tonybarebones
Well-Known Member
BRISTOL CHANNEL YACHTING ASSOCIATION
ENGLISH RALLY AT WATCHET MARINA.
Friday 10th to Sunday 12th August, 2012
Watchet Marina has access for all craft on the following tides and*entrance and berthing.
Friday 10 August 2012
02:34 Gate Closing 10:22 Gate Opening 14:44 Gate Closing 22:53 Gate Opening
Saturday 11 August 2012
03:12 Gate Closing 11:31 Gate Opening 15:29 Gate Closing
Sunday 12 August 2012
00:16 Gate Opening 04:07 Gate Closing 12:56 Gate Opening 16:36 Gate Closing
Monday 13 August 2012
01:38 Gate Opening 05:24 Gate Closing 14:09 Gate Opening 18:04 Gate Closing
The Rally will be catered for on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th with half price berthing for all boats registered through BCYA from member clubs.
The Rally marks the start of Watchet Summer Week and there will be an entertainment programme all week for boats that wish to stay.
Reception drink at Esplanade Pub from 13.30 hrs sponsored by BCYA
Free Hog Roast from 13.30 hrs*Free to BCYA Boat Crew
Tony James Band on Esplanade from 13.30 hrs.
Art Exhibition and Sale in Marquees and on Railings
Sea Shanty Band in Boat Museum in evening
Madness Tribute Band in Esplanade Pub in evening
Sunday Morning Guided Walk Mineral Line and St Duncimans
Watchet Statement regarding Mud.
As many people will be aware, Watchet Harbour Marina is currently suffering from a larger than normal mud problem.
Mud is not a new problem in the marina – indeed it has always been a problem within the harbour complex. Due to the geographical location of the harbour and marina and also the original designs, mud has become trapped inside where it settles on the bottom.
Over the last few years a number of different techniques have been trialled to try and find an efficient way of removing the mud from the harbour. This has largely been undertaken by external contractors with specialist equipment. However it has become apparent that the mud removal process was not producing the desired results. This was due to a combination of the techniques used and the limited time and resources that could be allocated to such a task. Following a lot of research and consultation the marina operators – Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd have taken the bold step in purchasing a specialist dredging machine.
The machine (an IMS 7012 Versi dredge) is a relatively new concept, in that it is an entirely self-propelled easily transportable cutter suction machine. The actual machine at Watchet is a used model, and as such has had to have a small number of repairs and modifications made to it to enable maximum operating efficiency which has taken a longer time than planned, but it is now in operation and removing the mud in anger.
A combination of factors – an extremely rainy year so far, delays in getting the machine fully operational and the prior levels of mud within the marina have meant that the marina is suffering from an abnormally high level of mud.
The marina team are now working as hard as possible to rectify the problem. Additional staff have been employed along with investing large sums of money in the machine and infrastructure.
Whilst the short term plan with the machine is to remove the mud within the marina as quickly and efficiently as possible, the longer term plan is to operate the machine on a regular basis which along with improving the mud disposal infrastructure (pipework etc.) should lead to mud problems at Watchet becoming a thing of the past. This should mean
that the machine will have some time in the future when it is not needed at Watchet. As such the machine will be available for charter.
In the short term we are encouraging people to still continue to visit us at Watchet. The mud is extremely soft and vessels will merely sink down into it at low tide and refloat on the incoming water. As we are dredging almost constantly at the moment fewer and fewer of the berths will be drying and we will soon return to full depth. We recommend that crews keep the seacocks closed but otherwise there are no special precautions that need to be taken.
The current situation does mean that for some berths the lack of water at impounded (gate shut) level means that the tidal access window is slightly shortened, but if boats need to leave soon after gate opening, alternative plans can be made beforehand to ensure a quick departure.
As we all know cruising destinations are few within the Bristol Channel and we believe it is vital that people continue to use the marina to ensure the future of this facility. As a private enterprise Watchet will always struggle to compete with marinas that are part of larger groups. However the support of boat owners coupled with not just dredging but a number of other current efficiency improving projects will ensure that Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd can ensure the long term viability of the project.
James Burnell
ENGLISH RALLY AT WATCHET MARINA.
Friday 10th to Sunday 12th August, 2012
Watchet Marina has access for all craft on the following tides and*entrance and berthing.
Friday 10 August 2012
02:34 Gate Closing 10:22 Gate Opening 14:44 Gate Closing 22:53 Gate Opening
Saturday 11 August 2012
03:12 Gate Closing 11:31 Gate Opening 15:29 Gate Closing
Sunday 12 August 2012
00:16 Gate Opening 04:07 Gate Closing 12:56 Gate Opening 16:36 Gate Closing
Monday 13 August 2012
01:38 Gate Opening 05:24 Gate Closing 14:09 Gate Opening 18:04 Gate Closing
The Rally will be catered for on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th with half price berthing for all boats registered through BCYA from member clubs.
The Rally marks the start of Watchet Summer Week and there will be an entertainment programme all week for boats that wish to stay.
Reception drink at Esplanade Pub from 13.30 hrs sponsored by BCYA
Free Hog Roast from 13.30 hrs*Free to BCYA Boat Crew
Tony James Band on Esplanade from 13.30 hrs.
Art Exhibition and Sale in Marquees and on Railings
Sea Shanty Band in Boat Museum in evening
Madness Tribute Band in Esplanade Pub in evening
Sunday Morning Guided Walk Mineral Line and St Duncimans
Watchet Statement regarding Mud.
As many people will be aware, Watchet Harbour Marina is currently suffering from a larger than normal mud problem.
Mud is not a new problem in the marina – indeed it has always been a problem within the harbour complex. Due to the geographical location of the harbour and marina and also the original designs, mud has become trapped inside where it settles on the bottom.
Over the last few years a number of different techniques have been trialled to try and find an efficient way of removing the mud from the harbour. This has largely been undertaken by external contractors with specialist equipment. However it has become apparent that the mud removal process was not producing the desired results. This was due to a combination of the techniques used and the limited time and resources that could be allocated to such a task. Following a lot of research and consultation the marina operators – Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd have taken the bold step in purchasing a specialist dredging machine.
The machine (an IMS 7012 Versi dredge) is a relatively new concept, in that it is an entirely self-propelled easily transportable cutter suction machine. The actual machine at Watchet is a used model, and as such has had to have a small number of repairs and modifications made to it to enable maximum operating efficiency which has taken a longer time than planned, but it is now in operation and removing the mud in anger.
A combination of factors – an extremely rainy year so far, delays in getting the machine fully operational and the prior levels of mud within the marina have meant that the marina is suffering from an abnormally high level of mud.
The marina team are now working as hard as possible to rectify the problem. Additional staff have been employed along with investing large sums of money in the machine and infrastructure.
Whilst the short term plan with the machine is to remove the mud within the marina as quickly and efficiently as possible, the longer term plan is to operate the machine on a regular basis which along with improving the mud disposal infrastructure (pipework etc.) should lead to mud problems at Watchet becoming a thing of the past. This should mean
that the machine will have some time in the future when it is not needed at Watchet. As such the machine will be available for charter.
In the short term we are encouraging people to still continue to visit us at Watchet. The mud is extremely soft and vessels will merely sink down into it at low tide and refloat on the incoming water. As we are dredging almost constantly at the moment fewer and fewer of the berths will be drying and we will soon return to full depth. We recommend that crews keep the seacocks closed but otherwise there are no special precautions that need to be taken.
The current situation does mean that for some berths the lack of water at impounded (gate shut) level means that the tidal access window is slightly shortened, but if boats need to leave soon after gate opening, alternative plans can be made beforehand to ensure a quick departure.
As we all know cruising destinations are few within the Bristol Channel and we believe it is vital that people continue to use the marina to ensure the future of this facility. As a private enterprise Watchet will always struggle to compete with marinas that are part of larger groups. However the support of boat owners coupled with not just dredging but a number of other current efficiency improving projects will ensure that Watchet Harbour Marina Ltd can ensure the long term viability of the project.
James Burnell
