Faversham spit buoy

[laurie the sailer]

I went from the medway to Faversham yesterday and noticed that the Faversham spit buoy is coloured yellow over black
Being a n cardinal buoy this is wrong
I have contacted trinity house and they said nothing to do with them but with Whitstable Harbour
They have been contacted
Whach that place
Would put a picture up but don't know how to
Happy sailing
Regards
Laurie

 

[Cantata]

Actually I think it's Medway Ports' responsibility, not Whitstable, and I believe that the MSBA is going to contact the folk at Sheerness.
I've seen your pic and I reckon they've changed the buoy in recent months, it used not to be that big.

 

[bluerm166]

Actually I think it's Medway Ports' responsibility, not Whitstable, and I believe that the MSBA is going to contact the folk at Sheerness.
I've seen your pic and I reckon they've changed the buoy in recent months, it used not to be that big.

Whatever the colour scheme it also has the weakest light imaginable,or did if it was changed at the end of the season.
On the same topic the port hand buoys are pretty hard to pick out and virtually impossible at high water when the distant but strong 'stray' light from the M & S sodium lights at their depot destroys one's night vision.
If we were pushed into paying the conservancy levy we might ask for the inward port buoy ,say, to be lit.

 

[Cantata]

You'll be lucky, with this harbour authority.
Big torch is very handy when entering Faversham Creek in the dark!

 

[FulmarJeddo]

If we were pushed into paying the conservancy levy we might ask for the inward port buoy ,say, to be lit.

I thought if you are based in the Medway or Swale you are technically breaking the law if your not paying the conservancy charge. I seem to recall visiting vessels are allowed 2 visits free, but should then pay the conservancy charge. There doesn't seem to be much enforcement, but there is always the potential that Peel Ports could start checking. We buy our conservancy discs through the club at a slight discount. The club has to send a return of all the vessels that have purchased a disc.

 

[tony_lavelle]

The MSBA has reported this to Medway Port Authority, aka Peel Ports. This is the response from Capt. Ian Clark:

"The Faversham Spit Buoy was last renewed on the 24/04/2013 and has been the same ever since. It is correctly marked with the correct paint all to IALA and TH standards. The problem is that people do not know what they are looking at. For a North Cardinal buoy the pillar is painted black and the base above the boot topping painted yellow. The boot topping and below water line is painted in an anti foul coloured black, as per the specifications. Attached is a recent photo of the buoy."

Unfortunately I can't see how to upload the photo. It looks like it was taken when the buoy was new so the "pillar" and topmarks are very black. What Capt Clark calls the "boot topping", which is black, comes halfway up the float, which is probably the cause of the confusion.

 

[Cantata]

Here's the buoy (pic by Laurie Borer) -



I reckon at a glance I would think that is an easterly cardinal.

 

[TangaraToo]

Without the top marks it would certainly give that impression.

 

[laurie the sailer]

Thanks for all your input
Hush my mouth
Rest my case
Have fun