Local rules in the Deben?

[Leighb]

We went to the Deben this week, and it seemed that the normal rules of the road for vessels approaching each other "head on" are reversed in the Deben entrance!

Nearly every yacht we encountered was determined to pass Starboard to Starboard rather than Port to Port. Is this a local "rule" to allow outbound yachts to stay close to the East side of the entrance, or did I just encounter an atypical bunch?

 

[sailorman]

they perhaps thought you came from norfolk see /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[MikeBz]

Last year we encountered a 30+ ft gin palace coming in through the entrance whilst we motored out at half flood into a brisk South-Easterly. This was an experience I would not like to repeat (unless armed with a semi-automatic weapon). The gin palace was flat-out, 2 gangster-type idiots sitting up top with shades on, the one 'driving' was on his mobile 'phone. He drove straight at us, doing at least 30 knots, and then just swerved away at the last second to pass us very close by without easing up at all. All I could do was offer some traditional gestures to reflect what his favourite pastime must be during the long lonely nights at home alone...

Mike

 

[Roach1948]

Not aware of any "house rules" although the "perceived" channel is narrow, although I have noticed that some yachts do tend to stick to a "line" through sheer paranoia in my opinion. There is plenty of deep water only 20ft off the sea wall, and I personally tend hug the beach as I dont draw too much. Once there was a flotilla of MOBO's powering past so I took the west side of the Horse - plenty of water there too, but that route not often used.

 

[Athene V30]

If you think the Deben is bad for ROR you should try the River Yare on the broads.

Was there last Weds to Sun with 19 Sea Scouts in 6 toppers, a bosun, GP14, Enterprise and up to 10 kayaks and each day we were out there was some idiot trying to run down one of them and it wasn't the holiday makers but mostly privately owned craft who we thought should know better!