Run aground in Brightlingsea

Often thought about trying to catch something to eat whilst sailing. I have two rods but almost invariably forget to bring bait. Didn’t see you last night but watch out tomorrow because we are leaving? camera at the ready.

Hope you caught something via your hook or lens!! :)

The yacht aground we passed was positioned approx. in the red circle below. Asked if they were ok they replied yes and admired them greatly scrubbing their bottom whilst in their dinghy.

We went aground in the yellow circle on the 21st Aug at approx. 18:30 the predicted low tide was for around 19:00 with a depth of 0.5m. we draw 1.5m.


That's were we caught the Bass in the photo below, using a simple spinner set up.

aground 640pm sun 22 aug 2021.jpg2021-08-21 22.44.18.jpg2021-08-21 22.44.18.jpg
 
We actually headed back into Brightlingsea on Tuesday. We’re supposed to be heading back up to Harwich but the going was very difficult with a strong headwind and lumpy sea. Tried to motor but it was very uncomfortable and we could only make 2 knots over the ground. I know this would have improved when the tide turned but decided to split the journey. Left yesterday at 0600 on a falling spring tide and had min 2.4 M on the way out. Long trip back to Harwich ( actually went back to our mooring at SYH) because we only had a favorable tide for a couple of hours but it was a bright sunny day and we at least arrived in daylight.
defin Try fishing next time. Looks like a nice fish.
 
I thought that the harbour authorities were allowed to dredge that first bit of the creek up from the Colne now. Is that not the case, or are they just not doing it?
 
I thought that the harbour authorities were allowed to dredge that first bit of the creek up from the Colne now. Is that not the case, or are they just not doing it?
Far more important things to worry about than keeping a clear channel! They have got the foot ferry and the trips round the harbour to worry about before trivia like keeping a deepwater channel clear!
 
There is a lot of windfarm boat traffic coming and going at all states of the tide. I suspect it is deepening the central channel and dumping the silt on the banks?
 
There is a lot of windfarm boat traffic coming and going at all states of the tide. I suspect it is deepening the central channel and dumping the silt on the banks?
I think you are about right...had a walk down the prom yesterday at low water and it seems that is what is happening...not quite the same as when we had Sand Barges nudging their way up the creek as the tide was making and forcing a deep water channel of a decent width. As I said, having a decent channel you can get in and out of is nowhere near as important as having lots of tourist attractions!
 
I think you are about right...had a walk down the prom yesterday at low water and it seems that is what is happening...not quite the same as when we had Sand Barges nudging their way up the creek as the tide was making and forcing a deep water channel of a decent width. As I said, having a decent channel you can get in and out of is nowhere near as important as having lots of tourist attractions!

All the IDO permissions around St Osyth have been fully worked out and the sites are now into restoration and aftercare. There are no indications of further minerals extraction in that area shown on the Minerals Local Plan and ECC have plenty of minerals reserves without needing to look in that area again. So it is pretty much unlikely that sand barges will begin operating again... But such facts never deter people from objecting to the marina proposal.
 
Some people are objecting to the "marina" (more pontoons sticking out further into the fairway) because it will seriously restrict usage of the creek to all water users. The pontoons will extend to the centre of the deep part of the channel, which is narrow, and then there will be boats on the outside of that. This is water-grab by a commercial operation to the detriment of anyone who uses the creek and its upper reaches.
 
Some people are objecting to the "marina" (more pontoons sticking out further into the fairway) because it will seriously restrict usage of the creek to all water users. The pontoons will extend to the centre of the deep part of the channel, which is narrow, and then there will be boats on the outside of that. This is water-grab by a commercial operation to the detriment of anyone who uses the creek and its upper reaches.
Exactly Mudman!

I am still struggling to see how or why Tomahawk made the leap from a comment about the fact that gravel barges 'used' to nudge up the creek at low tide thus keeping the deep water channel clear?

My comment was aimed at the fact that BHC seem far more interested in "trips round the bay", foot ferry crossings to St Osyth and lunch 'cruises' to a pub in Wivenhoe on the water taxi rather than concentrating on keeping the channel clear for all the boat owners with moorings in the creek!

This lack of water would also have an effect on the proposed marina (if it ever gets the nod of course!)...face it who wants an overpriced mud berth?
 
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