Speed limits

The Speed Limit within the River Hamble is 6 knots.

The speed limit is set in the General Directions for the river.

The speed limit applies everywhere north of the number 1 mark at the mouth of the river. The limit is in place to minimise wash which may cause danger or injury to others using the river, as well as to minimise damage to environmentally sensitive riverbanks. 

Harbour Patrol Officers will stop any vessel travelling faster than six knots or any vessel navigating unsafely. Patrol will aim to educate first. We may issue a formal warning or prosecute offenders.

Avoiding collisions

There are times when six knots can be too fast. Vessels must always travel at a ‘safe speed’ defined in Rule 6 the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (IRPCS). This means vessels must always be able to take proper and effective action to avoid a collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions. 

To determine a safe speed, you must consider:

  • the state of visibility
  • traffic density including concentrations of fishing vessels or any other vessels;
  • the manoeuvrability of the vessel with special reference to stopping distance and turning ability in the prevailing conditions;
  • at night, the presence of background light such as from shore lights or from back scatter of her own lights
  • the state of wind, sea and current and the proximity of navigational hazards
  • the draught in relation to the available depth of water

    • The IRPCS gives additional instructions for vessels fitted with operational radar. 

    sign informing visitors of the 6 knots maximum speed limit
    Silhouette of harbour