Swashway???

[Bottle_of_Rum]

In my loiterings I've seen plenty of talk about the Portsmouth Harbour Swashways. On charts I see the labels Inner Swashway and Swashway.

But I'm still puzzled as to what they are. Are they "channels " as such. What is there on the charts and in real life to define them and their limits?

dumb question no doubt.

 

[[2574]]

No, not a silly question - it's important to get it about right when in or outbound.

The "Swashway" is the relatively deep water pass - it's not a "channel" if you define channel as having buoys either side of it. At LWS it is shallow each side. It's v busy with ferries and can be a tad exciting at times.

The inner swashway is for vessels <20m. It can be v shallow and I only tackle it +- 2 hrs from HW. Other locals may dodge around later than that. Likewise - no buoys as such.

rgds

rob

 

[Stemar]

Answer from memory, as I haven't got a chart to hand, so no responsibility accepted if you use the fiollowing to run aground...

The Inner Swashway is between the fort and the start of Hamilton Bank (I think that's the name - I know it's there, so never bother with calling it names /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif ). It's forbidden to boats over 20m, and the note on my chart suggests local knowledge is required to use it. Probably true if you draw over 3m.

The Swashway is between Hamilton Bank and Spit Sands. The IoW ferries use it except at low springs. They need the channel, so won't think it's funny if you get in their way.

Both are channels, but not buoyed. At low tide it's easy. If you're afloat you're in the channel /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. At high tide it doesn't matter. Part of Hamilton Bank is about 1ft above datum, but I thiink there's aways enough water for a sensible yacht (not Mirabella) over Spit Sands. The fort has been known to bite, though, by taking your wind in a strong cross tide.

 

[pappaecho]

The Swashways are separated by a shallow spit which extends almost out to Gilkicker point, and if you are a keel boat I suggest you keep well clear even at Low water neaps.
During the 1960's I regularily used to drive the IOW car ferries over it and we often used to ground, where the Captain would remark that we were "stirring it up a bit" - but we were flat bottomed with water kjets and no screws... modern regulations prevent the ferries from using anything other than the Main Swashway, which is deep water at all times.
During the International Fleet review and Festival of the Sea the Inner Swashway is closed for security reasons as is Haslar Bank.

 

[DJE]

There has been a lot of talk about this recently with regard to the new notice to mariners and new marker piles. This thread has the details and my method for working out the depth in the inner swashway. The deepest water in the inner swashway is with the Round Tower bearing 030/210 degrees.

 

[Bottle_of_Rum]

So the inner swashway is rougly para with the 2 yellow bouys whilst the swashway is where the war memorial transit is?

 

[DJE]

Yes thats it. We only use the Round Tower bearings when very tight for depth; otherwise just make for the first yellow bouy.

 

[capt_courageous]

There is no such thing as a dumb question. Confucious say ' He who asks a question feels like a fool for five minutes. He who does not is a fool forever '. We regularly use the Inner Swashway, I dont like the main channel . The pole off Dolphin with the tide guage on it shows more or less the depth in the Inner Swashway. I think is about a foot or two pessimistic but dont quote me. I go out to where the new red pole is then head midway between the first yellow buoy and Ryde Church. Keep your depth sounder on - it gets shallow very quickly.