Dover - General Info

Where is Dover?

Situated on the SE corner of England, Dover is the closest port to the French coast.

In spite of being a busy commercial port, yachts are very welcome here and there are good facilities in protected, cost effective berths.

Dover port has undergone major changes over the last 2 years, resulting in a new Outer Marina (in the inner harbour) with associated restaurants, bars and activities, plus a new locked entrance to Wellington dock, via the outer marina, which offers additional berth availability and a boatyard. Advance bookings are recommended.

Entrance Notes and Cautions

• The Dover area is extremely busy at all hours of the day or night. Ferries and ships enter and exit the harbor at high speeds.
• Advise Dover VTS, on VHF Ch. 74, who you are and where you want to go when you are 2 miles off the port. Let them know your vessel size and any defects. If you do not have an engine, sailing is not permitted in the harbor. Advise Dover VTS accordingly.
• If you cannot use the VHF, wait off either entrance for the Harbour Patrol launch.
• When 3 red lights are displayed at either entrance, do not proceed without specific permission from Dover VTS.
• Maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch. 74 at all times.
• When 200m off, call Dover VTS for permission to enter.
• When crossing the harbor from the east entrance to the west, keep well to the south close to the southern breakwater, keeping well clear of the cruise ship and ferry berths.
• The Outer Marina entrance is managed by Dover VTS - two way traffic is not permitted. When approaching the South Cardinal mark, call Dover VTS for marina entry instructions. You may have to wait in this area for outbound traffic to clear.
• Once you have entered the Outer Marina and you are clear of the entrance, you can switch to channel 80 and speak with Dover Marina for berth allocation.
• Take care when strong winds coincide with high water springs, or when approaching the pontoons at tidal heights below 2m
• More advice in the Marina Guide, including departure procedure on page 40, tide tables, useful numbers and much more.

Position

51° 06.67'N, 01° 19.81'E (outer harbor entrance)