Our Anchorages are disappearing Fast

[[2574]]

Yes, but there is absolutely nothing to stop you from anchoring.

Agreed, but it is a shame when anchoring space is occupied by dysfunctional visitor buoys, that’s my point, it’s a double whammy.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Agreed, but it is a shame when anchoring space is occupied by dysfunctional visitor buoys, that’s my point, it’s a double whammy.

They are not dysfunctional to everyone. I use them and will continue to use them.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Worse still, where there are visitor buoys placed at Kilchoan, on the tip of Ardnamurchan, the buoys are in a poor state, unusable. Four buoys but only two with strops. No room to feed a chain through the top shackle of the stropless buoys and the strops on the other two buoys looks distinctly dodgy - manky polypropylene that I wouldn’t trust overnight.

I used one last year and it was fine. I can't remember now if I used my rope or theirs.

 

[langstonelayabout]

This amused us about some areas of Greece too. New harbours built in the Argolic gulf to attract us holidaying yachties have all of the locals' fishing boats parked in the spaces closest to shore. The ones with water and electricity that the local boats don't use.

Meantime the lesser spaces at the usually unfinished end of the new harbour have visiting yachties parking in them at EUR 2.00 a night because the electricity and water are unavailable. I sometimes wonder what the Harbourmaster does all day apart from collect berthing fees from visitors. After all, most of the local fishing fleet will be supported with an EU grant, and they don't actually go out anyway...

 

[cpedw]

Not in the Clyde, but further north ...... some muppet has put a small pot buoy, that submerges at high tide, right in the prime spot for anchoring in Loch Moidart. Masses of weed so clearly been abandoned there for some time.

How does one get such things removed (other than a dark night and a sharp knife)?

You could fill in the WHAM Reporting Form and get it checked out.

Unfortunately, Caladh Harbour is outside WHAM's remit; I suggest contacting CE direct to see if they are authorised.

Derek

 

[JumbleDuck]

Unfortunately, Caladh Harbour is outside WHAM's remit; I suggest contacting CE direct to see if they are authorised.

If you want a direct contact at Bidwells, the CE agents for the Clyde, PM me.

 

[dunedin]

You could fill in the WHAM Reporting Form and get it checked out.

Thanks, wasn’t aware of that. Done for the Loch Moidart one.

 

[stevie69p]

What annoys me most is the number of moorings that never have any boats on them. I can deal with the fact that folk need a place ideally locally to keep their boat, but space should at least be left for visitors to be able to anchor in. Many of the areas you see marked on the charts as "anchorage" are actually crammed full of moorings with no possible way you could anchor amongst them and be able to put out enough rode.

Haven't been into Caladh this season, and it's always tight for space, but permanent moorings in the deep pool will just about wipe out that possibility.

I now often find myself anchoring in 10 to 20 metres (in the general Firth of Clyde area) just to stay out of the way of all the moorings laid in the shallower bits.

 

[Aja]

What annoys me most is the number of moorings that never have any boats on them. I can deal with the fact that folk need a place ideally locally to keep their boat, but space should at least be left for visitors to be able to anchor in. Many of the areas you see marked on the charts as "anchorage" are actually crammed full of moorings with no possible way you could anchor amongst them and be able to put out enough rode.

Haven't been into Caladh this season, and it's always tight for space, but permanent moorings in the deep pool will just about wipe out that possibility.

I now often find myself anchoring in 10 to 20 metres (in the general Firth of Clyde area) just to stay out of the way of all the moorings laid in the shallower bits.

My chart of Caladh is marked as "Small Craft Anchorage" no mention of moorings.
Donald

 

[Sgeir]

...... visitor buoys placed at Kilchoan...... are in a poor state, unusable.

Clearly not unusable. We anchored there recently and there were two or three boats on the moorings, on one which we had a friend who joined us for the evening. Nothing untoward mentioned.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Many of the areas you see marked on the charts as "anchorage" are actually crammed full of moorings with no possible way you could anchor amongst them and be able to put out enough rode.

Back to Caladh ... as I recall, one of the houses there, possibly the one with the quay, was for sale recently. Perhaps new owners want to keep a yacht on their doorstep, for which I couldn't blame them.

 

[stevie69p]

Back to Caladh ... as I recall, one of the houses there, possibly the one with the quay, was for sale recently. Perhaps new owners want to keep a yacht on their doorstep, for which I couldn't blame them.

Assuming that you've posted the wrong ancient chart there.... though the one you have posted now has a marina in it!
In fact, it's where I brought my current boat from...

 

[JumbleDuck]

Assuming that you've posted the wrong ancient chart there.... though the one you have posted now has a marina in it!

Yes, that was my point. Other famous and well-sheltered anchorages have gone. At least moorings don't last as long as marinas. I wonder if they'll every finish the houses at Craobh.

 

[ctva]

Thanks, wasn’t aware of that. Done for the Loch Moidart one.

Please keep us up to date with how you get on. Moidart is one of our favorites.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Yes, that was my point. Other famous and well-sheltered anchorages have gone. At least moorings don't last as long as marinas. I wonder if they'll every finish the houses at Craobh.

The marina owns a surprising amount of land to the south and inland. Planning permission is currently underway for a development. A big sewage tank has been placed and the hill side at the back has a large water collection area reserved for the houses. Plans are available of the plots although still subject to planning permission.

 

[Sgeir]

Looks like another anchorage is about to host a new fish farm......

Hunda Sound is one of the relatively good anchorages with decent holding for all wind directions in Scapa Flow. From what I've seen of the consultation documents it is understood that the development will constrain anchoring for larger commercial vessels, although I'd guess that there will still be room for yachts.

 

[Kelpie]

Looks like another anchorage is about to host a new fish farm......

Hunda Sound is one of the relatively good anchorages with decent holding for all wind directions in Scapa Flow. From what I've seen of the consultation documents it is understood that the development will constrain anchoring for larger commercial vessels, although I'd guess that there will still be room for yachts.

I've not seen the documents myself but hopefully there won't be too much of a conflict. Yachty anchorages tend to be too shallow for modern fish farms which need around 30m depth.

 

[dunedin]

Please keep us up to date with how you get on. Moidart is one of our favorites.

Had a reply from David V of WHAM today thanking me for reporting it, and they are following up with local representatives and ultimately Crown Estates.
The process may take some time but is started.

 

[Sgeir]

I've not seen the documents myself but hopefully there won't be too much of a conflict. Yachty anchorages tend to be too shallow for modern fish farms which need around 30m depth.

You're probably right. After looking into it a bit more, it looks like this will be north of Hunda and not in the Sound, which is good news.

 

[dunedin]

Had a reply from David V of WHAM today thanking me for reporting it, and they are following up with local representatives and ultimately Crown Estates. The process may take some time but is started.

RESULT! A very fast resolution by the guys at WHAM and their local contacts in Loch Moidart. The half sunken buoy has been located and removed from the anchorage, to the benefit of all sailors using this spot.
Thanks to WHAM and all involved for this efficient response.