for setting up and commissioning. Sailing is due to commence from 16 July with a period of testing. This will involve two F50s transiting from and to HM Naval Base Portsmouth and sailing in the eastern Solent.
6. On each day during the period 18 to 20 July ten F50s will transit from and to ABP Port of Southampton, departing at 1400 and arriving back at 1900 (times subject to change). They will be supported by several chase vessels and may, if required, be under tow. The intended transit route is close inshore using the North Channel, crossing over the main channel in Southampton Water. Traffic information for their movements can be obtained from Southampton VTS on VHF channel 12.
7. On each day during the period 18 to 20 July two F50s will transit from and to HM Naval Base Portsmouth, departing at 1500 and arriving back at 1830 (times subject to change). They will be supported by several chase vessels and may, if required, be under tow. Traffic information for their movements can be obtained from Portsmouth VTS on VHF channel 11.
8. 18 July is the main practice day, with racing craft participating in 3 or 4 races of c.15 minute duration. Arrangements will closely follow the format for the race days, but precise timings may differ slightly.
9. 19 and 20 July are the race days, with the racing being broadcast live on television. There will again be 3 or 4 races, timed as required by SailGP.
10. In addition to the F50 races, during the programme of SailGP operations, there will also be a number of smaller events, but these will all be contained in the EZ. This may involve several craft transiting from and to Endeavour Quay, Portsmouth, to partake in wing foil racing. Vessels involved in this will transit via the small boat channel.
Traffic Restrictions
11. To ensure safe control of the events, a number of adjustments to normal harbour management procedures will be required for the event period 15 to 21 July.
12. From 15 July, two moorings, which will be marked by inflatable yellow marks and lit by a flashing yellow light, will be laid off Sheer Jetty in HM Naval Base Portsmouth. These will be laid approximately 50 metres off the jetty and are for temporary mooring of F50 vessels after launch, although in the event of high winds, they may be used for longer periods. All vessels are to keep a minimum of 50 metres clear of the moorings, or any vessel secured to them. Mariners are reminded that a 50m exclusion zone exists around HM Naval Base Portsmouth, this includes warships and naval auxiliaries alongside.Unauthorised vessels or persons entering this exclusion zone will be challenged by the Ministry of Defence Police.
13. Each day from 18 to 20 July, several floating racing marks will be laid. The EZ will be marked by orange tetrahedral inflatable buoys. Other marks will be set to mark the race course and other SailGP areas of interest. These buoys will begin to be laid an hour before the establishment of the EZ and will be removed each day after the event.
14. It is planned that wherever possible, during the racing period 15 to 20 July F50s and support craft will depart or enter Portsmouth Harbour together. For safety reasons, Portsmouth VTS will co-ordinated these movements and such will be organised to cause as little disruption to other traffic as possible. F50 vessels and support craft may use the main channel. The Small Boat Channel will remain open throughout, but craft are to exercise particular caution during transits of F50s.
15. Scheduled movements of large passenger vessels from and to Portsmouth International Port and Wightlink vessels will be authorised to transit the EZ outside of the racing periods. These will be directed by Portsmouth VTS, in partnership with SailGP to deconflict with race starts.
16. Hovertravel will continue to operate throughout, transiting outside the EZ.
Spectator Viewing and Race Marshalling
17. The designated race area for the day will be determined by SailGP and will be oriented based on the latest forecast wind information for the racing period. It is possible that the orientation will be different on each day to ensure an optimum course is set.
18. A line of clearly flagged marshal craft will surround the EZ and will shepherd all unauthorised vessels outside the EZ. Kings Harbour Master and Police vessels will be on scene to assist and enforce the EZ. The Swashway transit shall not be obstructed. A vessel shall not impede the safe passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only in the Swashway to transit in and out of Portsmouth Harbour.
19. Existing restrictions on anchoring marked on chart BA2625 will remain in force, and anchoring will only be permitted in areas clear of the racing area and outside of the Anchoring Prohibited areas. No unauthorised anchoring will be allowed in the Spithead Man of War Anchorage.
20. Cancel this Local Notice to Mariners 21 July 2025.
Last updated 08:54 on 18 July 2025