News - 23/07/14

The Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week regatta runs from 2nd to 9th August and during this time there will inevitably be heavy concentrations of sailing vessels of all types racing in the Solent, in the approaches to Cowes Harbour and Southampton Water, and within the Precautionary Area. All skippers should be particularly vigilant and should maintain an efficient lookout for large vessels and other sailing vessels and, at all times, navigate with extreme caution in these areas. 

Local Notice to Mariners No 18(T) of 2014 contains much useful Cowes Week information and advice for skippers. The Notice covers race starts and finishes within and in the approaches to Cowes Harbour, buoys laid for racing, start and finish lines, the breakwater Exclusion Zone, Cowes Roads and main harbour moorings areas, navigating safely in the fairways and Small Craft Channel, and the use of engines by sailing vessels. 

Visiting yachtsmen to Cowes Harbour are also reminded that the rules governing the Chain Ferry were changed at the beginning of the year, with the result that the Chain Ferry now has right of way over all river traffic. However, any vessel requiring an unimpeded passage is required to establish early contact (call sign ‘Cowes Chain Ferry’) and agree on VHF Channel 69 which side the Chain Ferry should hold for your passage. For more detailed information, see the Chain Ferry Local Notice to Mariners and the contents of Cowes Harbour General Directions Section 6 with specific reference to paragraphs 6.1 and 6.5 which refer to the Chain Ferry’s right of way.