Each year, Wightlink Ferries make thousands of crossings and it is therefore important that care is exercised by both the ferries and leisure users to ensure that incidents are avoided. For much of the year 4 ferry transits an hour take place within the river.

To reduce the risk of incidents between ferries and small craft, the following points should be noted.

When navigating in the Harbour mariners must comply with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea and with the Harbour Byelaws.

Assess the height of tide before making a passage of the river: avoid the fairway if there is sufficient water for your vessel outside it. If you do use the fairway you must not cause obstruction to vessels which can navigate only within the fairway (Byelaw 6).

Please be aware of the navigation constraints under which the ferries operate. When using the fairway, keep to the starboard side of the channel. Avoid using the middle of the channel unless there are no other river users in the vicinity.

On the approach of ferries, or when the volume of traffic is high, keep in single file and only overtake when it is safe to do so.

If sailing be aware that the ferry is a large object and will take your wind. Plan accordingly and be prepared.

Keep a good look out so that you are aware of what is going on all around you. Don’t forget to look behind you, especially in bad weather.

The sterns of the ferries swing outwards as they negotiate bends in the river: keep well clear.

Ferries have powerful thruster units at each end of the vessel that can cause turbulence that may be hazardous for small craft. This is particularly noticeable if they need to stop and hold their position against the wind and on approach manoeuvres into the berth - be aware of the effect of the ferry’s thrust on your  intended course and keep clear at all times.

The wake of the ferry often looks deceptively calm. However, underwater eddies can affect the steerage of small craft. When following keep a sensible distance back – at least one ferry length.

The tide can sweep strongly across the fairway to seaward of navigation marks 5 & 6.  Allowance should be made for this effect to avoid being swept onto shallow areas, or across the channel and into the path of oncoming traffic. Look behind you to determine your position in the river.

Please be familiar with the note at the back of the Byelaws on the interaction between vessels: small craft may suffer a sheering action when passing or being passed by a ferry, drawing them towards the ferry. This is especially marked at low water. Keep well clear. If you can’t, speed up or slow down so as to minimise the time you are close to the ferry.

If you cannot see the ferry’s bridge, they will not be able to see you:  keep where you can be seen at all times.

Hoisting sails: yachtsmen (particularly those trying to make the start of a race) are asked not to hoist sails in the main fairway or in the water used by the ferries at the harbour entrance.

General Code of Conduct for Recreational Craft

Formal regulation of the harbour is through byelaws and other measures that may result in enforcement action where all other avenues have failed. However, by far the greatest part of the Harbour Authority’s effort concerning control, regulation and discipline in the harbour is achieved through personal day to day contact between harbour users and staff, when information is exchanged and advice and education given.

The enforcement process presumes prior contact with the customer for formal/informal warnings, evidence gathering etc.

For the harbour user who may not have visited Lymington Harbour before, or may never have been afloat before, it is important to understand some of the basic requirements of the Harbour Authority prior to setting off. This short Code of Conduct sets out these basic requirements, which should be observed by all users. 

• Do comply with the COLREGS & Harbour Byelaws.
• Do keep a good lookout and act with due consideration to others.
• Do keep as far over to the starboard side of the channel as practical and appropriate.
• Do give way to all vessels over 20 meters in length & vessels constrained by draught, i.e. ferries, dredging barges, large yachts (see separate safety advice on ferries).
• Do secure properly to your mooring or berth & use adequate fendering.
• Do follow the slipway safety & RNLI safety at sea guidance displayed on the slipway.
• Do report safety incidents to the Harbour Master

• Do not linger off the slipways.
• Do not water ski, jet ski, wind surf or kite surf.
• Do not dive in the harbour except with the permission of the Harbour Master.
• Do not exceed the stated speed limits.
• Do not moor/leave boats unattended on Emergency Landing on Harbour Masters Pontoon.

Further information and Byelaws are displayed on notice boards at Town Quay and Harbour Office.

Our public slipway at the Bath Road car park provides an ideal launching base from which to launch and explore the Solent and the surrounding area.

Before use please pay the launching fee at the adjacent Harbour Office or to the Harbour Staff if they are on the slipway.

The slipway can get very busy at times and it is therefore important that for the safety and enjoyment of everyone, a few simple rules are followed.

Only trained and competent persons should use the slipway to launch.

 Check the tide tables in advance to ensure that you have enough water for launching and recovery. Details for the current month is available HERE.

To avoid delay and inconvenience to others, particularly at busy times please prepare your boat and rigging away from the slipway. Do not bring your boat to the slipway until you are ready to launch. Similarly, when retrieving your boat, remove it from the slipway immediately. Do not wash down or take down rigging while on the slipway.

When launching using a vehicle, ensure your tow vehicle will cope. Rear wheel drive vehicles will struggle on a slippery slope, while front wheel drives suffer from wheel spin if the weight of the trailer is excessive.

 

·        When not driving the handbrake is on and holding.

·        The trailer tow hitch is properly secured to the vehicle.

·        The boat is properly secured to the trailer.

·        If recovering with a rope extension, do not drive over the ‘hump’ at the top of the slipway because of the slope on the other side. Once the trailer is out of the water, chock the wheels and attach the trailer to the tow hitch before towing off the slipway.

Runaway vehicles, trailers or boats sliding off a trailer can kill or cause serious injury!

 When launching boats using a vehicle, always check that the slipway and the public footpath at the top of the slipway are clear before manoeuvring. When reversing, if available, always use a second person to guide you back. Remember that there will also be people launching and recovering small boats by hand.

 The slipway is used to launch the lifeboat which has priority for launching at all times. Please be vigilant, and do not leave your vehicle unattended on the slipway or on the yellow hatched approach area which marks the access route for the lifeboat.

Finally, follow the RNLI safety advice on the sign at the top of the slipway.

Safety Management System

In February 2009 the Commissioners appointed Nicholsons Risk Management as ‘Designated Person’ to provide independent reassurance to the Board that its Safety Management System (SMS) is fit for purpose, and compliant with the provisions of the PMSC.

The Safety Management System was reviewed and audited by Nicholsons Risk Management between the 3^rd and 10^th March 2009 and found to be compliant with the requirements of the Port Marine Safety Code.

Code Update

The Department for Transport formally launched the “refreshed” Port Marine Safety Code guidance on the 29^th October following extensive consultation with the MCA and industry. The most significant revisions to the Code include:

·        A reference to relevant national legislation that has come into force since its original publication in 2000.

·        A two-page summary of the main points of the Code, and;

·        Clarification of key elements.

In conjunction with Nicholsons Risk Management we have commenced a review of the revised Code in order to identify if there are areas where LHC should consider making changes. Future annual reviews of our Safety Management System (SMS) will be audited against compliance with the revised Code.

Incident Statistics

The tables below give a breakdown comparison of the number of ‘safety’ and ‘non safety’ related incidents for eleven months, January 1^st to 30^th November.