Portsmouth entrance

[Guest]

I sometimes leave Portsmouth harbour on a Sunday afternoon. The small ships passage at the entrance gets very busy with the Sunday rush back into the harbour. There is usually a two or even three deep rows of boats coming in and I try and tuck myself as close as possible to my starboard markers alongside HMS Dolphin but often find that boats coming in also turn in close on that side of the passage (their port side) usually cutting the corner sharply from the west so that they can make a quick entry into Haslar. Someone has recently told me that there is no regulation which states that you need to sail on the starboard side in the small ships channel so technically leaving a "free for all" at this busy entrance. Is this correct? If so, it can make collision avoidance a little tricky?

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[Evadne]

I believe the rule is that you should try and keep to the starboard side of a channel but in a close quarters situation the other rules of the road take precedence. The only rule that really matters is the one that says nobody has "right of way" at all times and all vessels should try and avoid a collision (rule 2 I think).
Given that on the ebb a number of under-powered sailboats will be hugging the shore and the others should be on the "correct" side, perhaps the middle of the channel is the safest option.

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[tony_brighton]

I'm not aware of any special harbour regulation that means you shouldn't follow the COLREGS within the small boat channel. However, as a user of Haslar - I will tuck inside if I can - it avoids the risk of crossing the flow of traffic twice in the space of 200m if I am using the inner swatchway.

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[doris]

The Queens harbour master

The harbour man is v. helpful and happy to chat and give any guidance. See the web or give them a call.
http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/

<hr width=100% size=1>Real men do it 2handed.

 

[Steve Clayton]

Re: The Queens harbour master

Searching the site mentioned by Doris for "small" then this is what turns up. Interestingly it refers to Summer and sailing vessels so can we all use the main channel in Non-Summer and should power boats use the main channel?? I think the QHM needs to get involved for clarification.

(

Steve;

I'm very interested in this thread as my "sailing vessel" is in Royal Clarence; however I'll continue using the small ships channel and on leaving Portmouth dodge those who clip the corner coming in from Gilkicker

Extract states:

Navigation in the Harbour Entrance

11. During the summer months the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour is often extremely congested. All mariners are to use great care when navigating the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. In addition all sailing vessels, fitted with engines, are to proceed under power when within that part of the main channel extending from Southsea War Memorial on the south to Ballast Buoy on the north. Within this area all small craft should keep as close to the side of the channel as safe navigation permits.



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[Steve Clayton]

Re: The Queens harbour master

It's all clear on this link:

http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/LNTM/ntm06-04.htm

Steve

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[steve_cronin]

Daft place to do it though, just as the channel narrows don't you think? I've seen Haslar users go past and turn round which looks a better approach to me. I've always felt sorry for anyone leaving and I've been one myself many a time.

The whole place is bedlam at that time, reminds me of a scene from Jaws.

The Hamble entrance is similar at "beddy-byes time for weekend sailors" and the HM used to use his new (well not so new now I bet) RIBs to calm matters. One was often dicing trying to turn into Port Hamble across the oncoming traffic and again we often went up to where it was quieter and came back on the marina side.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Solitaire]

This situation has been recognised by QHM and commercial users of Portsmouth Harbour. As a result a new <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/PF_WEB/vhp.htm> body</A> is currently being formed to provide assitance to recreational boaters within Porstmouth Harbour and is area of control. Crews are currently undergoing training and the scheme is due to launch in time for the summer peak season. How do I know this? I'm currently on the training programme.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>

 

[Guest]

Re: The Queens harbour master

Steve

Thanks for the link. Very useful but not as clear to me as it is to you.

If you are approaching from the East the regulations are clear. You should join and exit at the extremities of the channel and stay on the starboard side.

The problem arises from boats coming from the west. If there is sufficient water, they arrive close in to the tidal marker. They are only aware of oncoming (south going) boats as they pass the spit when they then have a choice of either turning hard to port and continue against the outgoing boats (as Tony Brighton suggests) or cross to the other ("correct"/starboard) side of the small channel. If they then wish to go to Haslar, they have to re-cross after a few hundred yards.

In my experience boats follow either methods and this makes for a somewhat chaotic, free-for-all exit for anyone leaving Portsmouth on a busy Sunday afternoon


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[Steve Clayton]

Steve,

on the web link I've posted above then the harbour entrance diagram showing the channels seems to indicate that the preferred turning point into Haslar is at a point when you are abeam of (or above) Haslar northern breakwater. Seems a good point of turn to me as all round visibility by the time you've got to this point is OK.

Steve

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[steve_cronin]

That's about where I'm thinking of but without the benefit of a chart and over three years since I stopped sailing in the Solent?

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[steve_cronin]

Having just checked the chartlet on the site...

.. maybe a bit more northing is advisable so as not to get in the way of people exiting Haslar - some of them actually go up to Port Solent!

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[Steve Clayton]

Re: The Queens harbour master

Hi Vincent,

what I think I've learn't from looking at QHM, and this chat, is that a sailing vessel, with an engine, when in the channel, MUST be under POWER. So sail or motor we should all be POWERvessels in a NARROW CHANNEL with the appropriate COLREGS applying. (unless QMH overide with local regulations)

Personally I think those coming in from the West (and it happens more at HW +/-) are the ones who increase the risk and so through their thoughtlessness (now I'm standing by to be shot down!!!) collision avoidance rules the day. A couple of strategically placed cardinals would alleviate the problem.

Regards,

Steve



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[Evadne]

Re: The Queens harbour master

"A couple of strategically placed cardinals would alleviate the problem."

Funny I've always thought that it's a long way between the outer small boat channel marker (can't remember its name) and the next buoy, down by the spit. With the tide agin me it's about half an hour's motoring, or ten minutes' sail, but that's a different problem. One or two more markers would give skippers a better idea of where the channel is meant to be. This would be helpful to us when its busy in the summer, but I suppose they'd only be more things for the big ships to run over in the dark of the winter.

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[Twister_Ken]

Blimey

Yet another load of jobsworth traffic wardens to contend with.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>