Pilot 2011
Find current updates on the Bulletin Board at the foot of the page.
( Also check our Notice Board at the club house gate)
SALTFLEET HAVEN PILOT INFO FOR 2011
Saltfleet Haven is not the easiest creek to enter on this coast but we believe the effort is well worth it. The information below should help you enter and exit with safety but always be aware that the river and the sand bars are constantly on the move. Warnings will be posted on this site when any details alter.
PLEASE NOTE THAT MOST OF THE BUOYS ARE TAKEN OUT EACH WINTER, THEY ARE REMOVED FROM OCTOBER UNTIL THE END OF APRIL OR EARLY MAY.
“Boats arriving at the Haven”.
Outer Yellow Mark is on N53 24.934 E000 14.430
If you arrive from North or South keep well out to sea in-line with Outer Yellow Mark this will ensure you are always in plenty of water, head in while the tide is on the flood, about 25 minutes before high water, then steer for 0.75nm and pick up the SHBC Inner Yellow Marker buoy on (N53 24.800 E000 14.452, you enter the main channel at approximately 270o mag (this can change) to the Red & Green Gate buoys.
Be careful if arriving late on the ebb tide with an onshore breeze, the under current going out is strong and there is a chance you may get a wave over the stern as you drop into the troughs, but the cut through the bar is short so most will arrive unscathed and dry. Keep all Red cans/buoys to your (Port) and all Green cans on your (Starboard).
Head for the next Red, this part of the channel is changeable so follow all marks to arrive at the Narrows Buoy, you should be clear of the sand bar now and into calmer water....
Once you pass the poles on the port side (wildlife area) at the entrance to the main river, keep to the red/orange pellets all the way up to the club berths.
Visitors: You are welcome to use the first berth immediately before the concrete slip. Or continue up to the Outlet Moorings at the pumping station outlet, the river bed is of soft mud, with few obstructions.
There are now water/toilet facilities at the club house but you will need to notify a key holder a few days prior to making you trip(see contacts on sheet two), there are two pubs locally, The New Inn and the Crown Inn just a short walk along the main road heading North through the village.
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FROM THE HAVEN
Boats leaving the Haven should keep to the red/orange pellets and once you have turned right at the end, keep all RED cans/buoys to your (starboard). Don’t leave too late on the ebbing tide as the sea floods back over the bar very quickly and you can be caught out.
Once you have left the gate buoys, head straight out to sea, if going south pick up the Inner mark.
Boats with a draft up to 1’ 6" can exit/enter the Haven approximately 1 to 2 hours before high water on a 6.6m tide. (depends on size of swells)
Boats with a draft up to 2’ 6" can exit/enter the Haven approximately 1 hour before high water on a 6.8m tide.
Tides that are 7m + will give you approximately 30minutes longer, either side of high water.
Slipway members, depending on the size of their boat or height/time of tide can launch into the river any time but be aware that there is a drop at the end of the concrete slip, most will be able to get out on tides as small as 6.0m, but this will only give you a 1 hour window on some tides if you are not staying out.
A Days Sail Away (weather permitting):
Humberstone Fities 15kms - Grimsby Marina 25 kms - Wainfleet haven 24 kms - Thornham, Norfolk. 39 kms - Brancaster, Norfolk 40 kms - Wells- next- the-Sea 42kms
Days Sail and Return:
Spurn Area 24kms - Donna Nook 16kms - Huttoft Bank 32kms - Protector Buoy Area 32kms - DZ5 10kms - The Hole Wreck, off Mablethorpe 18kms
What to See
Seals, one of the largest colonies in UK -Porpoises, mainly near the Humber River Mouth. - Puffins, Gannets, Shags, Guillemots, Seagulls, Shelducks, Mallard, Geese.
Fish to Catch
Mackerel, Whitings, Tope, Sea Bass, Cod
For latest update on Channel/marks and if you require a welcoming committee just contact the club by way of the contacts page or ring Billy 07826297714 or Pete 07946563965
