The Swale, and overnight mooring on the Medway

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gmatkin

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I notice from the Imray chart corrections that there are opening restrictions operating on the bridge over the Swale. Does anyone have a clue as to what they are please - is the bridge not opening at all?

Also, is there a good place for visitors to moor at Rochester please? I have a boat that will take the ground and I'm happy to carry wellies, but I have no tender at present!

Thanks,

Gavin
 
This site:

http://www.kingsferrybridge.co.uk/

will provide lifting times, and yes the bridge is operational.

There are a few options in the Rochester area, but unless you can drop your mast then you will most probably have to remain below the main road bridge. There are a couple of piers (Sun Pier between Rochester & Chatham and another on the Strood side) which can give access to land, there are also some moorings downstream of Rochester, towards Chatham, that are usually vacant (not sure of ownership). Further downstream you have Chatham, Hoo & Gillingham marinas plus a few yacht clubs that may be able to accommodate you; all of the latter are 2-3 miles from Rochester. I'd think carefully before anchoring as there is probably quite a lot of crap on the bottom, especially close to shore in the urban areas (the locals are quite handy with a shopping trolley).
 
Ha ha ha - this brings back memories.

After an early season trip a few years ago, we were heading up the Swale as night fell. As we had no lights, we figured we could just anchor in the muddy creeek we found ourselves in, seeing that the channel was too narrow for serious shipping, and it was too damn cold for any pleasure boats to be out.

So we dropped our hook, cooked a stew and phoned our wives. While setling into my sleeping bag, I noticed the lit port channel buoy, which we had passed on the way in seemed closer, and higher. Nope, the channel buoy was a bloody great container ship...

So I'd advise against anchoring in the Swale
 
The opening times for Kingsferry Bridge are restricted because a new high-level road bridge is being built, opening this summer, and the associated road works at each end are causing such traffic grief that the bridge basically will not open for you during weekday rush hour, say 0700-0900 and 1600-1900. The exception will be if a commercial vessel is passing through, in which case you can get through as well.
Outside these times it is down to how the bridge-keeper is feeling, and how much you grovel. The Swale is a marine right-of-way and basically they should open the bridge for you without keeping you waiting an unreasonable time, but at least one of the guys on shift tends to use the traffic excuse rather freely. When the new road bridge is open, only trains will use the lifting bridge, and life should return to normal, we hope. Two trains an hour each way on weekdays, and in theory 30 minutes is the longest you should have to wait.
Gillingham and Chatham Marinas are probably the best bet for stops near Rochester. Lower downstream, there are some brilliant quiet places to anchor on the Medway, of which Stangate Creek is one of the best known.
 
Chatham Marina is pretty good. The people are very helpful and there is a bus link from the shopping area quite close, plus the dockyard museum which is well worth a visit. Watch the eddies on the entrance to the lock, it can be a real gelcoat basher!
 
Chatham is good as marinas go (and the toilet block is palatial) but one snag with the place is that you are stranded there in the evening. The bus service stops around 7:30 as I recall, and taxi drivers in Chatham and Rochester are very unwilling to go out that far.
 
Catham marina is jolly friendly and 24 hour lock access but is flippin expensive. Overnighting without a dinghy is difficult as it's thick gooey mud everywhere.

Try Swale Marina which is very friendly and very reasonable.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Out of interest , those with thier location as east kent or medway wouldn't be anywhere near Conyer creek would you

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not far away, why do you ask?
 
Sorry Gavin , if you look on the Classic forum which few here go to , she is breaking all records for posts , skip to the last page if you want , but help is needed , desperately , and don't say forget it . please
 
I'll second the opinion that Chatham is excellent, but add that if you're on passage and the forecast is perfect for it, the Little Nore small ship anchorage in the estuary can save you a huge amount of time (good holding too).

Queenborough were charging a fair bit (£10 per night, I think) for bouys - and chasing yachts that left when they saw the HM getting his boat ready, last time I was there.
 
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