Yachtsmen in the Solent and along the South Coast are being warned to proceed with caution and to keep a good lookout this weekend. 48 powerboats competing in the Round Britain powerboat race will start from Portsmouth on Saturday, en route to the first stopover in Plymouth. You can find details of all legs at roundbritainrace.co.uk 

QHM Portsmouth and ABP Southampton have released the following notice to mariners.

“The race will start from Portsmouth on Saturday 21 June and finish in Portsmouth on Monday 30 June 2008. There will be approximately 48 powerboats in total taking part in the event with two starts, one at 0930 and one at 1000. As part of the race build up, there will be a ten minute aerial performance by the Black Cats Helicopter Display Team to the south of Southsea castle, starting at 0910.

The Race Boats will depart from Gunwharf Quays from approximately 0830 onwards, exiting the harbour on the Eastern side under the control of the QHM Volunteer Harbour Patrol and proceed to the holding area just West of the Submerged Barrier. At 0930 and 1000, a Race Start Boat will lead the Race Boats to the Start Line which extends from Southsea Castle to a Committee Boat 3 cables to the South.

In the event of reduced visibility in the Solent or congestion in the area of the proposed course, the Start Boat will lead the Race Boats at a reduced speed through the Solent until the visibility improves or the congestion clears.

QHM Harbour Control will make warning broadcasts throughout the morning on VHF CH 11, which will include a Portsmouth Main Channel closure between 0900-1000.

Once clear of the start line, the Race Boats will then pass between the following gates before exiting the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to the West:

* Gate 1: Spit Sand Fort and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
* Gate 2: Gilkicker Point and HMS GLOUCESTER 5 cables to the South.
* Gate 3: NE Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
* Gate 4: N Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
* Gate 5: South Bramble Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the South.
* Gate 6: East Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
* Gate 7: West Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.

The course then proceeds West past Hurst Point.