Introduction.

This years WCOA East Coast Cruise will be based at Harwich over the weekend of 22nd/23rd August.

Launching will be at Harwich Green slipway, National Grid Reference: TM 262 326, (see Ordnance Survey Landranger Map, Sheet No. 169). We will have the use of the changing rooms and showers at Harwich Town Sailing Club, which is adjacent to the slipway. There are no charges to WCOA members for using the slipway or the sailing club facilities. There is a free car park at the sailing club or you may park in Wellington Road. Alternatively, there is a pay and display car park in front of the slipway. You may rig either in the HTSC dinghy park or on the beach. Boats may be stored overnight, free of charge, in the dinghy park.

Harwich Harbour is a busy commercial shipping area. All the big stuff is bound for The Port of Felixstowe, the largest container port in Britain. The main terminal is situated on the North East side of the harbour. However, Harwich itself also operates a dockyard and many smaller vessels make their way to Ipswich at the head of the Orwell and a few to Mistley on the Stour. The Stenna Line ferries have their berths at the RoRo terminal at Parkstone, to the west of Harwich. There is a clearly marked deep water shipping channel, which no small craft should enter so as to hazard or impede the movement of any large vessel underway in the channel. Provided you keep clear of this channel, the Harbour and the delightful estuaries of the River Stour and River Orwell offer excellent open water sailing tidal and any commercial shipping will not trouble you. The River Deben Estuary to the north of the Harbour entrance is still relatively unspoilt, while The Walton Backwaters to the south is, in my opinion, a “little piece of paradise” for small boats.

Sailing Programme.

This will inevitably be governed by the prevailing weather conditions. However, there are numerous possibilities, including:

1. A passage to Manningtree at the head of the Stour Estuary. There is very little commercial shipping on The River Stour above Parkstone and as there are no marinas, very few pleasure yachts either. We can stop at the sandy beach at Wrabness and/or journey up Holbrook Creek for a coffee break. At Manningtree, we can take advantage of the hospitality of the Stour Sailing Club. The Crown pub on the quay also does good food.

2. A passage up the Orwell Estuary, passing under the impressive Orwell Bridge, which carries the A14 over the estuary. We may visit The Butt & Oyster pub at Pin Mill, famed for its Thames Sailing Barges and maybe stop off at The Royal Harwich Yacht Club for lunch on their grand lawns.

3. A passage across Dovercourt Bay to The Walton Backwaters. If you have read Arthur Ransome’s “Secret Water” you will notice a remarkable similarity to the map of the ‘Inland Sea’ made by the intrepid Swallows and Amazons sailors. We could visit The Walton and Frinton Yacht Club or Titchmarsh marina and maybe circumnavigate Horsey Island.

High Water on Saturday is 13.53 and on Sunday is 14.34. Please aim to be at HTSC, rigged and ready to sail by 09.30 on the Saturday and 10.00 on the Sunday. Return to the slipway will be no later than 17.00 Sat and 17.30 Sun (or we face a long haul over the mud!).

Members may attend on either the Saturday and/or the Sunday. However, as in previous years, many people prefer to arrive on the Friday afternoon/evening to avoid an early start from home on Saturday morning.

If you intend staying overnight on the Friday and/or Saturday, you will need to make your own accommodation arrangements. For a list of local hotels, B&Bs and camping sites, please contact the Harwich Tourist Information Office on (1255) 506139 but if you need any help or advice please do not hesitate to contact me.


How to get there.

1. From the South, take the M25 to junction 28. Follow the A12 northwards (signposted Chelmsford/Colchester) for about 43 miles until you come to the exit for the A120 (signposted Harwich). Follow the A120 directly to Harwich (about 18 miles). See Ordnance Survey Landranger Map, Sheet No. 169.

2. From the Midlands and North, take the M1 or A1 to the A14, then eastwards until you reach the junction with the A12. Follow the A12 southwards (signposted Colchester/London) for about 11 miles until you come to the exit for the A120 (signposted Harwich). Follow the A120 directly to Harwich (about 18 miles). See
Ordnance Survey Landranger Map, Sheet No. 169.

As you approach the town you will go across the Phoenix Bridge. Follow the signs for the Navyard docks and continue until you go past the Trinity House yard on your left. Go straight on at the mini roundabout, along The Quay, past the Pier and round past the entrance to Navyard Wharf into Kings Quay. Go past The Sign of the Bear restaurant on the right and into Wellington Street, past the mural, then the Lifeboat museum on the left. The entrance to the HTSC dinghy park is the next turn on the left.

I expect to be at the dinghy park on Friday evening from about 5pm to 7pm to greet you with a beer and a bite. Those arriving later may simply leave their boats in the dinghy park* and rig on Saturday morning. Call me on my mobile (07946) 626941 to find out where we are if you will be joining us for a drink and/or a meal.


*Please Note:
There is a combination lock on the dinghy park gate. Please call me if you arrive late and require access. You are advised not to leave valuables or outboard engine etc. in the boat overnight.

Sustenance.

On the Friday evening I envisage visiting a local pub or restaurant (actual venue to be confirmed) for a beer or three and a meal at about 8pm. Please indicate on the registration form if you intend to join us. Late arrivals may simply leave their boats in the dinghy park (see note on previous page) and rig on Saturday morning. You may call me on my mobile (07946) 626941 to find out where we are if you will be joining us for a drink and/or a meal.

On the Saturday evening we will again eat out locally. Once more, please indicate on the registration form if you intend coming along as this helps when making the booking.

Although we will be visiting places where food and drink is available, I suggest you bring also along your own supplies to consume during the day whilst afloat.

Boaty Bits.

If you possess an outboard engine, I recommend you bring it along. If you don’t have one, please ensure you have oars or a paddle.

Warps and fenders will be useful where there are pontoons to moor up to. And it is always advisable to carry an anchor.

A compass is not absolutely necessary but it is reassuring to have one if the visibility closes in. A small hand bearing or sighting compass is quite adequate.

Although I don’t anticipate needing it, an inshore flare pack is an added safety precaution you may wish to consider.

All helms and crews must wear personal buoyancy at all times whilst afloat.

As we may be undertaking a passage outside the harbour, helms should ensure that their boat is “sea-worthy”.

I will provide each helm with a b/w photocopy of relevant charts and pilotage notes for the areas we are visiting. However if you wish to obtain your own chart in advance, the best one (imo) is Imray Y16. An excellent pilot book is “The Cruising Companion to East Coast Rivers” by Janet Harber published by Nautical Data.

The Legal stuff.

ALL HELMS AND CREWS TAKING PART DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK. PARTICIPATION IS AT THE SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. NEITHER THE ORGANISERS NOR THE WCOA ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY ARISING FROM ANY ACCIDENT OR OTHER INCIDENT DURING THIS EVENT.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BOAT OWNER TO ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE EFFECTIVE AND VALID MARINE INSURANCE FOR THEIR DINGHY, INCLUDING THIRD PARTY COVER FOR AT LEAST £500,000 FOR ANY ONE INCIDENT.

ALL HELMS AND CREWS MUST WEAR PERSONAL BUOYANCY ALL TIMES WHILST AFLOAT.

DO ENSURE THAT YOU BRING ADEQUATE WARM CLOTHING AND WATERPROOFS, POSSIBLY WET OR DRY SUITS.

*****************************************

Please click either of the following links to download the Registration form and return it to me as soon as possible. I suggest you make your accommodation bookings early to avoid disappointment. MS Word Registration Form or PDF Registration Form.


Stephen Clampin
43 Gainsborough Drive,
Lawford Dale,
Manningtree.
Essex. CO11 2LF
Telephone: Home (01206) 395428
Mobile (07946) 626941