|
Watchet is fronted by a rocky foreshore which dries out for half a mile. The
harbour is tidal and the outer harbour dries completely. Pleasure steamers
can be accommodated on the West Pier and other small pleasure vessels are
allocated designated areas.
The entrance to the harbour lies between two breakwaters and is 28 metres
wide. The breakwaters are marked with a lighthouse and beacon.
The navigational guidance published in the Macmillan Reeds Nautical Almanac
is:
Navigation: Waypoint 51o12’.00N 03o18’.80W, 028o/208o from/to
harbour entrance, 1.1M. Rks/mud dry 5ca to seaward. Beware tidal streams
4-5kn at sp offshore and around W pier hd. Culver Sand (0.9m) is approx 6M
NNE, marked by ECM and WCM lt buoys. 5M E of harbour are Lilstock range
target buoys. DZ No 2 SPM buoy, Fl Y 10s, bears 030o/3.2M from Watchet.
Lights and Marks: Two unlit radio masts (206m) bearing 208o/1.6M from
harbour entrance are conspic approach marks. Hinkley Point nuclear power
station is conspic 7.3M to the E. W pier hd FG 9m 9M on Red (R) tr. E pier
hd 2 FR (vert) 3M.
There is a port radio station at Watchet, on which a listening watch is
maintained, and which can be contacted on VHF Channel 80.
Tidal Streams
It is advisable to approach Watchet Harbour less than 1½ hours prior to high
water.
During the marina access period the flow across the harbour entrance is
predominently westbound and attention must be given to this flow when
approaching the harbour entrance.
Marina Access Control
Vessel movements through the marina lock gate are controlled by traffic
light signals which are as follows:
Traffic lights facing into the harbour (sea)
“Sea side” traffic lights consist of three red lights and three green ones.
When the green lamps are illuminated vessels may proceed through the gate
with caution. When the red lamps are illuminated it means that vessels shall
not proceed.
Traffic lights facing into the marina
“Marina side” traffic lights are intended to control the traffic leaving the
marina into the outer harbour. They have similar form and function to those
traffic lights facing “sea side”.
Charts and Waypoints
Admiralty chart no. 1165
Harbour entrance - 51o11’.00 N. 03o19.64 W
|
