Pontoon Availability

The Broomielaw Quay Pontoon is currently available for bookings. The Plantation Quay Pontoon is currently available for bookings. The Yorkhill Quay Pontoon is currently UN-available for bookings. The Govan Pontoon is currently un-available for bookings.

It is essential to book in advance and all visitors to the pontoon should adhere to the guidelines set out on this page.

Cost
Currently, berthing is free for all visitors.  However, Glasgow City Council is considering a daily berthing fee for large commercial passenger boats.

Notice to Mariners
Mariners should consult the current ‘Notice to Mariners’ (NTMs) at Clydeport's Notiice to Mariners webpage for up to date information.



Booking a Berth

Vessels wishing to use the pontoon can book a berthing space through the attached booking forms:

Berthing Application Form (RTF 39k) 
Berthing Application Form (PDF 21k) 

Completed forms should be sent to:

Glasgow City Council
Land and Environmental Services
231 George Street
Glasgow
G1 1RX
Fax: 0141 287 8135
E-mail: pontoon@glasgow.gov.uk

Or by contacting Glasgow City Council, Land and Environmental Services Pontoon Booking Service:

Time	Contact Number
08:00 - 17:00 17:00 - 08:00	0141 287 9225      0141 276 1585

A strict policy of a maximum stay of 3 nights (except by prior arrangement) is in place and boats are required to vacate the pontoons by 1100 hrs on the morning of departure.  Notes for each pontoon:-

• The Broomielaw pontoon 60m length provides provision for boats up to a maximum displacement weight of 75 Tonnes, with a maximum length of 20 metres, boats greater, should contact the Booking Service for further advice.
• The Plantation Quay pontoon 40m length provides provision for boats up to a maximum displacement weight of 200 Tonnes, with a maximum length of 20 metres, boats greater, should contact the Booking Service for further advice.
• The Govan Pontoon 30m length provides support for the re-introduction of the Govan cross river Ferry to the new Riverside Museum and has a maximum displacement weight of 200 Tonnes.  Berthing provision for other craft will be considered on a case by case basis.
• The Yorkhill Quay Pontoon 50m length provides support for river ferries travelling from Greenock to the City Centre and has a maximum displacement weight of 200 Tonnes.  Berthing provision for other craft will be considered on a case by case basis.
  

Fair Processing Notice
Read our fair processing notice here.

Arrival Periods
The following daylight arrival periods are to be adhered to (except by prior arrangement):

Dates	Arrival Periods
April 1st – September 30th October 1st – March 31st	1100 – 2000 hours      1000 – 1700 hours

Security Access Code
The exit and entrance from/to the pontoons are controlled by electronic security gates.  A remote switch allows visitors to exit onto the quayside and a ‘visitors’ access code is required to re-enter the pontoon.

Land and Environmental Services Pontoon Booking Service will pass the access code to visitors on receipt of visitor’s booking form and confirmation of requested berthing space being available.

Estuary Control
Vessels are reminded that, prior to navigating to/from the Pontoons, they must inform River Clyde Estuary Control on either

• VHF - Channel 12
• Telephone - 01475 726221

Navigation Past Bells & Millennium Bridges
With respect to air draft at Bells / Millennium Bridges:

• Visitors can check the height of the tide from the tideboard at Kelvin Harbour.  This board gives the height of the tide at that moment above chart datum.
  
• Subtract this reading from the bridge height (which is 8.36m above chart datum) and you have the clearance height at that moment in time.
  
• If navigating beyond the Bells Swing Bridge, the heights of the Clyde Arc (Finnieston Bridge) and the Tradeston Bridge are 10.10m and 10.01m above Chart Datum.
  
• The Millennium Bridge is now operated by the Science Centre and they can be contacted on 0141 420 5030.
  
• Bells Bridge is operated and maintained by Silvers Marine and opening requests should be phoned through to 01436 831222.

N.B The bridges cannot be opened in wind speeds of more than 20 mph.

Operational Assistance
For operational assistance (out of office hours) please contact Glasgow City Council Tidal Weir:

Time Period	Contact Number
1700 – 0800	0141 276 1585

Cautionary Advice

Any person using the pontoons do so at his or her own risk.  Glasgow City Council does not accept any liability whatsoever in respect of any loss, damage or injury sustained by any person using the pontoon.

Visitors should exercise caution when navigating to and from the pontoons.

Pontoon Depths

• At the Broomielaw Pontoon, mariners are responsible for ensuring that there is sufficient water for their draft of boat.  Clydeport survey May 2010 showed 1.5m at CD.
• At Plantation Quay Pontoon the average depth is 3.3m below chart datum (as of May 2010 Clydeport Bathymetric Survey).
• At the Govan Pontoon, the average depth is 2.0m below chart datum (as provided by GCC, April 2011).
• At the Yorkhill Pontoon, the average depth is 2.8m below chart datum (as of April 2011 Clydeport Bathymetric Survey).

Mariners are requested to pass the pontoons at Dead Slow speeds so as to minimise the effect of their wash on vessels lying alongside the pontoons.


Pontoon Services

• Broomielaw Pontoon
  • The pontoon consists of a series of inter-connected concrete floats, which are covered by a timber deck (60m long by 5m wide).
  • 9 x electricity distribution points of rating 240V @ 16A are provided.
  • The pontoon deck area is illuminated by 4 Lamp-post lighting units (operated at dusk).
  • There is no provision for disposal of waste at the pontoon.
  • There is no water supply outlet available.
• Plantation Quay Pontoon
  • The pontoon consists of a series of inter-connected polyurethane floats, which are covered by a timber deck (40m long by 4m wide).
  • 3 x electricity distribution points of rating 240V @ 16A are provided.
  • The pontoon deck area is illuminated by 4 Lamp-post lighting units (operated at dusk).
  • There is no provision for disposal of waste at the pontoon.
  • Water supply is currently unavailable.
• Govan Pontoon
  • The pontoon consists of a series of inter-connected polyurethane floats, which are covered by a timber deck (30m long by 4m wide).
  • 2 x electricity distribution points of rating 240V @ 16A will soon be fitted.
  • The pontoon deck area is illuminated by 2 Lamp-post lighting units (operated at dusk).
  • There is no provision for disposal of waste at the pontoon.
  • Water supply is available at this location.
• Yorkhill Quay Pontoon
  • The pontoon consists of a series of inter-connected polyurethane floats, which are covered by a timber deck (50m long by 4m wide) and a 9m length 300mm freeboard section for access for canoes.
  • There is no provision for disposal of waste at the pontoon.
  • Currently, there is no Water or Electrical supply at this location.