MARINE – VISITING SMALL CRAFT INFORMATION

NOTE: ENTRY TO THE NEW OUTER HARBOUR IS STICTLY PROHIBITED

Charges

Vessels are liable for tolls but certain waivers are in place for vessels visiting the Norfolk Broads.

Berths

Small craft moorings are available on Hall Quay, just south of Haven Bridge on the East side of the river (opposite the red brick Town Hall building).Mooring tails are in place to aid mooring from the vessel. Vessels should moor adjacent to the access ladders.

The small craft mooring berths on Hall Quay have an alongside depth of at least 3 metres at MLWS. The berth has vertical wooden fenders but small craft must deploy their own fenders as required.

When you are on board, for the safety of your own craft and personnel, you should maintain a visual or listening watch on VHF Channel 12 for shipping movements in the vicinity of your vessel.

When mooring at Hall Quay, make adequate allowance for the tide when arriving on the flood and ensure that you are not set up river towards the Haven Bridge.

The Hall Quay berths are close to the Town Centre. A five minute walk along Regent Road will take you to the Market Place.

Haven Bridge

Bridge bookings can be made during office hours on +44 (0) 1493 335503. Lifts for weekends should be booked by 1600 hours on Friday or on the previous working day in the case of Public Holidays.

Vessels will be grouped together on lifts whenever possible. When craft are to transit the bridge in opposite directions, those vessels going “with the tide” will be given priority. The bridge is manned ten minutes before a lift and vessels waiting for a lift should seek advice from the Bridge Master if in any doubt (VHF Channel 12).

The Norfolk Broads

The Broads can be accessed via Mutford Lock at Lowestoft or by transiting the Haven and Breydon Bridges at Great Yarmouth.

Communications / Reporting

Port Operations operates on VHF Channel 12 with call sign “Yarmouth Radio”. Contact should be made prior to entry or departure and outward bound when passing through Haven Bridge.

Small craft must comply with the Port Traffic Signals displayed at the river entrance on the end of Gorleston Pier (South Pier) and on the Port Operations Building.

Passage Through The River

The International Collision Regulations (ICR) applies in the port along with local byelaws. The river is a busy commercial port and small craft should not hamper large ships manoeuvring in the river (see Rule 9[b] of the ICR). Maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 12 for any communication from Port Operations or ships underway and keep to the starboard side of the channel unless advised otherwise. Keep clear of ships propellers and bow thrusters and be aware that ships may swing anywhere within the river. Small craft should not anchor in the river except in an emergency.

Speed In The River

All vessels should maintain a slow speed in the river. Mariners are reminded that the maximum speed of 7 knots is not necessarily a safe speed and a slower speed may be appropriate. Take care with vessel wash and avoid causing a nuisance to other vessels either moored or underway.

Tide & Wind

There is a rise and fall of tide of approximately 2.0 metres within the river. Tidal flows within the river can be very swift particularly during Spring tides when rates of 4 knots can be achieved. Mariners should be aware that during certain wind and meteorological conditions, tidal flow rates can reach 5/6 knots. These conditions usually occur during the Winter months.

Slack water at the river entrance is approximately 90 minutes after HW/LW but this may vary with weather conditions.

At the entrance to the river, sea conditions can become confused with wind over tide, particularly on the ebb or with wave reflection from the pier structures.

Inside the river, there is generally good shelter however wind over tide with Northerly or Southerly winds can cause uncomfortable conditions on the berths at Hall Quay and fenders should be carefully adjusted during these circumstances.

This information should be read in conjunction with the Admiralty Sailing Directions, North Sea (West) Pilot

Please also see Tides/Weather