Harbour entry
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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, a port-hand mark that has replaced the former red and white Wells Fairway 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) for advice about entry. 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. All vessels are advised to approach the harbour entrance from West of the leading buoy. Vessels arriving from the East should pass the leading buoy to port before turning for the harbour entrance rather than making directly for No.s 1 and 2. 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 channel 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. 155° from the Leading Buoy, the large green No. 1 conical buoy flashing green and the large red No. 2 can buoy flashing red on the bar itself will be visible in most conditions. Make good a course to come between them, being aware of a strong tidal set to the east from approximately two hours before high water. From No.s 1 and 2, the smaller buoys of the entrance channel become visible and it is better to favour the starboard side because of the considerable east going stream. From the starboard buoy No. 9 (the 'Knock'), the channel bends away towards the South East into quieter waters. The wide sweep to the eastward just past the lifeboat house must be made with the red marks close to port as the channel is quite narrow. On passing the green buoy named the 'Pool', turn to the South West and follow the buoys to the last red can buoy (No. 14) then sweep back East close to the marsh edge and follow the red beacons to the Quay. Mooring at the Harbour The quay at Wells runs East to West. The West end of the quay wall is reserved for visiting vessels, with some pontoon berths, and to the North East of the harbour office there are visitors' moorings which dry out on flat sand and give easy shore access. Longer term moorings are available in the creeks to the East of the quay and in the western side of the channel. VHF A recurring problem has been vessels not maintaining a listening watch on VHF channel 12 while inside the harbour, which can cause difficulties if the harbour launch needs to raise them. All vessels should maintain a listening watch on channels 12 and 16 while inside the harbour. A small minority of visiting vessels fail to call Wells Harbour on channel 12 before entering which can cause problems with berthing at the pontoons. It would be appreciated if visiting vessels would raise the Harbour before entering. The Harbour Launch The Harbour Launch provides an invaluable service afloat for all harbour users. Vessels visiting Wells for the first time, or other vessels on request, are normally met in the vicinity of the Leading Buoy and guided into the harbour, especially at night. We know from the comments of skippers that this service is very appreciated and worthwhile to all concerned. The Harbour Launch also helps with the maintenance and movements of moorings, navigational aids, with towing and repositioning vessels and so on. Late in 2008 the Harbour Commissioners purchased a second harbour launch, an 8.5m Starfish with a forward wheelhouse. This vessel will assist the harbour staff greatly in the positioning of the navigation marks, towing vessels and giving the harbour staff more protection in inclement weather when escorting vessels in from the harbour entrance. Nav Aids The nav aids with Wells Harbour are continually being updated and are inspected annually by Trinity House who spend a day inspecting the harbour aids and also spend a separate day carrying out an internal annual audit. All was again found to be in good order last year. Late last year the big steel No. 1 buoy was replaced by a modern new GRP buoy which will be trialled for the winter months to see if it is suitable to live up to the conditions at the entrance in bad storms. If the trial is successful the buoy will be purchased by the Commissioners for the sum of £12,500. Also, over the last year, the steel beacons have been removed and replaced by modern buoys.
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Charts AC 108, SC5164 Leading Buoy Latitude 52°59'.60N Entry information Prior notice of entry required if possible. Shipping - at least 24 hours notice required. Contact Harbour Master. VHF/Communication Call "Wells Harbour" on VHF Channel 12 before or on arrival at Wells Leading buoy or telephone Harbour office (01328) 711646 or HM on 07775 507284 or Deputy HM 07881 824912. Draft Max 3m at HW Springs. Most vessel movements 2hrs before to 2hrs after HW, dependent on draft. Lights Leading Buoy Fl.(2)R.5s Mooring Contact the harbour prior to or on arrival for advice. Visitors moorings marked yellow on West side of channel just before entry to the Quay (all drying). Pontoon berths or quay wall berths may be available from the West end to the middle of the Quay (do not moor from the middle to the east end of the quay, as this area is used by commercial fishing vessels). Please contact harbour staff for advice about suitable positions for anchoring... keep the fairway and channel clear and do not anchor near the quayside, within mooring areas or in front of the Lifeboat house. |
