# The Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) Regulations 1987

S.I. 1987/1591 · made 8 September 1987

These Regulations replace the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) Rules 1977 as amended in 1977, 1978 and 1984. They extend the winter and summer partially smooth water limits for Lerwick to the northward and specify a new winter area of partially smooth waters in Dales Voe and a new area of smooth waters at Aberystwyth. In other respects the limits of smooth and partially smooth waters remain unchanged.

Made under: Merchant Shipping Act 1979 (Section 21, Section 22)

PDFs: Printed copy https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-smooth-and-partially-smooth-waters-regulations-1987/pdf/uksi_19871591_en.pdf

## Introductory text

MERCHANT SHIPPING
SAFETY
Made 8th September 1987
Laid before Parliament 17th September 1987
Coming into force 8th October 1987
The Secretary of State for Transport, after consulting with the persons referred to in section 22(2) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979 in exercise of the powers conferred on him by sections 21(1)(a) and (b) and 22(3)(a) of that Act and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

## 1 

These Regulations may be cited as the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) Regulations 1987 and shall come into force on 8th October 1987.

## 2 

The Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) Rules 1977, the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) (Amendment) Rules 1977, the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) (Amendment) Rules 1978 and the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) (Amendment) Rules 1984 are hereby revoked.

## 3 

(1) This regulation applies to instruments in force on the making of these Regulations being—
(a) regulations made pursuant to section 21(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1979; or
(b) rules or regulations made pursuant to any other provision of the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894 to 1977 in which the expression “smooth waters” or “partially smooth waters” or any cognate expression occurs.
(2) For the purposes of any instrument to which this regulation applies and notwithstanding anything therein—
(a) “smooth waters” shall mean (a) the waters specified in column 2 of the Schedule and (b) any other waters which are neither partially smooth waters nor the sea;
(b) “partially smooth waters” shall mean, as respects any period specified in the Schedule hereto, the waters of any of the areas specified in column 3 of that Schedule in relation to that period.
and cognate expressions (including, in particular, “smooth and partially smooth waters” and “smooth or partially smooth waters”) shall be construed accordingly.

## Signature

Paul Channon
Secretary of State for Transport
8th September 1987

## LIMITS OF SMOOTH WATER AND PARTIALLY SMOOTH WATER AREAS

(1) The outer limits of the smooth water areas specified in column 2 of this Schedule shall be taken to be the corresponding inner limits of the partially smooth water areas specified in column 3 of this Schedule.
(2) Unless otherwise indicated, these limits apply to all times of the year. In this Schedule “summer” means the months of April to October, inclusive, and “winter” means the months of November to March, inclusive.
(1)
(2)
(3)
District
Smooth Water Areas
Partially Smooth Water Areas
SHETLAND ISLES:
Blue Mull Sound
No smooth waters
Between Gutcher and Belmont
Yell Sound
No smooth waters
Between Tofts Voe and Ulsta
Sullom Voe
No smooth waters
Within a line from the north-east point of Gluss Island to the northern point of Calback Ness
Dales Voe
No smooth waters
In winter within a line from the north point of Kebister Ness to the Coast of Breiwick at Longitude 1° 10.8'W.
In summer as for Lerwick.
Lerwick
No smooth waters
In winter within the area bounded to the northward by a line from Scottle Holm to Scarfi Taing on Bressay and to the southward by a line from Twageos Point Lighthouse to Whalpa Taing on Bressay.In summer within the area bounded to the northward by a line from Brim Ness to the north east corner of Inner Score and to the southward by a line from the south end of Ness of Sound to Kirkabisterness.
ORKNEY ISLANDS:
Kirkwall
No smooth waters
Between Kirkwall and Rousay not east of a line between Point of Graand (Egilsay) and Galt Ness (Shapinsay) or between Head of Work (Mainland) through Helliar Holm light to the shore of Shapinsay; not north west of the south east tip of Eynhallow Island, or north of the southern tip of Holm of Scockness.
Stromness
No smooth waters
To Scapa but not outside Scapa Flow.
Scapa Flow
Within an area bounded by lines drawn from Wharth on the island of Flotta to the Martello Tower on South Walls, and from Point of Cletts on the island of Hoy to Thomson’s Hill triangulation point on the island of Fara and thence to Gibraltar Pier on the island of Flotta.
Within an area bounded by lines drawn from Point of Cletts on the island of Hoy to Thomson’s Hill triangulation point on the island of Fara and thence to Gibraltar Pier on the island of Flotta; from St. Vincent Pier on the island of Flotta to the westernmost point of Calf of Flotta; from the easternmost point of Calf of Flotta to Needle Point on the island of South Ronaldsay, and from the Ness on Mainland to Point of Oxan lighthouse on the island of Graemsay and thence to Bu Point on the island of Hoy.
EAST OF SCOTLAND:
Cromarty Firth
Within a line between NorthSutor and South Sutor.
Within a line from North Sutor to Nairn Breakwater.
Inverness
Within a line from Fort George to Chanonry Point to Fort William.
Within a line from North Sutor to Nairn Breakwater.
Aberdeen
Within a line from South Jetty to Abercromby Jetty.
No partially smooth waters.
Dundee
Within a line from the tidal basin (fish dock) Dundee to Craig Head, East Newport
Within a line from Broughty Castle to Tayport.
Queensferry, North and South
Within the Firth of Forth but not east of the Forth railway bridge.
Within a line from Kirkcaldy to Portobello.
Leith
Within the Breakwaters.
Within a line from Kirkcaldy to Portobello.
NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND:VE
Berwick on Tweed
Within a line from Spittal Point to the inner end of the northern Breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Amble
Within the Breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Blyth
Within the outer Blyth Pier Heads.
No partially smooth waters.
Newcastle, North and South Shields
Within the Tyne Pier Heads.
No partially smooth waters.
Hartlepool
Within a line from MiddletonJetty to Old Pier Head.
No partially smooth waters.
Middlesbrough
Within a line extending due west from Government Jetty.
No partially smooth waters.
Whitby
Within Whitby Pier Heads.
No partially smooth waters.
Seaham Harbour
Within the Breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Sunderland
Within the outer Sunderland Pier Heads.
No partially smooth waters.
EAST OF ENGLAND:
Hull
No smooth waters.
In winter within a line from New Holland to Paull.In summer a line from Cleethorpes Pier to Patrington Church.
Goole
Within a line from North Ferriby to South Ferriby.
In winter within a line from New Holland to Paull.In summer within a line from Cleethorpes Pier to Patrington Church.
Grimsby
No smooth waters.
In winter no partially smooth waters.In summer within a line from Cleethorpes Pier to Patrington Church.
Boston
Inside the New Cut.
No partially smooth waters.
LONDON:
Wisbech
Inside Wisbech Cut.
No partially smooth waters.
King’s Lynn
Inside Lynn Cut.
No partially smooth waters.
Yarmouth and Lowestoft
Within the Harbour Entrances at Yarmouth or Lowestoft.
No partially smooth waters.
Woodbridge
On the River Deben to the Mouth.
No partially smooth waters.
Harwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe—River Orwell and River Stour
Within a line from Blackmans Head Breakwater to Landguard Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Maldon — River Blackwater
Within a line from the south western extremity of Mersea Island to Sales Point.
In winter within a line from Colne Point to Whitstable.In summer within a line from Clacton Pier to Reculvers.
Burnham on Crouch — River Crouch
Within a line from HollywellPoint to Foulness Point.
In winter within a line from Colne Point to Whitstable.In summer within a line from Clacton Pier to Reculvers.
London—River Thames
Westward of a North/South line through PHA Isolation Hospital, Gravesend.
In winter within a line from Colne Point to Whitstable.In summer within a line from Clacton Pier to Reculvers.
Rochester, Chatham, Sheerness, Whitstable—River Medway and The Swale
Within a line from Garrison Point to the Grain Tower and within a line from Whitstable to Warden Point.
In winter within a line from Colne Point to Whitstable.In summer within a line from Clacton Pier to Reculvers.
Dover
Within a line drawn across theeast and west entrances to the harbour.
No partially smooth waters.
Rye—River Rother
Within the area above the tidal signal station at Camber.
No partially smooth waters.
Littlehampton — River Arun
Within the area above Littlehampton Pier.
No partially smooth waters.
S & SW OF ENGLAND:
Chichester
Within a line drawn between Eastoke point and the church spire, West Wittering.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering, to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Langstone Harbour
Within a line drawn between Eastney Point and Gunner Point.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering, to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward, and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Portsmouth
Within a line drawn across the harbour entrance from Fort Blockhouse to the Round Tower.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering, to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward, and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Bembridge, Isle of Wight
Within Brading Harbour
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering, to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward, and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Cowes, Isle of Wight
The River Medina within a line from the Breakwater Light on the east bank to the Watch House Light on the west bank.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering, to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward, and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Southampton
Within a line from Calshot Castle to Hook Beacon.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward, and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Beaulieu
Within Beaulieu River not eastward of a North/South line through Needs Oar Point.
Inside the Isle of Wight within an area bounded by lines drawn between the church spire, West Wittering to Trinity Church, Bembridge, to the eastward and the Needles and Hurst Point to the westward.
Keyhaven Lake
Within a line drawn due north from Hurst Point Low Light to Keyhaven Marshes.
No partially smooth waters.
Christchurch
Within Christchurch Harbour excluding the Run.
No partially smooth waters.
Poole
Within the line of the Chain Ferry between Sandbanks and South Haven Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Weymouth
No smooth waters.
Within Portland Harbour and between the River Wey and Portland Harbour.
Exeter
Within a line from Warren Point to the coastguard flag staff at Exmouth.
No partially smooth waters.
Teignmouth
Within the Harbour.
No partially smooth waters.
Dartmouth — River Dart
Within a line from Kettle Point to Battery Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Salcombe and Kingsbridge — River Salcombe
Within a line from Splat Point to Limebury Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Plymouth
Within a line from Mount Batten Pier to Raveness Point through Drake’s Island.The River Yealm within a line from Warren Point to Misery Point.
Within a line from Cawsand to the Breakwater to Staddon Pier.
Fowey
Inside the Harbour
No partially smooth waters.
Falmouth
Within a line from St. Anthony Head to Pendennis Point.
In winter within a line from St. Anthony Head to Rosemullion Point.In summer within a line from St. Anthony Head to Nare Point.
Padstow — River Camel
Within a line from Gun Point to Brea Hill.
Within a line from Stepper Point to Trebetherick Point.
Barnstaple and Bideford — Rivers Taw and Torridge
Within a line bearing 200° fromthe lighthouse on Crow Pointto the shore at Skern Point.
No partially smooth waters.
BRISTOL CHANNEL:
Bridgwater
South of a line running due east from Stert Point (51° 13.0'N)
Within the Bar
Bristol
Within a line from Avonmouth Pier to Wharf Point.
In winter within a line from Blacknore Point to Caldicot Pill, Portskewett.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Gloucester
North of a line running due west from Sharpness Point (51° 43.4'N).
In winter within a line from Blacknore Point to Caldicot Pill, Portskewett.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Chepstow
The River Wye at Chepstow North of latitude 51° 38.0'N.
In winter within a line from Blacknore Point to Caldicot Pill, Portskewett.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Newport
North of the overhead power cables crossing at Fifoots Points.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Cardiff
Within a line from South Jetty to Penarth Head.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Barry
Within a line joining the seaward ends of the breakwaters.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Barry Dock Pier to Steepholm thence to Brean Down.
Port Talbot
(i)Within enclosed Docks.
No partially smooth waters.
(ii)Within a line joining the seaward ends of the breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Neath
Within a line running due north from the seaward end of Baglan Bay Tanker Jetty (51° 37.2'N, 3° 50.5'W).
No partially smooth waters.
Swansea
Within the enclosed docks.
Within a line joining the seaward ends of the East and West breakwaters.
Llanelli and Burry Port
Within an area bounded by a line drawn from Burry Port Western Pier to Whiteford Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Milford Haven
Within a line from South Hook Point to Thorn Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Fishguard
Within a line joining the seaward ends of the North and East breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Cardigan
Within the Narrows at Pen-Yr-Ergyd.
No partially smooth waters.
Aberystwyth
Within the seaward ends of the breakwaters.
No partially smooth waters.
Aberdyfi
Within a line from Aberdyfi Railway Station to Twyni Bach Beacon.
No partially smooth waters.
LIVERPOOL:
Barmouth
Within a line from Barmouth Railway Station to Penrhyn Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Portmadoc
Within a line from Harlech Point to Graig Ddu.
No partially smooth waters.
Holyhead
Within an area bounded by the main breakwater and a line drawn from the head of the breakwater to Brynglas Point, Towyn Bay.
No partially smooth waters.
Caernarvon, Bangor
Within the Menai Straits betweena line joining Aber Menai Point to Belan Point and a line joining Beaumaris Pier to Pen-y-Coed Point.
Within the Menai Straits from a line joining Llanddwyn Island Light to Dinas Dinlleu and lines joining the South end of Puffin Island to Trwyn Du Point and Llanfairfechan Railway Station.
Conway
Within a line from Mussel Hill to Tremlyd Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Chester
River Dee not below Connah’s Quay.
In winter within a line from Hilbre Point to Point of Air.
In summer within a line from Formby Point to Point of Air.
Liverpool
Within a line between the Rock Lighthouse and the North West Gladstone Dock Tower.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Formby Point to Point of Air.
Preston
Within a line from Lytham to Southport.
Within a line from Southport to Blackpool inside the banks.
Fleetwood
Within a line from Low Light to Knott End Pier.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Rossal Point to Humphrey Head.
Lancaster
Within a line from Sunderland Point to Chapel Hill.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Rossal Point to Humphrey Head.
Heysham
No smooth waters.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer from within a line from Rossal Point to Humphrey Head.
Morecambe
No smooth waters.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Rossal Point to Humphrey Head.
Barrow
Within a line joining Haws Point, Isle of Walney to Roa Island Slipway.
No partially smooth waters.
Douglas, Isle of Man
Within a line from Princess Alexandra Pier to Victoria Pier.
No partially smooth waters.
Carlisle
Within a line joining Port Carlisle to Torduff Point.
Within a line from Southerness Point to Silloth.
WEST OF SCOTLAND:
Dumfries
Within a line from Airds Point to Scar Point.
Within a line from Southerness Point to Silloth.
Stranraer
Within a line from Cairn Ryan to Kirkcolm Point.
Loch Ryan within a line from Finnart’s Point to Milleur Point.
Ayr
Inside the Bar.
No partially smooth waters.
Glasgow
Above partially smooth waters.
Outer limit: a line from Skipness to a position one mile south of Garroch Head thence to Farland Head.Inner Limit in winter: a line from Cloch Lighthouse to Dunoon Pier.Inner limit in summer: a line from Bogany Point, Isle of Bute to Skelmorlie Castle and a line drawn from Ardlamont Point to the southern extremity of Etterick Bay, inside the Kyles of Bute.Note: The above inner summer limit is extended between 5th June and 5th September (both dates inclusive) by a line drawn from a point two miles off the Ayrshire coast at Skelmorlie Castle to Tomont End, Cumbrae, and a line drawn from Portachur Point, Cumbrae to Green Point Ayrshire.
Colintraive
Between Colintraive and Rhudhabodach.
No partially smooth waters.
Cambeltown Harbour
Within a line from Macringan’s Point to Ottercharach Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Oban
No smooth waters.
Within an area bounded on the north by a line from Dunollie Point Light to Ard na Chruidh and to the south by a line from Rudha Seanach to Ard na Cuile.
Loch Etive
Within Loch Etive above the Falls of Lora.
No partially smooth waters.
Ballachulish
Within Loch Leven and not outside Peter Straits.
No partially smooth waters.
Fort William
In Loch Linnhe north of Corran Point Light, and including Loch Eil and the Canal to Inverness.
No partially smooth waters.
Kyle of Lochalsh
Within Kyle Akin not westwardof Eilean Ban Light or eastward of Eileanan Dubha.
Through Loch Alsh to the Head of Loch Duich.
Strome
Between Stromemore and Strome Ferry.
No partially smooth waters.
Ullapool — Loch Broom
Within a line drawn between Ullapool Point Light and Aultnaharrie.
No partially smooth waters.
Kylesku
Across Loch Cairnbawn in the area between the eastern-most point of Garbh Eilean and the western-most point of Eilean na Rainich.
No partially smooth waters.
Stornoway Harbour
Within a line from Arnish Pointto Sandwick Bay Lighthouse, north-west side.
No partially smooth waters.
The Sound of Scalpay
Not east of Berry Cove and not west of Croca Hoin on Harris.
No partially smooth waters.
North Harbour, Scalpay and Tarbert Harbour
Within one mile from the shoreof the Island of Harris.
No partially smooth waters.
NORTHERN IRELAND:
Carlingford Lough
Within a line from Greenore to Greencastle Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Strangford Lough
Within Strangford Lough but not seaward of Rue Point.
No partially smooth waters.
Larne
Within a line from Larne Pier to the ferry pier on Island Magee.
No partially smooth waters.
Belfast
Within a line from Holywood to Macedon Point.
In winter no partially smooth waters.
In summer within a line from Carrick-fergus to Bangor.
Lough Erne
Upper or Lower Lough Erne.
No partially smooth waters.
Lough Neagh
Within two miles of the shore.
At a greater distance than two miles from the shore.
Londonderry
Within a line from Magilligan Point to Greencastle.
No partially smooth waters.

## Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations replace the Merchant Shipping (Smooth and Partially Smooth Waters) Rules 1977 as amended in 1977, 1978 and 1984. They extend the winter and summer partially smooth water limits for Lerwick to the northward and specify a new winter area of partially smooth waters in Dales Voe and a new area of smooth waters at Aberystwyth. In other respects the limits of smooth and partially smooth waters remain unchanged.
Smooth and partially smooth waters are referred to in 14 sets of rules and regulations now in force made under the Merchant Shipping Acts 1894—1979.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/1591 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-smooth-and-partially-smooth-waters-regulations-1987
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.