Notice 05 of 2020 Dated 18th February
Environment Agency emergency works at Pillory Gate Wharf.
Mariners are advised that emergency works to the Sandwich flood defence scheme at Pillory Gate Wharf (Highway Marine) will start during week commencing 17th February 2020. A jack up barge will be in attendance along with a safety vessel. Vessels should pass at slow speed and be prepared to take instructions from the contractors. River width will necessarily be limited.
Large craft going downstream should do so against an incoming tide. Should they be unable to pass due to insufficient room they must moor to the south side of the river’s ‘Bridge waiting berth’ to await availability of sufficient river width, which may be a week or more. Vessels going upstream should likewise assess the available river width BEFORE transiting the bridge. If there is insufficient space vessels should make fast to the Quay to await a favourable moment, which may be a week or so.
Consequent of the above masters of large vessels are strongly advised to await removal of the barge.
Signed: Ian Broughton, Harbourmaster.
Notice 04 of 2020 Swing Bridge - major overhaul - Revised date
12th February 2020
Mariners are advised that due to the overrunning Southern Water road works on the Sandwich Bypass Kent County Council has put the date of the works to Sandwich Swing Bridge forward to Monday 30th March. This to avoid traffic gridlock in and around Sandwich. The period of the works has been extended by a further week to 8 weeks duration, to accommodate the Easter weekend and the Spring Bank Holiday.
Signed Ian Broughton Harbour Master.
Notice 03 of 2020 Cancellation of NtM’s
3rd February 2020
Mariners are informed that Notices to Mariners (NtM’s), numbers 01 2019 through to 13 2019 are hereby cancelled.
Signed Ian Broughton Harbour Master.
Notice 02 of 2020 Swing Bridge - major overhaul
3rd February 2020
Mariners are informed, along with others who might be affected that the bridge is to be removed week commencing 17th Feb. For more detailed information please see here for the Kent County Council press release. Masters of vessels are advised that the river will be closed to navigation at critical times of these works - most likely at the beginning, and over the closing week of the re-installation, as the refurbished bridge is tested and commissioned back into use.
Signed Ian Broughton Harbour Master.
Notice 01 of 2020 Riverbed survey
23rd January 2020
Mariners are informed that a low water riverbed survey will be carried out just upstream of Vigo Sluice. Masters of vessels capable of navigating this part of the river at LW are requested to pass at low speed.
Signed Ian Broughton. Harbour Master.
Notice 14 of 2019 -New Shingle bank formed at Stonar Cut
Date 21st December 2019
Mariners are informed of the creation of a shingle bank just downstream of Stonar Cut, at the southern tip of Richborough Wharf, consequent of the Environment Agency running of the Cut’s sluices to drain the river of excess rainfall and consequent flooding of the flood plain. The bank will be protected by a Starboard Hand (green) buoy.
Signed: Ian Broughton Harbour Master.
