News Update

General Topics

• Representatives of HASA, the RYA and local Clubs attend half yearly meetings with Harwich Harbour Authority and Ipswich Port. These act as a conduit for local problems to be discussed and are most useful. It is encouraging to note that incidents involving leisure vessels and commercial shipping are few. The main problems are those of speeding by motor vessels particularly in the Orwell, together with the use of jetskis and water skiing for which there is a designated are below Levington. The speed limit of 6 knots is often exceeded without heed to the needs of navigation. Incidents within Harwich Harbour Area are very few according to the latest reports

• Damage to moored boats. There have been numerous reports of damage to moored yachts. This has been particularly prevalent on all rivers including the Orwell and Deben. If you see an incident where damage has occurred you should take steps to note the time, nature and details of the offender and let either Deben Watch or the Ipswich Port or Harwich Harbour authority know. Some damage is of course accidental but still entails cost to put right. Alternatively, our web site lists the representatives of the many Yacht and Sailing Clubs in the HASA area ( Aldeburgh to Walton). An email to the nearest Club giving information would be most helpful.

Harwich Harbour, Orwell and Stour

• After an approach by HASA and due to the generosity of the Harwich Haven Authority, the Deputy Harbourmaster has agreed to lay a new seasonal yellow pillar lighted yacht racing marker buoy, named Shotley Horse which is north-west of the main Shotley Spit navigation cardinal mark in position: 51º57’.32N; 01º17’.46E (WGS 84) FL (4) Y 10

  This is particularly for the use of yacht clubs who stage racesfrom the Orwell to the Stour and vice versa but is also to be used as a leisure vessel navigation mark to keep yachts out of the deep water channel.

  HASA is grateful for this additional seasonal mark which will enhance the provision of yacht racing within the two rivers but also hopefully prove to be an additional safety factor for cruising yachts
  

• Halfpenny Pier is only available for visiting yachts from April to October. See Notice to Mariners for the latest news.

• Yachts are asked to report jet skis and water skiing infringing the Orwell and the Stour unless they are using the designated area off Collimer point near Levington. The speed limit in the Orwell is SIX KNOTS and the Harbour Master Ipswich has posted signs at the Lock and at neighbouring Marinas.

• The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) are getting involved in the monitoring of fishing gear in shipping channels and the RYA has recently published a very good article concerning incidents involving yachts and fishing gear. Further information along with an incident report form can be viewed on the RYA website at www.rya.org.uk/cruising

• For Racing Guidelines within Harwich Haven click here for further information

• For minutes of the HASA 2007 AGM click here for further information

Deben, Alde and Ore

• There have been several instances of dinghies, RIBS, trailers, outboards and equipment being stolen from various locations on the Alde, Ore and Deben. Yacht and dinghy owners are reminded that their hulls and equipment should both be locked and marked. Yachts can be 'implanted' with an identification 'chip' to assist in identifying stolen vessels. Further information on Deben Watch can be found at debenwatch.co.uk

• Ramsholt - after a formal application to the East of EnglandRegional Government Office, the rights of leisure sailorsto use the Hard at Ramsholt have now been confirmed and the local estate cannot now apply charges as previously threatened.

• River Deben Speed Limit - Suffolk Coastal District Council have recently re-published their 'Water Recreation Guidelines' including a very useful diagram showing the speed limit for the various sections of the river. To download a copy of the speed limit diagram click here

NOTE: To view the diagram and to download any of the other documents referred to on this site, Adobe Acrobat Reader is required. If you do not have a copy, click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader logo to download a free copy of the software

A new website has been set up providing up to date information on the Deben and Ore entrances. Further information can be found at www.eastcoastrivers.com

Cruising to the Near Continent - 'Schengen Agreement'

• There are some simple rules to follow when sailing to the near continent. Spot checks are increasingly being carried out and you can be fined for non-compliance. Click here for further information.

Wind Farms

• The RYA position. Click here for further information.