On this page we show items of interest to readers of 'East Coast Pilot', but not necessarily triggering 'Updates'.

As ever, we welcome any contributions to this page - please contact the webmaster.

Most recent items will appear at the top, and will be shown in blue font as used on the Updates pages.
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Extra buoyage on the Medway (10 July 2008)
Although we do not generally publish details of NtMs here, these extra buoys on the Medway are worthy of note:
"During the week commencing 14 July 2008, a floating boom and associated navigation buoys will be established in the vicinity of the cooling water intakes, Kingsnorth Power Station, Long Reach, River Medway. 
The floating boom will run between the following approximate positions:
A.        51° 24.9531’ N   000° 36.0084’ E  
B.        51° 24.9060’ N   000° 36.0273’ E 
C.        51° 24.9051’ N   000° 36.0786’ E         
D.        51° 24.9510’ N   000° 36.1049’ E  
At positions B and C, a South Cardinal buoy will be positioned, linked to the boom, named West and East, respectively. Both buoys will have the following light characteristics:-Q(6)+L.Fl.15s. Persons in charge of vessels must not attempt to pass between the buoys and the cooling water intakes."
"A temporary mooring buoy will be established in Long Reach, River Medway in the following approximate position: 51° 24.730’ N  000° 37.760’ E. The mooring buoy will be yellow in colour and unlit and will be in position for approximately four weeks before being removed.

Lighted Buoys from Pye End to the Walton Backwaters (10 July 2008)
The following buoys have recently been observed to have the incorrect light sequence:
No. 2    charted as  Fl(2)R.5s     was showing   Fl(2)R.10s
No. 3    charted as  Fl .G.5s      was showing   Fl(2)G.10s
No. 9    charted as   Fl.G.5s      was showing   Fl(2)G.10s
Until further notice, visitors to the Backwaters after dark are advised that they may see either light sequence. (With thanks to our Honorary Port Pilot, Alec Moss).

Lawling Creek (8 July 2008)
The channel buoys are being refurbished but should be back on station 'soon'.

Engineers and Shipwright at Medway Bridge Marina (8 July 2008)
Inchgreen Marine Services went into liquidation recently. Three new businesses have been set up under the marina's umbrella to take over the old Inchgreen responsibilites; for details see our update.

Passing through Rochester Bridge (8 July 2008)
Medway Ports have asked us to inform you that last summer there were a few incidents involving small vessels impeding the safe passage of commercial vessels passing under Rochester Bridge.  On a number of occasions the master or pilot lined up for the bridge to be faced by a small vessel heading for the centre of the arch in the opposite direction.  As summer approaches, and the number of leisure users on the river increases, Medway Ports have asked for assistance to ensure the safety of all river users.
The Union Transport vessels which pass under Rochester Bridge are restricted to the centre of the arch.  Whilst repair works to the bridge are ongoing the vessels tend to use the centre span heading up river and the Strood span down river.  The vessels make a call to Medway VTS, on channel 74, on each approach to the bridge to notify the control room which span they intend to use.  Other river users should be listening on channel 74 and should therefore, be alerted to their presence and intended actions.
The commercial vessels are heavily restricted by the tide and therefore accurate timing and alignment is critical.  Once a vessel is committed to passing under the bridge she has little ability to alter her passage in order to avoid small craft.   Skippers of small craft are reminded of the requirement under Medway Ports Bylaws not to cause obstruction to other vessels which can only navigate within the fairway.
Small vessels passing under Rochester Bridge should do so with extreme care and caution so as to avoid embarrassment to any commercial vessels in the vicinity.  For small vessels intending to pass under the bridge advice on the proximity of commercial vessels can be sought from Medway VTS on VHF channel 74 or by telephone on 01795 663025.

New Wreck on the Crouch (10th April 2008, updated 8th July)
This from the Crouch HM: The wreck of the former fishing vessel Pinto which sank on 2nd April 2008 has now been located in position: 51° 37'.075N 000° 52'.615E. This position is towards the S shore of the River Crouch, downriver of River Roach, about 250m west of Clark’s Racing Mark. The wreck is marked with an Isolated Danger Mark, lit Fl(2)5s, range 0.5M.
We are told that the wreck has minimum 3m clearance at LAT and we understand that it is now unlikely to be removed.

East Swale lighting (May 2008)
The lighting trial (see item dated February, below) has moved on to a new stage with a complex series of sequential and synchronised lights. We have shown the new pattern of lights on the appropriate updates page. If you travel this way in the dark, be prepared for a lot of twinkling lights!  Don't forget, Trinity House would like feedback via their website, www.trinityhouse.co.uk.  

New Website for Harwich Harbour (May 2008)
A new comprehensive website, which brings together information from the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich Haven Authority, the pilots, Trinity House and ferry and shipping companies, has been launched.
www.harwichhavenshipsandyachts.com covers current commercial and ferry sailings, arrivals, voyage news, latest development in the port area, even an AIS live report of ships’ movements, as well as a section for yachts.

Fambridge Yacht Haven and West Wick YC (May 2008)
We understand that, sadly, West Wick YC has closed. However, Fambridge Yacht Haven has re-opened the old clubhouse as a 'bistro' called 'The Haven'. It offers offer food and drink through the day and evening, although exact hours depend on how demand grows.

Sun Pier Closed (10th April 2008)
We hear that Sun Pier pontoon has been closed until further notice, and its light 2FR(vert) turned off. A prolonged call to the local Council eventually told us that part of the pontoon has collapsed, and funding is being sought to repair it.

WiFi at West Mersea (10th April 2008)
Internet access, either from your boat or via desktop PCs, is available from Page Computers (01206 385564) at West Mersea. (The offices are next to the Coast Inn on Coast Road within sight of the all-tide landing.)
On site internet access is charged at £1 for 15 minutes, £1.50 for 30 mins and on upwards, while WiFi onboard access is charged at £6 per hour, £10 for four hours and on upwards. The WiFi hotspot covers all of the main Mersea moorings area.

Deben, Ore and Alde Entrances - latest news (28th March 2008)
There are some relatively minor but significant changes to the entrance to the River Deben. Our HPP, John White, reports that the Mid Knolls (G) buoy has been moved S to a position of 51° 58'.735N 001° 23'.427E. This is because the E shingle spit has extended S. There is approximately 1.9m on the bar itself at low water. The bar now runs roughly SSW from the end of the E spit.
The W Knolls (R) buoy is still in position at 51° 58'.443N  001° 23'.672E. Track to the W Knolls from the Woodbridge Haven Buoy is now 340°T. At the W Knolls a 10° shift to starboard will bring the S end of the rocks in line as a guide in.
Inside the Deben the Horse Sand has spread a bit further S and W. Anyone seeking a mooring on the W side of Sand should stick close to the yachts for deep water. Shallow draft motorboats are moored along the edge of the sand where they dry out at low water.
At Shingle Street, the mouth of the River Ore is as yet un-buoyed. The buoys are expected to go back in the next two to three weeks. John White says "DO NOT enter the Ore without good local knowledge until the buoys are in place" as on a recent visit he found a line of unbroken white water across the entire entrance.

Weather on the Blackwater (28^th March 2008)
A weather station has been established on the Nass Beacon in the mouth of the River Blackwater. Live data from the station is available via the West Mersea YC website www.wmyc.org.uk or the Dabchicks SC’s site at www.dabchicks.org.

Approaches to Harwich from the North (10th March 2008)
    From the beginning of April coastal defence works will be carried out from seaward along the Felixstowe foreshore, in an area stretching from Landguard Point to 200 metres NE of Felixstowe Pier. The work, which involves beach replenishment and groyne construction is expected to take four months, and will involve pumping shingle from the dredgers Sand Harrier and Sand Weaver via a moored booster station Sliedrecht 27 through a 1.1n mile pipeline to Felixstowe beach. The booster station Sliedrecht 27 will be moored in position 51º 56’.11N 001º 21’.60E and will display the lights and shapes as required by the ColRegs and maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 71.      The anchors holding the Sliedrecht 27 will be buoyed. An 800 mm diameter steel pipeline will be laid on the seabed from the pumping barge, on a bearing of  312º T to Felixstowe beach. The pipeline will be marked at 200 metre intervals by lit yellow buoys.
    All vessels must maintain a minimum distance of 300 metres from the Sliedrecht 27. The depth of water in the vicinity of the pipeline will be approximately 1.0 metre less than chart depths.
    The groyne construction works will involve the transfer of stone from the vessels Mari and Rakel to the stone dumping crafts Ville, Jopi and Topi in a 300 metre diameter area centred on 51º 56’.8N 001º 23’.30E. The stone dumping craft will transport stone to the Felixstowe beach  two hours either side of high water. Details of the Felixstowe Coastal Defence Works can be obtained from Harwich VTS on VHF Channel 71. All Mariners are advised to maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 71 for regular broadcasts and any specific operational requirements.

Hollowshore Cruising Club has moved (5th March 2008)
    Today the lease expired at Hollowshore CC. Sited at the junction of Oare and Faversham Creeks for nearly 50 years, the club has been forced to move after the landlords unexpectedly declined to renew. Members (including 'yours truly' the webmaster) have been working hard to fit out their new headquarters in a part of the Youngboats' premises, at the head of Oare Creek, and the bar there will be open for the first time this Sunday, March 9th, albeit in an unfinished state.

East Swale lighting - further developments  (February 2008)
    This trial is proceeding quickly and already the buoy lighting is being changed again, on 23rd February. Each buoy light will now flash every 5sec, not 2sec, and the pairs of buoys are flashing together, and sequentially from seaward.
    Earlier news item deleted and repeated here with appropriate amendments!
    Skippers entering the East Swale at night this year will find a magic carpet of lights to help them in. Trinity House and Medway Ports have made a major extension to their trial of synchronised LED buoy lights which began two years ago. In addition to the three Trinity House buoys (Columbine, Columbine Spit, and Ham Gat, all Fl.G.5s) and the two Medway Ports Authority buoys (Sand End and Receptive both Fl.G.5s) currently forming part of the original trial, the Whitstable Street and Pollard Spit buoys (Pollard changed to Fl.R.5s from Q.R) are now included. In addition, eight new buoys have been deployed. In the first phase, which started in January, the lights on all these existing and new buoys were synchronised to flash together. From 23rd February, each 'pair' of buoys flash together, but the pairs flash sequentially from seaward.
    The electronics in each light includes a GPS receiver, enabling ‘GPS time’ to be used to synchronise the lights.
    We, along with others it seems, found the earlier trials slightly confusing, because it was sometimes impossible to be certain which buoy we were looking at. Trinity House decided to shorten the distance between buoys to make the lit route clearer. They invite comments and feedback via their website, www.trinityhouse.co.uk.  

Bradwell Power Station - lights going out (17th January 2008)
    Nigel Harmer, our HPP on the Blackwater, tells us that the lights at Bradwell Power Station are about to go out!
    He reports that the Deputy Site Director at the power station, has informed him that "the lights in the Bradwell Site Reactor Boiler House buildings are to be switched off on the 10th February 2008. With the work to reduce the potential hazard of asbestos from all four of our boiler houses nearing completion, the decision was made that there is no longer a requirement .................... for the lights to be on continuously.     However, the access and security lighting will continue to be illuminated.
“We are aware that the lights may have been used by users of the estuary as a makeshift 'guiding light' in the dark and so we felt it important to give you prior warning of our intention to switch off the lights."
Nigel says: “So if you're coming up the Blackwater in the dark...bring a candle!”
A contact phone number for Nigel can be found on p.69 of ECP, or email him at blackwater@eastcoastpilot.com