Notices to Mariners Week 52 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent

1. New Editions of ADMIRALTY Charts on 11th January, 2018 - Chart 1351 - France - North Coast, Approaches to Calais
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Stanford Channel - Depths. Foul. Buoy. - A collection of 7 reduced depths in the Stanford Channel with a group around the Newcome Sand PHM buoy (which is also slightly moved. But not critical to leisure craft.

Temporary

1. Medway (Peel Ports) Isle of Grain BP Jetty Lifting Operations - from the 16th of December 2017 for 4 days, the crane barge ‘Tilman’ will undertake lifting operations alongside BP number 1 berth on the Isle of Grain;
2. Approaches and within the Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina - dredging campaign from 21st December to 31st May 2018 - must be a significant campaign;
3. Approaches to Lowestoft (ABP Ports NtM) reported that depths are better and now are not less than 4.7m CD;
4. Mutford Lock, Norfolk Broads - closed for maintenance 5th February to 9th February;
5. Approaches to the Wash Ports - trenching works and survey in three places from 23rd December(!) to 10th January. One location is deeply inland so I assume it is a typo which makes it on the Sunk Sand off Hunstanton (so well out of the way) and the other two are beyond the area I monitor being north off Skeggie (who some may know it as Skegness).

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

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Bar Flat N - Radio reporting point. - In the Wash, off the approaches to Boston;
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Lowestoft SE - Wreck. Buoyage. Radar beacon. - removal of the 4 Trinity House wreck buoys marking the Ella'. The wreck has also been removed.

Usual images on http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Temporary

1. Harwich Harbour, berths and approaches - dredging until approximately the 18th December;
2. Port of Wells - dredging;
3. London Array - notice of works on turbine E17 requiring a 500m exclusion zone - this does not affect Foulger's Gat. D20 (again away from the Gat) continues to have its 'permanent' 500m exclusion by dint of its damage blade.

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

Free 2018 Medway and Thames Tide Tables

 

Free 2018 Medway and Thames Tide Tables James Goodfellow of Peel Ports has shared a link for the 2018 tides and other useful information including the Medway Ports bye-laws here... Read more. The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Seasalter SC sickened by theft of life-saving equipment

Seasalter SC sickened by theft of life-saving equipment Members of a Swale-based sailing club have been sickened by the theft of a £1400 defibrillator that was bought two years ago after they lost a member to a heart attack. Read more at Kent Online... Read more. The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

CA Winter Warmer talk, HM Coastguard, Thurs 14 Dec

CA Winter Warmer talk, HM Coastguard, Thurs 14 Dec Jeremy Littlewood has been in HM Coastguard for 7 years as a Watch Manager at Thames and London Operations Rooms and now 2 years as Senior Coastal Operations Officer in East Anglia managing Coastguard Rescue Teams and Major Incident Response. Jeremy will give an overview of the activities and capabilities of HM Coastguard afloat and  ashore and give a presentation and discussion about safety equipment … Read more. The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Notices to Mariners Week 50 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent

Only one - ENGLAND - East Coast - Sheerness Middle Sand - Drying height. Depth. - new drying 'sounding' on Grain Spit opposite Sheerness. The Grain Site is perhaps extending to the east? Caution inside the Nore swatch will need a little caution - see image: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Temporary

1. Trinity House notifying that the wreck of the Ella is lifted and the 4 wreck buoys removed - they were offshore Lowestoft;
2. Port of London Authority notifying the joint PLA and Met Police anti-drink and drugs campaigns from 1st December to after the New Year festivities;
3. Medway - survey between Gillingham Marina and Hoo Ness YC 10 to 16 December;
4. Sagging power cable notified round the back of Wallesea Island (once known as Wallet or Wallot Island) in Paglesham Creek - see image in the temporary list, same page as above;
5. The Newcombe Sand buoy has been moved 0.1nm NE (off Lowestoft);
6. A multi-cat doing cable works off the Sizewell Beach from the 15th December until further notice (that is for the Gallopher Wind Farm);
7. Port of Wells - dredging.

The Hjordis buoy (off Blakeney) Is still reported as off station and the Havengore Bridge is still reported as 'broke'.

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

Laser weapon to be tested at Shoeburyness

Laser weapon to be tested at Shoeburyness The defence project will culminate in operation at full-power under test conditions at Farnborough in summer 2018 before it is transported to MOD Shoeburyness for long-range outdoor trials later in the year. Boaters have expressed concerns that this may endanger the eyesight of mariners on recreational vessels and commercial shipping in the Thames Estuary. Read more...   Read more. The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Notices to Mariners Week 49 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Stour - NM Block. Depths. - A new UKHO block for the Stour just west of Erwarton and 4 reduced soundings between the block and Holbrook;
2. FRANCE - North Coast - Calais - Depth. Dredged areas. - New depths but affecting the ships in the harbour rather than 'us';
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Approaches to River Colne, Clacton-on-Sea S and Walton-on-the-Naze E - Depths. - 3 drying areas off the Mersea Flats, a reduction of depth on the east side of the River Colne, one off Jaywick and one off Walton-on-the-Naze. Caution necessary cutting round the south of Mersea between the Blackwater and the Colne;
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - Holm Sand - Depths. - One slight reduced of depth just south of the NE Holm PHB. Not likely to hinder leisure craft.

Temporary

1. LOWER POOL - *INSTALLATION OF COLLAR BARGE MOORING - River Thames - on the south side of the Thames opposite Wapping;
2. 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

Notices to Mariners Week 48 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent UKHO

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Ware Point - Wreck. Buoy. - Dangerous wreck on the edge of the 5m contour of the River Thames, east side opposite Ware Point (below Margaret Ness) - with commensurate west cardinal buoy - see image on the usual web page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Winterton-on-Sea to Great Yarmouth - Depths. Obstructions. - ugh - twelve reduced depths between Winterton and Great Yarmouth in and around the in-shore channels. Three images!
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Ovens Flat - Depths. - one reduced depth close to the Ovens SHB but at 8.9m, hardly likely to trouble us;

Temporary

1. Harwich Seasonal buoyage - Harwich Shelf removed for the winter;
2. Port of Wells - Dredging;
3. Blakeney Harbour - the Hjordis East buoy is off station - recommended to leave the Hjordis isolated danger beacon at least 200 metres to starboard and pass the No 1 Harbour entrance buoy close to starboard;
4. And then with an ironic smile - Ramsgate Harbour reporting that several small craft have struck the green entrance buoy at low water - could please not hit the buoy anymore - the use of the recommended route is... recommended.

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

 

 

Cruising Association Lobster Pots Campaign

In the spring of this year the Cruising Association launched a petition to make lobster pot markers safer for small craft.   In two weeks we had 6,000 signatures and numerous reports of boats coming to grief by being caught up in lobster pot chains and ropes.  The petition had then to be abandoned when the General Election was announced but was relaunched at the Southampton Boat Show in September.
We have had just over 5,300 signatures this time as those who signed the petition earlier thought their 'vote' would be carried through. This was not the case. The Government's petitions office shut down the earlier petition, losing all 6,000 signatures.

Notices to Mariners Week 47 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent UKHO

1. New editions of charts: Admiralty Charts to be published 23 November 2017 - Chart 323 - International Chart Series, Dover Strait, Eastern Part. 1:75,000, Chart 1610 - International Chart Series, England - East Coast, Approaches to the Thames Estuary. 1:150,000: Admiralty Charts to be published 7 December 2017 - Chart 1491 - International Chart Series, England – East Coast, Harwich and Felixstowe. 1:10,000, Chart 2693 - International Chart Series, England – East Coast, Approaches to Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich with the Rivers Stour, Orwell and Deben.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Yantlet Channel - Buoy. - was a PLA NtM couple of weeks back, now a UKHO 'permanent' notice - the new south cardinal called Oikos off the Oikos Jetty for major works - just east of the Hole Haven Creek.
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Medway - Obstructions. Legend. - this was a recent Peel Ports (Medway) correction about the wrong 1.6 obstruction in Saltpan Reach which isn't/wasn't there.
4. BELGIUM - Wenduinebank S - Fouls. - just east of Oostende, now an area of Foul. See the image on the usual page for all these: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
5. ENGLAND - East Coast - Woolwich Reach W - Depths. - a small reduction of depth (from 4.9 to 4.2m) just on the south edge of the Thames channel off Greenwich.

Temporary

1. GREENWICH REACH *- GREENWICH PIER - TEMPORARY PIER CLOSURE AND MAINTENANCE WORKS - closed from 20th November to 25th November and then some new mooring arrangements. Two images on the Temporary list on the page above;
2. Temporary Lock Closure - Ipswich - due to essential maintenance on the Flood Gates by the Environment Agency, Ipswich Lock will be closed for all vessels during the following periods :-
Tuesday 28th November 2017 - 0730hrs ~ 1730hrs and Wednesday 29th November 2017 - 0800hrs ~ 1730hrs;
3. LOWESTOFT HARBOUR AND HARBOUR APPROACHES – DREDGING ACTIVITIES - started yesterday until about the 24th November;
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

Project Kraken

Notices to Mariners Week 43,44,45 & 46 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Catching up. Sorry, some of these are a bit late.

 

Week 43

 

Permanent

1. New Editions of ADMIRALTY Charts on 9th November, 2017 : Chart 1534 - England - East Coast, Great Yarmouth and Approaches. Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour and Great Yarmouth Haven.
Chart 1535 - England - East Coast, Lowestoft and Approaches. Lowestoft Harbour.
2. ENGLAND - Thames Estuary - Long Sand NE - Depths. Two new reduced depths on the Long Sand. Although reduced depths at 8.8 and 9.9m, this evidence of continual extension of the north-eastwards of the Long Sand Head and worth prudence. Image of course at the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Gravesend Reach - Landmarks. - the two Power Station chimneys at the Tilbury Power Station have gone;
4. North Coast - Approaches to Dunkerque - Buoy. Measuring instrument. Automatic Identification System. A temporary NtM but a new yellow buoy in the Binnen Ratel channel north of Dunkerque.

Temporary

1. Trinity House NtM advising in the Approaches to Lowestoft the wreck buoys for the wreck of the Tug 'Ella' have been widened to 500 metres - Image on the same page but under the Temporary list;
2. Trinity House advise that the S. Bawdsey buoy has had its wave actuated whistle changed to a wave actuated bell;
3. River Thames - Oikos Jetty No 2 Jetty extension now has a temporary new South Cardinal buoy from tomorrow - image in the usual page.
4. Port of Wells - Dah, dah - dredging!

Week 44

 

6 UKHO notices this week:

UKHO

1. BELGIUM - Oostende - Legend. - Deletion of the legend regarding the Radar Surveillance Station at the entrance of the inner jetties of Oostende.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Long Reach - Depth. - one reduction of depth off Purfleet but at over 7m, not to worry;
3. NETHERLANDS - Schouwenbank Junction - Pilot boarding place. - changed the Pilot changing place to match Schouwenbank safe water buoy;
4. BELGIUM - Zeebrugge to Thorntonbank NW - Submarine power cable. - new power cable to be installed from west of Zeebruggee harbour entrance out to the Wind Farm;
5. BELGIUM - Blankenberge - Depths. Buoyage. - revised buoyage to remark the shallow harbour and marina entrance - see images (like the others on: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
6. ENGLAND - East Coast - Orford Ness - Depths. Wrecks. - 11 new reduced depths and wrecks on this notice. However the area has been 'peppered' by NtMs this year so I have added all this year's previous changes in the two images including this one;

Temporary

A quiet week hence at the first of the list is.......

1. Dredging' at Wells;
2. London Array Windfarm - they have temporarily withdrawn the yellow North Guard Buoy for the Long Sand Middle Wave Buoy;
3. Galloper Windfarm - Start from today for a prolonged survey from the cable route to the site - see image on the usual Temporary List;
4. Havengore Bridge reported today back in operation!

Week 45

 

Permanent UKHO

1. New Editions of ADMIRALTY Charts on 23rd November, 2017 - Chart 323 - International Chart Series, Dover Strait, Eastern Part;
2. BELGIUM - Broers Bank SW - Buoyage. Restricted area. - Small restriction and marked prohibited area off the De Panne Beaches (the Dunkirk beaches). See image on the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Middle Cross Sand - Depth. - one reduced depth on the eastern side of the Middle Cross Sand at 8.5m (close to a much deeper wreck so presumably building up.

Temporary

1. Trinity House announcing it has taken over the rights of the wreck 'Ella' (off Lowestoft);
2. An apparent typo announced by Medway (Peel Ports) of a mistaken inclusion of a 1.6 obstruction off the Jetties on Saltpan Reach. The obstruction had been added earlier this year via NtM 4488/2017 so obvious a typo.
3. Port of Wells - dredging.

 

Week 46

 

UKHO

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Approaches to Harwich - Fog signal. - Change of the Whistle to a bell on the S. Bawdsey on the SCB - was foretold on Temps a couple of weeks back;
2. NETHERLANDS - Schouwen W - NM Block. Depths. - a UKHO chart block and two reductions of depth on the coast of the Delta;
3. FRANCE - North Coast - Haut Fond de Gravelines W - Buoyage. Automatic Identification System. - another addition of AIS, now on the WCB off Gravelines;
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Limehouse Reach - Buoyage. - two new large moorings just down from the South Dock Marina entrance and an ECB off Convoy's Wharf, all in Limehouse Reach;
5. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Port of Ramsgate - Depths. - two reduced depths in the Outer Harbour of Ramsgate on the way to the entrance to the Royal Harbour - at4m+, not yet a threat to us.

Temporary

1. Ha’penny pier refurbishment works - as has been said before;
2. BRIDGE REACH – ROCHESTER BRIDGE - Rochester rail bridge rope access inspection of the metallic superstructure and span closures - rope access inspection works and span closures will commence on the 5th of November 2017, only one span will be closed to navigation at any one time.
3. Re-Fueling or Bunkering fuel within the Brightlingsea Harbour. Forbidden except when using the designated fuel pontoon;
4. LOWESTOFT HARBOUR APPROACHES – REDUCED DEPTHS – UPDATED INFORMATION - recent survey data has indicated further shoaling and depth reduction in the NE approaches to Lowestoft Harbour. The area of least depth is from the seaward end of Jackamans Groyne, Least Depth: 3.7m below ACD;
5. Port of Wells Dredging;
6. PORT OF GREAT YARMOUTH - Navigation Byelaws - threat of the byelaws because of excessive speed, poor lighting and the need for care. The Byelaws can be download in the Temporary list on the usual page (and all the other detail): http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
7. Havengore - as reported earlier, the bridge is unoperational at the moment.

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

 

 

Rochester to Richmond, a Thames Estuary Sailors view

Nick Ardley, well known Maritime Author and Sailor will be on board Edith May on Saturday November 11th from 10.30am till 4.00pm signing copies of his latest book Rochester to Richmond, a Thames Estuary Sailors view.
A unique Christmas present for any sailing enthusiast!

The Tearoom will be OPEN serving Homemade soup and cakes for this event!

Tickets for the Christmas Carols can be booked now or at the book signing. These evenings are extremely popular and sell out quickly!!

Vessels obstruct Faversham Creek

Peel Ports have advised that the exceptional high tides have caused some vessels in Faversham Creek to float into the wrong places, in some cases out of the creek altogether. The infamous “pirate ship” Revenge, which has featured on this website several times before, is obstructing the channel having tipped onto its side towards the middle of the creek. Photo from Peel Ports Notice to Mariners No 31 of 2017.

The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Blue Yacht seized by Peel Ports

The nameless blue yacht was evicted from Sun Pier and then moored unsuccessfully on the Historic Dockyard slipway, as shown in this photo taken on Sunday.  The vessel, which has been the subject of more than one RNLI call out, has now been towed away to Sheerness. Medway VTS informed us that the boat will be held until the owner comes forward with proof that he has a legitimate mooring for it. Well done Peel Ports!

The Voice of Boating on the tidal Medway and Swale - visit www.msba.org.uk

Notices to Mariners Week 42 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Gull Stream - Depths. Wrecks. Drying height. - 8 reductions of depth in and around the Gull Stream. It is worth noting the drying height on the western side of the Goodwins, is pretty close to a lateral line from the West Goodwin SHB to the NW Goodwin cardinal buoy. Favouring the eastern side of the Gull Stream seems an obvious precaution in a SW wind!
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Thames Estuary - Pan Sand, Middle Sand, Margate Hook, East Barrow and Foulness Sand E - Beacons. - This is a sad time when five useful marks are unmaintained and now declining. Topmarks of each of the five beacons listed have now apparently fallen. Unfortunately as the Middle Sand is a red and white beacon, this cannot now be regarded as a safe area once the stump has fallen below the HW.

Temporary

1. ST CLEMENTS REACH - GRAYS TERMINAL - JETTY WORKS & DREDGING OPERATIONS - revised notice, works from the September to end of November;
2. RIVER MEDWAY–UPNOR REACH TO OAKHAMNESS - Exercise Fuels Endeavour 17 - Royal Engineer’s Barge Towing Exercise - between 4th and 8th Nov 2017, No.516 Specialist Team, Royal Engineers (Bulk Petroleum) will be conducting towage exercises involving towing vessels and flexible barges for the transport of liquid fuels. See the usual page on the Temporary List for images of the exercise and route: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
3. FAVERSHAM CREEK - Vessels Aground - due to the exceptional high tides, three vessels have grounded in the upper reaches of Faversham Creek. See the same page for images of location and vessels;
4. Grog Buoy River Orwell - now back in position and fully operational;
5. River Orwell - New Cut Construction Works - Dredging - southern side of the Ipswich Tidal Flood Barrier;
6. East Coast of England - The Wash - Approaches to King’s Lynn - UKD “Cherry Sand” - from the pm tide 15th October 2017 through until the pm tide 25th October 2017, will be carrying out maintenance dredging for the safety of shipping within the enclosed Docks King’s Lynn;
7. East Coast of England - The Wash - Approaches to King’s Lynn - Daseley’s Sled Approach - in the approach channel on or about 9th October 2017, No.19 lightbuoy to be moved 345°T x 150 metres. and No.16 lightbuoy to be moved 355°T x 70 metres.

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

Permanent

1 and 2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Felixstowe S - Depths. Drying height. - two reduction, one reduced depth, one new drying height - on the Platters and Andrews Spit off Landguard. Then with a separate Preliminary Notice there are four other reduced depths and four new drying heights in the same area - save one reduced depth off the Cliff Rocks (at 1.3m). Very worthwhile I would suggest. Two images on: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html;
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Thames - Bugsby’s Reach - Depths. - one reduced of depth (to 2.6m) on the edge of the main channel of the Thames off Blackwall Point;
4. BELGIUM - Zeebrugge and Blankenberge - Buoy. Fog signal. - deletion of a Yellow Special buoy off Blankenberge and deletion of the Fog Signal on the Port Control tower in Zeebrugge harbour;
5. ENGLAND - South Coast - Port of Dover - North Pier - Light-beacon. Light. - Two lights deleted from the North Pier - that's the eastern mole entering to the Marina;
6. BELGIUM - TSS Off North Hinder - Virtual aids to navigation. - Deep Sigh. This is a change of two topmarks on each of two virtual AIS buoy of the west of the Belwind Wind Farm off Belgium - hells bells and buckets of blood! Wot! Even the cat after sitting situated on the relevant part of the chart, got bored and went away!;

Temporary

1. GRAVESEND ANNUAL FIREWORK DISPLAY - Friday 3rd November 2017 at 20:00 a fireworks display will take place over the River Thames on the south side of Gravesend Reach. Safety Zone to be in place.
2. The Broads - Restriction on River Chet - Monday 13 November 2017 until Friday 23 March 2018 - dredging and maintenance operations on the River Chet may restrict passage during weekdays, piling and dredging work will be in operation between 08:00 and 16:00 daily, excluding weekends.
3. The Broads - Closure of Limekiln Dyke - closed to navigation on weekdays due to maintenance dredging work: Monday 13 November until Friday 22 December 2017; Monday 8 January until Friday 2 February 2018 Each week during this period the closure will be in effect from 08:00 Monday to 16:00 Friday., and
4. Port of Wells - dredging.
Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?487913-Notice-to-Mariners-Week-41#I46cldOIoVkZB6h8.99

 

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

Permanent

Only news in the monitored area about three new editions of Admiralty Charts (on 19th October):

Chart 1185 - International Chart Series, England - East Coast, River Thames, Sea Reach. 1:25,000
Chart 1186 - England - East Coast, River Thames, Canvey Island to Tilbury.
A Canvey Island to Coalhouse Point. 1:12,500
B Coalhouse Point to Tilbury. 1:12,500
Chart 2151 - England - East Coast, River Thames, Tilbury to Margaret Ness. 1:12,500

Temporary

1. GRAVESEND REACH - CHIMNEY DEMOLITION - EXCLUSION ZONE - from 7.00am on Thursday 28th September 2017 an exclusion zone will be established in front of the Tilbury Power Station for the demolition of the two chimneys. See image on the usual page: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html (in the Temporary List);
2. ST CLEMENTS REACH - GRAYS TERMINAL - JETTY WORKS & DREDGING OPERATIONS - from today for Jetty Works and Dredging for four weeks from 16th October (Image on the usual page);
3. DARTFORD CREEK - DARTFORD CREEK BARRIER - INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE WORKS - inspection and maintenance works on the Dartford Creek Barrier from Tuesday 10th October 2017 until Thursday 12th October 2017. Navigation closed;
4. Potton Bridge Survey Work - Closed for navigation for 4th and 5th October;
5. Raysand Middle Buoy - off station and missing (wonder if it has sunk - eek!);
6. Dredging Operation in the Brightlingsea South Channel 8th October to 20th November - only pass with permission from the HM;
7. Dredging in the Port of Wells.

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 38 & 39 - Notices to Mariners for the Southern East Coast of the UK and across to France, Belgium and part of Holland

Week 38

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Approaches to Lowestoft - Radar beacon. - this is an addition onto one of the wreck markers positioned over the wreck of the old tug 'Ella'. The wreck buoys were notified in week 34. Usual update of an image of the position at: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html ;
2. NETHERLANDS - Approaches to Westerschelde - Galgeput - Depths. - a single reduction of depth in the Galgeput (northerly approaches to the Westerschelde);
3. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Fairy Bank NW - Wreck. - a new wreck but at 47m won't trouble us.

Temporary

1. Havengore Bridge is out of action by dint of mechanical trouble. To be repaired as soon as possible;
2. Port of London schedule of Woolwich Barrier Maintenance closures for November to April;
3. RIVER MEDWAY – SALTPAN REACH - Isle of Grain Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal - Jetties 8 & 10, Fender Panel Inspection and Maintenance - on or about Monday 18th September 2017 for 10 days;
4. LOWESTOFT – LARGE SEMI SUBMERGED PIPES – UPDATED INFORMATION - All the pipes in harbour but subject to maintenance;
5. Harwich Haven Maintenance dredging - dredging has started - Dredging will take place in the following areas: Channel edges (Buoys 1-8), outer channel and the Beach End bend and Harbour dredging around 11th September until approximately 19th September.
Week 39

Permanent

1. Admiralty Charts to be published 12 October 2017 - Chart 3741 - International Chart Series, England - East Coast , Rivers Colne and Blackwater.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Medway - London Thamesport and Queenborough Harbour - NM Blocks. Drying height. Depths. Wrecks. - A chart block regarding the Thamesport Jetty, a reduced depth over the wreck on the Stoke Shoal, a reduced sounding off Queensborough (5m) and a drying height on the buoyed channel south off Queensborough (3.2!)
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Greater Gabbard Wind Farm - Works. Legends. - just showing the wind farm is under works;
4. FRANCE - North Coast - Boulogne-sur-Mer - NM Block. Note. - a useful up to date chartlet via the UKHO chart block of the Boulogne Inner Harbour - not that that much has happened;
5. ENGLAND - East Coast - Lowestoft NE, E and SE - Depths. Wreck. - 8 reduced soundings and a new wreck off the shoals offshore from Lowestoft. All plenty of water so not likely to hinder leisure craft.

Temporary

1. Trinity House - the marked anchorage for the Semi submerged pipes is now removed;
2. Oyster dredge survey in the Crouch, today and tomorrow subject to weather;
3. LOWESTOFT INNER HARBOUR – WRECK AISHA – UPDATED INFORMATION - the condition of sunken vessel ‘Welsh Conquest (Ex Aisha)’, in position 52° 28.60’N, 001° 43.225’E, (alongside
Harbour Road Jetty) The vessel appears to have moved so that the stern of the vessel now encroaches into the Northern edge of the main navigational channel. The vessel’s upper housing has
also started to break apart, and the yellow flash light is no longer on station.
4. Port of Wells - dredging.

Usual page for images: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

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

Lobster pots campaign – sign the petition!

Reproduced from the Westerly Owners Association

Lobster pots campaign – sign the petition!

The Cruising Association has re-started the parliamentary petition on the government website following the general election.

Poorly marked lobster pots and fishing gear are a significant hazard for coastal cruising people. Fishermen, too, lose expensive gear as a result of entanglements. In one year alone, the RNLI has dealt with 295 incidents of fouled propellers.

It is time to work together to find a solution that is cheap and practical for fishermen. With this aim, the CA hopes to secure a government consultation about the effectiveness of the current guidance and the merits of enforceable regulations for the whole of the UK. We are seeking a consensus amongst fishermen's organisations as well as the RYA, RNLI and others concerned with yacht safety.

If you support our campaign, please: sign the petition, even if you had already done so, as previous votes can't be carried over

You can also report incidents to the CA via this address, or the RYA via this form. Tell your friends, family and club members about the campaign and petition.

It's time to change the rules, for safety's sake.

Good, and worry-free, sailing,

As of 6th September 2017 the VHF MSI channels are changing. These are the channels used to transmit weather and safety information. The broadcasts will continue to be announced on channel 16 with the areas covered by which channel.

Boat owners, shipping companies and anyone who puts out to sea need to make sure they’re ready for the changeover of some VHF channel numbers used to contact UK Coastguard.

The changes to Appendix 18 (Marine VHF) of the Radio Regulations mean that existing channels will no longer be used for either Maritime Safety Information (MSI) or Radio Medical Advice.

From 6^th September 2017, channels to use will be VHF 62, 63 and 64. The use of VHF Channel 10 for MSI and pollution control (back up) is unchanged.

Mark Lawson from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency said: ‘We’ve been putting information out about the changes for some months now and will continue to do so in the weeks running up to the changeover.

‘This is an absolute changeover so people do need to be ready to start using the channels from 10am on 6^th September. Although the MCA will keep the existing channels for about a year, they will not be routinely monitored. Your existing VHF radios should already have the new channels, but owners should check.’

Q&A

Why are the channels changing?

The changes are as a result of the World Radio Conference where it was decided that some channels should be removed and allocated for digital use. It’s a simple change to other VHF frequencies.

What difference will it make to boat owners and operators?

There will be no difference to the service provided. MSI broadcasts will still go out at the existing published times, just on the new channels. Those listening on Channel 16 will be directed to the appropriate channel, when the forthcoming broadcast is to be made.

What will happen if I use the old channels after 6^th September?

The old channels will be retained by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency for about a year. However, they will not be routinely monitored as the MCA will redirect people to the appropriate channel that the MSI broadcast will be made on. Boat owners requiring Radio Medical Advice should initially call on Channel 16. They will then be directed to a working channel (62, 63 or 64).

What should boat owners and operators be doing?

Make a note of the replacement channels so that they are ready for the changeover day. Your existing VHF radios should already have the new channels, but owners should check. 

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 & 36

Apologies for rolling the two weeks together (i.e. waiting a whole week's wait!)

This week (36), no permanent NtM in the monitored area. Week 35 there are:

1. ENGLAND - South East Coast - Dover Strait - Legends. Notes. - new annotation regarding Military Wrecks for many charts - this one is about one wreck south of Dover.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Tyne S to Lowestoft - Legends. Notes. - similar annotation from the Humber down to Lowestoft - 2 wrecks in the monitored area, the third is north of the Humber;
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Corton Road - Depths. - 3 reduced depths in the Corton Road but all more than 6.8m;
4. ENGLAND - East Coast - Gravesend Reach - Depths. - one reduced depth on the edge of the Thames channel in Gravesend Reach, still has 6.9m;
5. BELGIUM - Nieuwpoort Bank S, Grote Rede and Negenvaam N - Buoyage. Wreck. - a cluster of new buoys at a previously marked wreck north offshore off Nieupoort and a new wreck shown north off Ostende but with over 7m;
6. ENGLAND - East Coast - Thames Estuary - Traffic separation scheme. - Change later this year showing a change in the edge of the Precautionary Area in the Long Sand Head.

Temporary

1. Trinity House have placed two wreck buoys to mark the north and south extremities of the Anchorage for that long long huge pipeline that got loose. It is now anchored off Sea Palling and well worth avoiding: Image on the usual page http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html (in the Temporary list)
2. Port of Wells dredging;
3. Lowestoft reminding ALL including leisure users that craft must radio in before coming in or out or just moving about.VHF 14 or the telephone if no radio;
4. APPROACHES TO THE RIVER MEDWAY - NORE SWATCH BUOY OFF STATION;
5. DARTFORD CREEK - DARTFORD CREEK CLOSED TO NAVIGATION - until 8th September for critical repairs.
6. Inner Whitaker now has its topmark back;
7. Maintenance of Stow Creek, buoyage removed for two weeks work.

Week 37

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Thames Estuary - Traffic separation scheme. - just an addition to a legend in the title of each of the relevant charts for the change reported in Week 35 about the alteration of line of the TSS at the Long Sand Head;
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - River Medway - Rochester - Wreck. Depth. - a new wreck off Gashouse Point, near the ship buoys before the Rochester Bridge;
3. ENGLAND - East Coast - Holm Channel and Corton Sand W - Depths. - Two reduced depths in the Holm Channel. The Scroby Sands encroaching to the west (i.e. the eastern side of the Holm Channel).
4. FRANCE - North Coast - Banc In Ratel NE - Automatic Identification System. Addition of AIS on the DY2 south cardinal buoy marking the Dyck channel offshore north of Dunkerque.

Temporary

1. RIVER MEDWAY – SALTPAN REACH - Isle of Grain LNG Terminal, Jetty No. 10 River Works and Diving Operations - on Saturday 9th September 2017, between the hours of 13:00 and 17:00 a section of unloading arm will be removed from LNG Berth No. 10 by crane barge.
2. THE SWALE - QUEENBOROUGH CREEK FLOOD BARRIER - as of today’s date until the 31st of December 2017 works are being undertaken to refurbish the aging structure of the Queenborough Creek Flood Barrier and replace the steel gates. To undertake the in-channel works, the barrier will be taken out of action for a period of time, during which navigation through the structure may be impacted.
3. LOWESTOFT – TRANSITS AND MOORING ARRANGEMENTS OF LARGE SEMI SUBMERGED PIPES - commencing 30/08/2017, the first of a series of tows of semi submerged pipes will arrive off Lowestoft. It is anticipated that only one pipe will be brought into port at a time and moored on North Quay (berths 3, 4, 5) for maintenance and inspection purposes, then towed back out of the port. The total length of the tow will be approx. 300metres. These convoys are expected to enter and leave the port over the HW or LW slack periods.
4. Passage Plan - Lowestoft Port and Approaches - Mariners and Port users are advised that the UKHO has recently published a new edition of navigational chart BA1535, Lowestoft Port and
Approaches. A copy of the chart is attached indicating the tracks likely to be followed by commercial vessels entering and leaving the port of Lowestoft. Masters and Skippers of leisure craft and small vessels should use this information when planning their own passage in the vicinity of the Port of Lowestoft. The chart is also published on the Port’s website but you can download the pdf at http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html in the Temporary List (scroll down);
5. Port of Wells - dredging;
6. BRADWELL POWER STATION - BRADWELL INTAKE STRUCTURE - RIVER BLACKWATER, Magnox Limited has been granted license by the Marine Management Organisation to undertake the removal of handrails, access platforms and timber fenders from the Bradwell site outfall structure.
7. River Crouch – Maintenance of Channel Marker Buoys at Stow Creek - the Channel Marker Buoys at Stow Creek in position are now back on station.
8. Blakeney Harbour - Anyone interesting in the local chartlet and extensive information can be found via a link to their web site in the Temporary List on http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html

Read more at http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?486326-Notice-to-Mariners-Week-37#4pXH6JfPhyIJr7FG.99

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

Week 33

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Burnham-on-Crouch - Buoyage. - Those two yellow recent 'No Wash' buoys have changed the light characteristics - see image @ http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
2. NORTH SEA - United Kingdom Sector - Bruine Bank (Brown Ridge) W, TSS North Hinder North W and Goote Bank SE - Buoyage. Legends. NM Blocks. Notes. - A melange. Mainly about notes about Military wrecks which are outside of the area I monitor (i.e. further north into the North Sea - all in deep water) but include movement about two of the buoyages marking the deep water channel into Zeebrugge. I note the two buoys that are moved are 'used' as a North Sea Passage recommended route - image of course as above;
3. FRANCE - North Coast - Out Ruytingen E - Depths. - A reduction to two depths either side of the Passe de Ruytingen which are not likely to hinder leisure craft;
4. FRANCE - North Coast - Binnen Ratel - Depths. - Ditto, 5 reductions of depth north of Dunkerque - probably not critical to leisure craft;
5. BELGIUM - Blankenberge - Buoyage. - A line of starboard hand lit buoys across the entrance - yes I mean that. I have tried to find clarity and failed. I assume the entrance is hooked round the furthest east SHB before heading into the channel.. There is a link on the page of a nice videos of the entrance but only one show a distant line of SHB. Of course, you will all be pouring into Belgium Blankenberge;

Temporary

1. Trinity House notifying that the wreck buoyage marking the Ella off Lowestoft now has Racon;
2. Port of London - River Thames - REPORTING INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS
3. SEA REACH - CALOR JETTY - EMERGENCY FENDER REPAIRS - starting on the 4th September;
4. ST CLEMENTS REACH - GRAYS NO.1 - OIL BOOM REMOVAL - starting 1st September;
5. RIVER MEDWAY – SALTPAN REACH - Isle of Grain LNG Terminal, Jetty No. 8 River Works and Diving Operations - including a reminder of the exclusion area which is being live monitored and will penalise;
6. RIVER MEDWAY – ROCHESTER - BRIDGE REACH - New Wreck Reported - inshore of Middle Acorn Moorings, Bridge Reach, Rochester;
7. Approaches to King’s Lynn - Daseley’s Sled Approach - Alteration to Buoyage;
8. Port of Wells dredging.

Week 34

Permanent

1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Approaches to Lowestoft - Wreck. Buoyage. - This is confirmation of the previous Trinity House NtM of Week 29 of this year in the Temporary list. It seems the wreck buoyage (4) will need to be there some time! The wreck is the de-commissioned Tug 'Ella', lies in over 10m of water but is shown as only 5.1m over the wreck. The wreck is east of the East Barnard buoy.
2. BELGIUM - Vaargeul 1 - Buoyage. - This is a repeat of the two moves of the lateral buoys at the end of the DW channel into Zeebrugge. I guess the moves reported last week were jumbled up in a wider NtM about Military Wrecks quite a way away and so were repeated for clarity. The two end lateral buoys may well be used as aiming points for arrival for Zeebrugge so the moves will be interesting
3. FRANCE - North Coast - Calais N - Buoyage. Restricted area. - Pretty important - This had been reported as a Temporary notices back in week 52 of 2015 at the start of work to remove explosives. Now it is buoyed and clearly a permanent restricted area. As the restricted area is the sea side of the east harbour wall it would be better not to use that area as a holding point awaiting permission to enter Calais harbour.
4. NETHERLANDS - Wielingen - Cadzand-Bad NW - Buoy. - as I observed on Javelins thread, a new safe water buoy has been placed to show the entrance to Cadzand.

Temporary

1. GRAVESEND REACH - EAST TILBURY - TEMPORARY JETTY - installation of a new temporary jetty at Goshems Farm (East Tilbury) has commenced for 12 weeks..
2. Limehouse Reach - Temporary Barge Mooring in position - see image on the usual page in the Temporary List: http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html
3. LOWESTOFT OUTER HARBOUR AREA - BERTHING RESTRICTIONS - DUE TO QUAY FENDERING REMOVAL WAVENEY DOCK - started on 10th August for 10 days approx.
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