So what are the rules these days in Portsmouth?

[David_J]

We have been in and out of Portsmouth using the small boat channel loads and loads of times without problem. Last Saturday we ran down from Brighton to Portsmouth, enteriing about 1430 as Warship Manchester was on the way out. It was a bit busy in the entrance as the current was running fast an a number of raggies were struggling a bit getting in against it. Anyhow traffic thinned out fast as some went into Haslar and others speeded up a bit when out of the fastest flow.

We went to pass West of Ballast when the volanteer boat came up and gesticulated at us but as I had no clue what he meant I just kept going, then he came over and told us to leave ballast to port on entering and for good measure held station to our port to make sure we complied. No explanation. Asked about this in the marina office where they immediately said, oh did he look like such and such, yes we said, oh we know about him they says, loads of people have complained. Apologies to Solitaire I know you used to help out there but this arrogant git needs to change his ways if he expects any respect from boaters.

My understanding was the small boat channel was effectively a line from the port hand mark just outside the entrance to ballast. Meaning traffic passes to the west of ballast, going in and out. Maybe he considered it busy and was trying to make incoming to east of ballast and outgoing to west. I dont know and am not too bothered about that, more his attitude. Did think of writing to QHM.

So what are your interpretation of the rules??

 

[Solitaire]

The small boat channel starts at No 4 buoy and runs up to the Ballast pile. In all cases vessels should leave the Ballast pile to port on both entering and exiting. There is a sign displayed on the pile with an arrow showing what side you should pass. I'm not going to enter into a debate on its size however.

The same action should be adhered to on using the pile by the inner swashway as well.

So if on entering you past to the west of the pile you were in contradiction of the Harbour rules. As to the behaviour of the patrol - No comment.



I "retired" from the QHM patrol in 2007.
Small boat channel

 

[Malcb]

If you had looked at Ballast you would have seen an arrow directing incoming vessels to leave it to port. Theres also one on the Northern side.

Unfortunately the arrow is so small that you are virtually committed by the time that you see it.

The Harbour Patrol quite often park at the base of ballast and I've seen them nearly capsized by a very large Mobo which came in at a fair speed, creating a lot of wash, which is easy on an ebbing tide, and on the wrong side, they didn't know what to do /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Edit: Must type quicker

 

[flaming]

He is correct.

The small boat channel requires you to always leave Balast post to port, entering or leaving the harbour, it acts as a traffic seperation zone of sorts.

Full regulations can be found here and there is a full diagram in your Almanac, a useful book to read from time to time....

 

[l'escargot]

I don't think there is any interpretation needed. See here:

http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/regulations-small-boat/

which clearly says:

"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."

 

[benjenbav]

Going in to Pompey, I follow the purple line.

Mind you, it's a booger to paint it on the water. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TRH]

Hi Am I correct in thinking the Manchester was leaving Harbour @14.30,And small boats where in and out of the harbour at the same time ? Worth a read LNTM 40/50

 

[benjenbav]

I think it's LTNM 40/05

 

[TRH]

Thanks for that BENJENBAV, how easy it is to make a mistake LNTM 40/05

 

[Frontier]

I dont recall seeing a sign. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
My chart shows it ending on the west side. (see below in pink)

I'll pay more attention next time. Mind you most boats seem to stay west when I have been coming and going. Or to be more acutate I was not aware I was doing anything differnt to the guy in front or behind.

[image]

[/image]

 

[Giblets]

[ QUOTE ]

So if on entering you past to the west of the pile you were in contradiction of the Harbour rules. As to the behaviour of the patrol - No comment.

Small boat channel

[/ QUOTE ]

Correct, and before anyone asks I was not on patrol last Saturday (but I know who was /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]


Correct, and before anyone asks I was not on patrol last Saturday (but I know who was /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

[/ QUOTE ]

And I think I can guess! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[KevB]

I'm sure that the 'rules' have changed over the last couple of years. It used to be keep west of ballast buoy regardless if entering of leaving…didn't it?? Stopped you cutting the corner when going into gun wharf...

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure that the 'rules' have changed over the last couple of years. It used to be keep west of ballast buoy regardless if entering of leaving…didn't it?? Stopped you cutting the corner when going into gun wharf...

[/ QUOTE ]

The leaving of Ballast Pile to port had been in operation for at least 4 years. It was introduced so as to set up a "TSS" for boat entering and exiting Portsmouth Harbour via the small boat channel. As I said in an earlier post, the same applies to the beacon just outside the Harbour entrance.

 

[mjf]

Yep thats my understanding too - when the buoy was replaced by the pile it became static and acted as a sort of middle channel marker for the two traffic flows.

Generally works well when its busy as even peeps who have not 'kept up' are forced to follow their traffic flow.


Not so the seaward beacon - that seems to have everyone doing a different thing which can be a PITA.(its even marked up the same 'LEAVE TO PORT')

 

[flaming]

But only leave to port when exiting via the swatchway.

 

[mjf]

yes because its outside the small boat channel anyway

 

[Solitaire]

[ QUOTE ]
But only leave to port when exiting via the swatchway.

[/ QUOTE ]

It applies both ways - when entering as well. So if you are joining the SBC from the inner swashway then the outer pile should be left to port as well.

 

[mjf]

Dave, I think he is suggesting that if proceeding outwards from ballast toward No4 Bar buoy you should leave the 'inner swashway' pile to port .


This means leaving the small boat channel and then rejoining it. no?

 

[flaming]

er, no. I was suggesting that you ONLY had to leave it to port when exiting via the swatchway. As I thought I said!