Cornishman
Well-Known Member
This Notice may be of interest to all of you Solent types. It was forwarded to me from the Royal Institute of Navigation.
YARMOUTH NEEDS YOU !!!!
PROPOSED CHANGES TO YARMOUTH HARBOUR
You may not be aware that Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners (YHC) are proposing some
very radical changes to the Harbour, which are planned to start in the winter of 2010.
If you go to the YHC website ( www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk ) and click on the "News" page
you will be able to see these proposals. There is also a Feedback Form which you can
either return via Email or download, complete and post to the Harbour office. Please note that
the public only have until 15th January, 2010 to comment on the proposed scheme.
Yarmouth Harbour has an enormous following; it is most yachtsmens' "favourite port of call".
Whilst it is clear that we all have to move forward, that some degree of change is inevitable,
that the Harbour has to be self-supporting and the YHC do have to make a profit, it would be
a great pity if the character and charm of such a beautiful harbour were to be lost forever.
There are a number of points to consider regarding the current proposals:
1. Mooring Facilities
There will no longer be a choice as to the type of mooring that is available in the main
harbour. Every berth (apart from on the Town Quay, and two commercial piles at the
far western side near to Sandhard) will become walkashore.
(a) Visitor charges this summer for a 30 ft. yacht on the walkashore were
over 30% more than on the unattached piles/pontoons.
(b) Resident charges for a walkashore berth compared to a berth on the
unattached piles/pontoons are approximately 5 times more.
Residents may be offered an alternative unattached pile/pontoon berth up-river, but
not everyone wishes to be constrained by use of the bridge. Visitors do not have an
option of using these type of moorings up-river (which are for residents only).
There are very limited berthing facilities for tenders in the current proposal on the
Town side of the main harbour. The two tender mooring areas to the west of the
Harbour office will be taken away, and it is not clear if or where alternative tender
berthing will be provided.
2. Character of the Harbour
At present, the mix of different types of moorings brings a mix of different types of
vessels into the harbour. However, it has become obvious that since the existing
walkashore pontoon has been installed there has been an enormous increase in the
number of large power boats visiting on that pontoon. By turning virtually the whole main
harbour into a marina the question has to be asked whether the balance of the mix of
visiting yachts will be maintained.
3. Visitors' Welcome
The proposals are for visitors to be directed to berths via the VHF, and then walk to
the Harbour office to make payment - as with any other marina. The Dory Berthing
Masters who currently make visiting yachtsmen so welcome, and who add so much
to the uniqueness of Yarmouth, will no longer patrol the main harbour regularly.
Consequently their much appreciated service of assisting visiting yachts experiencing
difficulties in manoeuvring in or out of the allocated berths will be much reduced.
4. Navigational Constraint and Congestion
There will only be one main navigational channel through the harbour, which is
relatively narrow - in some places less than 15 metres wide. Once a vessel has
passed beyond the new fuel berth, there is no area of the channel sufficiently wide to
allow vessels with limited manouevrability, such as sailing boats, to turn around. This will
pose specific problems when spring tides are running in conjunction with strong winds.
5. Number and Location of Visitor Berths
It is not clear at present whether the same number of visitors will be accommodated
within the proposed layout. Nor is it clear why the visitors berths have been split into
two areas. The area to the western side of the harbour, near to Sandhard and
Harold Hayles boatyard, appears to be able to accommodate larger boats and
apparently will be allocated for rallies and events. This means that at least half the
yachts visiting Yarmouth will have to traverse the single navigational channel to the
opposite side of the harbour from the entrance. Berthing in this area will be
extremely difficult when strong tides are running as the boats will be berthing sideways
to the tide.
6. Events and Rallies
If the western visitors berths are used for events and rallies,that means for example
that during Old Gaffers Week the boats will be mainly berthed away from the public
view. There will no longer be an area of water available adjacent to the shoreside
events for spectators to easily view the waterborne activities.
7. Bridge Use
There will be a major congestion problem along the stretch of water by Sandhard and
Harold Hayles boatyard with river-bound yachts encountering visitors going in and
out of the visitors berths at right angles to the main channel, with no space wide
enough to turn, especially when boats at Harold Hayles pontoon are regularly rafted
three deep. Many residents are concerned that by extending the walkashore pontoons
so far to the west, there is no "get out route" for a yacht to take should the bridge
have to suddenly close for an emergency ie. ambulance crossing.
8. Fuel Dock
The proposed location is much improved for ease of access, and provides additional
fuel berths and filling points. However if a vessel approaches from the east, bunkers
fuel and then wishes to leave the harbour, there is virtually no room to turn around
without cutting across the main navigational channel.
9. RNLI Berth
It would be necessary to re-orientate the RNLI berth to accommodate the proposals.
Firstly, this berth was only recently constructed and to change it would constitute a
huge waste of money. Secondly, the new orientation exposes the Lifeboat to the
strong swells that can enter the harbour during north easterlies.
10. Static Crane
The static crane currently located to the east of the YHC offices will go in the new
proposals. The new so-called "static crane" shown by the new fishermans' pontoons
is in fact only a derrick and not capable of lifting a boat. The existing crane has been
in the harbour for many years and is used extensively not only by Yarmouth residents
but also by yachtsmen from all over the Solent. Users are allowed to operate it
themselves, but only after passing an examination and obtaining a licencse, and only for
their own vessels. There have never been any incidents or accidents, but suddenly
Health and Safety is pertinent, as well as apparently it being a financial drain. If the crane
were to be removed it would be the loss of a well-used and important facility to the harbour.
---------------
There are some good aspects of the proposed harbour layout, and some aspects that
appear not to have been fully thought through. Additional walkashore facilities would no doubt
be appreciated by many, but the question should be asked as to whether turning the whole
main harbour into a marina would destroy the charm and uniqueness of Yarmouth that has
attracted so many yachtsmen to the port in the first place.
YARMOUTH NEEDS YOU!!!
If you, like so many, love Yarmouth dearly please take the time to complete the Feedback
Form and make your views known to the YHC.
YARMOUTH NEEDS YOU !!!!
PROPOSED CHANGES TO YARMOUTH HARBOUR
You may not be aware that Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners (YHC) are proposing some
very radical changes to the Harbour, which are planned to start in the winter of 2010.
If you go to the YHC website ( www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk ) and click on the "News" page
you will be able to see these proposals. There is also a Feedback Form which you can
either return via Email or download, complete and post to the Harbour office. Please note that
the public only have until 15th January, 2010 to comment on the proposed scheme.
Yarmouth Harbour has an enormous following; it is most yachtsmens' "favourite port of call".
Whilst it is clear that we all have to move forward, that some degree of change is inevitable,
that the Harbour has to be self-supporting and the YHC do have to make a profit, it would be
a great pity if the character and charm of such a beautiful harbour were to be lost forever.
There are a number of points to consider regarding the current proposals:
1. Mooring Facilities
There will no longer be a choice as to the type of mooring that is available in the main
harbour. Every berth (apart from on the Town Quay, and two commercial piles at the
far western side near to Sandhard) will become walkashore.
(a) Visitor charges this summer for a 30 ft. yacht on the walkashore were
over 30% more than on the unattached piles/pontoons.
(b) Resident charges for a walkashore berth compared to a berth on the
unattached piles/pontoons are approximately 5 times more.
Residents may be offered an alternative unattached pile/pontoon berth up-river, but
not everyone wishes to be constrained by use of the bridge. Visitors do not have an
option of using these type of moorings up-river (which are for residents only).
There are very limited berthing facilities for tenders in the current proposal on the
Town side of the main harbour. The two tender mooring areas to the west of the
Harbour office will be taken away, and it is not clear if or where alternative tender
berthing will be provided.
2. Character of the Harbour
At present, the mix of different types of moorings brings a mix of different types of
vessels into the harbour. However, it has become obvious that since the existing
walkashore pontoon has been installed there has been an enormous increase in the
number of large power boats visiting on that pontoon. By turning virtually the whole main
harbour into a marina the question has to be asked whether the balance of the mix of
visiting yachts will be maintained.
3. Visitors' Welcome
The proposals are for visitors to be directed to berths via the VHF, and then walk to
the Harbour office to make payment - as with any other marina. The Dory Berthing
Masters who currently make visiting yachtsmen so welcome, and who add so much
to the uniqueness of Yarmouth, will no longer patrol the main harbour regularly.
Consequently their much appreciated service of assisting visiting yachts experiencing
difficulties in manoeuvring in or out of the allocated berths will be much reduced.
4. Navigational Constraint and Congestion
There will only be one main navigational channel through the harbour, which is
relatively narrow - in some places less than 15 metres wide. Once a vessel has
passed beyond the new fuel berth, there is no area of the channel sufficiently wide to
allow vessels with limited manouevrability, such as sailing boats, to turn around. This will
pose specific problems when spring tides are running in conjunction with strong winds.
5. Number and Location of Visitor Berths
It is not clear at present whether the same number of visitors will be accommodated
within the proposed layout. Nor is it clear why the visitors berths have been split into
two areas. The area to the western side of the harbour, near to Sandhard and
Harold Hayles boatyard, appears to be able to accommodate larger boats and
apparently will be allocated for rallies and events. This means that at least half the
yachts visiting Yarmouth will have to traverse the single navigational channel to the
opposite side of the harbour from the entrance. Berthing in this area will be
extremely difficult when strong tides are running as the boats will be berthing sideways
to the tide.
6. Events and Rallies
If the western visitors berths are used for events and rallies,that means for example
that during Old Gaffers Week the boats will be mainly berthed away from the public
view. There will no longer be an area of water available adjacent to the shoreside
events for spectators to easily view the waterborne activities.
7. Bridge Use
There will be a major congestion problem along the stretch of water by Sandhard and
Harold Hayles boatyard with river-bound yachts encountering visitors going in and
out of the visitors berths at right angles to the main channel, with no space wide
enough to turn, especially when boats at Harold Hayles pontoon are regularly rafted
three deep. Many residents are concerned that by extending the walkashore pontoons
so far to the west, there is no "get out route" for a yacht to take should the bridge
have to suddenly close for an emergency ie. ambulance crossing.
8. Fuel Dock
The proposed location is much improved for ease of access, and provides additional
fuel berths and filling points. However if a vessel approaches from the east, bunkers
fuel and then wishes to leave the harbour, there is virtually no room to turn around
without cutting across the main navigational channel.
9. RNLI Berth
It would be necessary to re-orientate the RNLI berth to accommodate the proposals.
Firstly, this berth was only recently constructed and to change it would constitute a
huge waste of money. Secondly, the new orientation exposes the Lifeboat to the
strong swells that can enter the harbour during north easterlies.
10. Static Crane
The static crane currently located to the east of the YHC offices will go in the new
proposals. The new so-called "static crane" shown by the new fishermans' pontoons
is in fact only a derrick and not capable of lifting a boat. The existing crane has been
in the harbour for many years and is used extensively not only by Yarmouth residents
but also by yachtsmen from all over the Solent. Users are allowed to operate it
themselves, but only after passing an examination and obtaining a licencse, and only for
their own vessels. There have never been any incidents or accidents, but suddenly
Health and Safety is pertinent, as well as apparently it being a financial drain. If the crane
were to be removed it would be the loss of a well-used and important facility to the harbour.
---------------
There are some good aspects of the proposed harbour layout, and some aspects that
appear not to have been fully thought through. Additional walkashore facilities would no doubt
be appreciated by many, but the question should be asked as to whether turning the whole
main harbour into a marina would destroy the charm and uniqueness of Yarmouth that has
attracted so many yachtsmen to the port in the first place.
YARMOUTH NEEDS YOU!!!
If you, like so many, love Yarmouth dearly please take the time to complete the Feedback
Form and make your views known to the YHC.
