Kings Lynn Conservancy Board as the Competent Harbour Authority for the river Great Ouse and the South-eastern part of the Wash, in pursuance of section 7 of the Pilotage Act 1987 and section 2 of the Marine navigation Act 2013 has issued directions for pilotage.
The Kings Lynn Conservancy Board Pilotage Area means the approaches south of an East / West line through 52° 56.00N and north of the Freebridge at 52° 44.3’N 00° 23.2’E. View Pilotage Directions here.
All vessels over 35 metres in length are subject to compulsory pilotage.
Vessels over 100 metres should be notified to the Harbour master prior to being fixed.
Vessels up to 119 metres or with maximum draughts of 6.0 metres* (*Departing Riverside Quay) have been handled at King’s Lynn on suitable tides. Maximum beam for the enclosed docks is 13.8 metres with a maximum draft of 5.5 Metres. Larger beam vessels can berth on Riverside Quay. (NAABSA).
Maximum length for ballast vessels to Layby at South Quay 6 is 85 Metres.
Arrival/ Sailing on any tide is subject to the vessel being ready in all respects to proceed at the indicated time before high water, with the required allowance over draft for the predicted tide, no significant defects to the vessel and suitable weather and visibility conditions.
Diagram showing relationship between allowance and Under keel clearance.
1. Inward Pilot Requirements
ISPS Code Requirements
We require the Pilotage Order Form completed and emailed to: pilots@kingslynnport.co.uk for pilot services 24 hours before the vessels arrival.
Pilot Boarding area is close East of No1 Lightbuoy 52°56’N 000°21.5’E, Daseley’s Sled 2 hours before high water. Call “King’s Lynn Harbour Radio or King’s Lynn Pilots” on VHF channel 14
Information required: See PILOT ORDER FORM
Cancellation of pilot must be confirmed to the Harbour Office or Duty Ports Ops no later than 4 Hours before the intended tide of arrival, failure to do which will result in a cancellation charge of 50% of full inward pilotage, plus 50% of boarding fee.
2. Shifts In Port Or Outward Pilotage
Vessel must be ready to proceed in all respects at 1 hour 30 minutes to high water. Pilots will board about this time. Maximum draft vessels for the tide should leave the Riverside quay or be clear of the Docks no later than 30 minutes to high water. If the vessel is delayed for whatever reason then the vessel will abort the transit and sail the following tide subject to the vessel having the required allowance.
a) Pilot requirements with the Maximum sailing draft to be confirmed to the Harbour Office or Duty Ports Ops 12 hours before departure, with amendments at 4 hours to high water.
b) Cancellation of a sailing or shifting pilot must be confirmed to the Harbour Office or Duty Ports Ops no later than 4 hours to high water, failure to do which will result in a fail to sail charge being applied.
3. Pilotage Charges
4. Documents
Pilot Order Form