Anchoring

kocha44

kocha44

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14 Sep 2014
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Ipswich Foxs Marina
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Good morning,

as I am getting a lot of conflicting information on the net and from people alike, I thought I would seek some clarification for once and for all on this forum.
I am living in Ipswich and have a 24 foot Colvic, which I take on a regular basis to Felixstowe and the bay of Walton-on-the-Naze (for seal-watching).

Am I allowed to anchor in the sea wherever I want as long as it is not in shipping lanes and I put on an anchor light/cone?
Would I be able to anchor in front of a beach and then take the dinghy to the beach?

Not being from around here originally, I would greatly appreciate your input on this.

Thank you in advance,

K.
 
Welcome to the forum kocha44.

In the East Coast Meeting Forum we have had for many years a Pirates Weekend in the Walton Backwaters, where as many as 20 boats have anchored and gone ashore just as you wish to do. All perfectly legal. There are few areas on the East Coast with anchoring restrictions, although they will be mentioned in Pilot books and on Charts.
 
There are designated anchoring areas shown on all charts which as far as I know are sites that are known to have good holding and some shelter. The charts also show areas where anchoring is prohibited marked with a fisherman's anchor with a cross on it. But you are free to put your anchor down wherever you like all around the coast excluding shipping lanes and where obstruction will be caused.
Always hoist your ball though (all round white at night). Doesn't have to be masthead.
 
As others have said - anchor where you like unless there are specific restrictions marked on charts / pilot books etc. Also worth looking at local harbour master website - some will even email you local notices to mariners about temporary changes to the rules.

Too many people now believe that permission is needed for anything. It isn't. Unless specifically banned - do it.

However - anchorages marked on charts or pilot books are marked there for a reason - usually because they are particularly suitable so do look for those first. However - if none that you like the look of then make your own mind up.

Look for good holding, Mud or sand is good. Weed is evil.
Look for shelter from the wind / waves, not only from where it is now but also where it will be during your stay, e.g. if wind changes direction
Look to be out of channels if possible - be fair to other boats and ensure they can also get past. It's also a good idea to make sure that you're not on the rhumb line between 2 local fleshpots / turning marks etc - some numpty won't recognise that you're anchored and may hit you.
Finally - look for sufficient depth of water - enough to lie afloat at low water with a safety margin - not so deep at high water that you can't deploy 4x the depth of cable.
 
There is no reason why you can't anchor anywhere except where it is proscribed. A choice though usually has to be made on the basis of safety and comfort. For a lunch stop, such as the seal-watching you mention, it is only necessary to be clear of passing traffic. Although there are well-known comfortable anchorages around the Walton area, people often use non standard places for a temporary stop, such as off Clacton during the air show each year.
 
Thank you all for your helpful information. Living in the UK has made us all law-abiding citizens, concerned with every single activity being a possible infraction to the law. It is therefore good to hear that an anchor ball, anchor light and a bit of common and well-informed sense on where to put the anchor are all you really need...
 
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