Osea Island - "private"?

Amulet

Amulet

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Osea Island - \"private\"?

Sailing in the Blackwater last week. Landed on Osea Island.
Was accosted by a geezer who told me it was private.
No note on the chart about "unauthorised landing".

Is it private? And if so what does "private" mean?

I'm only famliar with the Scottish rules about access.

N.B. Said geezer was perfectly polite, and said "you're OK up to the high water mark".
 
Yes :) :) :)

It used to be a respite home for non-recovering alcoholics. (& that was a long time ago) [Info from Dick Churn]
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

Yes it is private but lots of people go ashore near the eastern end and enjoy the beach.

The lovely yellow house on the south side of river opposite Osea is owned by Tony Benn.
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

The island is private property - go and knock at the house(s) and see if they object to you being there.
If said geezer owns the island fair enough ;if he doesnt tell him to f*%" off and mind his own business
 
Re: Yes :) :) :)

As a serious hobby boozer you'd think they'd welcome me.
I think it restarted its rehab/retreat role in 2004. But that doesn't make it private or..?
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

I wouldn't expect a chart to give information about authorised/non authorised access on private land.

If you Google Osea Island there are plenty of links which claim it to be private and, on the assumption that they are correct, then AFAIK "Private" means "private" in exactly the same way as you may feel your cockpit is private.

I don't think the much talked about "right to roam" will extend to this case.
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

I well remember being "shipwrecked" there when our Torch dinghy sprang a large leak and sank. That was back in 1958 - we were just kids and were accosted by a man who said it was private and we would have to leave! Wouldn't let us use the 'phone - our parents were frantic.
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

I use the Blackwater every weekend and there is always people using the beach. I have always been told the Island is private but the beach is not. Also i was told there have been flats put on the island and a ferry service runs at high tide from the Heybridge Basin.
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

Osea Island is private and is still used for people with alcohol and drug problems thats probably why it's private, to give the people a fair chance.

I know being local to them the people on the island are generally polite and true the water is public on high tide but the land is private.

The F off comment hardly puts sailors in a good light and I know that they generally are aware some land but not stay long and it would be a shame to lose even that by some one being rude and abusive on some one else private land
 
Re: Osea Island - \"private\"?

I always understood 'private' to mean the same as my back garden is 'Private'. I.e. nobody else can enter without my permission.

Osea Island does not appear on the official Open Access Land maps, therefore if the owner wants to keep us out, then he is welcome to try! The 'Right to Roam' legislation unfortunately only appears to apply to registered ''Open Access land' as defined in the website and doesnt give us the right to go wandering wherever we like.

I remember landing on Thorney Island a few years ago wanting to phone home. Wandering up the village street I was accosted by 2 soldiers, who marched me firmly back to the landing stage and my boat. They claimed the village was part of the army barracks.

I didnt feel I wanted to argue with armed guards!
 
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