Southampton VTS
Vessel Traffic Service for the Eastern Solent • VHF Channel 12
Southampton Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) is responsible for monitoring and co-ordinating shipping movements for vessels of 20 metres length overall or more in the Solent, south of a line joining Gilkicker Point and Horse Sand Fort Light. Based at Berth 37, Eastern Docks, VTS maintains radar and VHF surveillance across the Eastern Solent, working alongside Portsmouth’s Queen’s Harbour Master (QHM) to the west.
VHF, radar and CCTV traffic through the area is recorded and archived for incident investigations. Call sign on the radio: “Southampton VTS”.
VHF channels
| Channel | Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Distress, safety & calling | International distress/urgency/safety and initial calling channel. If in doubt which working channel to use, call Southampton VTS here first. |
| 12 | Southampton VTS working channel | Primary working channel for vessels 20m LOA or over in the Eastern Solent, monitored from Berth 37, Eastern Docks. |
| 11 | Queen's Harbour Master, Portsmouth | Portsmouth Harbour and dockyard traffic, covering the adjoining area to the west of the VTS zone. |
| 08 | Tugs (Southampton) | Reserved for tugs operating within the Port of Southampton. |
Source: National Coastwatch Institution. A fuller Solent-wide channel list is on the Coastguard & Emergency Safety Hub.
See also: Coastguard & Emergency Safety Hub • Live Ship Tracking (AIS) • Local Tides