Poole Harbour Guide 2011 - Poole Harbour Commissioners

Exemptions from
Speed Limit
From time to time you will see craft
exceeding the speed limit through the
harbour. The following list of vessels have
permission to exceed the speed limit in the
circumstances described:-
Police Vessels
Harbour Patrol Vessels – VANGUARD,
VANDYKE (Standby Pilot Boat), VIGILANT,
SURVEY ONE, VIXEN (RIB), VIPER (PW).
These craft will all patrol within the speed
limit under normal circumstances, but will
respond to emergencies, byelaws and other
infringements at high speed.
RNLI Lifeboat and Inshore Rescue Boat
~ When on rescue or lifesaving operations.
Coastguard RIB ~ When on rescue or
lifesaving operations.
Royal Marines ~ Employ a number of
fast training craft and will exceed the
speed limit when on operational duties.
They will normally fly the White Ensign
on these occasions.
Byelaws
Test Run Area ~ The half mile ‘Test Run’
between Nos. 36 and WH 2 buoys in the
Wareham Channel is for the testing of
‘production craft’ (e.g. Sunseeker) when sea
conditions outside the Harbour are
unsuitable. These boats have to be launched
and tested on a regular basis, often to meet
important export schedules. If you have a
legitimate need to use this facility apply to
the Harbour Master. Unauthorised high
speed use of this facility will be considered
a breach of the speed limit byelaw.
The Speed limit of 10 knots is
applicable throughout the year, but
is relaxed in the Wareham Channel,
Middle Ship and North Channels only
between 1 October and 31 March.
PLEASE NOTE
Radar, CCTV, VHF communications
and telephone conversations to
Harbour Control are recorded for
safety and training purposes
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