Notices to Mariners Week 35,36 & 37 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Week 35

 

UKHO and Trinity House Permanent, Preliminary and Temporary

1. NORTH SEA - Netherlands Sector - Buoyage. - Two temporary cardinal buoys ‘en route’ between the North Hinder system and towards the Westerschelde. - See the image on the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
2. ENGLAND - Thames Estuary - Depths. - Two reduced depths in the Deep Water channel of the Knock John Channel. Not likely to hinder leisure craft.:
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Eight reduced depths on the west side of the Corton Sand (which is encroaching). Note in partnership with the following Trinity House NtM.;
4. EAST COAST OF ENGLAND - APPROACHES TO GREAT YARMOUTH - HOLM CHANNEL & HOLM SAND - Movement of six buoys around the Holm Sand. The image includes reduced soundings already reported vide NtoM Nos 272, 2380(P) and 4128 (above).

Local

1. SEA REACH FENDER REPAIR OIKOS JETTY NO. 1 - repair work will commence on Sunday 19th August 2018 to fenders on OIKOS Jetty No. 1. These works are expected to take 4 to 5 days to complete during which time a ‘Proceed with Caution’ will be issued by London VTS where mariners are requested to be mindful of their wash.
2. GRAVESEND REACH JETTY REINSTATEMENT AND WORKS CUSTOMS JETTY - work will commence on or around 28th August 2018 on the reinstatement of the pontoon for Customs Jetty. The works will be carried out with the assistance of SWS SUFFOLK and will consist of removing the brow before reinstating the pontoon, associated fixings and steelwork. The brow will then be reinstated.
3. Harwich Harbour Maintenance dredging – Harwich Haven berths and approaches - on or about the 21st August 2018 the plough dredger FORTH DRUMMER will commence maintenance dredging of the Harwich Haven berths and approaches for a period of approximately 14 days. )n or about the 24th August 2018 the trailer suction dredger Barent Zanen will commence maintenance dredging of the Harwich Haven berths and approaches for a period of approximately 8 days. Survey work in regard to the dredging operations will be conducted by the Harwich Haven Authority vessel Egret. Material from these areas will be disposed to the TH027: Harwich Haven disposal site.
4. Port of Wells - dredging;
5. Blakeney Harbour - The light on Harbour Entrance buoy no. 4 (N 52° 58.777’ E 000° 57.530’) has now been reinstated. Flash sequence is FlG(2.5s).

I can't remember whether it has been said, so in case it hasn't, Havengore Bridge is operational.

CLACTON ON SEA AIRSHOW 23rd /24th August 2018 - between the hours of 11:00 BST to 21:00 BST Thursday 23rd and 11:00 BST to 17:00 BST Friday 24th an Airshow will be taking place offshore from Clacton Seafront.

An area starting Six Cables East of Clacton Pier, approximately Seven Cables to seaward, running parallel to the Shore to Lion Point Jaywick in the West. This area will be a restricted area for all vessels, other than official vessels patrolling or any craft participating in a programmed display on behalf of the show organisers.
Restricted Area:

A. 51’47.55N – 001’10.20E Inshore Limit East of Clacton Pier.
B. 51’46.91N – 001’10.83E Seaward Mark East of Clacton Pier.
C. 51’45.76N – 001’07.51E Seaward Mark West of Clacton Pier,
D. 51’46.30N – 001’07.20E Inshore Limit West of Clacton Pier.

Vessels are advised to keep clear of this area between the hours stated above. Anchoring is prohibited in this area. It is prohibited to launch or recover any vessels within this area during the stated times.

Week 36

 

UKHO Permanent, Preliminary and Temporary Notices

 

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Wreck. Depth. - This is pretty important. This is a new wreck just west of the bank of the Whiting and the symbol used means ‘Wreck over which the exact depth of water is unknown but is thought to be 28 metres or less, and which is considered dangerous to surface Navigation’. Note the sounding at the spot of the wreck is deleted which was 8+m. We might be able to consider that the wreck was lying at 8m depth especially as no urgent wreck marking has been laid but that cannot be certain;
2. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Depths. Wrecks. - This was pretty tedious! - A ‘major’ NtoM: 23 new depths!!! and 4 new wreck off and around the North Foreland and the Falls. But the least sounding is 8 metres so nothing unlikely to hinder leisure craft;
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Four reduced soundings west of the Thames Barrier, three reasonably close, the fourth in Blackwall Reach.

Local

I love a Bank Holiday - never many on a Bank Holiday!

1. River Crouch – Burnham Fairway No 7 Light Buoy has been reported unlit;
2. Ipswich - Diving Operations in New Cut - diving operations will be taking place in and around the tidal barrier construction site from the 22/8 through to the 30th August 2018. These works are to remove the temporary scour mats. The works will be marked by dive flags and a safety boat will be on standby to manage the traffic. Image can be found (as can all the UKHO NtMs) at: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html - this one in the temporary list;
3. Port of Wells - dredging.

Week 37

 

UKHO Permanent/Temporary/Preliminary

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - NM Block. - New block showing the new depths in the Hamilton Dock in Lowestoft. The block can be downloaded at: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Legends. Note. Depths. - Deletion of the reference to Bunkering in the Anchorage in Queens Channel, and one change of depth (unusually) increased to 8.3 in the middle of the Deep Water channel of the Princes Channel just east of the Princes Inner special buoy.
3. NETHERLANDS - Depth. - A new reduced depth just on the northern side of the Steenbaken, one of the banks off shore the Oosterschedt.
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - Wreck. - Change of wreck symbol (exact depth unknown but not considered dangerous…) to depth by sounding. Not likely to hinder leisure craft.

Local

1. WOOLWICH REACH - ENVIRONMENT AGENCY - THAMES BARRIER CLOSURES: The Thames Flood Barrier will be closed once a month for test purposes, in accordance with a programme issued for a period of six months, commencing 01st November 2018 to 09 April, 2019. Full details of the monthly dates at the above page on the Temporary List. During these periods navigation in the Thames Barrier Control Zone, between Margaretness and Blackwall Point, will be restricted and any movements in this area will require permission from London VTS;
2. LONG REACH NAVIGATOR TERMINAL DOLPHIN REPLACEMENT WORKS - construction of a new upriver dolphin at Navigator No.1 Berth will start on or around the 11th September 2018. During the works the jack-up barge ‘COMMANDER’ and various logistics barges will be in use with a tug and safety boat in attendance at all times. A set of tubular piles required for the construction works will be rafted together and moored at Broadness Reach or St Clements Reach (subject to weather and operational conditions), and marked with an all-round white navigation light. The piles are 60m in length and have a freeboard of 600mm and will be towed up river individually to the construction site from the mooring.
3. Felixstowe Harbour - Obstruction on seabed- reduction in charted depth. Mariners are advised of an object on the seabed located 280m due west from the North end of Felixstowe No. 8 berth. The coordinates are- 51° 57.03942’ N, 001° 18.4970’ E (I have added an image showing the position - I suspect nobody would try to anchor in that position!) The minimum available depth above this object is 13.5m below chart datum (1m reduction in charted depth).
4. MEDWAY VESSEL TRAFFIC SERVICE - RELOCATION - on 01st May 2018 at 06:00 UTC, Medway VTS was relocated to the Group Port Control Centre (GPCC) based in Liverpool. They have just reissued the NtM so it may be that the telephone numbers have been changed - see the details in the Temporary List.
5. River Crouch - Whitaker No 6 Light Buoy - The light is now reinstated and operational.
6. Port of Wells dredging;
7. Kings Lynn - Approaches to King’s Lynn – King’s Lynn Harbour - River Great Ouse: Travis Perkins Skiff Rowing Races Sunday 16th September 2018. Skiff rowing races are planned to be held in King’s Lynn Harbour over the 1129 hrs high water. The races will start at 0930 hrs and will finish at 1230 hrs. The full course will extend from the Outer Purfleet (start/ finish line) to The Free Bridge. Mariners are requested to maintain position north or south of the course while each race is taking place and then navigate with caution and comply with any request of the Safety boat.
8. Havengore Bridge Update (03.09.18) - The specialist contractors have been on site today to diagnose the cause of the latest bridge failure. The east tail lock is stuck in the extended position. The ram that controls the tail lock is mounted at height under the bridge metalwork and requires additional equipment to remove it from its mountings for repair. We will issue a further update when we have confirmation of when the contractors can return with the equipment necessary to complete the work. Our apologies for the ongoing disruption. Nicki Uden – Community Liaison Officer, SHOEBURYNESS RANGE Careline: 0800 0560108

 

Link to details - http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local NtMs compiled by and reproduced by kind permission of Roger Gaspar, author of Crossing the Thames Estuary

 

 

ntm:Notices to Mariners Week 34 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary

All five on the London River:

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depth. - One reduction of depth on the edge of the deep water channel just east of the Sea Reach 1 South lateral buoy. Not likely to hinder leisure craft.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Four reduced depths in the main channel of the Thames off and adjacent to East Tilbury. All are at over 8m so unlikely to hinder leisure craft.
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Two reduced soundings in the deep water channel of Sea Reach, either side of the pair of No 5. Both at depths that will NOT be likely to hinder leisure craft.
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depth. - One reduced sounding close to north by Tilburyness. Again at 6m, it is unlikely to hinder leisure craft
5. ENGLAND - East Coast - Buoy. - Slight but important move of the Leigh lateral buoy (starboard hand mark for the Thames, port hand mark for Leigh Creek).

Local

Not many today - good oh

1. GRAVESEND REACH WEST STREET PIER - Due to the deteriorated condition of West Street Pier, Mariners are advised that a “Proceed with Caution” is in place until further notice. Mariners should ensure they pass the pier at an appropriate speed to ensure minimum wash, in order to prevent further deterioration to the structure. Vessels are instructed not to moor at West Street Pier until further notice. (Image at the usual page in the Temporary List: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
2. LOWESTOFT BRIDGE CHANNEL – TRIAL NAVIGATION LIGHTS - Mariners and Port Users are advised that Bridge Channel lights are being trialed on the North side of the Bascule Bridge ‘cut’ with an east and west light each Iso.Y.5s. The lights will be in position for approximately one week. Notice will be provided once they have been removed.
3. Port of Wells - dredging.

That's it.

Link to details - http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local NtMs compiled by and reproduced by kind permission of Roger Gaspar, author of Crossing the Thames Estuary

 

 

Notices to Mariners Week 33 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Drying heights. Depth. - This is two new drying areas on the shingle banks to the River Ore. Use the East Coast Pilot download for the buoyage at: http://www.eastcoastpilot.com/OreChartlet2018v1.pdf . The ECP correctly shows the two drying areas so this is really about the UKHO catching up on their chart corrections.
2. FRANCE - North Coast - Depths. - A reduction on the north-eastern edge of the Ridens de Calais but still at over 10m this will not hinder leisure craft. Image at http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html as usual.
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Obstruction. Buoy. - River Blackwater - The port hand buoy just west of the reduced baffle wall for the old nuclear power station marked the obstruction associated with the removal of the baffle wall wing. At 5.9m depth, it will not hinder leisure users but obviously don’t anchor.
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - NM Blocks. - River Thames - Three UKHO blocks all dealing with the same location but for different charts. This is the area of the Hole Haven. The PDF blocks may be download from the above page.

Local

1. River Crouch – Outer Crouch No 4 Light Buoy - is now operational and exhibiting the correct light pattern.
2. Port of Wells - dredging;
3. Approaches to King’s Lynn – King’s Lynn Harbour - River Great Ouse. - International water ski event Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th August 2018. - to be held in King’s Lynn Harbour on Saturday 18th August 2018 over the 1203 hrs high water and on Sunday 19th August 2018 over the 1305 hrs high water. Details in the above quoted page in the Temporary List;
4. Ramsgate - Flap Gate and Lifting Bridge Works Update - The floating crane 'Skylift' will return to Ramsgate this weekend to continue works to re-fit the lifting bridge and flapgate. It will be necessary for the barge to work from a position that will prevent access either to or from the Inner Basin and the TFA fuel barge. The dates when this will occur are between 0800 Monday 13th August and 2000 Tuesday 14th August 2018.

Link to details - http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local NtMs compiled by and reproduced by kind permission of Roger Gaspar, author of Crossing the Thames Estuary

 

 

Notices to Mariners Week 32 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

 

 

UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary

1. New Editions of ADMIRALTY Charts published 9th August 2018 - Chart 2571 England - East Coast, The Swale, Whitstable to Harty Ferry. 1:12,500; A Faversham Creek. 1:12,500; B Whitstable Harbour. 1:5,000
2. BELGIUM - Buoyage. - Two temporary south cardinal buoys just off and east of Blankenberge. Could be related to the installation of the UK/Belgium power cable. Image of the location on the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local

1. GREENWICH REACH TO CROSS DEEP - THE GREAT RIVER RACE - will take place on Saturday 8th September 2018 from 1000 at Masthouse Terrace Pier until approximately 1600 at Ham. Throughout the day there will be Local Traffic Control, pier closures and river closures in place. see the full notice on the above page under the Temporary list.
2. River Crouch – Repair of Sea Defences - Jackson Hyder will be carrying out embankment repair works on behalf of the Environment Agency at Creeksea and Malyons along a 1.43 km section of the River Crouch. (download of map in the Temporary list). The works will be completed two hours either side of high water and are expected to commence on the 1st August 2018, weather permitting. All work will be shore-based and there will not be any vessel operating on the river. However, Mariners are requested to take due care and consideration whilst passing these works and keep their wash to a minimum.
3. River Crouch – Outer Crouch No 4 Light Buoy - has been reported unlit.
4. Port of Wells - dredging

 

Link to details - http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local NtMs compiled by and reproduced by kind permission of Roger Gaspar, author of Crossing the Thames Estuary

 

 

Mike Johnson - RIP

It is with great sadness we have today learned of the death of member Mike Johnson following a heart attack.

Many of you will have memories of Mike and his boat Wobbly Cod and more recently his daily visit to the club to sit and watch everything going on, and always ready for a chat.

Over the years Mike has done much for the club being our “resident” electrician and sign writer and always ready to help other members out.

Mike will be sorely missed.

Our thoughts go out to his wife Cathy and his family.

Local ditch crawler "comes out"

 

Local ditch crawler "comes out" Author Nick Ardley, often seen cruising the Medway with his wife Christobel in their classic Finesse 24 "Whimbrel" with sailing tender in tow, has revealed that he has prostate cancer. The diagnosis only happened after he insisted on a PSA blood test and he is campaigning for routine screening for men in the same way that women are screened. He … Read more. The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Notices to Mariners Week 30 & 31 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Week 30

 

UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary

Just the one - not very exciting:

ENGLAND - East Coast - Restricted areas. - A small change of the position of the Kentish Flats Wind Farm power cable from the Farm to land. No change in the Berm. See image at the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local

1. GRAVESEND REACH TO MOUSE CHANNEL - 87TH THAMES SAILING BARGE MATCH - Mariners are advised that the 87th Thames Sailing Barge Match will take place on Saturday 21st July 2018, with participating vessels congregating in Gravesend Reach prior to proceeding to the start line at Mucking No.3 buoy: 10.00am Coasting Class 10.15am Champion Staysail Class 10.30am Champion Bowsprit Class - The race participants together with associated escort and official craft will proceed eastwards to the North Oaze Buoy before turning about to return to Gravesend for the finish of the race. Note the intended route may be shortened subject to weather conditions on the day.

2. LOWER HALSTOW WRECK TO THE NORTH OF LOWER HALSTOW YACHT MOORINGS - the sunken floating dock/converted barge, that has been moored to a large yellow mooring buoy to the north of the Lower Halstow Yacht Moorings has now been refloated. It is now made fast to 3 yellow buoys still at a position (Revised) - 510 22.90N 0000 40.36E;

3. RIVER MEDWAY– SALTPAN REACH Isle of Grain LNG Terminal, Jetties No. 8, 9 & 10. Underwater Pile Inspection Survey - Diving Operations will take place under the jetties from Wednesday 18th July 2018 and are expected to last for approximately 3 weeks;

4. RIVER MEDWAY– SALTPAN REACH - Isle of Grain, Foster Yeoman Terminal, Jetties No. 6 & 7. Underwater Cathodic Protection System Repairs - Diving Operations to make repairs to the cathodic protection system will take place between and under the jetties from Monday 16th July 2018 to Friday 20th July 2018;

5. River Crouch – Upper Reaches Obstruction - the abandoned anchor thought previously to have been attached to a mooring buoy in approximate position: 51˚ 37.793'N, 000˚ 36.316'E has now been re-laid and no longer poses a hazard to navigation.

6. River Crouch - Swallowtail No 4 Light Buoy is re-established;

7. Lighted Beacon Wakering Yacht Club Pontoon - River Roach - the lighted beacon '2 fixed reds' on the end of Wakering Yacht Club's pontoon is re-established;

8. Port of Wells dredging.

 

Week 31

 

UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary

1. New Editions of ADMIRALTY Charts published 2 August 2018 - Chart 1835 England - East Coast, River Medway, Folly Point to Maidstone, A Continuation of the River Medway, B Continuation of the River Medway to Maidstone. Includes changes to depths from the latest Medway Port Authority Surveys;
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Wrecks. - Three revised depths over already known wrecks to the east of the Sheringham Wind Farm. All at a depth that they are unlikely to hinder leisure craft;
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Works. Buoy. Depths. - A restricted area off the Bawdsey beach for drilling for the East Anglia One Wind Farm. The instructions opposite are explicit. No mooring, no fishing. The area limits the inshore route from the Deben to the Ore. Not strictly an exclusion zone but going outside the Waverider buoy would make sense! Depths may be more shoal than charted in the vicinity due to the drilling works; - See the image for the area at: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local

1. LEIGH CHANNEL LEIGH BUOY BUOY REPOSITIONED - the Leigh Buoy has been moved approximately 170m to the NNE of her current charted position to reflect changes in depths in the area;
2. SEA REACH CALOR & LONDON GATEWAY TIDE MONITORING EQUIPMENT - during the last week of July 2018 the PLA Hydrographic Service will be deploying a bottom-mounted current monitoring device (an ADCP) mid channel off Calor Canvey. The deployment will last about two weeks after which it will be moved to the approaches to London Gateway 1 for a further two week deployment. The unit stands less than one metre above the bed and the sites have been selected so as to not interfere with any surface shipping, which will not be restricted during these deployments. There will be no surface markers; - Image on the same page but in the Temporary list;
3. Harwich Sea Festival, navigational exclusion zone & Ha'penny Pier pontoon restrictions The Harwich Sea Festival is jointly organised by the Rotary Club and Harwich RNLI. The festival will run from 11:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs on the 29th July 2018. The event organisers have published detailed festival information via the following link https://www.harwichseafestival.co.uk/ . Navigational exclusion zone. On the 29th of July 2018 between approximately 14:45 hrs and 15:15 hrs a navigational exclusion zone will be established in the vicinity of Harwich Ha'penny Pier. This exclusion zone is being established to ensure safety during a helicopter search and rescue demonstration during the Harwich Sea Festival.
The exclusion zone covers the area west of a line drawn between Shotley Point and the eastern end of the Navyard dock, terminating in a line drawn between the tower on Ganges Pier and the eastern end of Harwich International port. During this period no vessel shall enter or pass through the exclusion zone without the expressed permission of the Harbour Master. See images in the Temporary List;
4. Port of Wells - dredging;
5. KING'S LYNN CONSERVANCY BOARD - Approaches to Kings Lynn - UKD "Cherry Sand" Dredging Disposal West Stones Disposal site HU143 - from the Am tide 25th July 2018 through until the AM Tide 4th August 2018, UKD Vessel "Cherry Sand" will be carrying out maintenance dredging for the safety of shipping within the enclosed Docks King's Lynn. Each operational tide the "Cherry Sand" will depart King's Lynn Docks 1 hour to High water and proceed to the disposal area in the vicinity of the West Stones Beacon (52° 49.7'N 000° 21.1'E). The disposal area is marked by 2 Yellow marker buoys; - • North Buoy Fl.Y.5s 52°50.615'N 000°21.190'E • South Buoy Fl.Y.10s 52°50.360'N 000°21.300'E. Discharge will be carried out at approximately High Water followed by return to King's Lynn Docks about 30 minutes after high water;

 

 

 

Link to details - http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Local NtMs compiled by and reproduced by kind permission of Roger Gaspar, author of Crossing the Thames Estuary