Walton Backwaters - River Trader in Oakley Creek

[miles from the sea]

While sailing back through Harwich from an overnight stay in Hamford Water my attention was drawn to a conversation between Harwich VTS and the coaster River Trader which I had seen anchored off Felixtowe ferry the previous day. River Trader was looking for confirmation of the tide height at Harwich which needed to be 3.6 before they would venture into the backwaters. Thinking that was a big ship to be taking in such a restricted channel I checked when I got home an sure enough River Trader made it to Great Oakley jetty. Ok so maybe the ship was probably not fully loaded but at 58m long, 9m wide an a max draft of 2.4 m it takes some skill to get her up a narrow winding creek with drying heights of 3.3m and a estimated 4.1m high tide. Full marks to the Captain and crew.
ECP rightly recommends you don’t anchor in Oakley Creek but perhaps some caution is needed if anchoring in Hamford Water during spring tides to keep the way clear for shipping.

 

[johnalison]

I think that Hamford Water is big enough for us not to worry, though I avoid stopping at the entrance to the creek itself.

 

[Aquaboy]

She has a small tug in attendance.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

While sailing back through Harwich from an overnight stay in Hamford Water my attention was drawn to a conversation between Harwich VTS and the coaster River Trader which I had seen anchored off Felixtowe ferry the previous day. River Trader was looking for confirmation of the tide height at Harwich which needed to be 3.6 before they would venture into the backwaters. Thinking that was a big ship to be taking in such a restricted channel I checked when I got home an sure enough River Trader made it to Great Oakley jetty. Ok so maybe the ship was probably not fully loaded but at 58m long, 9m wide an a max draft of 2.4 m it takes some skill to get her up a narrow winding creek with drying heights of 3.3m and a estimated 4.1m high tide. Full marks to the Captain and crew.
ECP rightly recommends you don’t anchor in Oakley Creek but perhaps some caution is needed if anchoring in Hamford Water during spring tides to keep the way clear for shipping.

You can always check with Harwich Pilots if you want to anchor somewhere in Oakley Creek.

 

[Tomahawk]

What was she doing there?

 

[michael_w]

Probably taking on cargo from the Exchem explosives factory.

 

[miles from the sea]

I think that Hamford Water is big enough for us not to worry, though I avoid stopping at the entrance to the creek itself.

Yes it is wide at high tide and I guess if the ship is happy to go up the creek passing over the shallows where no one anchors is not going the phase them too much

 

[LONG_KEELER]

Probably taking on cargo from the Exchem explosives factory.

As it's all underground , probably a front for a James Bond Blofeld type character plotting world domination . If you see a scantily clad Amazonian woman collecting shells expect problems.

 

[miles from the sea]

You can always check with Harwich Pilots if you want to anchor somewhere in Oakley Creek.

Good call , I might try that next time

 

[sailorman]

She has a small tug in attendance.

Normslly tam grundy from the denen

 

[Kukri]

Normslly tam grundy from the denen

Tam does everything! Known him since he was a Felixstowe tug master.

 

[Marmalade]

Probably taking on cargo from the Exchem explosives factory.

Aren't you blowing this out of all proportion?

 

[Kukri]

Aren't you blowing this out of all proportion?

We hope NOT!

(Mind you, I did once see a photograph of a waterspout on Hamford Water!)

 

[sailorman]

Tam does everything! Known him since he was a Felixstowe tug master.

he used tp service my ramsholt mooring.i firaf knew him when ww both had hair