Weekend Navigation Bulletin
Weekend Navigation Bulletin 8th - 9th August 2020
Welcome to the Weekly Navigation Bulletin.
To get in touch with our patrol team over the weekend call CHICHESTER HARBOUR PATROL on VHF Channel 14, or telephone the Harbour Office on 01243 512301. In an emergency please call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Covid-19 Response
Recreational Boating
The guidance issued by DEFRA for ‘Using a Boat Inland and on the Coast’ was withdrawn on 04 July 2020, meaning that there are no longer any specific restrictions on waterways businesses or recreational boating. This includes skippered charter and passenger boat operations, as well as those wishing to stay overnight on their boat.
To view our full Covid-19 statement please visit our website.
Vessel Traffic & Activity
Detailing notable vessel traffic, racing start times and other activities on the water that may affect navigation.
Saturday 8th August
South Harbour and Harbour Entrance
Hayling Island SC 1400 Various Classes
Chichester Channel
Itchenor SC 1030 – 1040 Keelboats
Itchenor SC 1100 RS 800
Itchenor SC 1410 – 1430 Keelboats
Itchenor SC 1450 – 1500 Singlehanders, Informal Dinghy Race
Sunday 9th August
South Harbour and Harbour Entrance
Hayling Island SC 1400 Various Classes
Chichester Channel
Itchenor SC 1020 – 1040 Keelboats
Itchenor SC 1050 Singlehanders
Itchenor SC 1100 Informal Dinghy Race
Bosham SC Junior Week
Bosham SC are hosting their Cadet Regatta (Junior Week) from 08 to 14 August. With a reduced number of competitors, mariners should expect to encounter junior racing fleets (around 40 dinghies racing on any particular day) around the southern end of the Bosham Channel and the western end of the Itchenor Reach throughout the week. Mariners are requested to give the racing fleets a wide berth where possible.
Itchenor SC Junior Week
Itchenor Sailing Club will host a slimmed down version of their Junior Fortnight, commencing from 27 July. While numbers are expected to be lower than usual, transiting vessels should be aware of fleets of junior sailors in and round the Itchenor Reach and Chichester Channel areas, and mariners are requested to keep a good lookout and give the racing fleets a wide berth where possible.
Chichester Marina Free Flow Times (BST)
Chichester Marina operates a ‘free flow’ for its lock during periods of high water to maintain water levels in the marina basin. For details of the times that the lock is in free flow please click here.
Know Your Harbour - Boating in Safety
This season, along with 'hard hitting' Colregs questions, we will be mixing in facts about the harbour and some tips, tricks and safety information all geared towards making Chichester Harbour a pleasant, fun and safe place for all.
Q. As you head out of the harbour on Saturday morning it is a beautiful sunny day, consequently the harbour entrance rush hour is in full swing! As you pick your way through, you suddenly spot another motorboat heading straight towards you! Which way should you turn?
Click here for the answer.
Other News
Wash & Slow
Excess wash can cause serious problems for smaller craft. When making way against a tide, larger vessels can leave large waves behind them, even when travelling at or below the 8-knot speed limit.
We would urge all mariners to be aware of the wash from their vessel, and the effect it may have on nearby water users. Especially while transiting mooring areas, mariners should be aware of small vessel traffic, such as tenders, which could be taken unaware and are at risk of capsize.
While the speed limit in Chichester Harbour is 8-knots, vessels frequently need to travel slower than this to reduce their wash. Many harbours across the Solent area operate different speed restrictions, please click here for further information.
New Waste Pump-Out at Itchenor
A new waste pump-out facility, purchased by the Friends of Chichester Harbour, has been installed at the Harbour Office jetty, Itchenor. This facility is free for all harbour users and is available 24/7.
With a universal fitting, the pump-out has a push-button operation (green for go, red for stop) and is quick and easy to operate. Contact the Harbour Office for further information.
Harbour Life Magazine
Find out all that the Habour has to offer by reading the latest edition of our Harbour Life magazine here.
Emsworth Ferry
The ferry for Conservancy mooring holders is now operational at weekends and Bank Holidays. Running times are 2 hours either side of HW from 0830 to 1700.
Call sign 'Emsworth Mobile' on VHF channel 14.
Guernsey Harbours - Local Notice to Mariners
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation in mainland Europe and the UK, the Visitor’s Moorings in Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm are closed to all vessels from outside of the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
St Peter Port will only accept visiting vessels from outside of the Bailiwick if there is an urgent requirement to do so.
Please click here for further information.