Precautions / Regulations / Facilities.

Maintain Listening Watch within Approaches and Harbour on: St Helier VTS Ch. 14.

Navigation: An approach to the Port of St Helier can be via a number of charted passages. However, for most locals and visitors they stick to an approach from the West, passing “La Corbiere Lighthouse” and “Noirmont Point” or from the South, using “Demie de Pas tower” as a useful reference point. The charted “Dog’s Nest” 082°T leading marks for a westerly approach and the “Gros du Chateau’ 341°T leading marks for a southerly approach are not particularly useful to the small boat skipper because they are difficult or impossible to see from a normal helm position, say with a line of sight of less than 2m above sea level. It is less stressful and much easier, perhaps a little less accurate, just to buoy hop and use other transits for these legs of the approach.

From the West: Leaving the “Ruaudière (Green) lateral buoy” to starboard, head toward “E La Cloche (Green) lateral buoy” keeping several boat lengths South of “Oyster Rk. (Pole)” marker. When nearly abreast of “E La Cloche (Green) lateral buoy” turn leaving it to starboard and “La Platte Beacon (Red)” to port. Trim up to come onto the “Red and Green passage” 023°T using the leading marks as indicated on published navigational charts. Take care not to deviate from the “Red and Green passage” as there are a couple of heads on the eastern side of the approach that uncover at L.W.

From the South: Approach approximately 0.25nM West of “Demie de Pas tower” and pick out “La Platte Beacon (Red)” & “E La Cloche (Green) lateral buoy”. Steer a course so that “La Platte Beacon (Red)” appears to port of “E La Cloche (Green) lateral buoy” being just open to starboard. On this course you will pass “Hinguette (Red) lateral buoy” leaving it to port. When abreast of “E La Cloche (Green) lateral buoy” trim up to come onto the “Red and Green passage” 023°T and then follow directions as given above.

Depths: Approach and access to main harbour and holding pontoon is at all states of tide. Access to the marinas is dependent on sufficient rise of tide. See: “Marinas”.

Tidal Streams: The south coast of Jersey has strong tidal streams E/W & W/E at up to 5 knots. Wind over tide especially between “La Corbiere Lighthouse” and “Noirmont Point” can produce dangerous and turbulent water.

Winds: The Harbour entrance is only exposed in strong South / South-westerly winds at which times a strong ground swell can occur. Wind over tide can also produce some turbulent water along the south coast of the island. See: ‘Tidal Streams”.

Speed Limits: 5 knots in approaches and harbour.

Harbour entrance: The harbour entrance, between the Albert and Victoria pier heads, is accessible at all states of tide. IPTS traffic signals on south (Victoria) pier head. In addition to IPTS lights a yellow traffic light indicates that vessels under 25m may enter / leave contrary to main traffic signals.

Arrival procedures: Unless marina staff meet incoming vessels in their small harbour launch, visiting craft should berth on holding pontoon positioned just ahead of the RNLI lifeboat on the Albert pier and then call marina staff. See: “VHF Communications“ & “Useful Telephone Contacts“.

Marina: There are three marinas all operated by the Port of Jersey: Elizabeth Marina, La Collette Marina and St Helier Marina.

Elizabeth Marina: The marina has a flap gate of 1.8m high with a sill depth of 3.5m above Chart Datum. The gates opens / closes at an approximate depth of 5.3m above Chart Datum. The times of operation are approximately + / - 3hrs. H.W. IPTS traffic signals (All Red / All Green only) on starboard side of marina entrance permit single direction traffic only and are automated in intervals of 10 minutes in each direction. . Traffic lights begin operating when there is 2.5m of water over sill. The sill should not be crossed unless indicated by a green light. For published times see: “Links”. The marina entrance can have extremely strong flows of water (up to 5 knots in full flood) and the prudent visitor may choose to wait until slacker water + /- 1.5hrs H.W. There are no dedicated visitor berths in Elizabeth marina but at busy times of for longer stay vessels they may be allocated a berth in this marina.

La Collette Marina: The marina is considered to be accessible at all states of tide but at L.W. on spring tides the access channel may not have sufficient depth of water for safe navigation. At such times check with “St Helier VTS” before attempting. See: “VHF Communications“ & “Useful Telephone Contacts“. The two small Port (Red) lateral buoys indicate the correct entry / exit channel. The main IPTS traffic signals on south (Victoria) pier head and addition yellow traffic light apply to entry / exit of this marina. There are no dedicated visitor berths in La Collette marina but at busy times vessels may be allocated a berth in this marina.

St Helier Marina: The marina has a flap gate of 1.8m high with a sill depth of 3.5m above Chart Datum. The gates opens / closes at an approximate depth of 5.3m above Chart Datum. The times of operation are approximately + / - 3hrs. H.W. IPTS red traffic signals on starboard side of marina entrance indicate no entry. Entry is permitted when there are no contrary traffic signals (red) and the digital depth display showing “Depth over sill” enables the sill to be safely crossed. A margin of 0.5m below keel depth should be included as a safe depth to cross the flap gate sill. For published times see: “Links”. The visitor berths are at the northern end of the marina on pontoons E, F & G. Other berths may be made available by marina staff.

Fuel: Diesel and Petrol are both available from all three fuel providers.

Complete Boat Care (Fuel): Located inside Elizabeth marina (Pontoon A). Self-service / Credit card only. See “Marinas” for access times and “Useful Telephone Contacts“ for price or advise.

Fuel Up 24/7: Located off South Pier in the main harbour (On the starboard side just before the holding pontoon). Self-service / Credit card only. Access at all states of tide (Care required near L.W. to avoid grounding). See: “Useful Telephone Contacts“ for price or advise.

Victoria Pier Fuel Bert: Located on the Western side of Victoria Pier (Visible just before you enter the main harbour). Attendant staff fuel vessels. Access is H.W. +/- 3 hrs. See: “Useful Telephone Contacts“ for price or advise.

Incident reporting: St Helier VTS. See: “VHF Communications” & “Useful Telephone Contacts”.

VHF Communications.

Jersey Coastguard: Working channel Ch. 82, Emergency channel Ch. 16 Call sign “Jersey Coastguard”.

Marine Leisure Centre (all marina enquiries): Call St Helier VTS on Ch.14 and ask for assistance. Call sign “St Helier VTS”.

Port of St Helier automated wind (Broadcast at 2 minute intervals) Ch. 18.

St Helier VTS: Ch. 14 Call sign “St Helier VTS”.

Useful Telephone Contacts.

Fuel:

Complete Boat Care (Fuel): Text: 07797 723090.

Fuel Up 24/7: + 44 (0)1534 525247.

Victoria Pier Fuel Bert: Mobile: 07700 347313.

Jersey Coastguard: + 44 (0)1534 447705.

Marine Leisure Centre (all marina enquiries): + 44 (0)1534 447730/447708.

St Helier VTS: + 44 (0)1534 447722.

Links.

Click here for published times of marina openings.

Click here for Jersey Harbour Port Authority Website.

Click here for map of approaches to Jerseys' South Coast.

Click here for map of Jersey Marinas.

Click here for a video introduction to St Helier Harbour.