Faslane (GBFAS)

Faslane, located on the west coast of Scotland, serves as a pivotal maritime hub, housing HM Naval Base Clyde, the Royal Navy's principal establishment in Scotland. This strategically significant port is not only a vital component of the UK's naval infrastructure but also a cornerstone of national defence. At the heart of Faslane lies the core of the Submarine Service, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent capabilities. The base is home to a fleet of advanced submarines, including the latest generation of hunter-killer submarines, designed to operate in diverse maritime environments and ensure the security of the nation’s interests. Faslane's facilities are equipped to support a wide range of naval operations, from routine maintenance and training exercises to the deployment of submarines on critical missions. The port's deep-water capabilities allow for the safe docking and servicing of submarines, while its strategic location provides easy access to the North Atlantic and beyond. Berths at the N end are protected by a floating barrier which encloses the NE corner of Faslane Bay. An overhead power cable is suspended between dolphins, close W of Carnban Pt (56°04.2'N., 004°49.1'W). Passage between the dolphins is prohibited.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Faslane Base, situated on the E side of the Gareloch, 1nm from its head, is a naval base in Scotland located within a protected area.

Max LOA 220m, beam 32.2m, draught 8.1m and 40,558DWT.

Anchorage may be found in Rosneath Bay for small vessels as it is sheltered from S'ly winds. Anchorage may be found between Cairndhu and Rhu Points. Temporary anchorage can be taken in suitable depths throughout Gareloch, but the holding ground is not good. Note that the temporary anchorage must be clear of restricted areas.

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels with LOA over 50m. Pilot vessel monitors VHF Ch 73. Pilots board military vessels, as follows: ..... Lat Long Remarks 1. 55°50.3’N 4°59.4W Any vessel bound for Loch Striven Royal Navy and NATO Fuel Jetty. 2. 55°54.6’N 4°55.1W Nuclear-powered warships and military vessels carrying hazardous cargo bound for Loch Long or Gareloch 3. 55°58.5’N 4°52.4W Military vessels bound for Loch Long 4. 55°58.3’N 4°50.0W Military vessels bound for Gareloch

The naval port is located via a restricted channel established in the approaches to, and through, Rhu Narrows. The port area is located within an additional restricted area, these areas are shown on the chart. Adjacent to the naval port is an additional restricted area and entry is prohibited for unauthorised vessels. An overhead power cable is suspended between dolphins, close W of Carnban Pt (56°04.2'N., 004°49.1'W). Passage between the dolphins is prohibited. A 7kts speed limit is in place along the Rhu Narrows restricted channel.

..... MHWS 3.4m MWHN 2.9m Observed range of tide is 2.7m.

A VTS is in place within Faslane Bay and is mandatory for all vessels with an LOA exceeding 20m. It is bounded by an area, as follows; ..... 1. The Dockyard Port of Gareloch including the waters and approaches to the loch N of an imaginary line commencing at Roseneath Point and extending E to Ardmore Point. 2. The Dockyard Port of Loch Long, the waters of Loch Long and Loch Goil to the N of 56°N. Inbound vessels required to participate in the VTS shall report, as follows: ..... 1. Upon passing Cumbrae Light 2. Nuclear powered warships and vessels bound for Loch Long when at the Outer Pilot Station 3. When abeam the lower Loch Long Buoy for vessels bound for Loch Long 4. Vessels bound for Gareloch when at the Inner Pilot station 5. Upon passing Perch Rock at the entrance to the Rhu Narrows 6. Upon passing Gully Bridge when exiting the Rhu Narrows Outbound vessels required to participate in the VTS shall report, as follows: ..... 1. Upon passing Gully Bridge at the entrance to Rhu Narrows 2. Upon passing Perch Rock at the exit to Rhu Narrows 3. Upon abeam the lower Loch Long Buoy for vessels departing Loch Long 4. When abeam Cumbrae Light

FASLANE 56°03.86'N 4°49.30'W UNCTAD LOCODE: GB FAS For details see: CLYDEPORT PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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Telephone: +44(0)1436 677280. Hours: H24. Procedure: All power driven vessels greater than 25m LOA entering or departing from the area should report to QHM on VHF Ch 73 when passing the Reporting Points.", "pilots_contact_details": [ { "station_call_name": "QHM", "vhf_primary_watch": "73", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+44(0)1436 677280" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "All power driven vessels greater than 25m LOA entering or departing from the area should report to QHM on VHF Ch 73 when passing the Reporting Points.", "when_to_report": "When passing the Reporting Points", "how_to_report": "VHF Ch 73", "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [] } }, { "area_name": "FASLANE NORTH BASIN ENTRY PROCEDURES", "pilots_area_description": null, "pilots_contact_details": [], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": "Vessels requiring to enter the North Basin should call QHM Harbour Control (Call Sign “FOSNI Ops” out of hours) on VHF CH 73 to request clearance prior to entering the basin. For vessels in passage from Perch Rock or the southern Gareloch, the call should be made abeam the Harbour Operations building. For vessels proceeding from the north Gareloch, the call should be made in good time prior to basin entry; vessels should not proceed into the basin until clearance is obtained. At the point of providing clearance, QHM Harbour Control will pass any information regarding other activities in the North Basin which require particular awareness. If the calling vessel receives no response on VHF, telephone contact should be attempted on +44(0)1436 677280 or base ext 3555 (ext 4005 out of hours). Vessels wishing to depart the North Basin should call for clearance to sail as in current practice. Vessels departing the basin should have priority over vessels entering unless there are extenuating circumstances and as directed by harbour control.", "when_to_report": null, "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [] } }, { "area_name": "Reporting Points", "pilots_area_description": null, "pilots_contact_details": [], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": null, "when_to_report": null, "how_to_report": null, "what_to_report": [], "pilot_boarding_positions": [], "pilot_disembarkation_positions": [] } } ] }, "widget_2_vts": { "cross_reference_redirect": null, "area_groups": [ { "area_name": null, "vts_boundaries": { "description": null, "coordinates": [] }, "contact_details": [], "procedure": { "compulsory_text_note": null, "general_rules": [] }, "reporting_lines_and_points": [], "reporting_requirements": [] } ] }, "widget_3_tugs": { "contact_details": [], "availability_hours": null, "notes": [] }, "widget_4_port_and_notes": { "port_and_terminal_contacts": [ { "station_call_name": "QHM", "vhf_primary_watch": "73", "vhf_secondary_working": null, "telephones": [ "+44(0)1436 677280" ], "faxes": [], "emails": [], "websites": [], "operating_hours": "H24" } ], "standalone_general_notes": [ "Port Control is manned between 0700 and 1700.", "Out of hours, the Duty Naval Base Officer can be contacted on telephone +44(0)1436 677232 or VHF Ch 73." ] }, "formatted_text_original": "PILOTS PROCEDURE: (1) Pilotage is provided by MOD Admiralty Pilots. (2) Pilot boards in the following positions: (a) Loch Striven Nato Fuel Facility: 55°50.30N 4°59.38W (b) Loch Long: 55°58.50N 4°52.42W (c) Faslane: 55°58.30N 4°49.90W ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ LOCAL PORT SERVICE For details see CLYDEPORT. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________ NAVAL BASE (DOCKYARD PORT) CONTACT DETAILS: Call: QHM VHF Channel: Ch 73 Telephone: +44(0)1436 677280 HOURS: H24 PROCEDURE: Reporting: All power driven vessels greater than 25m LOA entering or departing from the area should report to QHM on VHF Ch 73 when passing the following Reporting Points: Reporting PointPositionInward-bound or Outward-bound Lower Loch Long Lt buoy55°59.10N 4°52.30WInward-bound and Outward-bound Ashton Lt Buoy55°58.10N 4°50.65WInward-bound Ardmore Channel West55°58.30N 4°49.90WInward-bound (Gareloch only) Gully Bridge56°01.60N 4°48.35WOutward-bound Perch Rock55°59.40N 4°45.30WOutward-bound and Outward-bound FASLANE NORTH BASIN ENTRY PROCEDURES: (1) Vessels requiring to enter the North Basin should call QHM Harbour Control (Call Sign “FOSNI Ops” out of hours) on VHF CH 73 to request clearance prior to entering the basin; for vessels in passage from Perch Rock or the southern Gareloch, the call should be made abeam the Harbour Operations building. For vessels proceeding from the north Gareloch, the call should be made in good time prior to basin entry; vessels should not proceed into the basin until clearance is obtained. (2) At the point of providing clearance, QHM Harbour Control will pass any information regarding other activities in the North Basin which require particular awareness. (3) If the calling vessel receives no response on VHF, telephone contact should be attempted on +44(0)1436 677280 or base ext 3555 (ext 4005 out of hours). (4) Vessels wishing to depart the North Basin should call for clearance to sail as in current practice. (5) Vessels departing the basin should have priority over vessels entering unless there are extenuating circumstances and as directed by harbour control. NOTES: (1) See also CLYDEPORT entry. (2) Port Control is manned between 0700 and 1700. (3) Out of hours, the Duty Naval Base Officer can be contacted on telephone +44(0)1436 677232 or VHF Ch 73. ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________" }

WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 05/20 (Former update 38/19) QHM Clyde, (RSDRA2020000008567), 5/20 ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

..... KHM Clyde contact info VHF Ch 73 Harbour Control contact info Call sign FOSNI Ops VHF Ch 73 Telephone +44 1436 677 280 Naval Base contact info Call sign QHM VHF Ch 73 Telephone +44 1436 677 280 Duty Naval Base Officer contact info VHF Ch 73 Telephone +44 1436 677 232

ETA must be sent 24hrs in advance to to QHM Clyde and any updates at least 2hrs prior to arrival.

Three red lights vertically disposed indicate that the port is closed. When the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel and Faslane Restricted Area are closed, a red light above two green lights supplemented by a red rectangular flag with a white diagonal bar is displayed. This will be displayed on any Naval or Auxiliary vessel within the Rhu Narrows Restricted Channel and also at masts in the following locations: ..... 1. The Port Control Building at Faslane 2. Rhu Hard 3. The DG Range Building adjacent to Green Isle All vessels in the area will be tracked by the Harbour radar and monitored by the MoD police vessels. When approaching the port, all vessels are recommended to contact KHM Clyde to inform the Harbour Controller of their intentions. This will allow the vessel to be fully informed of activity in the area. Entry into the Restricted Channel at Rhu Narrows is prohibited during the movement of nuclear-powered submarines and large naval ships; vessels within these areas must clear them when the relevant signals are displayed.