Cardiff Bay

PEEJAYSEA

PEEJAYSEA

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For one of our first ever trips out on Windthief this summer I want to go to Cardiff Bay.
Simple reason for this is to get some practice handling her, sail trimming, mooring up, anchoring etc – basically to freshen up my skills. I also want to take my good lady and #1 son to get them comfortable with handling her, warps, sheets and sails etc. We all did a Comp Crew together two years ago but they have not been sailing since and I have only done a little more than them.

Is it possible to do this in the bay area? It look big enough but I have never been there and don’t know if there any restrictions in place.

Also, this would be the first time that we would have ever used a lock so I would appreciate some guidance on how to do it correctly!
We will be coming up from Barry and I have the Imray BC Pilot so happy with the navigation / pilotage piece – it’s just the physical sailing skills that are rusty.
Thanks in advance
Paul
 
The locks are easy enough, don't be daunted by the gates and the large chamber!
Call the Barrage Control when you are in the Wrach Channel and they will tell you what lock number to go to.
Lock ins are 1/4 to and 1/4 past the hour.
Simply tie up in the lock, using a spring aswell and wait for the water to start pouring in!
It is could ettiquette to enter the lock in order of arrival and to moor up as far forward as you can as there may be more boats coming in behind you.
Once in the bay you can do as you please!
Enjoy
 
I don't know the answer about anchoring, however I have never seen anyone anchored and I suspect that there is something on the bylaws banning anchoring. It would make sence as there are lots of pipes around the bay that have to do with the pumping/aeration that goes on.

I'd be interested if anyone has the definitive answer.
 
Hi.

When you tie up in the lock the pontoons raise and fall with the levels in the lock,so no need to worry about your lines.

There is a slight flow for a few seconds into the lock when they open the gates you need to be aware of,but its quite straight forward.

On a sunny weekend its gets very busy and you might have to raft up in the middle, but usualy there is lots of helping hands from other boats.

also there are lots of spectators above waiting for the yachty to fall in.:)

I am pretty sure anchoring is not allowed in the bay.
 
From Cardiff Harbour Authority byelaws:

http://www.cardiffharbour.com/objview.asp?Object_ID=63

19. (a) No Person shall anchor, moor, lay or raise ground mooring tackle that
is likely to foul any of the equipment or pipe work that comprises the
Aeration System laid on the bed of Cardiff Harbour.

and

Anchorage
21. No Vessel or Pleasure Craft shall anchor, moor or remain on swinging
grounds within Cardiff Harbour unless the prior written consent of the Harbour
Master is obtained.

Apart from that I hope to see you out on the water, weather permitting!
 
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Hi Paul

As has been said, when you tie up in the lock the pontoon you tie up to rises or falls with you.
Drive up to Cardiff and have a look, all will become clear. Go at low water and you,ll see the channel buoys sat on the mud!
 
Cardiff barrage

Approaching the barrage follow the buoyed channel into the outer harbour. Ships use the Wrach channel in and out of Cardiff so ensure alls clear before you start going in.

Close to the barrage wall theres a preferred channel buoy which is red and green. Going into the barrage you must leave this to stbd on the way in.

At half tide and above there is plenty of water ,at close to low tide (especially on the ebb)you must take care to keep in the channel.the red port hand buoys are up the bank slightly so at spring low tides they can be out of the water.

Once in the outer harbour wait until you get green lights on the lock you have been told to use. There are pontoons on both sides of the lock, if you rig lines and fenders both sides you can make a last minute change of plan if for example a boat nips in ahead of you and moors in the middle of the pontoon you planned to use.

At low tide the water comes into the lock quite violently so you need to moor up strongly with a good spring .At half tide or above there is very little flow in the lock ,

When the gates open wait a minute or two for the water flow to ease then proceed in to the bay. Its all much easier than it sounds.

081021_Portishead_0021.jpg

Yacht leaving outer harbour.

S1.jpg


Yacht tied to lock pontoon.

014-2.jpg


Strong flow at low tide.
 
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Sneds said:
Once in the bay you can do as you please!
Enjoy
Click to expand...

There speaks a mobo driver. :D

You are not supposed to anchor in the bay and indeed there are pipes on the bottom feeding the air bubble outlets. You would be able to practise mooring up on the public pontoons and possibly picking up an unoccupied buoy outside Cardiff Yacht club - OK they are private buoys but whats the harm in a few practise runs?

Remember there is a speed limit in much of the bay even if few power boats ( the yellow ribs for example) seem to observe it.

In a way I guess it might be easier outside the bay. There is much less congestion and much less to hit if you cock up outside than inside.
 
All

Many thanks for the advice and information. Happy to see that it is floating pontoons in the lock - that will make life easier.

We will give it all a go and see what is what. With the best part of five weeks to play with we hope to get a good look around the BC area.

Cheers again
Paul
 
Speed limits wise, as Bosun Higgs commented there are restrictions within the bay. On exiting the locks there is a 5 knot restriction that ends at the West Cardinal and line of yellow special markers. The center of the bay to the port and starboard lateral marks at the river Ely, and the line of special marks leading to Mermaid Quay is a speed limit free area. Be aware that there may be vessels navigating at speed in this area. If you want somewhere to stop there are pay and display machines at MMQ or free day berthing in the graving dock closest to the St.Davids hotel. Enjoy Cardiff.
 
I have often thought it a odd that there is not a speed limit in the bay and would certainly sign any campaign to impose one.

I occasionally hare along at 35 knots ;-) (outside the barrage) and I do not think the bay is the place to do it.
As stated, there is a lot of open sea outside the barrage away from sail boats of all description sailed by sailors of all ages.
 
Sneds said:
I have often thought it a odd that there is not a speed limit in the bay and would certainly sign any campaign to impose one.

I occasionally hare along at 35 knots ;-) (outside the barrage) and I do not think the bay is the place to do it.
As stated, there is a lot of open sea outside the barrage away from sail boats of all description sailed by sailors of all ages.
Click to expand...

Did I read somewhere that Cardiff Bay is the only inland lake or waterway where there is no speed limit? daft really imho.
 
erbster said:
So is the consensus that the bay itself might not be a great place for the maiden voyage of a small trailer-sailer yacht and its rookie skipper/crew?
Click to expand...

I would say the opposite is true. We learned in the bay, and found it a wonderful place to start sailing. Clearly, if you choose to do it on a sunny bank holidy weekend, it will be busy, and you will have to avoid all sorts of other craft, but there are periods when you can have the whole bay to yourself, or maybe just one or two other boats.
 
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