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Port of Herne Bay

GBHRN🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

About Port of Herne Bay

Herne Bay Pier is a former pier located in Kent, England, on the Thames Estuary. It was constructed primarily for passenger steamers and was once notable for its considerable length. Much of the pier was dismantled after storm damage, leaving a pier-stub and an isolated landing stage.

Background
Herne Bay Pier was the third pier to be built at Herne Bay, Kent for passenger steamers. It was notable for its exceptional length of 3,787 feet (1,154 m) and made famous after appearing in the opening sequence of Ken Russell's first feature film French Dressing. Herne Bay Pier suffered extensive damage in a 1978 storm, leading to much of it being dismantled in 1980, leaving only a pier-stub at the landward end, and part of the landing stage isolated at sea. The two previous piers built on the same location included a wooden deep-sea pier designed by Thomas Rhodes, assistant of Thomas Telford, and a second shorter iron version by Wilkinson & Smith.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
2ft
Tidal Range
4ft
Elevation
1m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
S
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
31360 →
GeoNames ID
11153467 →
Wikidata
Q5742324 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBHRN
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
PIER (Pier)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River natural
Shelter
Fair

Region

Subdivision
GB-KEN
Latitude
51.3667°
Longitude
1.0333°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Herne Bay?+
The approach to Herne Bay is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Herne Bay Lighthouse at 3.2 NM to the ENE. Other aids include St. Mary's of Reculver (15.4 NM E), Irish Lightship Albatross (18.1 NM W), Medway Council Area: River Medway Lightships (18.1 NM W), Deal Pier (18.7 NM SE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Herne Bay?+
The Port of Herne Bay is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Herne Bay?+
You can track vessels near Herne Bay (GBHRN) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for GBHRN on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Herne Bay?+
The Port of Herne Bay operates in the UTC+0 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.