Harbour entry
 Maritime Trust Our new charity supporting young people in and around Wells in sailing and maritime activities...
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Entering Wells Harbour
Whether approaching Wells Harbour from the Blakeney Overfalls, the South Race, the Woolpack or the Burnham Flats, you will have no difficulty in laying and holding a course for the Wells Leading Buoy. The water, though quite shallow in parts, presents few hazards and the tides are not overly powerful. A useful homing guide is the long plantation of fir trees at Holkham Meals... Wells lies immediately at the Eastern end of this plantation. Prior to, or on, arrival at the Leading Buoy, it is advisable to call the Harbour Master on VHF Channel 12 ("Wells Harbour"). He will then advise you of the entry time. If you are attempting to enter at night or are unsure, the Harbour Launch is often available to escort visitors into the harbour and up to the quayside. If entering at night, a good spotlight or torch will be helpful. Draft On neap tides, Wells Harbour may be entered by craft drawing up to 6' (1.75m) at high water or at most one hour before or after high water. On Spring tides, there is more scope. Vessels drawing up to 10' (3m) can use the harbour at high water and vessels of up to 1.5m draft can look at entry two hours either side of high water. The entrance channel is continuously dredged; for up-to-date access times, contact the Harbour Master. Entry The entrance channel across the bar and into the harbour is subject to change from time to time, however the buoyage system is relatively stable. From the Leading Buoy approximately 165°, the West End Bar Buoy, flashing Red once every three seconds, is visible in most conditions. After passing this to port, make good a course approximately 150° to the East End Bar Buoy, flashing red once every three seconds. On approaching this buoy, the large green No 1. conical buoy and red No 2 can buoy will be visible to starboard (South). Make good a course to come between them until the smaller buoys of the channel become visible. From the starboard buoy No. 9 (the 'Knock'), the channel bends away towards the South East into quieter waters. The wide sweep to the east just past the lifeboat house must be made with the red buoys quite close on the port-hand side as the channel is quite narrow. On passing the green buoy named the 'Pool', sweep round to the South West and follow the buoys to the last red can buoy then sweep back south east close to the marsh edge and follow the red buoys all the way to the quay. VHF All commercial vessels working from the Outer Harbour should call VHF Channel 12 for clearance before entry or departure. We would like to emphasise that all vessels should maintain a listening watch on channels 12 and 16 while inside the port so that the harbour launch can raise them if necessary. A minority of visiting vessels fail to call Wells harbour on channel 12 before entering, which can cause problems with berthing at the pontoons. We would appreciate it if visiting vessels would call the harbour before entering. Nav Aids In 2011, the Commissioners were given consent from Trinity House for two extra can buoys to be positioned on the inside of the bar following a successful trial. A new can buoy for the West End of the bar was purchased for the sum of £7500 and the Commissioners are hoping to purchase a similar buoy for the East End of the bar to replace the large steel buoy in 2012. On the east side of the channel marking the berm are small red can buoys which are unlit. These are placed between the main channel marker buoys.
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Charts AC 108, SC5614 Leading Buoy Latitude 52°59'.64N Entry information Prior notice of entry required if possible. Shipping - at least 24 hours notice required. Contact Harbour Master. Access at harbour entrance (No 1 buoy) Max draft 3m at High Water Springs. Most vessel movements 2hrs before to 2hrs after HW, dependent on draft. The channel is continuously dredged from the Entrance to the Lifeboat House. Contact Harbour Master for latest access information. VHF/Communication Call "Wells Harbour" on VHF Channel 12 before or on arrival at the Leading buoy or telephone Harbour office (01328) 711646. Emergency Call "Yarmouth Coastguard" on channel 16. Night Entry The harbour launch will help direct vessels if possible or requested. A good spotlight/torch is always helpful on entry. Moorings and berths Pontoon berths, if available, are just inside the quay to west or berths alongside the quay wall. Visitors' moorings available on request. Do not moor your craft from the middle to the east end of the main quay - this is used by commercial fishing vessels. Anchoring For suitable positions contact harbour staff. Please keep fairway and channel clear. Do not anchor in vicinity of the quayside, within mooring areas or in front of the lifeboat house. Fuel/water Diesel oil available on the tide at the fuel berth. Contact the Harbour Assistant. Fresh water is available on the pontoons or from the main quay. Electricity/refuse Electricity is available on the pontoons. All refuse should be placed in bins on the main quay. Do not dispose of refuse in the harbour. Live weather Weather and sea conditions information is available live at the Harbour Office. Important All craft must observe the speed limits and must not create excessive wash in the inner harbour and quayside. |
