Cowes - new small craft channel
- Thread starter l'escargot
- Start date
VicS
Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting that
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
So, the small craft channel is not to be used for navigation?
catalina1
Well-Known Member
I can't read the Pdf
Perhaps I don't have the latest version, but I can find nothing on the Cowes harbour website
Whats the max/min Loa considered to be, to use this channel
Perhaps I don't have the latest version, but I can find nothing on the Cowes harbour website
Whats the max/min Loa considered to be, to use this channel
Skysail
Well-Known Member
Go to http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk and click on Notices to Mariners
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Non pdf here: http://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/news?id=30518
No max/min LOA given but channel is 35m wide and approaches can dry so the restriction will be self limiting by draft. Locals have always used that route until they tried to force everyone out through 1 & 2 buoys a couple of years ago.
srp
Well-Known Member
I've always come into Cowes via that route (even though I know that it hasn't been allowed for the last few years). In a small boat, with a west-running spring tide it can save a very long time and a lot of anxiety compared with the official route. Nice to know it's now officially ok.
onesea
Well-Known Member
I must admit, I am not very good at reading up on these things. First time I went to the folly I had looked at the chart but not close enough to realise there was a chain ferry!
I personally think nothing if shallow drafted of nipping through moorings etc. within reason. The way I look at it if you can do it safely and its a shorter distance why not. It also gets you out of the way of the boats that need the channel.
Infact I would say the rules support it.
I do not have them to hand but is it not something like:
Narrow channels:
Vessels that are not restricted by there draft shall not impede the passage of those that are.
Must read them again some time
VicS
Well-Known Member
I must admit, I am not very good at reading up on these things. First time I went to the folly I had looked at the chart but not close enough to realise there was a chain ferry!
I personally think nothing if shallow drafted of nipping through moorings etc. within reason. The way I look at it if you can do it safely and its a shorter distance why not. It also gets you out of the way of the boats that need the channel.
Infact I would say the rules support it.
I do not have them to hand but is it not something like:
Narrow channels:
Vessels that are not restricted by there draft shall not impede the passage of those that are.
Must read them again some time
Rule 9 to which the LNM refers :
Rule 9
Narrow channels
(a) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the
outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel
which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
(c) A vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a
narrow channel or fairway.
(d) A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or fairway if such crossing impedes the passage of a
vessel which can safely navigate only within such channel or fairway. The latter vessel may use
the sound signal prescribed in Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.
(e) (i) In a narrow channel or fairway when overtaking can take place only if the vessel to be
overtaken has to take action to permit safe passing, the vessel intending to overtake shall
indicate her intention by sounding the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(c)(i). The
vessel to be overtaken shall, if in agreement, sound the appropriate signal prescribed in
Rule 34(c)(ii) and take steps to permit safe passing. If in doubt she may sound the signals
prescribed in Rule 34(d).
(ii) This Rule does not relieve the overtaking vessel of her obligation under Rule 13.
(f) A vessel nearing a bend or an area of a narrow channel or fairway where other vessels may be
obscured by an intervening obstruction shall navigate with particular alertness and caution and
shall sound the appropriate signal prescribed in Rule 34(e).
(g) Any vessel shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid anchoring in a narrow channel.
ianat182
Well-Known Member
Last year,if not before, I reca seeing a Harbourmaster's instruction that prohibited motoring or sailing through the sets of moorings, as they had been getting damage;,so I take it that this is the now preferred option for those doing the short cut?
ianat182
ianat182
mixmaster
Well-Known Member
0.9 below chart datum. Does that mean it's .9m deaper than whatever it says on the chart? Did they dredge?
VicS
Well-Known Member
The ban on cutting through the moorings was introduced in 2008 !
VicS
Well-Known Member
No it means that the depth of water at LAT is 0.9m ... chart datum presumably being LAT They may dredge to maintain 0.9 but if so that is not stated.
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l'escargot
Well-Known Member
This NTM rescinds the NTM that required all vessels to enter and leave between 1 & 2 buoys. It doesn't allow vessels to cut through the moorings but does allow them to use this new channel as an alternative.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Cue DAKA....
prv
Well-Known Member
alahol2
Well-Known Member
Oops!
Must have missed that one. That's been my preferred entry to Cowes for donkey's years. Nobody has ever challenged me.mixmaster
Well-Known Member
!?!?
Pete
Sorry. Don't understand your answer.
prv
Well-Known Member
It was late last night, and I was being probably unnecessarily rude about someone who didn't know what chart datum was.
Pete
mixmaster
Well-Known Member
and sorry for asking a sillly question. Understand that at a depth of zero at LAT is chart datum and depths are given relative to this. I suppose they could have just said that the lowest charted depth is 0.9m.