The Cinque Port and Haven of
A Trust Port Managed by the Sandwich Port and Haven Commissioners under ancient Acts of Parliament
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Welcome
to the website of the Sandwich Port and Haven.
The Sandwich Port and Haven is a Trust Port managed by the Sandwich Port and Haven Commissioners for the safe benefit of all Users / Stakeholders. Although the Port and Haven in its recognisable form has been around for over 200 years, the activities of the Haven go back as far as Roman times. Sandwich - the entry port to the British Isles for 1000 years - and Roman Richborough 600 years before that.
- by raid and by trade!
More under the HISTORY tab.
Leisure boating guide
USERS - PLEASE OBSERVE THE SPEED LIMIT OF
8 KNOTS
Byelaw 3 Refers
PLEASE ALSO CONTROL YOUR WASH THROUGH MOORINGS AND
REDUCE SPEED ACCORDINGLY.
Byelaw 2 refers
Note that there are wide areas of shallow water in Pegwell Bay and in the entrance to the river. Be careful to avoid grounding, or hitting the river banks and causing damage to the sensitive saltings and mudflats. The Harbourmaster is available to assist with advice.
Tel: 07463 721714
Email sandwichphc@yahoo.co.uk
VHF marine radio, Channel 08
Please also…
Do respect other water users – keep well clear of other craft.
Observe the Speed Limit of 8 Knots, less if necessary through moorings to avoid disturbance to moored craft.
Swimmers. Swimming is not encouraged, especially around moored craft where the run of the tide makes swimming extremely dangerous. If falling in near moored craft, strike out for the centre of the river and land where it is easy to climb out clear of moored craft. Getting very muddy indeed is considered better than drowning.
Comply with the ‘rules of the road’ – consider taking an RYA approved course. Sandwich Sailing and Motor Boat Club run courses. Tel: Paul Miller on 07595 839044.
Wildlife…
The river and it’s margins are important wildlife habitats of international importance…
Be aware of wildlife and avoid sensitive areas
Do not disturb birds nesting in the salt marshes and scrub. Many species of birds are protected by law. Also have regard for the seals and pass slowly at a sensible distance.
Watch your wash. Excessive wash causes riverbank erosion and is a nuisance to other boaters. Be aware that larger craft - not necessarily travelling very fast - can send a surge of the river some distance ahead of them, of which they will be completely unaware. Such surges cause moored craft to snatch at their mooring warps and themselves to surge back and forward.
Check the weather and tides before going afloat
Wear a lifejacket, carry a marine VHF radio.
Personal Rubbish
Dispose of your rubbish safely and sensibly and not
by littering the Haven. Leave nothing but your wake.
Effluent. Please do not discharge ‘black’ water (effluent) into the waters of The Haven - or higher up the river.
Site update 11th March 2021
COOKIES
This site does not knowingly use third Party Cookies. Google Analytics is though used periodically to
interrogate visitor usage and Preferences, but the user remains anonymous .
Info: Cookies are used to track a persons usage , usually for the purpose of target advertising.
Fairway Buoy moved to new position See Notices to Mariners here
Covid 19
P&HC NOTICE
River users please note.
The Port and Haven is open for use. Users though still need to abide by the rules laid down by government.
Otherwise enjoy the river.
This site is the Intellectual Property of the Sandwich Port and Haven Commissioners
Copyright 2020 ©
Unless otherwise shown all pictures on this website were taken by the Webmaster Robert Holden. If you have something you would like to contribute relevant to the River Stour we would be pleased to hear from you.
Contact details on the contacts page via the site navigation buttons above.
Notice to Mariners (NtM)
New line of nature habitat buoys to be established - see here.
Sandwich Fairway Buoy is returned to station having been fitted with a new ship anchor chain size mooring which will make it ride the waves better.
See Notices to Mariners here.
Sandwich Swing Bridge
is back. See the NEWS page here
IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO WORK THAT WILL AFFECT SAFE NAVIGATION, OR THE WATERWAY IN THE HAVEN IN ANY WAY YOU
MUST Please
OBTAIN A LICENCE TO CARRY OUT THE WORK.
Forms are available for specific activities and are to be found on the Health and Safety tab above. They are mandatory!
Their use triggers issue of a Notice to Mariners on your behalf as well as ensuring a safe system of work is planned and approved.
They are ‘Licences’ for:
Diving
Tree Felling or Pruning works
Use of Hovercraft
Construction or Dredging
Hot Works
There is a charge of £30.00 per licence listed above.
Also… Forms for Navigation Marks Reporting
and
Irregular Occurrence Reporting -
(Incident / Accident)