Facilities for Sailors
Anchorages / Caution / Fuel / Public Jetties / Public Launch Sites / Scrubbing Piles / Showers / Tides / Visitors / Weather / Waste
Anchorages
West of Fairway Buoy on the southern side of the channel
East of Pilsey Island (Note: this is a restricted area - no picnicking above the MHW line)
North of East Head (swimming can be dangerous because of the strong tide) but do not anchor in the main channel which is very crowded at the weekend
When at anchor vessels must display a black ball during the day and an anchor light at night. Also see Local Notices to Mariners No 4 Prohibited Anchorage.
Caution
Reduce speed and give a wide berth to vessels flying International 'OQ' (red/yellow over yellow) - compass adjusting; 'A' (blue and white) - diving operations; 'RY' (yellow cross on red over red and yellow diagonal stripes) - harbour maintenance; a black ball, diamond, ball, hoisted vertically - a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre.
Fuel
Fuel and packaged lubricants may be obtained at Chichester Yacht Basin, Birdham Pool, Northney Marina, Sparkes Marina, Emsworth Yacht Harbour and some garages and chandlers at Emsworth.
Public Jetties
Emsworth Jetty is available for 3.5 hours each side of high water, neap tides (assuming 1.0m draught). Fresh water is available. Waiting is restricted to 2 hours.
Itchenor Jetty is available at all states of the tide with a depth of approximately 2m at mean low water springs. Fresh water is available along with a free pump-out station. Waiting is limited to 20 minutes only because of congestion and maintaining access for the emergency services. Please note that water from the jetties is not to be used for washing vessels. An overstay penalty of £30+VAT per hour, or part thereof, is payable by vessels exceeding the jetty waiting limits.
Public Launch Sites
Full details are shown on our Personalised Launching Information accessed from the homepage. Please complete from the drop down lists your required launch site and the length of your boat.
Scrubbing Piles
Scrubbing Piles are available at Itchenor and Emsworth. These should be booked through the Harbour Office, Itchenor.
Showers
Three showers for yachtsmen have been installed at the Harbour Office, Itchenor. Tokens for their use are available from the harbour office and from the patrol staff or the Itchenor ferry.
Tides
Sailors should be aware of the strong tides in the harbour entrance. The flood tide may run at 2.8 knots and the ebb tide at a rate of 6.4 knots at Springs, which can be dangerous for the inexperienced. Tide times are available for the next seven days.
Visitors Moorings
Weather
By telephone: Weathercall recorded forecast for Mid Channel 09068 226 457.
Detailed local weather information on the area 'Chichester Harbour and Eastern Solent' is displayed at the Harbour Offices at Itchenor and Emsworth.
BBC Radio Forecasts (times are correct at time of printing but please see Radio Times for latest information): Radio 4 LW 198Khz, Shipping forecasts - 0048, 0535, 1201 and 1754 hours daily. Shipping forecasts and gale/strong wind warnings are announced by HM Coastguard on Channel 16 and broadcast on Channel 10 every four hours at 40 mins past the even hour from 0040 to 2040 UTC. These are repeated when gale/strong wind warnings are in force every two hours. Forecasts may be interrupted during casualty situations.
Real time wind, wave and temperature is available from weather stations in and near Chichester Harbour. This information is also displayed outside the Harbour Office at Itchenor.
Waste
Waste and recycling facilies are available at most launch sites and marinas. The Port Waste Management Plan (pdf 1.5Mb file) details all the waste facilities available throughout Chichester Harbour.
