Deben Entrance - Important!

[Cantata]

John White has told us today that the Mid Knoll buoy went AWOL in yesterday's day and has been destroyed. He also reckons the entrance channel is much shallower than before.
He urges any skippers planning to enter or leave, to call him first, preferably the day before. He's on 07803 476621.
The new surveys of the Deben and Ore entrances are due to be done later this month.

 

[LittleSister]

Damn. I was hoping to exit the Deben tomorrow. Thanks for the tip. I'll try to call John in the morning.

Anyone here been out or in recently?

I do have last year's entrance/exit tracks on the plotter, so I would be able to tell more or less where the missing buoy was, but it's been a windy old winter, so the best (least worst?) depth may well be elsewhere now.

 

[Otter]

John White has told us today that the Mid Knoll buoy went AWOL in yesterday's day and has been destroyed. He also reckons the entrance channel is much shallower than before.
He urges any skippers planning to enter or leave, to call him first, preferably the day before. He's on 07803 476621.
The new surveys of the Deben and Ore entrances are due to be done later this month.

Yikes!

 

[Boz]

I know this is relatively old news but just received this email from the CA

[TABLE="width: 703"]
[TR]
[TD]Dear Members of the Suffolk, Essex and Kent Sections
With the weather improving and Easter nearly upon us I thought it important to pass on to you the note below from David Gibson.
"I have noticed that there are a few yachts "having a look" at the entrance to the River Deben at the moment, so I thought it best to tell you about the problems there at present.
Over the winter, the main entrance has become even more shallow, and even the local fishing boats (which draw around 3 to 4 feet) are waiting for the tide to rise about 2 feet before attempting the entrance.
The shingle knolls to the East side of the entrance have been flattened out, and no longer show at high water - you can usually see them by the broken water on the tops, but it can be confusing to know exactly where they are, especially when the tide is turning at high water.
The main entrance has also moved, and the Red can bouys no longer show the best water.
Finally, the green bouy with conical topmark (Mid Knoll) was damaged in the strong winds last Wednesday (9 March), and has been withdrawn, with no replacement at present.
To sum up, I would strongly suggest that anyone trying to enter the river at present gets some local knowledge before coming in.
I understand that Trinity House will soon be making their annual survey of the entrance, and will set out the bouyage to mark the channel, but I don't have a date.
My apologies if all this is known already, but I am concerned there may be some accidents if the word doesn't get around.
David Gibson
I would stongly advise everyone to check the websites below for the latest information before attempting to enter (or leave) the river. The sketch charts based on the May 2015 survey are wrong and should not be relied on. Electronic charts will also be wrong as no Notices to Mariners have yet been issued.
East Coast Pilot www.eastcoastpilot.com
River Deben HM www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk
or phone John White the Harbour Master 07803 476621
If in any doubt phone John White and he will come out in his launch and pilot you in.
Fair Winds
David Sadler
Section Secretary[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Otter]

Double yikes!