Solent Pilotage Notes

Transcription

1 Solent Pilotage Notes Central Solent All small craft in the Solent are strongly advised to monitor VHF Ch 12 Southampton, and/or Ch 11 QHM Portsmouth. If crossing the main fairway, try to do so at 90 to it. Southampton Hbr byelaw 2003/10 refers. CLEAR CHANNEL VESSELS Are over 220m LOA and require a clear and unimpeded passage ahead when transiting the Precautionary Area. Vessels may enter the Precautionary Area maintaining a safe distance astern of the `clear channel vessel. A MOVING PROHIBITED ZONE (MPZ). Any vessel over 150m LOA when in the Precautionary Area is enclosed by an MPZ which extends 1000m ahead of the vessel and 100m on either beam. Small craft under 20m LOA must remain outside the MPZ and use seaman-like anticipation of its route and searoom required when turning. Clear Channel & MPZ vessels display a black cylinder by day or 3 all-round R lts (vert) by night. They are normally preceded by a Harbour Patrol Launch (Ch 12 Callsign SP) exhibiting a flashing blue light. Use extreme caution when passing round the stern of a large tanker and do not pass between it and the escort tug. Solent CG keeps watch on VHF Ch 67/16. Uniquely, an initial call to Solent Coastguard should be made on Ch 67 for routine traffic and radio checks, although radio checks on a working channel with other stations - marinas, yachts etc - are preferred and encouraged. Harbours / Rivers Beaulieu River (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Bembridge (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Chichester Harbour (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Cowes / River Medina (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Keyhaven (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Langstone Harbour (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Lymington (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Newtown River (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Portsmouth River Hamble (Std. Port: Southamption) Ryde (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Southampton Wootton Creek (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Yarmouth (Std. Port: Portsmouth)

2 Beaulieu River (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Use Stansore Point tidal correction data for entrance. Weather constraints: None. Min CD entrance: 0.8m Min CD harbour: 1.0m approaching Buckers Hard App WP: App from Y special mark (Fl.Y.4s) (R Bell East Lepe (Fl(2)R.5s) bearing 160 T). App marks DAY: Transit Left side of Lepe House with R No. 2 beacon 324 T. When NB Dn RW (dolphin) abeam turn starboard onto W sector (334 T) of Millennium Bn (if visible). Stay closed to G beacons/withies, follow CD 2m contour up river. Shallows near final approach to Bucklers Hard (leave pontoon close starboard). App marks NIGHT: At night keep in W sector (334 T) of Millennium Bn (Lepe) until No. 5 G Bn (Fl.G.4s) abeam turn quickly to port to approx 255 T (do not go beyond tide gage). Stay close to G beacons if CD >2m turn to port. When No. 9 G Bn (Fl.G.4s) abeam turn to port to approx 250 T. When No. 19 G Bn (Fl.G.4s) astern turn to starboard to approx 300 T. As approach 2F.G(vert) turn to starboard to approx 330 T. When 2F.G(vert) astern turn to starboard to approx 015 T. When second set of 2F.G(vert) astern unlit beyond (just withies) [if continuing turn to port to approx 000 T, then 350 T & follow CD 2m contour. Stay close to moored boats to Port.] Speed limits: 5kt in river. Constraints: Bar at entrance to river. If possible proceed under power in the river. VHF chan: Bucklers Hard Yacht Harbour ( ) Bembridge (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Entrance channel narrow and almost drys. Weather constraints: Good, but approach difficult in strong N/NE winds. Min CD entrance: 0.0m in buoyed app channel outside channel. Min CD harbour: 0.3m in harbour channel outside channel. App WP: App from tide gauge (Fl.Y.2s) by Saint Helen s Fort, approx 2ca E of ent to well-buoyed but unlit channel. Carefully check tide gauge which indicates depth over the bar, between Nos 2A and 3 buoys, which almost dries. App marks DAY: Buoyed channel approx 210 T; then approx. 230 T; then approx. 175 T. Conspic W seamark on shore where chan turns S. Entering leave No. 11 G buoy very close to starboard. Then turn starboard close to R 10A heading approx. 270 T. App marks NIGHT: Not recommended. Beware many unlit Y racing marks off Bembridge and Seaview (Mar-Oct). Speed limits: 6kt Constraints: Beware the gravel banks between St Helen s Fort, Nodes Pt and N to Seaview. VHF chan: Hbr staff Ch 80; Water Taxi Ch 80. Duver Marina

3 Chichester Harbour (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Best entry is HW -3 to +1, to avoid confused seas on the ebb. Weather constraints: Avoid entry with onshore winds >F5. Min CD entrance: 0.8m (prudent, though bar periodically dredged to 1.5m). Min CD harbour: 1.9m App WP: Horse Sand Fort astern, bearing 265 T, leads to West Pole beacon/tide gage (Fl.R.5s). Entering on 013 T bearing to Eastoke R buoy (Q.R) at harbour entrance. [Exit on 193 T as pass Eastoke ]. App marks DAY: Leave West Pole Bn about 50m to port; the channel Northward is only about 200m wide. Bar extends just passed Bar Beacon. Continue in on approx 013 T. At Eastoke R buoy turn to port to approx 000 T heading for Fishery South cardinal buoy. Leave 3x G buoys on starboard to starboard. Channel splits just before Fishery. In both channels stay close to G lateral buoys. Approx 035 T for Emsworth Channel. Approx 080 T for Chichester Channel. (Further split in Chichester Channel just before Camber South cardinal buoy for Thorney Channel at approx 345 T). All channels are well marked by day. App marks NIGHT: Leave West Pole Bn (Fl.R.5s) on 013 T bearing to Eastoke R buoy (Q.R) at harbour entrance. Continue passed Bar Beacon (Fl(2)R.10s) on approx 013 T. At Eastoke R buoy (Q.R) turn to port to approx 000 T heading for Fishery South cardinal buoy (Q(6)+LFl.15s). Leave 3x lit Winner G buoys on starboard to starboard. Channel splits just before Fishery. In both channels stay close to lit G lateral buoys. Approx 035 T for Emsworth Channel. Approx 080 T for Chichester Channel. Most beacons unlit. Speed: 8kt Constraints: Chichester Harbour is very popular for recreational boat and dinghy racing. With 10,000 resident vessels the navigation channels can be very busy at weekends. Anticipate sailing craft manoeuvres and give them room to tack. VHF chan: Chichester Hbr Radio VHF Ch 14. Cowes / River Medina (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Beware 4.5kn ebb tidal streams at sp, particularly in vicinity of the chain ferry. Weather constraints: Outer hbr exposed to winds from N and NE. Min CD entrance: Depth at chain ferry, = 1.5m in centre of fairway. Min CD harbour: UKSA pontoons between = 0m and 2m. App WP: No. 2 R lateral buoy (Q.R.) left to port as entering. App marks DAY: Follow the fairway. App marks NIGHT: Follow the fairway. Speed limits: 6kt over the ground. Constraints: Beware frequent ferry movements, High-Speed to W Cowes, large Ro-Ro ferries to E Cowes, and commercial shipping. The Chain ferry (all round Fl W lt at fore-end) should give way to all traffic. Yachts should use engines. VHF chan: Cowes Hbr Master Ch 69; Marinas Ch 80. Harbour taxi ; Hbr Taxi Ch 77 or Sally Water Taxi /299033; Water Taxi Ch 06.

4 Keyhaven (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Entry is difficult on the ebb. Weather constraints: Entry should not be attempted in strong E winds. All moorings and anchorages are exposed to winds across the marshland. Min CD entrance: 0.3m Min CD harbour: Drying heights either side of narrow channel +2.7m. App WP: Due N of Hurst point with. 304 T leading line marked by two B beacons in transit. App marks DAY: Follow transit for about 3ca until through the pair of unlit R and G buoys, giving North Point a wide berth. Turn quickly to port and head 180 T once 1st G buoy due south. The channel is marked with unlit G buoys. Leave G buoys close to Starboard on entry (and Port on exit). App marks NIGHT: Beacons and buoys unlit not recommended. Speed limits: None. Dead slow recommended. Constraints: When approaching from the W beware the Shingles Bank (SW) over which seas break and which partly dries. At Hurst Narrows (S) give The Trap a wide berth. VHF chan: No VHF. Langstone Harbour (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Appr best from HW -3 to +1. Avoid entry against the ebb, esp at sp. Weather constraints: In strong S/SE winds do not attempt entry. Min CD entrance: 1.2m at bar. Min CD harbour: 2.3m (0.5m in app to Southsea marina). App WP: Ldg marks Langstone Fairway RW bcn (LFl.10s) in line with conspic chy, leads 344 just clear of East Winner bank. Leave isolated danger mark well to port. App marks DAY: From Fairway bcn app approx 350 T down channel. The entrance itself deepens and favours the W side. The narrow approach channel to Southsea Marina is marked by 5 SHM piles, only the first of which is lit, Fl G. There are 9 PHM piles App marks NIGHT: Open transit (bearing approx 350 T) Langstone Fairway RW bcn (LFl.10s) and Q.R. at harbour entrance. Leave Q.R. slightly to port throughout. From Q.R. pass 2F.R(vert); Fl.R.10s; Fl.R.20s. If continuing pass between E Milton (Fl(4)R.10s) [left to port] & NW Sinah (Fl.G.5s) [left to starboard]. Recommend turning around tightly before Sword Pt (Fl(3)G.5s). Speed: 10kt Constraints: Loaded vessels with restricted manoeuvrability may be encountered on app. VHF chan: Harbour Ch 12. Southsea Marina Ch 80 ( ) (R/G lights indicating if sill up/down).

5 Lymington (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Strong cross-tide at river entrance. Weather constraints: If enter in fog: G beacon No. 3 has Racon, then follow main channel 2.0m depth contour very closely. If shallower turn to port. Dead slow as nr bns. Min CD entrance: 2.2m (spot 1.8m nr No1 G beacon) Min CD harbour: 1.0m (though mainly 1.5m) App WP: App from Y special mark (Fl.Y.4s) SE of Jack-in-the-Basket ( Fl.R.2s). Conspic YC starting platform is close E of first (No1) G beacon, (Fl.G.2s). App marks DAY: Ldg Lts T, both dayglow Or posts. The channel is well marked by bns. First bend turn starboard to approx 000 T (two BW posts on T). Second bend turn port before Cage Boom G beacon onto approx 285 T. Two FY ldg lts 244 mark the ent into Lymington Yacht Haven. App marks NIGHT: Ldg Lts T, both FR 12/17m 8M. The channel is well marked by lit bns, Fl.R.2s to port, Fl.G.2s to starboard. First bend turn starboard to approx 000 T (just after two FW lights on T). Second bend turn port before Cage Boom G beacon (last green on that course) onto approx 285 T. Two FY ldg lts 244 mark the ent into Lymington Yacht Haven. [Out = 105 T T T] Speed limits: Speed limits: 6kn N of Jack in the Basket; 4kn above Wave Screen. Constraints: Keep clear of IoW ferries in the river. VHF chan: Lymington Yacht Haven Ch 80 ( ). Newtown River (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Without local knowledge, best time to enter is from about HW -4, on the flood while the mud flats are still visible. Weather constraints: Exposed to N ly winds. On E approach fresh W/SW winds over a spring ebb can raise steep breaking seas over Newtown Gravel Banks. Min CD entrance: 0.9m Min CD harbour: 1.5m App WP: From W, pass N of Hamstead Ledge G buoy, thence approx 095 T to W cardinal buoy. From E, steer approx 250 T from Salt Mead G buoy to pass N of Newtown Gravel Banks, when conspic TV mast (righthand mast) bearing 150 T turn to port and head for W cardinal buoy. App marks DAY: Approach west of W cardinal buoy. Then use leading marks (130 T): front RW pile with Y-shaped topmark & rear R pile with W spherical topmark. Approach to within 1.5 boat lengths of Y- shaped topmark, and then turn to approx 160 T leaving R pile close to port. Once inside leave isolated danger mark to port. Stay close to starboard line of Y mooring buoys which mark deep water. App marks NIGHT: Not recommended. There are no lights within river. Transit of lit W cardinal buoy (330 T) at entrance with back bearing (150 T) of conspic TV mast (right-hand mast) is a good line for night exit. Speed limits: 5kn speed limit. Constraints: National Trust site, do not disturb wildlife. VHF chan: None.

6 Portsmouth Tide constraints: Beware strong tidal streams in the busy narrow entrance. Weather constraints: Small craft are strongly advised not to proceed when fog routine is in force. Min CD entrance: Swashway = 2.4m (0.6m out of channel). Inner Swashway = 0.3m (beware +0.4 shoal). Submerged barrier, inshore passage CD = 0.9m & main passage CD = 1.2m. Min CD harbour: Portsmouth = 8.5m. Fareham = 5.0m. Porchester = 1.5m (2001) app Port Solent Marina. App WP: The Small Boat Channel (SBC) is mandatory for craft <20m ent. or leav. harbour. It runs just outside the W edge of the main dredged channel from abeam R No 4 Bar buoy (Q.R nr inner swashway) to R Ballast Bcn (just beyond Haslar). App marks DAY: App E, beware submerged barrier to Horse Sand Fort use Main Passage marked by a G pile and a concrete dolphin. Craft may not enter harbour on the E side of the main chan. Leave barrier main passage on approx 285 T. Cross main channel nr Spit Sand Fort then turn to starboard approx 320 T leaving R lateral buoys to starboard on approach. App marks DAY: App W, use the Swashway Chan on transit of War Memorial and RH edge of block of flats (049 4 T) esp. LWS till past 5m depth contour, then turn to port approx 335 T. If joining or leaving the SBC via the Inner Swashway, BC Outer Bn must be left to port. App marks NIGHT: E app: submerged barrier to Horse Sand Fort Main Passage marked by a G pile (Q.G) and a concrete dolphin (Q.R). Spit Sand Fort (Fl.R.5s). R buoys = Fl(2)R.6s; Fl(3)R.10s; & Q.R (No. 4). App marks NIGHT: W app: war memorial unlit so leave Spit Sand Fort (Fl.R.5s) to port. After fort, turn to port approx 350 T to find R buoys Fl(3)R.10s. As approach buoy, turn to starboard approx 320 T to find Q.R (No. 4). From No. 4 Stay in R sector of 2x Dir.WRG on approx 335 T. Pass close to 3x R beacons at port entrance. Continue to Ballast (Fl.R.2.5s). Speed limits: Speed limit is 10kn (through the water). Advisory 5kt past Portchester Castle. Constraints: Engines must be used when in the SBC. If over 20m LOA, QHM s permission required. 50m exclusion from MoD vessel or establishment, or 100m from submarine. Passing from Ballast to Gun Warf requires QHM permission. Port Solent entrance: Tipner Rifle Range, N Whale Island, danger extends 2.5km. R flag or lt on FS indicates firing; yachts should transit as quickly as possible. VHF chan: Monitor QHM on VHF 11. Marinas at Gosport (Haslar Ch 80 ( )), Fareham (upriver NW) and Portchester (upriver NE lock Ch 80 Port Solent Marina ).

7 River Hamble (Std. Port: Southamption) Tide constraints: None. Weather constraints: None. Min CD entrance: 2.2m Min CD harbour: 0.8m (2.4m in channel up to Warshash) App WP: R. Hamble is on east of approach to Southampton after Bald Head G, S of R. Itchen. Enter between South cardinal buoy Hamble point (Q(6)+LFl.15s) & East cardinal buoy (Q(3).10s) [N.B.do not cut inside ECB if approaching from N due to Hamble Spit]. App marks DAY: 352 T into river ent. and when midway between No 5 and 7 G bns alter 028 T. Leave G bns close starboard. After Warsash Jetty (tide gage) G bn steer approx 350 T leaving pontoon to port. App marks NIGHT: Follow white sector of Dir light, Oc(2)WRG.12s, on 352 T into river ent. and when midway between No 5 (Fl.G.4s) and 7 (Q.G) bns alter 028 T in the white sector of Dir light, Iso.WRG.6s. Piles Nos 1-10 (to either side of the above 352 and 028 tracks) are lit and fitted with radar refl. Leave these lit G bns close starboard. Above Warsash, pontoons and jetties on the E side are marked by 2FG (vert) lts, and those on the W side by 2FR (vert) lts. Lateral piles are mostly Fl.G.4s or Fl.R.4s. Unlit piles and buoys are a danger at night. Up to Mercury Yacht Harbour channel has 2m depth contour. Speed limits: 6kt within harbour. Constraints: River can be very crowded and anchoring is prohibited. Upriver, bridge clearances: Road 3.5m & Rly 6 0m. Yachts may not use spinnakers above Warsash Maritime Centre jetty. VHF chan: Hamble Radio Ch 68 (vessels >20m must report). Hamble Pt Marina Ch 80 ( ). Water Taxi , Ch 77. Ryde (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Harbour dries approx 2 3m. Berth on E ly of three pontoons; long and fin keel yachts should dry out against the breakwater. Weather constraints: None Min CD entrance: +2.0! Min CD harbour: +2.3! App WP: Ryde Church spire (Holy Trinity) brg 200 T gives initial appr. [N.B. this is the second smaller spire (more eastwards of main tall spire)]. App marks DAY: Small harbour 300m E of Ryde Pier. App in buoyed channel roughly parallel to pier leaving pier to starboard. Drying channel 197 T across Ryde Sands is marked by 3 SHM and 3 PHM unlit buoys. App marks NIGHT: Harbour entrance lights are 2 FR and Fl G 3s 7m 1M. Ryde pier is lit by 3 sets of 2FR (vert) and a FY fog lt vis and Speed limits: N/A Constraints: Beware Ryde Sands extend from Ryde Pier east to Ryde Sands R (Fl.R.10s). Beware hovercraft manoeuvring between Ryde pier and marina, and High Speed Ferries from/to pierhead. [N.B. when leaving Ryde heading East, steer from pier to leave No-man s-land fort and Horse Sands Fort to starboard. This will avoid Ryde Sands]. VHF chan: Ryde Harbour Ch 80 ( ). Contact HM before arrival.

8 Southampton Tide constraints: None. Weather constraints: Choppy sea builds in SE winds >F4. Min CD: 1.7 (deeper water near main channel), Itchen = 1.5m, Test swinging ground = 4.4m, Test Marshwood moorings = 0.1m. App WP: App from Bell Calshot N cardinal buoy (from E arrive by North channel; from west cross precautionary channel at 90 ; & from south avoid Bramble Bank). Yachts should keep just outside the buoyed lit fairway. Obey Rule 9 of ColRegs for conduct in narrow channels, by keeping to the Starboard side of the channel (entering leave G lateral marks to Port) and crossing without impeding the passage of larger vessels. Take care not to pass beyond E line of assorted buoys [esp. Bald Head (Fl. G.2.5s)]. If exit to west, beware Calshot Spit, leave R Black Jack and R Castle Point close to port. App marks: Southampton Water divides into Rivers Test and Itchen at Dock Head which is easily identified by conspic silos. Beyond Dock Head stay in main channel. R Test: There is foul ground at Marchwood moorings (if using moorings do not cut straight across to moorings, entry is via channel between R Swinging Ground (Fl(2)R.10s) & R Cracknore (Oc.R.8s) (steer approx 295 T)). Container port Bury swinging grounds moorings further upstream have variable mooring alignments that change quickly. Stay E of R buoys. Eling Chan above dries. R Itchen: Ent to R Itchen marked by G at Dockhead (Oc.G.4s) (steer approx 005 T then 020 T), beyond which piles with G lts mark E side of chan ldg to Itchen bridge; a FW lt at bridge centre marks the main chan. Leave large mooring buoys to starboard (approx 020 T). As pass last large mooring buoy CD = 1.2m steer approx 065 T. Speed limit: 6kn both rivers N of Hythe Pier. Constraints: Cross fairway at 90, abeam: Fawley chy (SE); at Cadland and Greenland buoys (just passed Hamble); abeam Hythe (W); and abeam Town Quay (NE). VHF chan: VHF Ch 12 to Southampton Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). Town Quay Marina Ch 80 ( ).

9 Wootton Creek (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Creek dries above the ferry terminal. Weather constraints: Good except in strong N or E winds. Min CD entrance: 2.0m (edge ferry channel) either side. Ferry channel CD = 3.0m. Min CD harbour: +2.5 amongst small craft moorings. App WP: Entrance to approach channel due S of SE Ryde Middle SCM. App from Wootton North cardinal buoy along 225 T. Beware Wootton Rocks to W of approach, from West approach stay N of R beacon & starting platform. App marks DAY: App ferry terminal by marked channel. Fine to leave all but last starboard mark to port. By ferry terminal unlit R & G buoys to starboard mark entrance to small craft moorings. By ferry terminal, turn onto ldg marks on W shore two White triangles, which form a diamond when in transit 270 T. (upper triangle set back in shade). App marks NIGHT: Keep in W sector of Dir lt, Oc WRG 10s, 221 -G-224 -W-225c -R-230c. The channel is marked by four SHM bns and two PHMs, all lit. Speed limits: N/A Constraints: Beware seasonal moorings (May-Oct) laid between the Starting Platform & No 1 bn. Large car ferries may operate outside the confines of the approach channel when proceeding to and from Fishbourne Ferry Terminal. [N.B. entrance up Wootton creek possible around HW despite chart and almanac drying heights, which are overly cautious. Stay on outside of bend and find channel by zigzagging slowly]. VHF chan: Royal Victoria YC Yarmouth (Std. Port: Portsmouth) Tide constraints: Caution: strong ebb in the ent at sp. Weather constraints: Good from all directions of wind and sea, but swell enters in strong N/NE lies. Min CD entrance: 1.2m Min CD harbour: 2.0m App WP: On app, stay N of outlying R buoy (Fl.R.2s) to East & G buoy (Fl.G.5s) to West (black rock overfalls). Just West of R buoy find leading transit of 188 2ca to abeam car ferry terminal. App marks DAY: Two BW posts with White diamonds just west of car ferry terminal. (N.B. ignore other similar transits to East). Deeper water channel (2.2m) on East side nr. Ferry terminal. On entering harbour leave 2F.R to starboard for harbour or to port for approach to River Yar. App marks NIGHT: By nights leading line posts have F.G. Speed limits: 4kn in hbr and R Yar; 6kn in approaches. Constraints: When hbr is full and closed to visitors a R flag is flown from end of Ferry Jetty. Beware ferries and their wash/turbulence even when berthed alongside. Dangers on app are Black Rock (SHM lt buoy) and shoal water to the N of the E/W bkwtr. VHF chan: Yarmouth Harbour VHF Ch 68 ( ). For Yar Bridge all craft must call on VHF Ch 68 before approaching. Bridge opens during BST at 0800, 0900, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1730, 1830 and 2000LT; winter months by request only.