DRIFTER FLOAT TRIALS 16 - 17 JUNE 2026

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the King’s Harbour Master Portsmouth that the University of Southampton will be undertaking “Drifter” trials in various locations within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth between 16 – 17 June 2026.  
 
2.  The lightweight drifters / floats will be deployed for short observations of approximately a 30 minute duration, in the following locations:

a. Osborne Bay
b. Gilkicker Point
c. Ryde Sands
 
3. The trial is designed to gain better predictability of the tidal stream within the eastern Solent to aid future modelling for emergency services in SAR incidents.
 
4. The vessel both deploying and recovering the drifter floats and acting as Safety boat is the RHIB ‘REBEL PROTECTOR’ (LOA 9m) MMSI 232029921 Call Sign MICH3.
 
5. The safety vessel will be listening on VHF Ch 11, 12  & 16 and inform Portsmouth VTS at commencement and on completion of daily operations.
 
6.  The trials / vessel will conform to the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) and Portsmouth Harbour Regulations.  
 
7. Cancel this LNTM 18 June 2026.