Chichester Marina - The New Lock

[Sticky Fingers]

If you have not been into Chichester Harbour before then you must visit - it isn't an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty" for nothing! I'm not sure where you are coming from but if you arrange to go up through the harbour with the last hour of the rising tide (it's about an hour from the entrance to Chichester Marina when you have the tide with you) and arrive at the marina just after HW you should be able to enter on freeflow against a slight current coming out through the lock. If you have to lock through call the marina when you get to Birdham and loiter in the entrance channel if required (the deepest water is about 20m north of the stakes) and enter on the green light. You just need to fender up and the marina staff will pass you down some lines, aft one first. Alternatively there are fixed vertical yellow lines down the side of the lock which you can hook then pull a mooring line down from the lockside. The staff are all very helpfull. Enjoy your stay.
Richard.

Spot on. We loved it there, kept our previous boat at Chi until she was sold last autumn.

 

[russ]

Just pulled into the berth at Chi Marina. Managed to enter on free flow so not too much hanging around.

 

[Lucky Duck]

Too late now, but probably worth noting that some of the berths experience some 'turbulence' on the free flow.

I used to have a berth on the inside of B pontoon hammerhead which could be interesting at times.

 

[russ]

We’re on E pontoon so not a concern. Very busy today so we will leave on free flow tomorrow as well. Hopefully straight through.
Would I still need to call up to get a slot to leave or just queue up to leave ?

 

[Ammonite]

I would as they continue the queing system once free flow starts, if its really busy. Had i known i would have called up first thing. As it was i was given number 93 three hours before FF when they were on 50 something. When FF started they were on 80 something hence my rough calculation of 10 - 12 boats an hour. Maybe there was a technical problem, i dont know, or its just the current crisis (it was shortly after the lockdown eased) but its easy enough to check with the office. I suspect the main problem was that we had taken the Friday off to go there and were exiting with the rest if the world on a Saturday which ended up spoiling our plans (another Premier booking which I had to cancel). In the past when arriving on Saturday, departing Sunday, its been fine and its a lovely spot.

 

[Wynn]

We’re on E pontoon so not a concern. Very busy today so we will leave on free flow tomorrow as well. Hopefully straight through.
Would I still need to call up to get a slot to leave or just queue up to leave ?

Hi Russ, Freeflow on Sunday doesn't start until just before 15.00 so there won't be too many boats leaving and it might be a bit early for the majority to be returning. If you listen in to the marina before you intend leaving on Ch 80 you will hear what numbers they are giving out and also what numbers they are calling into the lock. When freeflow starts they will obviously get through the numbers more quickly but they close the lock occaisionally for pedestrians so it isn't continuous. Call them up and you will be advised if it is OK to leave your berth. Hope you have had a good weekend and have enjoyed the harbour and facilities in the marina.
Richard