ABPL- Notice to Small Craft and Yachts
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS
LOWESTOFT
INFORMATION FOR SMALL CRAFT AND YACHTS USING LOWESTOFT HARBOUR
AND THE SEAWARD APPROACHES TO MUTFORD LOCK:
1. ALL vessels must enter, leave and navigate in the harbour in accordance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
1(A) Small craft and yachts should give particular attention to "Narrow Channels" Rule No 9(b) "a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway".
2. Approaching, departing and transit craft must make every reasonable effort to establish and maintain contact with the Lowestoft Harbour Control on VHF Channel 14.
2(A) ANY vessel without radio contact must give particular attention to the harbour control lights and navigate with extreme caution in the vicinity of structures, which may mask their presence.
3. ALL vessels must observe the international port traffic signals located on the South Pier, Waveney Dock dump-head and in the Yacht Basin.
• Three vertical red lights - vessels shall not proceed.
• Green, white, green vertical lights - a vessel may proceed only when it has received specific orders to do so.
3(A) For small craft and yachts without VHF communication the green, white, green signal may be considered in favour of proceeding with extreme caution, those vessels in the Waveney Dock and Yacht Basin must contact the Port Control before departure.
3(B) Mariners should note that Port Control (located at the harbour bridge) and departing vessels within the Outer Harbour basin, have extremely limited vision to the north of the entrance piers and should conduct their navigation accordingly.
Please also note that a Bond Air Services Helicopter will be operating regularly, from the Helipad located near the traffic signal lights at the entrance to the Waveney Dock. When a Helicopter take –off or landing is expected Port Control will restrict the passage of vessels past this locality, for the safety of vessels and the helicopter. Mariner’s co-operation with these instructions is very much appreciated.
4. The Lowestoft Harbour Bridge (between the Outer and Inner Harbours) will only be opened on demand for commercial shipping over 50 GRT.
4(A) Commercial shipping is discouraged from passage: 0815 - 0900 hours, 1230 - 1300 hours and 1700 - 1745 hours.
4(B) Small craft and yachts may use a bridge opening for commercial shipping provided that prior arrangement has been made with Lowestoft Harbour Control - VHF Channel 14, telephone 572286 or personal visit, subject to vesels proceeding in the same direction as the commercial vessel. Other vessels wishing to pass through the bridge from the opposite direction will have to wait for the next advertised small craft opening time.
4(C) In addition to 4(B) and subject to prior notification of at least twenty minutes, small craft and yachts may be given a bridge opening at the following times:
Monday – Friday: - 0300, 0500, 0700, 0945, 1115, 1430, 1600, 1900, 2100, 2400.
Sat. Sun. Bank Holidays: - 0300, 0500, 0700, 0945, 1115, 1430, 1600, 1800, 1900, 2100, 2400.
4(D) A waiting pontoon for small craft and yachts is available in the east end of the Trawl Dock for vessels waiting a bridge lift. All vessels must maintain a listening watch on VHF14 and follow instructions from Port Control. Failure to maintain a close listening watch may mean missing the advertised lift. If late for a bridge lift inform the Bridge operator, As Soon As Possible.
5. Navigation in the bridge channel is controlled by VHF advice with additional red and green "traffic lights" when the bridge is operated.
5(A) Small craft and yachts in a flotilla situation should make every effort to co-ordinate their requirements with Lowestoft Harbour Control, 'close up' and ensure that the time taken to transit the bridge channel is reasonable, safe and kept to the minimum. Once the bridge has been lifted the red lights on the east and west side may both be switched to green, allowing inwards and outwards movements at the same time. Should a light remain red, a vessel must not proceed until instructed by the bridge operator, keeping clear of vessels using the main channel.
NOTE: Long bridge openings make it difficult to preserve the facility from pressures of road traffic and in consequence bridge operators are instructed not to wait for stragglers.
6. Small craft passing under the bridge have a clearance of 2.2 metres at mean high water springs (approximately 2.4 metres on the tide gauge) with a reduction of 0.5 metres for the arch sides. Vessels able to drop masts and aerials and which can pass under the bridge, must do so, once they have received permission from Port Control
7. The maximum permitted speed in the harbour is 4 knots.
8. Water skiing activities and the use of jetbikes or jetskis in the harbour area is subject to written permission.
9. General port details may be obtained from Admiralty Chart No 1535, which is generally updated every year.
9(A) Visitor Moorings: Lowestoft Haven Marina – School Road 01502 580300,
Lowestoft Haven Marina – Hamilton Dock 01502 580300,
Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club - 01502 566726,
Lowestoft Cruising Club (occasional) - 07913 391950,
Oulton Broad Yacht Station - 01502 574946.
9(B) Vessels approaching from the sea must contact Lowestoft Port Control on VHF 14 prior to entry into the Harbour. This should be done 2 cables from the harbour entrance. A vessel requiring a bridge lift may be directed to wait in the bridge channel or on the waiting pontoon in the east end of the Trawl Dock. VHF 14 must be monitored at all times when waiting for a bridge or when on passage in the harbour.
Lowestoft Haven Marina (LHM) is situated on the south side of Lake Lothing 400 metres from Mutford Lock. Vessels requiring a berth must call Lowestoft Haven Marina which maintains a listening watch on VHF 80 and 37. Before leaving Lowestoft Haven Marina on passage to sea contact the Port Control on VHF 14 for details of vessel movements and remain on this channel until clear of the Harbour entrance. Keep to the 4 Knot speed limit, allow a minimum of 25 minutes passage time from the LHM to the Bridge. Vessels Observed breaking the speed limit will be refused a bridge lift until the next advertised small craft opening.
Hamilton Dock Marina is operated by LHM and is found on the North side of the Hamilton Dock, Lowestoft Outer Harbour.
9(C) Passage of vessels between the Bridge channel and the Yacht Basin is controlled for departing vessels only. Due to the restricted visibility and manoeuvring room, vessels must at all times contact the Port Control before departure on VHF14, telephone 572286 or personal visit.
As there are no controlling lights for vessels entering the Yacht Basin, vessels exiting this basin must proceed with extreme caution, even when the green white green lights are shown for departure from the Yacht Basin.
9(D) Passage of vessels between the Outer Harbour and the Waveney Dock is controlled for departing vessels only. Due to the restricted visibility and manoeuvring room, vessels must at all times contact the Port Control before departure on VHF14, telephone 572286 or personal visit.
As there are no controlling lights for vessels entering the Waveney Dock, vessels exiting this dock must proceed with extreme caution, even when the green white green lights are shown for departure from the Waveney Dock.
10. The mooring of small craft or yachts alongside any property owned by Associated British Ports is only permitted with the permission or direction of the Harbour Master, and may attract a charge in accordance with the published tariff.
11. All small craft and yachts are strongly advised to obtain the latest weather information before proceeding to sea.
12. Lifejackets should be worn at all times when on passage in Lowestoft Harbour and when at sea.
MUTFORD LOCK AND OPENING BRIDGES
Transit bookings by telephone 01502 531778 Lock or 01502 574946 Oulton Broad Yacht Station or VHF Ch. 73
Mutford Lock, connecting the Lowestoft Inner Harbour with Oulton Broad, is operated daily under the direction of the Broads Authority and provides a point of access to approximately 120 miles of navigable inland waterways.
The Lock, with safe usable dimensions of 22 metres x 6.5 metres, has a water depth of 2 metres plus tidal variations and should only be used by craft suitable for the water depths of Oulton Broad. Non-local craft with a draft exceeding 1.7 metres should seek advice from Mutford Lock staff and consider the Oulton Broad tide, which is approximately three hours after Lowestoft with a mean range of 0.7 metres.
Mutford Road Bridge, adjacent to the Lock, has a clearance of 2.1 metres at mean high water springs (approximately 2.4 metres on the Lowestoft tide gauge) and it is therefore advisable for all craft requiring an opening to make an advance booking and to be prepared to wait. Such bookings will automatically include the Railway Bridge located close eastward. VHF Channels 73,and 14 are monitored on an occasional basis by Mutford Control, which is attended daily in response to bookings and at the following times: a) Weekly April to October: 0800-1800 b) Fri/Sat/Bank Holidays May-September: Any vessel wishing to use Mutford between 1800-1930 must give notice on VHF or telephone before 1700 on that day c) Weekly Nov-March 0800-1100 (Pre-booking advisable).
NOTES: 1. A charge of £10.00 is levied for each lock transit or day return – (subject to review)
2. Broads tolls are payable in addition to the inward lock transit depending on length of stay.
3. Craft entering with a fixed air draft of more than 7.3m are confined by fixed bridges to the River Waveney.
4. Local maps and publications are recommended.
5. Mutford Road Bridge, Lifting Restrictions : Prior to 0900, 1200-1300, 1700-1800.
6. Railway Bridge may be delayed swinging due to late arrival of trains.
USE OF JETSKIS – LOWESTOFT HARBOUR
The Lowestoft Harbour Byelaws 1993 - No. 10 states: -
Water ski-ing, boardsailing and the use of jet bikes or jet skis in the Harbour area, may take place only where expressly permitted in writing by the Harbour Master. In order to obtain written permission from the Harbour Master, the following criteria must be met before a decision is made on allowing an applicant in the Harbour area with a jet ski or jet bike.
• The Port does not operate a launching slipway, so written proof of an agreement with a berth owner or operator, is needed where the jet ski is to be launched.
• There must be hand-held VHF onboard the vessel to monitor traffic and call the Port Control on VHF Channel 14 when launching, approaching the Bridge and entering and leaving the Harbour.
• Jet ski to proceed from its launch slipway directly to sea, keeping to the speed limit of 4 knots and observing all traffic signal lights in the Harbour and directions from the Bridge Operator.
• The Mooring of jet skis in the Harbour alongside ABP quays or vessels berthed in the Harbour is strictly prohibited unless prior agreement is obtained from the Bridge Control or vessel owner.
• Details of jet ski and any distinguishing features to be registered with the Harbour Master.
• Jet skis to be in sound and good mechanical condition.
• Lifejackets are to be worn by all riders.
Written permission will be provided by the Harbour Master if he is satisfied that the above conditions will be met. A.B.P. reserves the right to suspend or revoke any permission if any of the above conditions are not kept, or if it is felt that on the grounds of safety, the passage of jet skis in the Harbour becomes a hazard to its owner or other Harbour users.
CAPTAIN R. E. MUSGROVE
HARBOUR MASTER
LOWESTOFT
9th. September 2010
