yerffoeg
Well-Known Member
We recently undertook a cruise from the Blackwater to Ipswich and back. The Orwell was a new experience for us: scenic but chock-full of boats. Once through the industrial port on either side of Cliff Reach, we got to the yacht waiting pontoon at the entrance to Prince Phillip Dock. But where to berth? We are not overly fond of some modern marinas: characterless and filled with rows of large white plastic boats. We mariners of the lower order are sometimes on the lookout for something different... and decided to head for Debbages Marina/Yard. There is not a great deal of information about the marina for newcomers, so we thought we would try to describe it in more detail.
Approach: Once level with the waiting pontoon, the entrance to the New Cut is to port, over by the far wall of the basin. In fact the entrance it is not that wide – about 15 yards across – and difficult to see against the rows of rusted piles that line that part of the harbour. The masts of boats in Debbages Yard can be seen beyond. Take the red Blackwell Buoy to port and then head for the entrance. It is not possible to see if anything is coming in the opposite direction until well into the entrance, so motor slowly until then. Within the entrance to the New Cut is a water velocity control structure, although we only discovered this after going through. The chartlet says it is raised from the river bed when in use, and the top of the structure may be just below the water surface. Three flashing red lights (we think located on the starboard bank on entry) warn when the the structure is in use. Visit myharbour.com says it has only been used twice for real in the past 15 years! Once through the entrance, about 40 yards long, the marina is immediately visible, and the river widens out into a basin, with plenty of room to manoeuvre at high tide, which was when we arrived.
Mooring: The marina consists of one long pontoon about 200 yards in length, attached to the west wall of the river, followed upstream by another pontoon about 100 yards in length, with boats moored either side. Although our edition of the East Coast Pilot implies that the marina is only suitable for smaller yachts, there is room for vessels of over 30 feet. Once we were nearing the pontoon one of the owners and another chap took our lines and tied up; a friendly welcome. On the wooden pontoon there are conventional cleats spaced conveniently. The staging is constructed of wood and floats on piles. It is covered by galvanised chicken wire to improve foothold and is about 8 feet wide. In places the wood looked like it might need replacing before long. We draw 3 feet and went aground on a spring tide, 2 hours either side of low water; not a problem for our bilge keel boat, but it might deter others.
Marina Office: The office is at the top of the gangway midway along the main pontoon. Within the office is a small chandlery.
Facilities: There are regular fresh water points along the pontoon and an idiosyncratic shore power arrangement. Electricity tokens can be bought as extra, but we didn't need them. Next to the office is a toilet /shower block. Also next to the office is a numbered security gate and fencing adorned by barbed wire surrounding the site. The yard has diesel (?), haul-out and full repair facilities http://www.debyacht.co.uk/ The steamboat tavern is adjacent. A 15 minute walk will get you into into central Ipswich.
Ambience: On the day we arrived it was a warm evening during which, for the most part, we stayed in the cockpit. On the east river bank are several large industrial buildings, to the west what looks like old maltings converted to residences. There was the barely audible hum of industrial machinery in the background, but the resident oyster catchers and gulls made most noise. It was surprisingly peaceful given the location. Most of the folk we met in the marina were friendly. There were quite a few liveaboards, some mariners and others looking for an economical home in the centre of town.
Charges: We are 27 feet in length and were charged £10.00 for an overnight stay – who could complain? We shall certainly revisit Debbages Marina next time we return to Ipswich.
Approach: Once level with the waiting pontoon, the entrance to the New Cut is to port, over by the far wall of the basin. In fact the entrance it is not that wide – about 15 yards across – and difficult to see against the rows of rusted piles that line that part of the harbour. The masts of boats in Debbages Yard can be seen beyond. Take the red Blackwell Buoy to port and then head for the entrance. It is not possible to see if anything is coming in the opposite direction until well into the entrance, so motor slowly until then. Within the entrance to the New Cut is a water velocity control structure, although we only discovered this after going through. The chartlet says it is raised from the river bed when in use, and the top of the structure may be just below the water surface. Three flashing red lights (we think located on the starboard bank on entry) warn when the the structure is in use. Visit myharbour.com says it has only been used twice for real in the past 15 years! Once through the entrance, about 40 yards long, the marina is immediately visible, and the river widens out into a basin, with plenty of room to manoeuvre at high tide, which was when we arrived.
Mooring: The marina consists of one long pontoon about 200 yards in length, attached to the west wall of the river, followed upstream by another pontoon about 100 yards in length, with boats moored either side. Although our edition of the East Coast Pilot implies that the marina is only suitable for smaller yachts, there is room for vessels of over 30 feet. Once we were nearing the pontoon one of the owners and another chap took our lines and tied up; a friendly welcome. On the wooden pontoon there are conventional cleats spaced conveniently. The staging is constructed of wood and floats on piles. It is covered by galvanised chicken wire to improve foothold and is about 8 feet wide. In places the wood looked like it might need replacing before long. We draw 3 feet and went aground on a spring tide, 2 hours either side of low water; not a problem for our bilge keel boat, but it might deter others.
Marina Office: The office is at the top of the gangway midway along the main pontoon. Within the office is a small chandlery.
Facilities: There are regular fresh water points along the pontoon and an idiosyncratic shore power arrangement. Electricity tokens can be bought as extra, but we didn't need them. Next to the office is a toilet /shower block. Also next to the office is a numbered security gate and fencing adorned by barbed wire surrounding the site. The yard has diesel (?), haul-out and full repair facilities http://www.debyacht.co.uk/ The steamboat tavern is adjacent. A 15 minute walk will get you into into central Ipswich.
Ambience: On the day we arrived it was a warm evening during which, for the most part, we stayed in the cockpit. On the east river bank are several large industrial buildings, to the west what looks like old maltings converted to residences. There was the barely audible hum of industrial machinery in the background, but the resident oyster catchers and gulls made most noise. It was surprisingly peaceful given the location. Most of the folk we met in the marina were friendly. There were quite a few liveaboards, some mariners and others looking for an economical home in the centre of town.
Charges: We are 27 feet in length and were charged £10.00 for an overnight stay – who could complain? We shall certainly revisit Debbages Marina next time we return to Ipswich.
