TUGBOAT REGULATIONS 2026.
The King’s Lynn Conservancy Board (KLCB) as the Port and Harbour Authority and in pursuance and execution of the special power vested in KLCB under and by virtue of Section 60 of the King’s Lynn Conservancy Act 1897, and all other powers enabling them hereby make the following:-
Orders for any Tug by telephone on 01553 773411 or to the Duty Port Operations number.
Minimum Notice 24 hours – vessels requiring a tug may be delayed if the required notice is not given.
Vessels to or from King’s Lynn Port over 73 metres, not fitted with a bow thruster are required to employ a tug. Exemptions may be granted to certain vessels following a satisfactory assessment by a KLCB licenced pilot.
All Tankers over 73 Metres will have a tug in attendance regardless.
Vessels of 100 metres or over to or from the Docks without a Bow thruster are required to have 2 tugs in attendance. Vessels with a Bow thruster will require one tug.
Vessels of 100 metres or over bound for Riverside Quay are required to employ a tug. If berthed starboard side too (head-out) the vessel, may following a satisfactory assessment by a KLCB licenced pilot be exempt from having to employ a tug on sailing.
Any vessel that is fitted with a bow thruster which is not fully operational and available at all times will require a tug(s).
Any vessel that does not have fully functional and available at all times any of the following; main engines (ahead & astern propulsion), steering gear or anchors will require a tug(s).
All Vessels to be individually assessed.
In pursuance of the authority vested in the Harbour Master by Section XLIV of 4 and 5 Vic. Cap. XLVII and Sec. LII of 10 Vic.Cap. XXVII, such other vessels entering, leaving or moving within the limits of the Port and Harbour of King’s Lynn, as the Harbour Master directs will be required to use and employ a tug or tugs.
All towage undertaken by any tugboat provided by the Board is subject to the conditions known as the United Kingdom Standard Conditions for Towage and Other services (revised 1986) and shall be charged for at the following rates:
All rates are payable from mobilisation to demobilisation.
(a) Motor Vessels with the use of Main Engines and sailing vessels.
In normal Hours £683.60 per hour (Minimum 2 hours)
(b) Vessels without the use of main engines and or defective steering.
As in (a) or (g) plus 100%.
(c) Vessels requiring assistance when disabled, damaged or otherwise in distress.
By arrangement.
(d) Minimum Charge.
A minimum charge of two hours at the appropriate rate will be payable when the tug
services rendered on any one occasion do not exceed two hours.
(e) A cancellation charge of £1119.70 or the full reduced rate will be payable when a tug is ordered, but it is not employed. No charge will be made if notice of cancellation is received by telephone 01553 773411 or to the duty Port Operations number – not less than eight (8) hours before high water time in all cases.
(f) Use of Tugs Hawser.
The rates quoted do not include the use of the tugs towage lines and vessels being towed should provide their own hawsers. If ordered, the tug will provide a hawser at a charge of £84.00 on the understanding that damage to the tugs hawser in excess of normal wear and tear will be chargeable against the vessel being towed.
(g) Docking/Undocking and Moves in Docks.
Routine towage services to ships required to use and employ a tugboat by the provisions of the preceding Regulations when entering, moving within or leaving King’s Lynn Docks or Harbour, will be charged for at a reduced rate of £1119.70 per service per tug.
(h) Other Services.
Services not specified to be charged by arrangement.
(i) Late notice Charge
If the notice period for the tug for routine docking, undocking and moving operations is not given, and provided a tug crew can be mustered a Late notice charge of £490.44 shall be made in addition to (g) above.
The intended transit of a vessel requiring a tug may be delayed if the required notice is not given.