Skip to content
Recruiting now.Explore navy careers

KHM Clyde

REGISTRATION & REGULATION OF HIGH-SPEED CRAFT WITHIN THE DOCKYARD PORT

01/01/2024

King’s Harbour Master Clyde

Direction 04/24

Reference

A: Clyde Dockyard Port of Gareloch and Loch Long Order 2011

Introduction

1. Mariners are advised that the King’s Harbour Master Clyde has made the following General Direction under the Clyde Dockyard Port Order 2011.

Speed Limits

2. Mariners are advised that the general speed limit within the Clyde Dockyard Port (CDP) is 12 knots.

3. It should be noted, however, that a speed limit of 7 knots exists within the following areas:

a) Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel.

b) Faslane Restricted Area.

c) Coulport Restricted Area.

d) Loch Long Fishing Exclusion Zone.

e) Glen Mallan Restricted Area.

Application for High-Speed Licences

4. Any vessel wishing to operate at speeds higher than this are to apply for a licence from the King’s Harbour Master (KHM) prior to engaging in high-speed activity. The Ministry of Defence Police Clyde Marine Unit and Royal Marines have a specific authority that permits them to exceed the speed limit in the course of their duty and this General Direction does not apply to them.

5. Applications for high-speed licences can be made on the KHM Clyde Website (Speeding Licence Form), or in writing to the Assistant King’s Harbour Master (AKHM) at KHM Renown Building, HMNB Clyde, Faslane, Helensburgh G84 8HL. This should include the following information:

a) Full name, date of birth, address and mobile telephone number of the vessel’s owner and all individuals who will act as Master of the vessel. 

b) The dimensions and colour of the hull, the type of vessel and name.

c) Reason for requesting a high-speed licence.

6. AKHM, will grant (or otherwise) the licence by letter within 28 days of receipt of the request. The high-speed licence will be valid for 2 years from date of issue. If a High-Speed Licence is issued, the vessel holding this will be subject to a 6-month probation period starting from the date of issue.

7. The King’s Harbour Master reserves the right to withdraw any High-Speed Licence should the vessel it is attributed to be found to have exhibited poor seamanship or caused a hazard to navigation within the Clyde Dockyard Port or its environs.

8. Permission to proceed at higher speeds than those detailed in Paragraph 4 is for the following areas only:

a) Gareloch South of 56˚ 02.4N but not within the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel at any time.

b) Loch Long South of 090˚ degrees Ravenrock Point Light and North of the Glen Mallan Jetty at 56˚ 08.2N.

c) Loch Goil South of 56˚ 08N and North of 56˚ 09N.

9. Vessels granted this permission are subject to the following conditions:

a) These vessels are to navigate at a safe speed at all times, having particular regard for the safety of other water users in the vicinity and the prevailing conditions.

b)These vessels are not to impede the safe passage of any military traffic within the Clyde Dockyard Port.

c) These vessels are to comply with any additional instructions issued by KHM or their representative, including KHM Harbour Controllers or Ministry of Defence Police Clyde Marine Unit officers.

d) Licences are to be available onboard the vessel for inspection by Ministry of Defence Police Clyde Marine Unit officers.

10. This General Direction will be reviewed by 06 Jan 24.

Monday, 01 Jan 2024

Ian White
King's Harbour Master Clyde

Stay informed

To receive Notices and/or Shipping Movements, please make your selection below.

Follow KHM Clyde on X