tillergirl
Well-Known Member
UKHO Permanent/Temporary/Preliminary
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - One reduction of depth in the River Thames in Long reach just by commercial jetties under the QEII bridge. Not where we would be!
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. Drying contour. NM Block. - Five reduced depths in and around the Dunwich and Sizewell Banks. Notable for us include a drying area just offshore of Thorpeness and a reduced depth over the Sizewell Bank. The image includes the location of the Sizewell Harbour limits as report vide NtM 4251(T) last week. A UKHO block accompanies the Notice showing the revised depths but does NOT include the harbour limits (obviously because last week’s Notice was too late to be included in the block.
Local
1. Sea Reach - London Gateway Port Temporary Pier - On or around the 24th September 2025 works will commence to install a temporary pier to support the construction works on Berth 5 for the London Gateway Project. The pier consists of a pontoon equipped with mooring guides and supported by piles. Access to the pontoon is provided via an 18-metre brow, which is connected to a fixed 40-metre gangway. The approximate location of the pier is indicated by the red box in the chartlet. The works will be utilising the “Neptune 585 Eurobarge”, a 75m x 25m floating barge equipped with a 750t crawler crane, to assist with lifting operations. Tug “HANS” and Tug “SWS ESSEX” will also be in attendance when required. Works are expected to last for 1 week. All vessels involved with the works will maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 68. For the latest information contact London VTS on VHF Channel 68.
2. River Thames - Long Reach - Dartford Creek Barrier Closures - the Dartford Creek Barrier will be closed once a month for test and training purposes on the following dates and times. Planned Activities for Training on all modes of operation has additional dates to Thames Barrier GMP86 (Nov 2025 to Apr 2026 Inc.). The time window for training operations is 0900 to 1300hrs (4hrs Training Window). The North Woolwich, Low Water Level Time is shown below.
Monday 17th November 2025 0524hrs (GMT)
Monday 19th January 2026 0811hrs (GMT)
Wednesday 4th March 2026 0850hrs (GMT)
Wednesday 1st April 2026 0839hrs (BST)
Thursday 2nd April 2026 0916hrs (BST)
The closures will be confirmed and promulgated by London VTS from 24 hours in advance of the operation by VHF radio on routine river broadcasts. From the start of each closing procedure until completion of the opening procedure vessels will be prohibited from transiting the Dartford Creek Barrier. Most closures are for approximately 4 hours over the respective low waters.
3. Sea Reach - Oikos Jetty No. 2 - Temporary Speed Reduction - following an incident at Oikos No. 2 Jetty, a temporary Speed Reduction is hereby implemented as described below in the interests of safety. Whenever Oikos No. 2 Jetty is occupied by a vessel, all traffic passing or navigating in vicinity of Oikos No. 2 Jetty (“the relevant area”) must reduce their speed and proceed with caution and minimum wash. The attention of Masters is drawn to Thames Byelaw 57 (“Wash and Draw-off”); and Section 108 of the Port of London Act 1968 (as amended), (“General Rules for navigation”). Mariners are particularly advised that, in the professional judgement of the Harbour Master, in order to comply with this Speed Reduction: -
(i). A vessel: (a) With length overall exceeding 320 metres; or (b) With an operating draught greater than 13.50 metres; Must not exceed a speed of 8 knots through the water in the relevant area and may have to proceed at a lesser speed in order to adequately manage wash and draw-off effects; and
(ii). Any other vessel must not exceed a speed of 10 knots through the water in the relevant area and may have to proceed at a lesser speed in order to adequately manage wash and draw-off effects.
(iii) Any vessel navigating within the Yantlet Northern Secondary Channel must keep as far south within the navigable channel as safely possible when a vessel is berthed at Oikos 2, taking into account water depth, vessel draught, and prevailing traffic conditions.
In a case where a vessel is incapable of reducing her speed to within those limits advised above for reasons of safe navigation (including the maintenance of adequate steerage way), she must, in any event, proceed with the greatest possible caution to control and minimise her wash and draw-off effects so far as practicable and notify London VTS of this circumstance by VHF radio. This Speed Reduction will remain in full force and effect while this Notice remains published, whether or not the Speed Reduction is broadcast by London VTS and whether or not signals are displayed. This Notice will remain published, with its expiry date extended as required, for so long as it appears to the Harbour Master to be necessary. This Speed Reduction will be discontinued without further communication when this Notice is withdrawn. The location of Oikos No. 2 Jetty is indicated by the red markings on the chart extract. Further details will be broadcast, as appropriate, by London VTS on VHF channels 68 & 69.
4. River Thames - Woolwich Reach - Woolwich Ferry Linkspan Maintenance - Commencing on or about Monday 29th September, contractors on behalf of Transport for London will commence works for the maintenance and repair of Woolwich Ferry linkspans. Works will be conducted overnight between 2200 and 0600 last for approximately 3 days. The general location of the works is indicated by the red box on the chartlet. These works will involve rope access contractors operating beneath the linkspans. A safety boat will be in attendance throughout. Mariners are advised to keep well clear of the Woolwich Ferry terminals while works are underway. At times, requests for vessels to proceed with caution or pass at slow speed may be made by London VTS on VHF ch.14, in accordance with the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, section 4. International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ will be displayed accordingly. All vessels involved in the works will be maintaining a listening watch on VHF channel 14.
5. River Thames - Blackwall Reach to Bugsbys Reach - Blackwall Point Buoy - This Notice supersedes and replaces M38-25, which is hereby cancelled. On Monday, 29th September 2025, the Blackwall Point special mark, which has been deployed seasonally from April to October, will be permanently removed. It will be replaced by a new permanent port hand lateral mark, named the ‘Blackwall Point’ buoy. The buoy is equipped with a red light, flashing twice every 5 seconds, charted as Fl(2)R.5s. This Notice to Mariners will remain in force until this change is reflected in the relevant chart and light list corrections.
6. Ipswich - Environment Agency Tidal Barrier test- on the dates and times listed below Environment Agency will be conducting routine tests and maintenance to the Ipswich Tidal Barrier. During this period the river will be closed off between the Tidal Barrier and Stoke Bridge. Upon completion of the barrier closure, the barrier will be re-opened gradually. Vessels approaching Ipswich Lock may experience additional currents as they make their approach. Caution needs to be taken by small vessels navigating in the vicinity of the lock/barrier at the time of opening. Vessel bound to the area upstream of the Tidal Barrier should always observe the Red/Green traffic lights.
08th October 2025 Wednesday 09:30 – 13:30 (BST)
22nd October 2025 Wednesday 10:30 – 13:30 (BST)
06th November 2025 Thursday 08:30 – 12:30 (GMT)
20th November 2025 Thursday 09:00 – 12:00 (GMT)
09th December 2025 Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (GMT)
22nd December 2025 Monday 10:30 – 13:30 (GMT)
06th January 2026 Tuesday 10:00 – 14:00 (GMT)
27th January 2026 Tuesday 15:00 – 18:00 (GMT)
18th February 2026 Wednesday 09:00 – 13:00 (GMT)
04th March 2026 Wednesday 09:30 – 12:30 (GMT)
23rd March 2026 * Monday 07:00 – 13:00 (GMT)
24th March 2026 * Tuesday 07:30 – 13:30 (GMT)
07th April 2026 Tuesday 12:00 – 16:00 (BST)
20th April 2026 Monday 12:00 – 15:00 (BST)
05th May 2026 Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (BST)
19th May 2026 Tuesday 12:00 – 15:00 (BST)
03rd June 2026 Wednesday 11:00 – 15:00 (BST)
17th June 2026 Wednesday 11:30 – 14:30 (BST)
7. River Nene - Scaffold erection – Cross Keys Swing Bridge update - scaffolding work being carried out at Cross Keys Swing Bridge between 1st October 2025 and 15th October 2025. A safety boat for scaffold erection works at Cross Keys Bridge. Safety Boat will be operating during periods of works.
INSTALLATION of Scaffolding: 1No. x safety boat complete with 2No. operatives (1 day – 1st October 2025).
DISMANTLING of Scaffolding: 1No. x safety boat complete with 2No. operatives (1 day – 15th October 2025) - Mob in and out Wisbech Mooring at Cross Keys Marina. - Working Daylight only.
Inbound/Outbound vessels will have priority over any works being undertaken.
Update - The swing bridge will be unable to swing due to the erected scaffolding on the two dates, 01/10/2025 and 15/10/2025 All vessels to maintain a listening watch on VHF 09 When transiting within the Harbour Limits If any further information is required, please contact the Wisbech Harbour Office 01945 588059 or 07860 576685.
That's it. All images/chartlets at Notices to Mariners
1. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. - One reduction of depth in the River Thames in Long reach just by commercial jetties under the QEII bridge. Not where we would be!
2. ENGLAND - East Coast - Depths. Drying contour. NM Block. - Five reduced depths in and around the Dunwich and Sizewell Banks. Notable for us include a drying area just offshore of Thorpeness and a reduced depth over the Sizewell Bank. The image includes the location of the Sizewell Harbour limits as report vide NtM 4251(T) last week. A UKHO block accompanies the Notice showing the revised depths but does NOT include the harbour limits (obviously because last week’s Notice was too late to be included in the block.
Local
1. Sea Reach - London Gateway Port Temporary Pier - On or around the 24th September 2025 works will commence to install a temporary pier to support the construction works on Berth 5 for the London Gateway Project. The pier consists of a pontoon equipped with mooring guides and supported by piles. Access to the pontoon is provided via an 18-metre brow, which is connected to a fixed 40-metre gangway. The approximate location of the pier is indicated by the red box in the chartlet. The works will be utilising the “Neptune 585 Eurobarge”, a 75m x 25m floating barge equipped with a 750t crawler crane, to assist with lifting operations. Tug “HANS” and Tug “SWS ESSEX” will also be in attendance when required. Works are expected to last for 1 week. All vessels involved with the works will maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 68. For the latest information contact London VTS on VHF Channel 68.
2. River Thames - Long Reach - Dartford Creek Barrier Closures - the Dartford Creek Barrier will be closed once a month for test and training purposes on the following dates and times. Planned Activities for Training on all modes of operation has additional dates to Thames Barrier GMP86 (Nov 2025 to Apr 2026 Inc.). The time window for training operations is 0900 to 1300hrs (4hrs Training Window). The North Woolwich, Low Water Level Time is shown below.
Monday 17th November 2025 0524hrs (GMT)
Monday 19th January 2026 0811hrs (GMT)
Wednesday 4th March 2026 0850hrs (GMT)
Wednesday 1st April 2026 0839hrs (BST)
Thursday 2nd April 2026 0916hrs (BST)
The closures will be confirmed and promulgated by London VTS from 24 hours in advance of the operation by VHF radio on routine river broadcasts. From the start of each closing procedure until completion of the opening procedure vessels will be prohibited from transiting the Dartford Creek Barrier. Most closures are for approximately 4 hours over the respective low waters.
3. Sea Reach - Oikos Jetty No. 2 - Temporary Speed Reduction - following an incident at Oikos No. 2 Jetty, a temporary Speed Reduction is hereby implemented as described below in the interests of safety. Whenever Oikos No. 2 Jetty is occupied by a vessel, all traffic passing or navigating in vicinity of Oikos No. 2 Jetty (“the relevant area”) must reduce their speed and proceed with caution and minimum wash. The attention of Masters is drawn to Thames Byelaw 57 (“Wash and Draw-off”); and Section 108 of the Port of London Act 1968 (as amended), (“General Rules for navigation”). Mariners are particularly advised that, in the professional judgement of the Harbour Master, in order to comply with this Speed Reduction: -
(i). A vessel: (a) With length overall exceeding 320 metres; or (b) With an operating draught greater than 13.50 metres; Must not exceed a speed of 8 knots through the water in the relevant area and may have to proceed at a lesser speed in order to adequately manage wash and draw-off effects; and
(ii). Any other vessel must not exceed a speed of 10 knots through the water in the relevant area and may have to proceed at a lesser speed in order to adequately manage wash and draw-off effects.
(iii) Any vessel navigating within the Yantlet Northern Secondary Channel must keep as far south within the navigable channel as safely possible when a vessel is berthed at Oikos 2, taking into account water depth, vessel draught, and prevailing traffic conditions.
In a case where a vessel is incapable of reducing her speed to within those limits advised above for reasons of safe navigation (including the maintenance of adequate steerage way), she must, in any event, proceed with the greatest possible caution to control and minimise her wash and draw-off effects so far as practicable and notify London VTS of this circumstance by VHF radio. This Speed Reduction will remain in full force and effect while this Notice remains published, whether or not the Speed Reduction is broadcast by London VTS and whether or not signals are displayed. This Notice will remain published, with its expiry date extended as required, for so long as it appears to the Harbour Master to be necessary. This Speed Reduction will be discontinued without further communication when this Notice is withdrawn. The location of Oikos No. 2 Jetty is indicated by the red markings on the chart extract. Further details will be broadcast, as appropriate, by London VTS on VHF channels 68 & 69.
4. River Thames - Woolwich Reach - Woolwich Ferry Linkspan Maintenance - Commencing on or about Monday 29th September, contractors on behalf of Transport for London will commence works for the maintenance and repair of Woolwich Ferry linkspans. Works will be conducted overnight between 2200 and 0600 last for approximately 3 days. The general location of the works is indicated by the red box on the chartlet. These works will involve rope access contractors operating beneath the linkspans. A safety boat will be in attendance throughout. Mariners are advised to keep well clear of the Woolwich Ferry terminals while works are underway. At times, requests for vessels to proceed with caution or pass at slow speed may be made by London VTS on VHF ch.14, in accordance with the Port of London Authority’s Port Information Guide, under ‘London VTS’, section 4. International Code Flags ‘Romeo Yankee (RY)’ will be displayed accordingly. All vessels involved in the works will be maintaining a listening watch on VHF channel 14.
5. River Thames - Blackwall Reach to Bugsbys Reach - Blackwall Point Buoy - This Notice supersedes and replaces M38-25, which is hereby cancelled. On Monday, 29th September 2025, the Blackwall Point special mark, which has been deployed seasonally from April to October, will be permanently removed. It will be replaced by a new permanent port hand lateral mark, named the ‘Blackwall Point’ buoy. The buoy is equipped with a red light, flashing twice every 5 seconds, charted as Fl(2)R.5s. This Notice to Mariners will remain in force until this change is reflected in the relevant chart and light list corrections.
6. Ipswich - Environment Agency Tidal Barrier test- on the dates and times listed below Environment Agency will be conducting routine tests and maintenance to the Ipswich Tidal Barrier. During this period the river will be closed off between the Tidal Barrier and Stoke Bridge. Upon completion of the barrier closure, the barrier will be re-opened gradually. Vessels approaching Ipswich Lock may experience additional currents as they make their approach. Caution needs to be taken by small vessels navigating in the vicinity of the lock/barrier at the time of opening. Vessel bound to the area upstream of the Tidal Barrier should always observe the Red/Green traffic lights.
08th October 2025 Wednesday 09:30 – 13:30 (BST)
22nd October 2025 Wednesday 10:30 – 13:30 (BST)
06th November 2025 Thursday 08:30 – 12:30 (GMT)
20th November 2025 Thursday 09:00 – 12:00 (GMT)
09th December 2025 Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (GMT)
22nd December 2025 Monday 10:30 – 13:30 (GMT)
06th January 2026 Tuesday 10:00 – 14:00 (GMT)
27th January 2026 Tuesday 15:00 – 18:00 (GMT)
18th February 2026 Wednesday 09:00 – 13:00 (GMT)
04th March 2026 Wednesday 09:30 – 12:30 (GMT)
23rd March 2026 * Monday 07:00 – 13:00 (GMT)
24th March 2026 * Tuesday 07:30 – 13:30 (GMT)
07th April 2026 Tuesday 12:00 – 16:00 (BST)
20th April 2026 Monday 12:00 – 15:00 (BST)
05th May 2026 Tuesday 11:00 – 15:00 (BST)
19th May 2026 Tuesday 12:00 – 15:00 (BST)
03rd June 2026 Wednesday 11:00 – 15:00 (BST)
17th June 2026 Wednesday 11:30 – 14:30 (BST)
7. River Nene - Scaffold erection – Cross Keys Swing Bridge update - scaffolding work being carried out at Cross Keys Swing Bridge between 1st October 2025 and 15th October 2025. A safety boat for scaffold erection works at Cross Keys Bridge. Safety Boat will be operating during periods of works.
INSTALLATION of Scaffolding: 1No. x safety boat complete with 2No. operatives (1 day – 1st October 2025).
DISMANTLING of Scaffolding: 1No. x safety boat complete with 2No. operatives (1 day – 15th October 2025) - Mob in and out Wisbech Mooring at Cross Keys Marina. - Working Daylight only.
Inbound/Outbound vessels will have priority over any works being undertaken.
Update - The swing bridge will be unable to swing due to the erected scaffolding on the two dates, 01/10/2025 and 15/10/2025 All vessels to maintain a listening watch on VHF 09 When transiting within the Harbour Limits If any further information is required, please contact the Wisbech Harbour Office 01945 588059 or 07860 576685.
That's it. All images/chartlets at Notices to Mariners