Submarine Movements And Operations

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King's Harbour Master Plymouth

LNTM No 3/14

  1. Paragraph 5(b) of this notice is a direction by the Queens Harbour Master Plymouth in exercise of powers conferred by the Dockyard Port of Plymouth Order 1999.
  2. “D” buoy is the primary submarine berth in the Sound. However, when operationally necessary, “E” buoy may also be used by submarines.
  3. Mariners are warned that submarines may well remain indistinct at night, especially when viewed from seaward. Longroom Port Control Station may also alert vessels transiting the Sound to the presence of submarines.
  4. Additional Signals Displayed During the Movement of Nuclear Powered Submarines.
    1. Nuclear powered submarines are constrained by their draught to navigate only in the deep-water channels of the Dockyard Port. Due to their special construction they are unable to display the signals prescribed for vessels constrained by their draught in Rule 28 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972.
    2. These signals will therefore be displayed by the tugs accompanying nuclear submarines while transiting the harbour, and are as follows:
      1. By day a black cylinder.
      2. By night three all round red lights in a vertical line.
  5. Submarine Operations.
    1. Submarines regularly operate in Plymouth Sound and approaches with equipment deployed astern, extending out to 800 metres. Although this equipment is slightly negatively buoyant, it can rise to the surface.
    2. Mariners are not to pass within 200 metres of any submarine underway within the Dockyard Port of Plymouth, except when crossing astern where the distance is increased to 800 metres. If in doubt mariners should contact the submarine direct on VHF Channel 14 to seek advice. If radio contact with the submarine cannot be established, vessels should call Longroom Port Control Station.
  6. Cancel this Local Notice To Mariners Wed 31st Dec 2014 (113 days)

Wednesday 01 Jan 2014

C Necker
Commander Royal Navy
Queen's Harbour Master