Chi Harbour; a few updated docs

[Steve Clayton]

Navigate Safely
Some 10,000 boats share the fabulous recreational facilities of Chichester Harbour. At peak times the harbour can be congested and this can cause problems. However, the Conservancy believe that with a little thought and understanding everyone can enjoy the harbour and problems can be prevented.

A series of booklets have been published (revised 2008) that we strongly encourage you to download and read. Hard copes are available from the Harbour Office.

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/assets/assets/navigate_rules.pdf

A simple guide to the collision regulations that have particular significance in harbour settings.

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/assets/assets/navigate_essential.pdf

This leaflet is aimed at the less experienced mariner and aims to steer them away from difficulties in their first years.

http://www.conservancy.co.uk/assets/assets/sailing and powerboats 2012_web.pdf

Answers to questions commonly posed by powerboaters and suggestions for ways for sail boat racers to share the facilities without spoiling everyone's fun. Updated 2012.

Please note the speed limit throughout the harbour is 8 knots.

(The inability to post hyperlinks/textural content means I can't easily list the titles)

 

[captainhaddock]

Navigate Safely

Please note the speed limit throughout the harbour is 8 knots.

Is it? I have been told previously that this speed limit applies only to motor boats. Your leaflet only mentions operating at a "safe speed". If it really is 8 knots have you told the dinghy sailors about this restriction?

 

[lustyd]

Is it? I have been told previously that this speed limit applies only to motor boats. Your leaflet only mentions operating at a "safe speed". If it really is 8 knots have you told the dinghy sailors about this restriction?

No it doesn't only apply to motor boats, it's any boat under power, same as Cowes. A dinghy with a motor will be breaking the law over 8kt TTW as well.

 

[VicS]

Is it? I have been told previously that this speed limit applies only to motor boats. Your leaflet only mentions operating at a "safe speed". If it really is 8 knots have you told the dinghy sailors about this restriction?

"Motor boats" are not mentioned in the Byelaws

The 8 knot limit applies to "power driven" vessels ( Byelaw 5) There is no distinction between being powered by steam, internal combustion engine, electricity, nuclear energy, oars or the wind.

 

[oldharry]

"Motor boats" are not mentioned in the Byelaws

The 8 knot limit applies to "power driven" vessels ( Byelaw 5) There is no distinction between being powered by steam, internal combustion engine, electricity, nuclear energy, oars or the wind.

Yes there is: Section 3 'Interpretations' says:

‘power driven vessel’ includes any vessel propelled
by machinery; sails and oars are not 'machinery'.

Section 5 specifies that the speed limit applies to any 'power driven vessel'. Funny how many Mobos reckon it's speed through the water when running with the tide, but speed over the ground when pushing against it!

 

[captainhaddock]

Yes there is: Section 3 'Interpretations' says:

‘power driven vessel’ includes any vessel propelled
by machinery; sails and oars are not 'machinery'.

Section 5 specifies that the speed limit applies to any 'power driven vessel'. Funny how many Mobos reckon it's speed through the water when running with the tide, but speed over the ground when pushing against it!

That is my understanding of the bye law, but that is not what Steve Clayton has stated nor is it referred to in the "new documents". If the bye law states 8 knots for power driven vessels, why isn't this stated in the new documents? Has the bye law been changed to "operating at a safe speed" or is this just a "guideline"?

 

[Zagato]

Wish the inconsiderate idiots would slow down anyway Take the M27 if you want to get somewhere quick!

Whatever the rules are there is no point in having it if it's abused and not enforced - surprising when so many people get pee'd off with so many mobo's charging through! I don't generally like rules and especially enforcements but there will come a time!!!.....

 

[Malabar]

Yes there is: Section 3 'Interpretations' says:

‘power driven vessel’ includes any vessel propelled
by machinery; sails and oars are not 'machinery'.

Section 5 specifies that the speed limit applies to any 'power driven vessel'. Funny how many Mobos reckon it's speed through the water when running with the tide, but speed over the ground when pushing against it!

An oar is a "machine" See Concise Oxford Dictionary.

 

[oldharry]

Other than the Oxford/Cambridge crews and others of their ilk, who rows at 8 knots? Wish I could.....

In any case if the rules apply to any boat being propelled through the water by any conventional means, why make the distinction in the first place? Or is it a case of special dispensation for racing dinghies again? They certainly behave as if it is!

 

[captainhaddock]

According to the Local Notice to Mariners No 1 2013 "2/00 Chichester Harbour - Speed of Vessels
Attention is drawn to the speed limit of 8 knots which is in force for the whole of Chichester Harbour. Attention is also drawn to Chichester Harbour Byelaw No. 4. Maximum fine - £2,500. 'The Master of a vessel navigating the harbour shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such manner as shall not cause annoyance to the occupants of any other vessel or cause damage or danger to any other vessel or to any moorings or other property'."

There is no mention in the notice of power driven vessels so this advice seems to contradict the Byelaw. Perhaps the notice should be amended to "in force for the whole of Chichester harbour, with the exception of non power driven vessels"?

The "shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such a manner as shall not cause annoyance to the occupants of any other vessel" seems somewhat vague and perhaps difficult to enforce?

 

[Giblets]

'The Master of a vessel navigating the harbour shall navigate the vessel with care and caution and in such manner as shall not cause annoyance to the occupants of any other vessel or cause damage or danger to any other vessel or to any moorings or other property'."

A similar clause is included in QHM Portsmouth Regs and LNTM's This can and does refer to excessive wash as well as maximum speed which some of the mobo drivers using Pompy harbour seemed to have great trouble in comprehending as they were doing the speed limit of 10 knots. We used to advise them to look astern to see the carnage their wash was causing to other craft. Even then some of them had problems with the "understanding" section of their brains!