Chichester Harbour Congestion

[Will_M]

Just having a flick through the 1937 July 16th addition of Yachting World and Motor Boating Journal, it cost sixpence!!!

Even way back then they were bitching about the busyness of Chichester Harbour, just what would they make of it now! (For the record I dont think its all that busy and I live, work and play there)

A copy of letter sent into the ‘Our Readers Views’ section.


THE WAY IN ~ No Leading Lights to Chichester

There are now more yachts than ever in Chichester Harbour, and whereas the leading marks (such as they are) may be sufficient for the knowledgeable local yachtsman the absence of leading lights in such a much-frequented harbour is much to be deplored.

With some misgiving it is possible to feel your way in on a clear night, but on most occasions it is impossible with any degree of confidence.

Surely the local clubs could get together in the matter, and in particular H.I.S.C. would surely help with the use their fine building on which to erect one or both lights. If such lights were only available in the summer months it would be better than nothing.

In France the most insignificant harbours have their permanent lights, yet Chichester is closed after dark to all but the most hardy-perhaps I should say foolhardy.

Can anything be done?

F. R. G. SPIKINS
Twickenham

 

[Twister_Ken]

That Frank Spikins always was a whinger. Complained to me once about the soaring cost of poldavy, and those new fangled kapok life sustainers. What was wrong with cork, he wanted to know.

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[Becky]

I have just returned from Chichester marina after doing some more work on my boat. And even today, someone was coming in to the lock as I was leaving. The weather was awful too. If Mr Spikins could see his harbour during a summer Sunday with mid-day high water he would be horrified. I am sure you can walk across Itchenor reach by stepping from dinghy to dinghy without even getting your feet wet! It certainly seems like that when I have been trying to go out. That is when I manage to get a slot to go through the lock!
Incidentally, I am fititng a new (bigger) water tank, and having painted the locker several times, there still seemed to be some rough bits of gelcoat. So I have lined the locker with plastic garden mesh (1 cm squares) from B&Q, which seems to provide sufficient protection to the tank lining. Good idea? Or not? It spans the ribs and covers the heads of the keel bolts very well. (I hope).

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