miles from the sea
Member
While sailing back through Harwich from an overnight stay in Hamford Water my attention was drawn to a conversation between Harwich VTS and the coaster River Trader which I had seen anchored off Felixtowe ferry the previous day. River Trader was looking for confirmation of the tide height at Harwich which needed to be 3.6 before they would venture into the backwaters. Thinking that was a big ship to be taking in such a restricted channel I checked when I got home an sure enough River Trader made it to Great Oakley jetty. Ok so maybe the ship was probably not fully loaded but at 58m long, 9m wide an a max draft of 2.4 m it takes some skill to get her up a narrow winding creek with drying heights of 3.3m and a estimated 4.1m high tide. Full marks to the Captain and crew.
ECP rightly recommends you don’t anchor in Oakley Creek but perhaps some caution is needed if anchoring in Hamford Water during spring tides to keep the way clear for shipping.
ECP rightly recommends you don’t anchor in Oakley Creek but perhaps some caution is needed if anchoring in Hamford Water during spring tides to keep the way clear for shipping.