tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Sorry, day late
UKHO Permanent/Temporary/Preliminary Notices:
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Two slight reductions of depth in the Northfleet Hope of the River Thames, north of Tilburyness. Unlikely to hinder leisure craft.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - One slight reduction of depth in Gravesend Reach of the River Thames, close by the north jetty on West Tilbury Marshes. Unlikely to hinder leisure craft.
Local
1. River Thames - Gravesend Reach to Thames Estuary: Thames Sailing Barge Match 2026 - this year’s Thames Sailing Barge Match will take place on Saturday 18th July 2026. Participating vessels will assemble in Gravesend Reach and then proceed outbound to the starting line in Lower Hope Reach drawn across the river from Mucking No. 3 buoy as shown in the chartlet. (see the Local List at: Notices to Mariners). Start times will be staggered based on vessel class with further details in the table below:
Class Vessel Names Start Time
Coasting Class Cambria, Lady Daphne, Pudge & Will 07:30
Champion Staysail Niagara 07.45
Champion Bowsprit Blue Mermaid, Edith May & Marjorie 08:00
The race, comprising of eight traditional Thames sailing barges along with a committee boat ‘VOYAGER’ will then proceed outbound towards the North Oaze Buoy, where they will turn about and proceed inbound to the finish line at Gravesend (chartlet). The racecourse may be shortened or otherwise modified on the day, dependant on the prevailing weather conditions. All participating vessels are expected to be equipped with AIS and are required to comply with local regulations and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Further information will be broadcast as required by London VTS on VHF 68 and 69.
2. Sea Reach - LGP Berth 5 - Mechanical Dredging Operations - on or around the 27th of July, for approximately 8 - 10 days, mechanical dredging will be taking place on London Gateway Berth 5, as illustrated in the chartlet. The dredge will take place using a Backhoe Dredger (BHD) on a Jack-up barge which will load the dredged material into 2 Split Hopper Barges (SHB) for disposal at designated disposal sites these being South Falls (TH070) and Inner Gabbard East (TH056) (See full Lat/Long in the Local List). The vessels involved in the dredge operations are as follows:
Backhoe Dredger (BHD): Mimar Sinan, Split Hopper Barges (SHB): Le Guerrier & Arent,
During the operations, these vessels will maintain a 75-metre exclusion zone from vessels berthing or unberthing at London Gateway Berth No. 4. In all other locations The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (as amended) will apply. All involved vessels will be keeping a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 and will be in direct contact with the London Gateway Harbour Master and shift managers. Mariners are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant when navigating in the vicinity of dredging works. For more information, please contact London VTS at 01474 562215.
3. Isolated Danger mark near Mistley Quay in River Stour - an Isolated Danger mark (two black balls in vertical line) on the historic wreck off Mistley Quay will be re-instated on or around 16 – 17 July 2026. Wreck Location: 51o 56.830’N 001o 04.963’E (Datum WGS84) See chartlet.
4. Harwich Haven - Survey Operations – HMS Magpie - from or around 13 July 2026 the HMS Magpie (MMSI: 232015144) will be undertaking survey operations in the approaches to Harwich Haven for approximately 2 months. Contact Harwich VTS (VHF 71) for latest vessel traffic information.
5. Harwich Haven - Survey and Dredging Operations - are taking place as follows: MTS Valour 9407299 Plough 26/06/26 20/07/26 Harwich Harbour. Contact Harwich VTS (VHF 71) for latest dredger traffic information.
6. River Medway – Sheerness Harbour - SD5 Survey Operations - Ocean Ecology Ltd will be undertaking a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler survey in the vicinity of berth SD5, Port of Sheerness. The survey vessel Pagrus will repeatedly (every 20 minutes) navigate a series of predefined transects to collect tidal current velocity measurements throughout the water column over a full tidal cycle (12.5h). Survey operations will take place within the designated survey area over the stated survey dates and will involve continuous manoeuvring along the transect route throughout the day.
Whilst the 2 primary survey dates are the 16th July and 24th July, survey work may still be undertaken between Thursday 16th and Sunday 26th July 2026. All vessels are required to pass SD5 with caution, reduce their speed and wash accordingly and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch.74 at all times.
Further information may be obtained from Medway VTS on VHF Channel 74, call sign “Medway VTS” or telephone 0151 949 6148 or 0151 949 6650. (Recorded Lines)
7. River Medway – Saltpan Reach. - Z1 & Timber Hulk Isolated Danger Light-buoys. - Change of Light Characteristics. - after a consultation in 2024 (NTM No 15 of 2024 refers) relating to the proposed changes to the Navigational Aids in Saltpan Reach, Peel Ports London Medway have now changed the following.
Z1 - Isolated Danger Light-buoy - Previous Characteristics – Isolated Danger Light Buoy Fl W (2) 10s Position - 51°25.792’N, 000°41.630’E.
New Characteristics - Fl W (2) 5s.
Timber Hulk Isolated Danger Light-buoy - Previous Characteristics - Isolated Danger Light-Buoy Fl W (2) 5s Position - 51° 25.564’N, 000 °40.890’E.
New Characteristics - Fl W (2) 10s.
The characteristics changes will be updated on charts in due course by the UKHO. In addition, Z2 North Cardinal Light-buoy proposed changes will be conducted in the near future and will be communicated at that time. Further information may be obtained from Medway VTS on VHF Channel 74, call sign “Medway VTS” or telephone 0151 949 6148 or 0151 949 6650. (Recorded Lines)
8. Sizewell C - Waverider Buoy Out of Position - The CEFAS waverider buoy close to seaward of the eastern boundary of Sizewell C harbour is reported as out of position by approximately 170m to the eastward of its accompanying guard buoy. The current position of the waverider buoy is:
52° 12.46’N 001° 41.20’E. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when in this area, and to remain 500m clear of the buoy’s charted position.
9. RIVER BLACKWATER - DISCONTINUATION OF NAVIGATION MARKS - ADMIRALTY CHART 3741 - Maldon District Council has been granted permission for the discontinuation and removal of the following navigation marks:
Fishery Buoy No.1 Unlit Yellow conical Position: 51˚43.61 N 0˚48.51 E
Fishery Buoy No.2 Unlit Yellow Can. Position: 51˚43.26 N 0˚48.51 E
Four scrubbing posts. Position: 51˚43.61 N 0˚41.55 E
These marks will be removed before August 2026. Should you require any further information regarding these marks, please do not hesitate to contact the River Bailiff at Maldon District Council.
That is it!
UKHO Permanent/Temporary/Preliminary Notices:
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - Two slight reductions of depth in the Northfleet Hope of the River Thames, north of Tilburyness. Unlikely to hinder leisure craft.
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - One slight reduction of depth in Gravesend Reach of the River Thames, close by the north jetty on West Tilbury Marshes. Unlikely to hinder leisure craft.
Local
1. River Thames - Gravesend Reach to Thames Estuary: Thames Sailing Barge Match 2026 - this year’s Thames Sailing Barge Match will take place on Saturday 18th July 2026. Participating vessels will assemble in Gravesend Reach and then proceed outbound to the starting line in Lower Hope Reach drawn across the river from Mucking No. 3 buoy as shown in the chartlet. (see the Local List at: Notices to Mariners). Start times will be staggered based on vessel class with further details in the table below:
Class Vessel Names Start Time
Coasting Class Cambria, Lady Daphne, Pudge & Will 07:30
Champion Staysail Niagara 07.45
Champion Bowsprit Blue Mermaid, Edith May & Marjorie 08:00
The race, comprising of eight traditional Thames sailing barges along with a committee boat ‘VOYAGER’ will then proceed outbound towards the North Oaze Buoy, where they will turn about and proceed inbound to the finish line at Gravesend (chartlet). The racecourse may be shortened or otherwise modified on the day, dependant on the prevailing weather conditions. All participating vessels are expected to be equipped with AIS and are required to comply with local regulations and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. Further information will be broadcast as required by London VTS on VHF 68 and 69.
2. Sea Reach - LGP Berth 5 - Mechanical Dredging Operations - on or around the 27th of July, for approximately 8 - 10 days, mechanical dredging will be taking place on London Gateway Berth 5, as illustrated in the chartlet. The dredge will take place using a Backhoe Dredger (BHD) on a Jack-up barge which will load the dredged material into 2 Split Hopper Barges (SHB) for disposal at designated disposal sites these being South Falls (TH070) and Inner Gabbard East (TH056) (See full Lat/Long in the Local List). The vessels involved in the dredge operations are as follows:
Backhoe Dredger (BHD): Mimar Sinan, Split Hopper Barges (SHB): Le Guerrier & Arent,
During the operations, these vessels will maintain a 75-metre exclusion zone from vessels berthing or unberthing at London Gateway Berth No. 4. In all other locations The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (as amended) will apply. All involved vessels will be keeping a listening watch on VHF Channel 68 and will be in direct contact with the London Gateway Harbour Master and shift managers. Mariners are urged to exercise caution and remain vigilant when navigating in the vicinity of dredging works. For more information, please contact London VTS at 01474 562215.
3. Isolated Danger mark near Mistley Quay in River Stour - an Isolated Danger mark (two black balls in vertical line) on the historic wreck off Mistley Quay will be re-instated on or around 16 – 17 July 2026. Wreck Location: 51o 56.830’N 001o 04.963’E (Datum WGS84) See chartlet.
4. Harwich Haven - Survey Operations – HMS Magpie - from or around 13 July 2026 the HMS Magpie (MMSI: 232015144) will be undertaking survey operations in the approaches to Harwich Haven for approximately 2 months. Contact Harwich VTS (VHF 71) for latest vessel traffic information.
5. Harwich Haven - Survey and Dredging Operations - are taking place as follows: MTS Valour 9407299 Plough 26/06/26 20/07/26 Harwich Harbour. Contact Harwich VTS (VHF 71) for latest dredger traffic information.
6. River Medway – Sheerness Harbour - SD5 Survey Operations - Ocean Ecology Ltd will be undertaking a vessel-mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler survey in the vicinity of berth SD5, Port of Sheerness. The survey vessel Pagrus will repeatedly (every 20 minutes) navigate a series of predefined transects to collect tidal current velocity measurements throughout the water column over a full tidal cycle (12.5h). Survey operations will take place within the designated survey area over the stated survey dates and will involve continuous manoeuvring along the transect route throughout the day.
Whilst the 2 primary survey dates are the 16th July and 24th July, survey work may still be undertaken between Thursday 16th and Sunday 26th July 2026. All vessels are required to pass SD5 with caution, reduce their speed and wash accordingly and maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch.74 at all times.
Further information may be obtained from Medway VTS on VHF Channel 74, call sign “Medway VTS” or telephone 0151 949 6148 or 0151 949 6650. (Recorded Lines)
7. River Medway – Saltpan Reach. - Z1 & Timber Hulk Isolated Danger Light-buoys. - Change of Light Characteristics. - after a consultation in 2024 (NTM No 15 of 2024 refers) relating to the proposed changes to the Navigational Aids in Saltpan Reach, Peel Ports London Medway have now changed the following.
Z1 - Isolated Danger Light-buoy - Previous Characteristics – Isolated Danger Light Buoy Fl W (2) 10s Position - 51°25.792’N, 000°41.630’E.
New Characteristics - Fl W (2) 5s.
Timber Hulk Isolated Danger Light-buoy - Previous Characteristics - Isolated Danger Light-Buoy Fl W (2) 5s Position - 51° 25.564’N, 000 °40.890’E.
New Characteristics - Fl W (2) 10s.
The characteristics changes will be updated on charts in due course by the UKHO. In addition, Z2 North Cardinal Light-buoy proposed changes will be conducted in the near future and will be communicated at that time. Further information may be obtained from Medway VTS on VHF Channel 74, call sign “Medway VTS” or telephone 0151 949 6148 or 0151 949 6650. (Recorded Lines)
8. Sizewell C - Waverider Buoy Out of Position - The CEFAS waverider buoy close to seaward of the eastern boundary of Sizewell C harbour is reported as out of position by approximately 170m to the eastward of its accompanying guard buoy. The current position of the waverider buoy is:
52° 12.46’N 001° 41.20’E. Mariners are advised to navigate with caution when in this area, and to remain 500m clear of the buoy’s charted position.
9. RIVER BLACKWATER - DISCONTINUATION OF NAVIGATION MARKS - ADMIRALTY CHART 3741 - Maldon District Council has been granted permission for the discontinuation and removal of the following navigation marks:
Fishery Buoy No.1 Unlit Yellow conical Position: 51˚43.61 N 0˚48.51 E
Fishery Buoy No.2 Unlit Yellow Can. Position: 51˚43.26 N 0˚48.51 E
Four scrubbing posts. Position: 51˚43.61 N 0˚41.55 E
These marks will be removed before August 2026. Should you require any further information regarding these marks, please do not hesitate to contact the River Bailiff at Maldon District Council.
That is it!
