Blackwater buoys

[MoodySabre]

Two new ones today (yes I went for a sail). A small yellow X-top light buoy a few hundred yards east of the baffle and a LARGE yellow unlight mooring buoy with a capstan on the top about 200 yards north of the Bradwell N Cardinal.

 

[johnalison]

We need some more unlit obstructions on the river to keep sailors on their toes. It's not been as much fun since they lit the Bench Head, which caused havoc to our night-time passage race back in the '80s.

 

[tillergirl]

Ah, yes. Never saw the Bench Head at night. We were coming up on a lovely night and the Decca proximity alarm went off to say taht we were close to the Bench Head. Never saw it, never hit. Weren't any lights on the anchored ships either.

Mooring buoy on a capstan? That must be quite big?

 

[MoodySabre]

Mooring buoy on a capstan? That must be quite big?

A capstan on top of the buoy. Blooming great thing. I've just had a look at the Facebook page for Port Flair Work Boat Services and it's theirs. The large platform with spud legs can only get back into marina near HW as they park in on the mud bank near F pontoon, having towed it in and past my boat. Presumably they can now leave in it the river when it suits. Port flair work boat services

 

[tillergirl]

Frankly I think a large 'mooring' (it doesn't sound like a representative description given it's size in the River) unlit 200m north of the Cardinal is unsafe.

 

[MoodySabre]

Frankly I think a large 'mooring' (it doesn't sound like a representative description given it's size in the River) unlit 200m north of the Cardinal is unsafe.

I raised this with one of the Port Flair Work Boats guys. His response:
the mooring has been put in with permission from Maldon and black water river bailiff, a light was not in the spec provided by them , any more questions please contact Nigel Harman the River Bailiff

 

[tillergirl]

Is it just me who thinks it's not the best? Anyone approaching the Cardinal in the pitch dark could currently expect there would be no obstructions in the vicinity.

 

[MoodySabre]

Is it just me who thinks it's not the best? Anyone approaching the Cardinal in the pitch dark could currently expect there would be no obstructions in the vicinity.

It is where boats poodle about, dropping sails etc. On a cloudy night it really is pitch black out there - I've come in by torchlight a couple of times before there was a light on the first channel buoy. The withy with a light has gone.
The only time I asked the River Bailiff a question I got a one word reply. I'll get a photo next time to show the exact location. If it ever stops being windy!

 

[DavidofMersea]

It is where boats poodle about, dropping sails etc. On a cloudy night it really is pitch black out there - I've come in by torchlight a couple of times before there was a light on the first channel buoy. The withy with a light has gone.
The only time I asked the River Bailiff a question I got a one word reply. I'll get a photo next time to show the exact location. If it ever stops being windy!

I wonder who would be responsible if a yacht run into this bouy and damage and/or injury was caused on very dark night

 

[tillergirl]

I think it might be worth having a conversation with the RNLI cox'n.

 

[MoodySabre]

I think it might be worth having a conversation with the RNLI cox'n.

Do you know him/her?

 

[tillergirl]

He is a neighbour. He was round here this evening!

 

[Black Diamond]

I can't remember the Bench Head being unlit in the 80s, but do well remember nearly clouting the unlit Bar buoy one dark night in 1978, when driving one of Prior's sand barges on a compass course from the Wallet Spitway (and they were much larger cone black buoys in those days). How the turning mark for the then busy commercial ports of Colchester and Brightlingsea remained unlit was pretty staggering, but IIRC the Bar buoy was lit soon after.

 

[tillergirl]

Roger

Further to my PM last night, there is a new Temporary NtM this week:

778(T)/2020 ENGLAND - East Coast - Measuring instruments.
Source: Partrac
(SEP: 2020000006326 - 209623).
1. Intertidal measuring instruments have been established on the seabed in the following positions:
Designation Position
T1 51° 44´·07N., 0° 48´·35E.
T2 51° 43´·67N., 0° 51´·73E.
T5 51° 44´·33N., 0° 57´·86E.
T6 51° 42´·59N., 0° 58´·47E.
T7 51° 41´·03N., 0° 58´·51E.
2. Measuring instruments, marked by light-buoys, Fl(5)Y.20s, have been established in the following positions:
Designation Position
M1 51° 43´·52N., 0° 49´·67E.
M2 51° 44´·82N., 0° 53´·53E.
M3 51° 45´·12N., 0° 58´·03E.
M4 51° 43´·92N., 1° 07´·19E.
M5 51° 42´·59N., 1° 03´·26E.
*M6 51° 43´·91N., 1° 07´·13E.
3. Former Notice 5711(T)/19 is cancelled.
*Indicates new or revised entry.
(ETRS89 DATUM)
Charts affected - 1183 (INT 1561) - 1975 - 3741 (INT 1571) - 3750

M2 is adjacent to the Baffle Wall and is lit the first one you mentioned. No reference to the second one that was unlit.

Bradwell by Roger Gaspar, on Flickr

 

[MoodySabre]

I saw the Partrac one (it has their name on it) NE of the baffle. The one nearer the N Cardinal is not marked and I think it is there for the benefit of Port Flair Work Boats as their Facebook photo showed their platform moored to it.

When I get rid of this blasted cough I shall go and have a look.

Thanks.