CROUCH HARBOUR AUTHORITY

NOTICE TO MARINERS No 4 of 2010

Swallow Tail Bank / Ron Pipe Buoy – Shoaling and Encroachment into Channel

Following recent hydrographic surveying of the Whitaker Channel and the area of the Swallow Tail Bank it is clear that the Swallow Tail Bank is shoaling and is extending both in an east and west direction. In particular the passage between the Swallow Tail Bank and the Buxey Sand is narrowing in the vicinity of the Ron Pipe Buoy (SWM, unlit). The channel remains deep however with at least 4.00m depth at LAT.

The edge of the Swallow Tail bank in this location is extremely steep, with shoal/drying areas close south of the deep channel.

It is intended to carry out an overhaul to buoyage in the near future. However pending that work being undertaken mariners are advised as follows:

If passing Ron Pipe Buoy to the south (ie between it and the Swallow Tail Bank), to do so at a close distance to the Ron Pipe Buoy and to monitor depth sounders carefully. Do not allow your vessel to be set southward onto the Swallow Tail Bank.

Mark Wakelin
Harbour Master
Date 14th July 2010

NOTICE TO MARINERS No 4. of 2009

RON PIPE BUOY – CHANGE OF POSITION

Please take notice that owing to reports of shoal water close south of the Ron Pipe Safe Water Mark buoy, the buoy has been moved approximately 100m north of its previous position.

The new position of Ron Pipe SWM buoy is N 51 deg 40.535’, E 01 deg 03.477’.

In this position Ron Pipe SWM is in approximately 6.00m water depth at LAT. Similar depths exist both north and south of the buoy but the edge of Swallow Tail Bank to the south of Ron Pipe shoals rapidly and mariners are therefore advised, if passing south of Ron Pipe SWM, to pass reasonably close – within say 100m – of the buoy, and monitor depth sounders carefully.

Mark Wakelin
Harbour Master
Crouch Harbour Authority
Date 12th August 2009

NOTICE TO MARINERS No 3. of 2008

WRECK OF F.V. PINTO

The wreck of the fishing vessel ‘Pinto’ in position:

51degrees 37.075’ N
00 degrees 52.615’ E

Is marked by an Isolated Danger Mark Buoy.

This buoy has now been fitted with a light of character GP.FL. 2 White 5 secs. Range 0.5nm.

The wreck will have minimal clear depth or be awash at L.A.T. All vessels should keep well clear.

M Wakelin
Harbour Master

Date 16th April 2008

NOTICE TO MARINERS No 2. of 2007

River Crouch – Wallasea Wetlands

Please take notice that six beacons have been installed to mark the breaches into the Wallasea Wetlands on the South Bank of the R. Crouch opposite and downriver of Burnham.

The breaches are marked as follows (counting from seaward)
Breach No. 1 No beacon.
Breaches 2, 3, 4, 6 One beacon
Breach 5 Two beacons

The beacons are steel tubular piles carrying red port hand topmarks. They mark the riverward extent of underwater hazards/obstructions in way of the breaches. However vessels may encounter shallow water north of the beacons at low tides.

There are underwater hazards and obstructions on the foreshore/river banks around the breaches and also within the wetlands. Vessels should keep well clear. Navigation within the wetlands by small craft is potentially very hazardous due to obstructions and the uneven nature of the beds.

M Wakelin
Harbour Master
Date 6th July 2007

NOTICE TO MARINERS No 3. of 2006

RIVER CROUCH – FIRING DANGER AREA

Mariners are warned that experimental firing is frequently carried out in all conditions of weather and tide across the Maplin and Foulness Sands, in the areas South East of the pecked line shown on Admiralty Chart No 3750 England, East Coast- Rivers Crouch and Roach running from Ware Corner on Foulness Island to a position LAT: 51 degrees 39.58 mins N. LONG: 001 degrees 02.93 mins E. Thence in an easterly direction to cross the pecked line indicating the southern limits of the Crouch Harbour limits.

No vessel may enter or remain in the area. For details of warning signals and further information see the Firing Range Byelaws.

CAPTAIN I R BELL BSc
HARBOUR MASTER

Date 16th March 2006