Changes to launching in Warsash?

[Wightdiver]

Hi Forum

I normally launch from the public slipway opposite the Rising Sun pub in Warsash. I usually get the family to use the new “fishermans” pontoon to hold the rib whilst I go and park the car and trailer etc. It is also a safe and convenient way of getting passengers on and off the RIB.

I notice that there is now a sign at the entrance to the fishermans pontoon saying that “no unauthorised persons are allowed beyond this point”, which I take to mean that it can no longer be used? They have also put a gate at the top of the bridge leading to the short term berths behind the Harbour Masters office, so no picking up from there?

Any of you local guys know anything about this as if this is correct it going to make launching from there a whole lot harder in the future?

Andy

[Jizm]

Do you pay the fees to launch? I think it used to be about £20 a year or £3 a time, maybe then you become an authorised person and can use the 'fishermans' pontoon.
Just a thought.

[Wightdiver]

Yes there is a charge of about £3.50 which I believe is to use the river rather than to launch. As it is clearly marked for the use of fisherman only I was wondering if they are clamping down on the usage of the pontoon. There have been a number of “exchanges of opinion” between leisure users and fisherman that I have seen including the placing of pots to block access!!

[Jizm]

I would try asking in the harbour masters office.
Either that or put some lobster pots on your boat.....

[biffer]

in theory you have never been able to use the fisherman pontoon as they paid for it, they turn a bit of a blind eye but of late they have had hoards of kids jumping all over it, the thing is if a kid get's hurt it's down to them, good old elf an safety

[thomas]

Next time yo go take a fishing rod with you then no one can moan.

[NSS]

I've launched there several times in the couple of months or so since the signs went up and the gate got locked, but have continued to use the jetty to load/unload from. The commercial fishermen have been there but haven't said anything to me so I guess they're okay as long as you don't sit there too long or get in their way. I did wonder whether it was a temporary thing during the school holidays as it used to get stupidly busy with kids 'crabbing' along practically the whole jetty and was an accident waiting to happen. Time will tell, I guess....

[biffer]

i can tell you all about the gate, i fitted it, the jetty can damage your boat if the tides coming in and your boat is low enough to go under the pontoon, i put some planking along the side a good few years back to stop it happening, not sure if it's still there