Tower Bridge with its bascules raised, seen from the Thames

Arrival formalities

Arrive in the UK with everything in place: the berth, the pilot, bridges and locks, and the reports to Border Force, planned together around the tide and taken off your desk.

What we arrange

01
Planning the arrival
We plan the tide, the berth, the pilot and any bridge or lock together, and send a written estimate the same working day.
02
The berth
Booked to suit the yacht's length, beam and draught, with the marina, the harbour authority or, in London, on the tiers or in St Katharine Docks.
03
Pilots
Where pilotage is compulsory we book the pilot with the port authority and confirm the boarding time as the port requires.
04
Bridges and locks
Tower Bridge lifts requested in writing 24 hours ahead, and lock entries at St Katharine Docks, Sutton Harbour and Wellington Dock timed to the tide.
05
Reporting and clearance
The pleasure craft report for a private yacht, or the National Maritime Single Window and FAL forms for a commercial one. The routes are on the clearance page.
06
Dues, fuel and departure
We pay dues on your account, arrange fuel and book water, power and waste. When you sail we make the departure report and send our account within a week.

The superyacht Kismet moored in the Pool of London beside Tower Bridge — Tower Bridge lifts for a yacht of 9 metres air draught or more, on 24 hours' written notice.

Pilotage by port

London: Pilotage compulsoryAbove 40m; NoticeBooking confirmed with Port Control 6 hours before the movement
Dover: Pilotage compulsoryOver 50m; NoticeBooked through Dover VTS 2 hours before the pilot station
Southampton: Pilotage compulsory61m and over; NoticeBooked 24 hours ahead; ETA confirmed 6 hours before
Portsmouth: Pilotage compulsory48m and over; NoticeBooked 24 hours ahead; ETA 8 hours before, confirmed 2 hours before
Cowes: Pilotage compulsory48m inner harbour, 61m outer; NoticeCowes Harbour Commission directions
Poole: Pilotage compulsory50m and over; Notice24 hours' notice
Dartmouth: Pilotage compulsoryOver 50m outer zone, over 30m above the Anchor Stone; Notice72 hours' notice, updated at 12 hours
Plymouth: Pilotage compulsoryOver 50m; NoticeBooked through the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
Fowey: Pilotage compulsoryOver 37.5m in the lower harbour; NoticeFowey Pilots, VHF 09
Falmouth: Pilotage compulsoryBy zone: over 30m in Zone B, 50m in Zone D, 75m in Zone C; Notice24 hours' notice of the ETA

Port	Pilotage compulsory	Notice
London	Above 40m	Booking confirmed with Port Control 6 hours before the movement
Dover	Over 50m	Booked through Dover VTS 2 hours before the pilot station
Southampton	61m and over	Booked 24 hours ahead; ETA confirmed 6 hours before
Portsmouth	48m and over	Booked 24 hours ahead; ETA 8 hours before, confirmed 2 hours before
Cowes	48m inner harbour, 61m outer	Cowes Harbour Commission directions
Poole	50m and over	24 hours' notice
Dartmouth	Over 50m outer zone, over 30m above the Anchor Stone	72 hours' notice, updated at 12 hours
Plymouth	Over 50m	Booked through the Cattewater Harbour Commissioners
Fowey	Over 37.5m in the lower harbour	Fowey Pilots, VHF 09
Falmouth	By zone: over 30m in Zone B, 50m in Zone D, 75m in Zone C	24 hours' notice of the ETA

Lower thresholds apply at several ports to vessels carrying more than 12 passengers or dangerous goods. The detail is on each port's pilot notes.

What we need before you arrive

The yacht: Length, beam, draught and air draught.
The visit: Your ETA, time alongside and the port.
People aboard: The crew and guest list with passport details.
Documents: The certificate of registry, the insurance certificate and your last port clearance.

The account

Harbour and light dues are paid on your account, and fuel comes from a fuel berth, a barge or a road tanker, whichever suits the port. The account is reconciled within a week of sailing, with each supplier's invoice attached at the supplier's own figure. The fee is on the fees page, and the berths at each port are in the pilot notes and the planner.

Questions

What does Watermans need before a superyacht arrives in the UK?

The yacht's length, beam, draught and air draught, the ETA and time alongside, the crew and guest list with passport details, the certificate of registry, the insurance certificate and the last port clearance.

How much notice does a UK pilot need?

It depends on the port: 24 hours at Southampton, Portsmouth and Poole, 72 hours on the Dart, and two hours before the pilot station at Dover. In London the booking is confirmed with Port Control six hours before the movement.

Who submits the pleasure craft report?

We submit it to Border Force for you, between two and twenty-four hours before the yacht sails from its last port for the United Kingdom, and again before departure.