Maldon visitors pontoon

[Bru]

What's the latest state of play thereabouts? Are the two barges still on residence taking up the whole pontoon?

My brother and I are spending a week exploring the Blackwater next week and Maldon is where the ancestors lived twixt Heybridge and Sunderland so we'd like to visit proper by boat

 

[Cantata]

Suggest you ask the River Bailiff, Nigel Harmer, whose office is a few yards away. 01621 875837. Ask him about the depth at the pontoon, too.

 

[Bru]

Useful ta, I shall give him a ring nearer the time

 

[AliM]

I have just been to look - it is about 5 minutes walk from our house! For the regatta 10 days ago, the pontoon was free. Now the sailing barge Kitty is there, and the barge which has been there all year is rafted up to Kitty. So, I suspect that you would have to raft up to something if you got into Maldon.

About a year ago, we went aground just off the (then free) visitor's pontoon right at the top of a neapish tide. You have to approach it from very close to the sailing barges, we deduced later. There has been some dredging since then, so it may be deep enough for you. It is soft thick mud, anyway, so backing off is no problem. You can anchor anywhere beyond the Brythnoth statue, as long as you stay out of the fairway. You could also phone one of the boatyards and see if they can find you a mud berth.

 

[Bru]

Thanks AliM

So it looks like it's situation normal, the pontoon is occupied by permanent boats and not available for visitor use (which is much what I expected to discover). Rafting up outside stuff along there doesn't appeal (dont like being on a slippery slope!) so I'll try the yards as you suggest

Cheers
Bru

 

[Cantata]

To be fair it should only be a problem while the quayside wall is being rebuilt. Once that's done the barges shouldn't be using the pontoon. Still might be worth asking Nigel.

 

[Bru]

To be fair it should only be a problem while the quayside wall is being rebuilt. Once that's done the barges shouldn't be using the pontoon. Still might be worth asking Nigel.

Fair point

 

[NUTMEG]

Space in Shipways yard where my boat lives, shower and toilets etc and short walk to pubs and shops etc. could dig out a phone number if you wish

 

[Bru]

Is that the yard behind the chandlery Steve? That'd do nicely

 

[NUTMEG]

Yes mate. just ring the chandlery and they will put you onto Adi, the yard manager and master shipwright. A font of knowledge on all things boaty. Very helpful chap. If you tell me when your arriving I will have the kettle on and grab lines if needed. Well, I will if I am on the boat!