Cowes - Changes to Local Regulations

[l'escargot]

There is a new Revision Order due to come in on 1st April this year:

http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/pages/information

Amongst the changes are the speed limit in the harbour changing from 6 knots over the ground to 6 knots through the water, a new reduced 4 knot limit south of Kingston and the chain ferry being given general priority over other vessels.

 

[[2068]]

It all makes sense, but I'm not sure how on earth they will measure speed through the water with their radar guns.
Also, there are some conditions where 6kts through the water will mean very slow progress indeed for the initial approach past the RYS.

 

[benjenbav]

It all makes sense, but I'm not sure how on earth they will measure speed through the water with their radar guns.
Also, there are some conditions where 6kts through the water will mean very slow progress indeed for the initial approach past the RYS.

But on the other hand sometimes we'll be able to charge past the castle at 8 knots. woohoo

I was surprised to read the part about the chain ferry being given general priority because I always thought it had priority being somewhat RAM and the fact that you take it on at the risk of knackering your props.

 

[prv]

I was surprised to read the part about the chain ferry being given general priority because I always thought it had priority

Nope, never has done - read yer harbour byelaws . It's polite not to barge past it, but until now we have had priority over it if required. Something I've been glad of on a couple of occasions trying to get past and clear against a strong ebb.

The majority of chain ferries have traditionally been subordinate to water traffic because the boats were there first, and their owners were uneasy about this newfangled contraption impinging on them. Poole was the first one I was aware of changing to ferry-has-priority, after that accident with the X boat being swept underneath. They decided it was clearer if the ferry just kept going, as a moving obstacle, rather than everyone jinking around reacting to each other.

Pete

 

[lustyd]

To be fair in Cowes the ferry drivers tend to see a struggling yacht and let them pass and I'd imagine that will continue even with the new rules.

As for the speed limit, I thought all marine limits were TTW? It's only in the last few years we could measure OTG speeds and lots of boats still can't. As for 6kt TTW being slow progress, my boat can't do this under full power anyway but it'll be nice not to have as much wash from the mobos as I enter Cowes

 

[lustyd]

Ah that's interesting, the speed limit only applies to mechanically driven craft. Under sail you're free to play!

 

[marklucas]

Ah that's interesting, the speed limit only applies to mechanically driven craft. Under sail you're free to play!

Ah, but you cannot use sail power (except in an emergency) between the Red Funnel fast cat terminal and UKSA - it's amazing the bye-laws you can learn when the harbourmaster comes up to you!

He was very polite, accepted my ignorance of the bye-law with good grace and agreed that I hadn't been navigating irresponsibly. And then ferried us across to The Folly.

 

[Talulah]

Ah, but you cannot use sail power (except in an emergency) between the Red Funnel fast cat terminal and UKSA - it's amazing the bye-laws you can learn when the harbourmaster comes up to you!

He was very polite, accepted my ignorance of the bye-law with good grace and agreed that I hadn't been navigating irresponsibly. And then ferried us across to The Folly.

I suspect he didn't know his own byelaw.
It's not a requirement but a recommendation.

Sailing Vessels
All sailing vessels are strongly recommended to use their engine, if fitted, when navigating in the main fairway in Cowes Harbour. This is especially important in the area of the blind bend in the vicinity of the Cowes Chain Ferry. See note below.

 

[gjgm]

It all makes sense, .

Why doesnt SOG make more sense?

 

[Cardo]

Why doesnt SOG make more sense?

I've wondered about the pros and cons of SOG and TTW.

SOG - Easy to measure, it's the speed relative to static objects so you won't hit static items at more than the speed limit, you can make progress even if going into the tide.
TTW - Keeps wake under control, allows for more steerage when travelling with the tide.

Hmm, I must be missing something. Why would anyone bother with TTW speed limits?

 

[l'escargot]

Why doesnt SOG make more sense?

A boat doing 6 knots OTG against 3 knots of tide is doing 9 knots TTW and probably causing more wake. 6 knots OTG with 3 knots of tide is doing 3 knots TTW and can lack steering.

 

[l'escargot]

I suspect he didn't know his own byelaw.
It's not a requirement but a recommendation....

And can only ever be so unless they ban all the sailing boats without engines...(cue Daka )

 

[DJE]

And can only ever be so unless they ban all the sailing boats without engines...

Which would rather spoil our club's dinghy trip to Island Harbour. TBH we tend to tow them through the town unless sailing conditions are perfect.