Camber Dock, Portsmouth

thorper · 03 February 2004, 15:19

Quote:

Originally posted by Ribald
Wavelength's method would work very well at the Camber slip at the moment with that bl**dy great fishing boat stuck in the way.

Hope he paid more than £2 to launch that.

Its a real pain when a boat puts in there for repairs. The bloke from Ken Brown boats generally shrugs and says thats what happens sometimes. There is just enough room for our rib down the side but it is interesting launching there.

That and the transit van that parks up on the slip to unload fishing boats - the skipper of the "Trojan" dive boat (hard boat) told them it was a free slip and they could f**k off once when we were loading dive kit and they wanted to unload their fish.

All part of the fun of launching at the camber :-)

Ricky

Aging Youth · 03 February 2004, 18:17

Hi All,

Trust me the fishermen never pay to use the camber slip!!!

They just turn up, thinking they own the Camber Dock.

Judging by the size of the plating on the side of this trawler, I dont' go much on the skippers driving ability.

However, I wanted to launch on Saturday with Daniel in Top Banana, but there was not enough width on the slipway.

All the receptionist at Ken Browns said was sorry fishermen take priority!!! He had already travelled down from Kent, so we moved to Southampton, Thanks Stuart.

Regards

Daniel · 03 February 2004, 18:38

Yer, i was rather P'd off about that, i was thinking of writing to whoever about it... who would that be?

Rogue Wave · 04 February 2004, 04:31

Hey guys,

Just one of the infinite reasons why Southampton is superior to Portsmouth. At least our fisherman know their place and that's the Camber docks in Portsmouth. We don't want those smelly scruffy things degrading our nice Marinas.

In fact the only smelly, scruffy thing allowed in marina's in Southampton is me!

Right to get back on message, front tow hook or a rope would sort it' But for the inveterate Dunkers then it's gotta be potting compound round the back and a nice dummy plug in the front, oh yes and loads of wd40 or waterproof grease or something

Cheers
Stuart

thorper · 04 February 2004, 09:47

Quote:

Originally posted by Aging Youth

However, I wanted to launch on Saturday with Daniel in Top Banana, but there was not enough width on the slipway.

It is just possible with a foot or 2 on each side - I guess our boat and Top Banana are pretty similar in size - however you have to be comfortable getting the wheels very close to the edge of the slip.

I have no idea who to write to - I think the council might be responsible, as the ken brown guy once told me that they needed to fix the barrier.

Ricky

Rogue Wave · 04 February 2004, 10:39

Isn't therer a harbout office right by the Slipway ( the red brick building) I think it's their slip

Phil Chitty · 04 February 2004, 12:14

If you need someone to contact it might be worth starting with the Port Services Harbour Office.

They can be contacted on (023) 9285 5912.

They are a department of Portsmouth City Council so if its not them they might point you in the right direction.

Phil

thorper · 04 February 2004, 13:20

I sent a request for information to the council on their website. I dont hold much hope that it will be productive, but who knows! Will post an update when I find out more.

Ricky

thorper · 06 February 2004, 10:54

I had a call back today from Rupert Taylor, who looks after the harbour for the council. He was very helpful, although the answer wasnt anything new:

1) The fishing boats in the camber pay a charge for use of the dock in general, which allows for the use of the slipway to make essential repairs. This could happen at any time of the year.

2) They have the right to use it, as their businesses depend on being able to fish, and therefore take priority over leisure users.

3) The best thing to do to avoid problems that Daniel had is to call ken browns boats, who can tell you what state the slip is in.

4) There are around 18 fishing boats of various sizes in the camber.

Ultimately theres not a lot we can do if the slip is blocked, except to use the public slip at eastney. However that is a much harder place to launch due to the tidal rip through the langstone entrance.

The fishing boat apparently problem didnt used to be an issue until a few years ago when they built the pontoon for the tour boats on the left of the slip, which reduced the space considerably.

The boat isnt there anymore, so the slip is clear to use.

Ricky

Daniel · 06 February 2004, 17:13

Thanks for doing all the hard work!

I must say the space left did not look nearly wide enough, but it looks like we should have measured it before going back to S'Hton. Oh well, all in a days boating.

Hugh Jardon · 06 July 2006, 17:04

does anyone have a view on if camber dock slip can be used with a car, we slip most places with the car......in fact never used the 4x4 for the rib yet at all, does anyone know if there is a smelly old fishing boat in the way currently or if there are better slips in the area we can use at all states. we have slipped at chichester, ichenor, mylor, calshot, pwllheli and only got stuck once on the muddy stones on the side at ichenor once with low tide and a boat blocking the normal slip area

any views?

Tim M · 06 July 2006, 17:47

Yes you can easily use a car. I pulled a Ribtec 585 out with a Fiat Punto so you shouldn't have any trouble.

Ribald · 06 July 2006, 18:11

You just need to be aware that the lower half of the slip below the LW Neaps line is very "slippery" and may pose a problem if recovery is effected at LW.

Hugh Jardon · 06 July 2006, 18:22

thanks to tim and pete, will give that slip a go then i think, we are probably slipping in and out at highish water so we should be fine

chris

Ribald · 06 July 2006, 19:38

Chris, as it would appear that you haven't used the Camber before, there are a couple of points to bear in mind:

3. Small Boat Channel. The Small Boat Channel is shown on Admiralty charts. Its northern and southern extremities are at Ballast Beacon and No 4 Bar Buoys respectively. A tide pole is fitted to Beacon BC4. Small Boats are reminded that they are extremely difficult to see and the harbour entrance is a blind bend to larger vessels. The following rules apply:

a. Small Boats must enter and leave the harbour through the Small Boat Channel. b. All craft fitted with engines, when navigating in the Approach Channel to Portsmouth Harbour, are to proceed under power between No 4 Bar Buoy and the Ballast Beacon.
c. The Small Boat Channel may only be entered or exited by vessels approaching from the east at its northern or southern extremities.
d. A traffic pattern is established around Ballast Beacon; Small Boats entering the harbour are to pass close to the east of Ballast Beacon and those exiting close to the west.
e. Small Boats crossing the harbour entrance may only do so to the north of Ballast Beacon or to the south of No 4 Bar Buoy.
f. Small Boats, save those listed below, are not to loiter in the Small Boat Channel.
g. Small Boats should remain on the Starboard side of the Small Boat Channel and should adjust their speed to remain within the Small Boat Channel rather than overtake and be forced into the main channel.

7. Gunwharf Quays/Town Camber - Traffic Management. The following traffic management plan for craft under 20 metres in length (bound to/from Town Camber/Gunwharf Quays) is now in force:

a. Arrival. In the interest of safety all Small Boats bound for Gunwharf Quays/Town Camber are to enter harbour through the Small Boat Channel. Vessels are only to cross the Main Channel when they are to the north of Ballast Beacon, and permission has been obtained from QHM on VHF Channel 11. Vessels fitted with engines are to use them from entering the Small Boat Channel until arrival at Gunwharf Quays/Town Camber.
b. Departure. Small Boats departing from Gunwharf Quays and Town Camber are to obtain permission from QHM on VHF Channel 11 before proceeding. Small Boats leaving the Town Camber are to obtain approval before slipping and again when in the vicinity of The Point prior to crossing the Main Channel. All vessels are then to cross the Main Channel direct to Ballast Beacon and leave harbour through the Small Boat Channel. Vessels fitted with engines are to use them until exiting the Small Boat Channel. If any of these vessels are not fitted with VHF radio, fixed or portable, then they are to be escorted by a marshalling craft or accompany another vessel so fitted. When on station a QHM Harbour Patrol Launch or Volunteer Harbour Patrol Launch may undertake this task.

tcwozere · 06 July 2006, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribald

there are a couple of points to bear in mind..[/I]

Here's another point to bear in mind for those using pompey 'arbour.. clicky.

Ribald · 06 July 2006, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

Here's another point to bear in mind for those using pompey 'arbour.. clicky.

Ahh - it's arrived then

Rogue Wave · 07 July 2006, 09:33

It's a decent slip nice rake to it. I believe it's looked after by KB boat park now which is the stacking place right next door

Hugh Jardon · 07 July 2006, 10:27

cool, many thanks for the input here, i have been to kb before as we test drove a boat out of there and familiar with the channels etc so many thanks

wavelength · 07 July 2006, 13:07

Quote:

Wavelength's method

oo-er how did I get on mentioned on this thread

Having launched and retrieved there only once but with a rack of Humber boats of varying sizes for Ribex I would agree with the sentiment that it is is indeed very slippery when the tide drops below a certain level. The biggest we had was an 8m ocean pro and at the bottom of the tide I wouldnt have liked to try and drag it out without a beefy 4x4-even if it was only there to lean on cos actually standing up on it wasnt easy that day! Dead easy above the weed -as long as nobody parks a trawler there apparently!