Notice to Mariners

Following consultation with mariners and stakeholders in 2007 the following changes to the London VTS Radio Reporting points in the Thames Estuary will be implemented with effect from 5th February 2009.

1. Delete the Falls Head, North East Goodwin and South Knock reporting points.
2. Establishment of a “London Arrival/Departure” arc 10nm radius centred on 51 28.31N, 123.75E from Foulgers Gat down to the CALDOVREP line extending ESE from North
   Foreland light to position in the separation zone 51 16.0N, 01 51.4E.
3. Remove Princes Approach RP
4. Establish a new reporting point at the outer end of the Princes Channel south of Tongue Sand Towers  (51 28.5N, 01 22.0E) called Tongue Sand Tower
5. Move Sunk Head Tower reporting points to the new Sunk Inner Precautionary Area boundary.  Inbound vessels to declare ETA at Black Deep 7 and Knock John 1
6. Remove the Tizard and Knob reporting points
7. Remove Black Deep 3 RP
8. Establish a new reporting point at Black Deep 5 Buoy coincident with northern limit of Precautionary Area for vessels both inward and outward bound.  Inward bound vessels to confirm ETA at Knock John 1.
9. Remove Black Deep 7 RP.
10. Establish a new reporting point at Black Deep 9 Buoy coincident with southern limit of Precautionary Area for vessels both inward and outward bound.  Outward bound vessels for Fishermans Gat to confirm passage intentions.
11. Remove Knock John 7 RP.
12. Establish a new reporting point near the South East Mouse Buoy  (51 30.5N 01 03.6E) Outward bound vessels are to declare an ETA for Black Deep 7.
13. Establish a new RP at Mid Swatch Buoy on the boundary of the PLA Port Limit/Medway approach Boundary (51 28.65N 00 43.87E)

The date of these changes is timed to coincide with New Editions of BA charts 1609 and 1607.  These changes are also published in the PLA Tide Tables and Port Information 2009 but will not come into force until the above date.