England:Avonmouth and River Avon

From Skipper2Skipper

Navigation Advice

Avonmouth Bridge

Bristol Harbour

• When approaching the entrance inward bound, leave South Pier Lighthouse close to port.
• Make allowance for flood tide, running northeast across entrance at up to 4.5 knots at 3 hours to high water on spring tides.
• On entering the river and on departure, keep to the North bank. Do not attempt to cross the Swash bank.
• On departure keep the St. George's transit astern then north of the line of the Swash leading lights until abeam of the South Pier Lighthouse.
• Small craft should avoid impeding the passage of large vessels transiting the river. This is most important when rounding bends, particularly Horseshoe bend.
• It is strongly recommended that small craft do not anchor in the river. See Anchoring below

Approaches from the South

• Contact Avonmouth Radio (CH 12) before you reach the Welsh Hook cardinal.
• Avonmouth Radio will advise on the shipping movements in and out of Portbury and Avonmouth Docks.
• If you have a choice, sail along the southern edge of the 'Bristol Deep' shipping channel.
• If not, then cross before or around Battery Point at Portishead. You must not impede the passage of any commercial vessel or vessel restricted by draught.
• King Roads area is to be avoided as this is where large ships turn round or being swung round.
• On passing Battery Point stay South of the shipping channel.
• Before crossing Portbury dock, check that there are no large vessels entering or leaving. Close close inshore, 70 metres or so. Keep an eye out for large shipping.

Approaches from the North

• Watch out for the disused fuel pontoon on the north side. As with approaches from the south, call Avonmouth Radio to check

Anchorages to wait for the tide

You can anchor between Portishead Dock and Royal Portbury Dock entrance fairway. Dangerous in onshore winds and the anchor may dig in very deep, so beware, rig a trip line.

Speed Limit

• The speed limit in the River Avon for small craft is 9 knots between Shirehampton and Cumberland Basin.
• Slow down when passing Pills and Creeks where other craft are moored.