KHM Talk 13 March 2026
Published 16:45 on 18 Mar 2026
Andy Burns, assistant KHM Portsmouth, gave a very interesting talk on Friday 13th March to a room of 22 HYC members.
He has been with what is now called Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) Portsmouth for 11 years. Im sure you will all be familiar with QHM then KHM Portsmouth on Channel 11 VHF for many years. VTS now brings Portsmouth in line with all other ports radio stations in the UK. It operates from the Semaphore Tower in Portsmouth Dockyard which dates back to 1778 and was able to signal a Goodbye to Horatio Nelson aboard HMS Victory on the way to Trafalgar!
Andy included a number of humorous anecdotes about previous mishaps in the Portsmouth area, including the scary F word FOG and how disorientating it can be to mariners. Also, a tanker that reported on VHF that they had caught a Yacht in August 2011 near Cowes.
Andy has been a member of the Magic Circle for a number of years and goes by the stage name Andy Cadabra. He concluded his talk with an amazing magic rope trick!
Dave Wright
Note the call sign "PORTSMOUTH VTS" on Ch 11 and their phone number in your mobile 02392 723694
A comprehensive summary of Andy's slides was created by AI software on the evening, and is worth a read. A good reminder of the rules and safety advice to be aware of when using Portsmouth Harbour.
Vessel traffic management overview
Portsmouth Harbour Authority & Operations
- Dockyard Port of Portsmouth covers 55 square miles of Eastern Solent
- Kings Harbour Master (KHM) has sovereign authority over area
- Supersedes all civilian overlapping authorities
- Authority derives from 1865 Dockyard Port Act & 2005 Order
- Military chain (Secretary of State for Defence) trumps civilian ports
- Portsmouth VTS operates 24/7/365 on Channel 11
- Call sign: Portsmouth VTS (formerly KHM)
- Phone: 02392 723694
- Three operator stations covering Eastern Solent on radar/CCTV
Navigation Rules & Procedures
- 10 knot speed limit within half mile of land
- Small boat channel for vessels <20m
- Runs from No. 4 Bar buoy red side to Ballast pile buoy
- Must request permission to use main channel if needed
- Harbour entrance crossing protocol:
- Call Portsmouth VTS on Channel 11
- Request permission to cross to Camber or ballast pile
- No sailing through harbour entrance unless emergency/engine failure
- 50m minimum distance from military berths at all times
Precautionary Area & Traffic Management
- Precautionary area: Saddle buoy to ballast bar
- Active for vessels >135m length
- Three red vertical lights by night, cylinder by day
- 500m ahead, 50m either side moving prohibited zone
- Legal prosecution possible for serious hampering
- VTS provides traffic organization, information, and navigational assistance
- Can hold vessels, adjust timing, provide routing guidance
- Monitor for vessels needing assistance (observed navigation aid)
Communication & Emergency Procedures
- Primary: Channel 11 for Portsmouth VTS
- Emergency: Channel 16 for Coast Guard (life-threatening situations)
- VTS can coordinate with police launch, other assets for local incidents
- Local notices to mariners available on KHM website
- Navigation warnings with visual map overlay
- Weather information and tide data
- Mobile phone backup recommended with key contact numbers
Safety Recommendations
- Pre-departure checks essential (especially after periods of inactivity)
- Passage planning including tides, weather, traffic conditions
- VHF radio mandatory, mobile phone backup
- Tell someone your passage plan and timing
- Delay trips in zero visibility conditions
- Monitor Channel 11 when in Portsmouth area
Historical Context & Infrastructure
- Founded by Henry VII in 1495, first dry dock worldwide
- Peak employment: 25,000 people (WWI era)
- HMS Victory berthed at Gosport Ferry 1824-1922 before current dry dock
- Semaphore Tower rebuilt 1929 after 1913 fire (southern wing only)
- 750,000 annual visitors to historic dockyard
Related
- Talk: "The Work of KHM Portsmouth" by Andrew Burns (13 March, 18:00 - 23:00)
Last updated 13:21 on 20 March 2026