tillergirl
Well-Known Member
UKHO Permanent/Preliminary/Temporary Notices:
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Buoy. - This notice confirms the HHA local Notice No 95 of 2025 which announces the installation of a lit Yellow special Waverider buoy. The Waverider is very adjacent (100 yards NW) to the major yellow ‘Sunk W1’ lit buoy marking the NW side of the Sunk Centre.
Local
1. River Thames - Upper Pool - Chambers Wharf: Diving Works and Cofferdam Removal - Tideway Tunnel contractors are continuing with the deconstruction of the Chambers Wharf site. To support these works, from around the 12th January 2026, works will increase on site to include additional dredge
set barges and further diving operations. Remaining works are expected to continue for 16 weeks. Indicative barge layouts, and the approximate area of works in the river (in red), are shown on the chartlet. (see Local List at Notices to Mariners for image) . Works involve the use of the spudded GPS 601 barge, the SeaVoyager barge and two 500t hopper barges. Divers will enter the water from the GPS 601 barge to carry out pile cutting operations. Lifting of sheet piles, dredging and excavation of fill material operations will also be carried out. Hopper barges may protrude beyond the works area, shown in magenta on PLA charts. This will only be during daylight hours, never overnight, and barges will not protrude into the navigation channel. The GPS 601 and SeaVoyager will alternate positions at a rate of no more than twice in a month. Barges will be manoeuvred and divers taken to/from site using the tugs SWS ENDURANCE, ESSEX, HANS and SUFFOLK. The vessels and dive team will maintain a listening watch on VHF CH 14.
When diving is taking place, contractors engaged in diving operations will display the following International Code Flags:
By day, International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’, ‘Alpha (A)’ and a red flag near the diver’s point of entry into the water.
By night, illuminated rigid replicas of the International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ and ‘Alpha (A)’.
Any requirements to proceed with caution or at slow speed, will be made in accordance with the procedures set out in the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘Speed Reductions’ with the International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee’ displayed, which are illustrated. The display of these signals will be in addition to any lights or shapes required under local regulations and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Passing vessels are reminded to be mindful of the nature of the works, including diving operations and the use of cranes, and to be aware of vessels proceeding to and from the works. The inner part of the cofferdam has now been removed leaving the foreshore exposed at low water. All river users are reminded that this is an active works site with dangers which may not be immediately visible and entry is prohibited at all times. Barriers have been installed along the foreshore and will be buoyed at high water. Mariners in smaller craft are also reminded not to travel between the cofferdam under deconstruction and the river wall, this remains a work site with potential hidden dangers below the waterline. All traffic must pass to the north of the site keeping a safe distance off the working vessels. All works vessels will maintain a listening watch of London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
2. River Medway – Long Reach - Kingsnorth Jetty - Sunken Vessel - a sunken vessel has been reported adjacent to Kingsnorth Jetty but inshore from the jetty head. The boat is visible at all states of the tide and will shortly be marked with a pellet buoy for visibility . The obstruction currently lies in the approximate location shown (see the above quoted web page). A cancellation to this notice will be published if and when the craft is recovered. Approximate position of the sunken vessel - 51: 24.81 N - 000:36.22 E.
3. Ramsgate - POTENTIAL SEABED CHANGES Quern Bank - possible seabed changes in the vicinity of the Quern Bank, South West of Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Concerns have been raised regarding the current depth and extent of the Quern Bank, particularly near the West Quern Buoy in position: 51°18.98’N, 001°25.39’E There is reason to believe that sediment movement may have resulted in a reduction in charted depths or a westward shift of the Quern Bank. Mariners are reminded of NtM 18 ‘2024 of similar concerns relating to the Cross Ledge Bank, located just south of the Quern.
The UK Hydrographic have been informed. Mariners are advised to:
That is it.
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Buoy. - This notice confirms the HHA local Notice No 95 of 2025 which announces the installation of a lit Yellow special Waverider buoy. The Waverider is very adjacent (100 yards NW) to the major yellow ‘Sunk W1’ lit buoy marking the NW side of the Sunk Centre.
Local
1. River Thames - Upper Pool - Chambers Wharf: Diving Works and Cofferdam Removal - Tideway Tunnel contractors are continuing with the deconstruction of the Chambers Wharf site. To support these works, from around the 12th January 2026, works will increase on site to include additional dredge
set barges and further diving operations. Remaining works are expected to continue for 16 weeks. Indicative barge layouts, and the approximate area of works in the river (in red), are shown on the chartlet. (see Local List at Notices to Mariners for image) . Works involve the use of the spudded GPS 601 barge, the SeaVoyager barge and two 500t hopper barges. Divers will enter the water from the GPS 601 barge to carry out pile cutting operations. Lifting of sheet piles, dredging and excavation of fill material operations will also be carried out. Hopper barges may protrude beyond the works area, shown in magenta on PLA charts. This will only be during daylight hours, never overnight, and barges will not protrude into the navigation channel. The GPS 601 and SeaVoyager will alternate positions at a rate of no more than twice in a month. Barges will be manoeuvred and divers taken to/from site using the tugs SWS ENDURANCE, ESSEX, HANS and SUFFOLK. The vessels and dive team will maintain a listening watch on VHF CH 14.
When diving is taking place, contractors engaged in diving operations will display the following International Code Flags:
By day, International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’, ‘Alpha (A)’ and a red flag near the diver’s point of entry into the water.
By night, illuminated rigid replicas of the International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ and ‘Alpha (A)’.
Any requirements to proceed with caution or at slow speed, will be made in accordance with the procedures set out in the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘Speed Reductions’ with the International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee’ displayed, which are illustrated. The display of these signals will be in addition to any lights or shapes required under local regulations and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Passing vessels are reminded to be mindful of the nature of the works, including diving operations and the use of cranes, and to be aware of vessels proceeding to and from the works. The inner part of the cofferdam has now been removed leaving the foreshore exposed at low water. All river users are reminded that this is an active works site with dangers which may not be immediately visible and entry is prohibited at all times. Barriers have been installed along the foreshore and will be buoyed at high water. Mariners in smaller craft are also reminded not to travel between the cofferdam under deconstruction and the river wall, this remains a work site with potential hidden dangers below the waterline. All traffic must pass to the north of the site keeping a safe distance off the working vessels. All works vessels will maintain a listening watch of London VTS on VHF Channel 14.
2. River Medway – Long Reach - Kingsnorth Jetty - Sunken Vessel - a sunken vessel has been reported adjacent to Kingsnorth Jetty but inshore from the jetty head. The boat is visible at all states of the tide and will shortly be marked with a pellet buoy for visibility . The obstruction currently lies in the approximate location shown (see the above quoted web page). A cancellation to this notice will be published if and when the craft is recovered. Approximate position of the sunken vessel - 51: 24.81 N - 000:36.22 E.
3. Ramsgate - POTENTIAL SEABED CHANGES Quern Bank - possible seabed changes in the vicinity of the Quern Bank, South West of Ramsgate Royal Harbour. Concerns have been raised regarding the current depth and extent of the Quern Bank, particularly near the West Quern Buoy in position: 51°18.98’N, 001°25.39’E There is reason to believe that sediment movement may have resulted in a reduction in charted depths or a westward shift of the Quern Bank. Mariners are reminded of NtM 18 ‘2024 of similar concerns relating to the Cross Ledge Bank, located just south of the Quern.
The UK Hydrographic have been informed. Mariners are advised to:
- Exercise increased caution when navigating near the West Quern Buoy and surrounding shoal areas.
- Allow for greater under keel clearance, particularly at lower tidal states.
- Keep a safe distance from charted banks and monitor echo sounders where possible.
- Remain alert for further updates via local Notices to Mariners.
That is it.