GUERNSEY, HERM, SARK AND JERSEY, BAY OF ST MALO

Channel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier): boating safety

Last verified:

St Peter Port (Guernsey) and St Helier (Jersey) are the main yacht harbours of the Channel Islands, a self-governing British Crown dependency group in the Bay of St Malo off the French coast. Both visitor marinas are behind tidal sills.

LIFE IN DANGER AT SEA
Call 112
Call 112 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF 16, or DSC on channel 70.

On the rescue map → Print an emergency card →

Harbour and marinas

St Peter Port: follow instructions from Guernsey VTS on VHF 12. St Helier: listen to St Helier VTS on VHF 14 when approaching or leaving the harbour.

Guernsey Harbours · Ports of Jersey ▾
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “Vessels should follow instructions from Guernsey VTS (VHF CH 12)”
ports.je (2026-10-14): “all craft should listen to ‘St Helier VTS’ on VHF channel 14 for shipping movements”

Victoria Marina, St Peter Port: marina staff on VHF 80; access about 2.5 hours either side of high water over a 4.2 m sill. St Helier Marina: call on VHF 80 once inside the harbour mouth.

Guernsey Harbours · Guernsey Harbours · Ports of Jersey ▾
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “check with our Marina Staff (VHF 80)”
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “The sill height is 4.2m above chart datum, with access approximately 2.5 hours either side of high water.”
ports.je (2026-10-14): “Once you’ve entered the harbour mouth, switch to VHF Channel 80 to speak to our team for berthing information.”

Weather

Jersey Coastguard broadcasts weather on VHF 82 at 06:45, 07:45 and 08:45 local time and 12:45, 18:45 and 22:45 UTC. Guernsey Coastguard announces safety broadcasts on VHF 16 and gives them on VHF 20.

Jersey Coastguard · Guernsey Harbours ▾
ports.je (2026-10-14): “VHF Channel 82 weather broadcast times 06:45 local time 12:45 UTC 07:45 local time 18:45 UTC 08:45 local time 22:45 UTC”
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “MSI Broadcasts are announced by Guernsey Coastguard on VHF Channel 16 before being broadcast in full on VHF Channel 20.”

Local rules

Guernsey: 4–6 knot limits in St Peter Port Harbour and 6 knots in most bays and the approaches to Herm and Jethou.

Guernsey Harbours ▾
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “Speed limits from four to six knots are in force in St Peter Port Harbour. A speed limit of six knots is in force in most of the bays around the coast of Guernsey and in the approaches to Herm and Jethou.”

Jersey: 5 knots maximum within the harbour, closer than 200 m to the water's edge in any bay, within 50 m of lifeguard-flagged beaches and around Les Ecrehous, Les Dirouilles and the Minquiers.

Jersey Coastguard ▾
ports.je (2026-10-14): “exceed 5 knots at any time within the harbour, closer than 200 metres of the water’s edge in any bay, within 50m of any beach lifeguard-flagged areas or around Les Ecrehous, Les Dirouilles and Minquiers”

Hazards

Tides around Jersey and the Bay of St Malo exceed 12 m range on springs. Wind against tide makes the sea much rougher.

Jersey Coastguard · Jersey Coastguard ▾
ports.je (2026-10-14): “The tides around Jersey and vicinity of the Bay of St Malo are the third largest in the world, with over a 12m range on spring tides.”
ports.je (2026-10-14): “If the tide turns to a wind-against-tide direction, the sea may become much rougher.”

Hospital and medical

Guernsey: the Emergency Department at Princess Elizabeth Hospital is open 24 hours, and the hospital has a hyperbaric chamber. Jersey: one A&E department, open 24 hours a day.

States of Guernsey · Guernsey Harbours · Government of Jersey ▾
gov.gg (2026-10-14): “offers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year emergency care”
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “A hyperbaric chamber is available at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital in Guernsey.”
gov.je (2026-10-14): “Jersey has one accident and emergency (A&E) department, which is open 24 hours a day.”

Arriving from abroad

Guernsey: all visitors must clear in at St Peter Port. Jersey: report to Customs and Immigration at a designated port (St Helier or Gorey).

Guernsey Harbours · Ports of Jersey · Ports of Jersey ▾
harbours.gg (2026-10-14): “All visiting vessels must clear inwards at the main harbour of St Peter Port, regardless of which marina they moor in.”
ports.je (2026-10-14): “should present themselves to Customs and Immigration Officers at a “Designated Port””
ports.je (2026-10-14): “St Helier and Gorey are classed as a “Designated Port””

Frequently asked

Who do I call in an emergency at sea near Channel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier)?

Call 112 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

How do I contact the harbour in Channel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier)?

St Peter Port: follow instructions from Guernsey VTS on VHF 12. St Helier: listen to St Helier VTS on VHF 14 when approaching or leaving the harbour.

Where do I get the marine forecast for Channel Islands (St Peter Port and St Helier)?

Jersey Coastguard broadcasts weather on VHF 82 at 06:45, 07:45 and 08:45 local time and 12:45, 18:45 and 22:45 UTC. Guernsey Coastguard announces safety broadcasts on VHF 16 and gives them on VHF 20.

Read before you sail

Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to doPerson overboard: what to doEngine failure: what to do when you lose power

Nearby destinations

Plymouth 83 nmThe Solent 92 nmFalmouth, Cornwall 107 nmLa Trinité-sur-Mer and the Gulf of Morbihan 116 nmKinsale and Cork Harbour 266 nmIJsselmeer (Enkhuizen and Lelystad) 354 nmHarlingen and the Wadden Sea 370 nmOban 432 nm

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