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RNYC Sailing Directions
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RNYC Sailing Directions
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These amendments deal with the more important changes that have taken place since the publication of the 1990 edition. They cannot, however, be fully comprehensive, and skippers are reminded that they are not a substitute for adequate scale charts which have been corrected up to date and for information published annually in almanacs. No responsibility can be accepted by the publishers or editors for any errors or omissions or for any mishaps arising from their use.
The major removal of buoyage along the Northumbrian coast is recorded here but there may be more to come, and in the estuaries of the Tay, Forth and Humber navigation marks are adjusted quite frequently. Fortunately, however, there have been few changes in the small harbours which make this coast such a pleasure, and several developments in the provision of pontoon berths in the larger ports have improved the amenities for yachtsmen.
Many telephone numbers have changed since 1990 as have some chandlery and boatyard facilities, and it is impracticable to keep them up to date. Similarly the list of Radio Beacons on p.121 is now obsolete. When port VHF provision is not mentioned in the text it is usually Chs. 12,16.
Ports and other areas affected are listed below:-
GRIMSBY | HULL MARINA | BRIDLINGTON | SCARBOROUGH | WHITBY | RIVER TEES -- ENTRANCE | HARTLEPOOL | SEAHAM HARBOUR | RIVER TEES TO BLYTH and SUNDERLAND | RIVER TYNE | BLYTH HARBOUR | BLYTH TO THE FARNES : | COQUET ISLAND AND APPROACHES TO AMBLE | ALNMOUTH | PASSAGE THROUGH THE INNER SOUND | HOLY ISLAND | FARNE ISLANDS -- INNER GROUP | BERWICK UPON TWEED | EYEMOUTH: | DUNBAR: | NORTH BERWICK | THE FIRTH OF FORTH: | GRANTON | METHIL: | ELIE: | ST. MONANCE | PITTENWEEM: | ANSTRUTHER | MAY ISLAND | ISLE OF MAY: | RIVER TAY | MONTROSE | GOURDON: | STONEHAVEN | ABERDEEN | BODDAM | PETERHEAD
The Humber Cruising Association has developed a marina in the Fish Docks. Enter by the lock 300 metres east of the Tower. The gates are open for 2 hours each side of high water. Call Fishdock Island Ch.74 for permission to enter. Diesel.
In the summer months there is a waiting pontoon in the tidal basin outside the lock, accessible for about 4½ hours each side of HW. At other times it is possible to moor temporarily, keeping the vessel manned, at the Admiral's Steps at the end of the Victoria Pier. It is also possible to moor alongside the N side of the Minerva Pier which affords good shelter. The basin dries, however, so be prepared to take the ground (soft mud) at LW. The lock is manned throughout 24 hours when the tide serves. Ch M 80.
Tidal Signals: The F. R&G Tidal Lts on S Pier are now Fl. R&G on N Pier. The day flag signals remain on the S. Pier. Insert Horn 60s on N Pier end.
Moorings: Pontoon berths, including spaces for visitors, are in place beside the YC in the corner of the harbour. Max draft 1.8 m.
Entrance: Erratum There is 4m depth when the ledges on the pier are
awash.
Delete the black ball traffic signal on the W lighthouse tower.
Plan: Amend Lt. Buoys SHM No.5 Iso G 2s to Fl (2) G 5s, and PHM No.6
Fl R 5s to Fl(2) R 5s.
Mooring: The Tees Barrage, one mile above the Newport Bridge, has
created an eleven mile stretch of recreational waterway, accessible by a
25m by 6m lock, but only for vessels with less than 5m headroom.
Tees Harbour Radio Chs 14, 22. All craft listen on Ch 14.
Hartlepool Marina has been constructed within the West Harbour complex one
third of a mile west of the main entrance. The entrance channel and lock
cill have 0.8m at datum. The approach is covered by a red/white/green directional
light Fl 2s located on the lock house by the inner entrance. The leading
line, in the white sector, is 308º. Lock access is 24hrs, subject to
draught. There is a waiting pontoon. Call the lockmaster 15 minutes before
arrival, Ch 37 or Ch 80. Inside the lock is a pontoon to port. A traffic
system is in operation. Two red lights indicate the lock is closed, one that
a vessel is leaving. Green gives the go- ahead. When approaching, the new
white stones of the breakwaters are very clear in daylight, but at night
there can be a problem with light clutter. The marina entrance bears 272º
from No.2 channel buoy and 294º from the Longscar buoy. The new Tees
and Hartlepool Yacht Club is located near the marina.
The Victoria Harbour. The FR leading lights 329º have been replaced
by a red/white/green directional light (ISO 3s 42m) at the NW end of the
Victoria Harbour which gives a leading line of 325º dredged to 5.7 m.
Hartlepool Dock. Chs. 16, 11, 12.
Plan: Amend Inner Breakwater Lt. from 2 FR vert. to 3 FR
Approach: The Hendon Rock buoy off Sunderland has been removed. The
Hendon Rock, 6 cables off the old S entrance, is dangerous.
Moorings: There is a beacon Fl G 5s off the entrance to the North
Dock. There are pontoon berths in the North Dock accessible at all states
of the tide. The Marine Activites Centre (where WBA is also located) at the
N end of the Dock is manned 24 hrs. Ch.37 Callsign "Sunderland Marina".
Plan: Delete R can buoy "Eugenia Chandris/Oslo Fiord".
Moorings: St. Peter's Marina, 1 mile downstream from Newcastle Quay,
has 0.8m on the cill at datum. Access is 31/2 - 4 hrs. each side of HW with
a waiting pontoon. Chs 80, 37.
In the village development there is a pub, and fuel is available. The tide
runs strongly in the Tyne and needs to be used when proceeding up-river.
Royal Quays Marina, one mile upstream from Tynemouth. Call Channel
80. Yachts should moor at the waiting pontoon outside the lock gates, just
N of the North Sea Ferry Quay.
Newcastle Quay A pontoon berth for visitors is planned sharing a ramp
with the existing river-boat berth.
Approach : A set of wind turbines along the east pier makes Blyth
very recognisable.
Delete the Sow and Pigs buoy. The former position of the buoy can be located
by the transit of Newbiggin Church with the measured mile beacon. (See p.39).
Approaching the harbour from the north a useful transit for locating the
SE edge of the Seaton rocks is to keep the white gunnery towers on Blyth
Links well open on the pier end. Be generous with the margin, especially
at low water. In rough weather head towards the Bell Buoy.
Moorings: RNYC has placed pontoon berths in the South Harbour. Tie
up at the visitors' berths on the N side. The marina gate is controlled by
an electronic key available from the Club or the Harbour Office.
All navigation buoys northwards from the Sow and Pigs off Blyth inclusive
to Boulmer Stile off Alnmouth have been removed and they should be deleted
from the text and sketch plans in the following three pages.
They are : the Sow and Pigs buoy, Hauxley buoy, NE Coquet buoy, Pan Bush
buoy, and Boulmer Stile buoy. Their absence means that extra care is needed
to avoid the dangers they marked.
As some compensation for the absence of buoys the Coquet Light now operates throughout the day and its sectors can be used to help identify the former positions of the Hauxley buoy (do not go inside it), the Pan Bush buoy and further north the clearance of Boulmer Stile. No guidance, however, can be given for the rocks to the north of Coquet Island, which need care.
Approach: Boulmer Stile buoy has been removed.
Goldstone Buoy moved 270 m NW of its previous position.
Plan: The Beacon on the Plough Rock has been removed and replaced
by a W.Card buoy. Entrance: The leading lines for the Harbour are
now lit. Sectored lights have been placed on the easterly Old Law Beacon
and on the orange triangular beacon on the Heugh; each is occulting
red/white/green 6s with the white on the leading lines 260º and 310º
respectively.
Anchorage: Note the recommendation for two anchors so the anchor doesn't
trip when the tide turns, and beware of weed.
Wideopen anchorage: Amend "Brides" to "Bridges".
Entrance: The transit beacons (207º) on the south shore are black
and orange and prominent. NB They do not mark the the present channel
which tends to shift. Temporary unlit R buoys have been laid to mark
the W side of the spit off Spittal Pt. Give them a decent berth and exercise
caution.
Mooring: Delete all reference to the town quay: it is now completely
unsuitable.
The entrance to Tweed Dock has been widened and the gates removed.
Approach: A N.Card buoy (Qk. Fl.) has been placed at the north end
of the Hurkars.
Entrance: A new deep water basin has been constructed on the east
side of the entrance channel which has been deepened to 3 metres.
Mooring: Yachts should lie on the knuckle by the lifting bridge or
as directed.
The leading line is 198º.
Moorings: The steamer landing has been replaced by a substantial concrete jetty with steps. Visitors moorings have been laid off it by East Lothian YC.
Forth Navigation Service Chs. 71, 20, 12. The Queen's Harbour Master Rosyth. Channel 74.
Moorings: Pontoons have been placed in the E hr run by The Edinburgh
Marina, a Ltd Co formed by Royal Forth YC and Forth Corinthian YC, through
which access may be gained. Ch 37 Callsign "Boswell".
PORT EDGAR: There are problems with silting. Enter only to the W side
of the floating breakwater.
VHF is manned from 3 hours before HW to 1 hour after. Chs. 14, 16.
Two short term visitors' buoys are available off the pier.
Entrance: Delete Leading Marks. At night approach in the white sector of the pier end light.
The east breakwater has been extended to the south; its light is Fl (2) RG 5s
Approach: The main church spire has been demolished.
Plan: The light is now Fl (2) 15s
The warden has asked us to remind visitors that there can be no landing anywhere except at the Altarstones and at Kirkhaven. (This precludes East Tarbert). No dogs or other animals can be landed and visits are restricted to between 10.00 and 17.00 hours and not permitted at all on Tuesdays from April to July inclusive.
Plan: insert South Lady buoy Fl (3) R 18s. 21/2 cables south of (North) Lady buoy Fl (3) G 18s.
Approach and Entrance: There are two stbd. hand marks, Annat Shoal (QG) and Annat Light By. (Fl G 3s) and the port hand Scurdie Rks By (QR).
There is a beacon on the rocks outside the east pier head. The depths alongside the W pier of the outer hr and on the rt hand wall just inside the inner hr have been reported as better than indicated on the plan.
Mooring: The N and E walls of the outer hr have been dredged to 2
m; the centre of the hr is still relatively shoal.
Facilities: The Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC is open mostly at weekends.
The Harbour Master holds the key to the shower in the toilet block adjacent
to his office.
Approach: The Fairway By (Mo(A)) is on the leading line 1.1M from
the entrance.
Mooring: Yachts normally lie on the Eurolink RORO pontoon in the Albert
basin.
Plan: The Training Wall is submerged well before half tide. Delete the 17m height on the Meikle Mackie.
Mooring: Pontoon berths for yachts have been constructed in the SW
corner of the Bay Harbour where LIDO is marked on the plan. There is a depth
of 1.2m at datum at the entrance. They are protected behind a jetty built
out from the end of the South Base quay, (Lt Oc WRG 4s) and rubble breakwaters
(Fl R 3s). Leave both to port. A starboard hand mark (Fl G 5s) buoy marks
the shore side with a new breakwater (Qk G) and should be left to starboard.
Inner Harbour: The FG leading lights have been replaced by a sectored
light RWG (6s). The white sector is 058º.
Traffic Signals: Discontinued.