River licenses

[Stigomery]

Quick question...

so I'm looking at outings near the Deben, Stour, or other estuaries close to Ipswitch/ the east coast.

If you potter up stream on these rivers how do you know when you enter river license territory. I'm guessing it's linked to the transition from tidal to non tidal but is there a hard and fast rule?

Thanks

[CJL]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

Quick question...

so I'm looking at outings near the Deben, Stour, or other estuaries close to Ipswitch/ the east coast.

If you potter up stream on these rivers how do you know when you enter river license territory. I'm guessing it's linked to the transition from tidal to non tidal but is there a hard and fast rule?

Thanks

I don't think there is anything required until you get a very long way up them. Certainly I've never been asked for anything at any rate!

Chris

[jeffstevens763@g]

VTS should be contacted to make them aware of your intentions tidal rivers not sure of anything else but soon as the river is controlled Ie: gates maintaining water levels then you need licences from the environment agency or the canal and river trust I think the both cross so one licence for both. There are others river cam conservators for one info on the web.

Cheers

[Fenlander]

No licence needed from the sea right up past Woodbridge to at least the Melton bridge... not sure above there but it's bleak, muddy and uninteresting in the upper reaches for SIBs so I don't think you'd want to be up that far anyway.

In truth it's very muddy at the edges most of the way up the Deben apart from a very few stopping off points unless it's close to high tide.

[Stigomery]

Thanks chaps, sounds like nothing to fear the distance I'd be heading in

[Fenlander]

Where will you launch?

[Stigomery]

Considering Felixstowe Ferry... Does the bar pose any challenges for a SIB?

[Fenlander]

The bar...

Have you looked at the charts and pilot notes?

Chart: Maps

Notes: Deben, River (Woodbridge Haven) [Expanded View] - East Coast: pilotage, charts, photos and marine business listings

I'm not that keen on taking a SIB to sea where the return to safety contains one of the potentially most difficult sections of the trip.... particularly for the purposes of running an engine in and getting to know a new outfit.

Return to the Deben at the wrong time with the ebb meeting sea and a bit of wind added in will be an exciting experience... but at the right time with calm weather you'd wonder what the fuss was about.

[Stigomery]

Yes seen those and read all the blurb, I have charts also. The allure of the Deben is close to home and there is a 3km stretch from Felixstowe Ferry upstream that has no speed limit thus protected somewhat from the sea and seemed a good bet for running in that motor in otherwise unfavourable sea conditions

Found this one also:

http://www.debenestuarypilot.co.uk/

(Just realised that's the same link as your map link)

[Fenlander]

Check it out somewhere official but I thought the speed limits were just in the summer months and after the end of Sept there were no limits until the following spring?? I know that last year some interested body were trying to get the limits imposed all year... not sure that happened though??

Having said that I always respect moored craft, smaller/slower craft on the water and wildlife areas etc regardless of posted limits.

[Stigomery]

Now you mention it I do remember reading that. I'll call the waterski club before I venture over, I think they manage the slip access/fees

[Fenlander]

Are you thinking of going out pre-Christmas? We'd hoped to, probably Mersea, but think it will be in the new year now.

[Stigomery]

That's the plan... Wrap up warm, me and the boy and go have some fun!

When it arrives there won't be any holding us back!

[Stigomery]

Originally Posted by Stigomery

When it arrives there won't be any holding us back!

Having said that, tomorrow might be out