Anchoring in Sunderland Outer Harbour

CaptainBob

CaptainBob

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Nov 2007
Messages
1,477
Location
North Yorkshire
www.yacht-forum.co.uk
Read in my pilot that it's possible to anchor North of the channel in the outer harbour at Sunderland.

Thinking of doing this on passage to Newcastle as it fits in nicely with itinerary, tide and daylight, and saves time and money faffing about in the marina.

Sea state predicted to be flat calm, so not too worried about swell, but is the bottom foul? Anything else I ought to know?

TY!
 
Hi Bob,
We anchored in there at the Sunderland Airshow last summer and had a real struggle getting the anchor back aboard. It was in amongst rocks and took ages to recover.
Not sure on your plans but I would go into Royal Quays, Blyth or Hartlepool,
Good luck mate,
Andy
 
CaptainBob said:
Read in my pilot that it's possible to anchor North of the channel in the outer harbour at Sunderland.
Anything else I ought to know?
!
Click to expand...

Hi Bob
Are you 100% sure you can anchor there? on most weekends the local dinghy sailers have races behind the North pier so it gets a bit busy at times.

Agree with Andy go another 9 miles to Royal Quays on the Tyne, But beware of the 'Firing range no go area' off Whitburn (after Sunderland) on the way which should show up on your plotter It is an active firing range, best go around the area shown to be safe! or sunk!!

Have a good trip

Mike- Royal Quays Tyne
 
Last edited:
I will 2nd Mike's comments and can only add that if you want to anchor it would be better go a few miles further North and enter the Tyne.

There is a good anchorage in the large bay to the South of main channel immediately after entering the river - Herd Sands - The depth shoals gradually and there is good holding.

Don't worry about the firing range, they haven't sunk anyone for weeks!
 
I endorse Mr Searush's answer - trip line necessary.

By the way, don't think about using Seaham 'marina', it has not yet opened.

At Newcastle Quayside just upstream of the tripper boats you have a secure pontoon to use (locked gate and 24hr security) tel 0191 221 1363 to enquire.

Both Tyne marinas are fine of course, Friars Goose YC welcomes visitors but is poorly connected to local shops and the city centre.
 
I just read your interesting blog and see you have a young lad. A very good visit is the Discovery science museum in Toon. It will keep young lads (and old lads) happy, and out of trouble for a few hours.

A fascinating tour would be to the nearby 'Victoria Tunnel' in Ouseburn. Look it up on the internet and book. It is guided by volunteers and I highly recommend it after visiting myself earlier this year.

The Ouseburn area (just downstream of Newcastle Quayside) remains largely 'undiscovered' and reasonably priced. You will find there some wonderfully dodgy pubs: Free Trade Inn, The Ship, and Cumberland Arms come to mind. ....... sigh!

Enjoy.
 
Thanks for the replies!

Thing is, we're pushed for time departing from Hartlepool, bound for a rendezvous with Cosalt Marine (dropping off liferaft for service), North Shields, at just before high water on friday at around 14:00.

I'm working until around 15:00 on thursday, and the passage to the Tyne (4-5 hours) puts us quite possibly arriving after dark which I'm keen to avoid due to lack of experience in the dark combined with this being our first visit to the Tyne.

Tides and currents seem perfect for us to make the 3 hour, daylight almost guaranteed, hop Hartlepool to Sunderland after I finish work on thursday, then we can set off to catch the flow and be at Cosalt for our 14:00 on friday.

The other option is to put into the marina in Sunderland.

EdWingfield said:
I just read your interesting blog and see you have a young lad.
Click to expand...

Eeek, where does it say that! We must have a stowaway!!! ;)

(Last set of pictures shows a friend and his son who joined us for the trip from Runswick Bay to Hartelpool. We are just three, Me, Wife & Dog)
 
Ah, I see more clearly.

Cosalt is adjacent to the HarbourMasters office and pontoon. You could use the nearby Western Quay. You'll need to rig a fender board as it's not yot friendly.
 
EdWingfield said:
I just read your interesting blog and see you have a young lad. A very good visit is the Discovery science museum in Toon. It will keep young lads (and old lads) happy, and out of trouble for a few hours.

A fascinating tour would be to the nearby 'Victoria Tunnel' in Ouseburn. Look it up on the internet and book. It is guided by volunteers and I highly recommend it after visiting myself earlier this year.

The Ouseburn area (just downstream of Newcastle Quayside) remains largely 'undiscovered' and reasonably priced. You will find there some wonderfully dodgy pubs: Free Trade Inn, The Ship, and Cumberland Arms come to mind. ....... sigh!

Enjoy.
Click to expand...
You seem to be assuming that only LADS are interested in SCIENCE.
 
CaptainBob said:
Thanks for all the replies. Going to finish work early and push to the Herd Sands anchorage instead of stopping in Sunderland.
Click to expand...

Hi Bob

Hope you have someone from Cosalt to collect your liferaft from Royal Quays which is about a mile drive from Cosalt works.

If your smart when you leave the herd sands you will see the fish quay on your right, pass the first part, then follow the new quay part and you will see a pontoon, BUT, do not moor up to it as it belongs to the Tyne Pilots, but you can moor up alongside the fish quay next to it.

The Cosalt workshop is just behind the Pilots pontoon on the left.

Depending on the sea conditions you may have a very bumpy ride at anchor at the herd sands, if in trouble go upriver about a mile and you will see Royal Quays marina on the right side (look for orange wind tower) we have a visitors pontoon outside the lock.

You also need to report into the Tyne VTS on channel 12 on arrival.

Welcome to Gods Country!!
Have a safe trip!
 
Thanks again for all the help. We arrived in Tynemouth well before dark and got anchored up OK. Beach was great for the dog. Anchor came up no problem this morning and we found Cosalt without any difficulty and dropped of the liferaft.

Now in Newcastle :D

Anchored in Tynemouth
not1.jpg


Moored up in Newcastle
not5.jpg
 
On the way back out stop at the North Shields fish quay if you can (the last time I was there there was building works). Visit the combined pub & fish and chip shop (one bar is the pub, t'other is the fish and chips). There is also a ships chandlers there to buy provisions. Lovely bacon there, sliced as you want it and no added water. The kippers from the fish shop just a little further on are very good.
 
Last edited:
Sorry, this may be a little late to advise you of Toon dresscode.

You wear as little as possible without being arrested! Er, that includes blokes.

Pity I was busy this afternoon or i would have visited.

Good luck Guys.

ps. what's next?
 
Cheers for the local info!! Invaluable. Wildlife was particularly active last night - very interesting.

Will try to check out the quay and pub etc.

Now waiting to hear what the damage will be for the liferaft, then pick that up and head on north. Perhaps the Farne Isles.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top