Portsmouth Small Boat Channel Changes First Impressions

brianhumber

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Used the new arrangements over the weekend. Coming in was straight forward, kept the outer new red post on our port side and left the new ballast pole also to port. Quite a few boats leaving were deemed transgressors being pulled up by the patrol for not keeping the ballast pole on their port side as they left and for not hangin a sharp right to keep the new outer pole on their port side when leaving via the inner swashway.
However when leaving we kept this outer pole on starboard as we were proceeding straight out along to No4 bouy along with everybody else and were not hauled up so presumably this was correct. If we were supposed to hang a sharp left to pass this pole leaving it to port it would make this area a bit like the magic roundabouts in Swindon.

It will be interesting to see how everybody behaves on a big spring tide!!!.
 

capt_courageous

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The outer pole is mainly a marker for the Inner Swashway. You were quite correct leaving it to starboard since you were staying in the main channel heading outward. The QHM website shows it in detail in latest Notice to Mariners.
 

duncan

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I am not sure that the picture is that clear for those heading out........

sbcchartlet.jpg
 

DJE

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I'm not sure either about leaving and heading East. The LNTM is clear about leaving the new Ballast Beacon to port and similarly the new BC Outer beacon if using the inner swashway. It is less specific about the BC Outer beacon when heading East. But looking at its position I think Capt. Courageous must be right. It would be a rather odd detour to leave the outer beacon to port and then proceed to the East.

There are also some notices on the new beacons but the text is rather small. I can't helping thinking that large "Keep Right" arrows would be more suitable for some harbour users. On Monday there were several inbound yachts passing between the new Ballast Beacon and the Gosport shore.
 

Cutter

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Inner swashway

I see this is "not a recommended route". I use it if heading Cowes-wards as long as the concrete breakwater on starboard as you leave by Dolphin isnt showing. We draw 1.8m and all has been well. Saw one boat last year sitting it out having got it wrong.
What do others do?
 

DJE

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Re: Inner swashway

We use it all the time except for low water springs or if it is very rough. But we have only 1.2m draft. You can check the tide gauge on the way out and there will be about 0.5m more water in the Inner Swashway than is actually shown on the gauge. (I assume the gauge reads height of tide above datum.) On the way in if you pass close to the racing bouy just East of Gilkicker (It used to be called Brookes and Gatehouse) and check the depth there you will find about 0.6m less water in the inner swashway. Leave a good clearance under the keel for wash from large vessels though.
 

gjgm

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not sure I m clear any more.
So if staying in the small boat channel, the outer pole is not of relevance? Its only of interest if you approach or leave from the west? But can you not proceed out in the small boat channel and then bear west before reaching the end of the the channel - in which case, whats the purpose of the outer pole in these instructions?
 

BlueChip

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I left the harbour on Saturday afternoon, there were about 10 other boats leaving at the same time on the ebb tide. Most were going west through the inner swatchway but I was the only one who turned immediately on leaving the harbour, all the others went round the new pole leaving it to starboard. As others have said it will be even more interesting here than ususal on a big spring cross tide

If QHM can only sort out those who hog the middle of the small ships channel when leaving giving those entering no alternative but to be in the main channel it will be great.
 

Talulah

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Well we entered Portsmouth on Monday and I can tell you the notices on the Ballast Beacon have you keeping the Beacon to Starboard and not to port as per above. Hence when going North we were between the Gosport side and the Ballast Beacon.
 

DJE

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If that is what the notices say then it really is a cock up on QHM's part. LNTM 15/05 Includes:
3. ... d. A traffic pattern is established around Ballast Beacon; Small Boats entering the harbour are to pass close to the east of Ballast Beacon and those exiting close to the west.
 

capt_courageous

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I agree that there could be confusion because of the note on the chart which says something like 'vessels may enter or leave the small boat channel anywhere on the western side of the channel'. Yet the chart is very specific about how to pass the outer beacon if one is using the Inner Swashway. That is why I regard it as only relevant for users of the Inner Swashway. Otherwise I just regard it as a port hand mark for the small boat channel, exactly the same as the poles off Dolphin. Keep Right signs are a great idea. Many users of the small boat channel dont seem to know which side to drive on and assume that since they came from London on the left side that must be ok on the sea.
 

bluepippa

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OOhps... Guilty as charged.
On monday returning from Cowes I took the inner swashway. Saw the new pole and left it to starboard.... It does appear to be close to the south of the swashway, so its quite a detour having hugged the gosport shore all the way down the swashway.

Wont happen again guv ;-)
 

Evadne

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I think the part about heading east is covered in the description of the small boat channel as going from No. 4 buoy to the Ballast beacon, and small boats entering and exiting from the east do so only at the extremities of the channel. So from Chichester harbour I think you approach No. 4 then head for the new Inner Swashway marker and then the Ballast marker. If you're going to Haslar you are then exiting to the west, so presumably there's no requirement to go round the Ballast pole?
Just as long as they don't make us drop our sails, we usually need both engine and sails to make any headway against the tide.
 

Solitaire

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[ QUOTE ]

If QHM can only sort out those who hog the middle of the small ships channel when leaving giving those entering no alternative but to be in the main channel it will be great.

[/ QUOTE ]

This will be monitored. We know it can cause problems forcing incoming vessels into the main channel.
 

TonyD

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Talulah, I have to disagree. I also came into Portsmouth on Monday 2nd and there was a notice on each side of Ballast Beacon instructing you to leave it to Port. As this was the first time I'd seen the new beacon I made a point of checking the notice, as several in front of me were leaving it to Starboard.

Tony
 
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