marine safety in the Dee Conservancy

A guide to safe navigation We are Environment Agency . It’s our job to look after your environment and make it a better place – for you, and for future generations. Your environment is the air you breathe, the water you drink and the ground you walk on. Working with business, Government and society as a whole, we are making your environment cleaner and healthier. Environment Agency Wales. Out there, making your environment a better place.

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Environment Agency Wales Cambria House 29 Newport Road Cardiff CF24 OTP Tel: 0870 8506506 Email: [email protected] www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk

© Environment Agency Wales

All rights reserved. This document may be reproduced with prior permission of the Environment Agency Wales. Foreword by Director Wales Introduction to the

The Dee estuary can be a dangerous place, with shifting sands and strong tidal currents. Those that sail there need to be aware of the dangers and ready to deal with them safely. In spite of this, it has been an important route for trading ships for at least two thousand years.

But the safety standards that were Modern trade brings larger ships to the good enough for the Roman Empire estuary, and once more it is playing an were not good enough for the coastal important part in the area’s economy. traders of the industrial age. Since We have produced this booklet to 1889 the Dee Conservancy has help all users of the estuary to regulated navigation in the estuary understand the hazards, to know what and provided aids to help ships to get to look out for, what to avoid and how through safely. This duty is now the to respond in an emergency. I hope responsibility of Environment Agency you will find this information useful Wales and we continue to take Health and, whether you are afloat to make a and Safety very seriously. living or just for fun, you will continue Sea traffic in the Conservancy to use the estuary safely. dwindled during the latter part of the 20th century, but recently it has begun to revive. Commercial fishing, recreational sailing and water sports are also on the increase, and there is Dr Helen Phillips commercial traffic passing as far Director Wales upstream as Broughton near . Contents

The Dee Conservancy 3

Policy Statement 4

General safety considerations for users of the Dee Conservancy 5

Navigational safety in the Dee Conservancy 12

Emergency Reporting Procedure 32

Contact Information 36

2 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy The Dee Conservancy

Dee Conservancy is the formal name given to a defined area for which Environment Agency Wales is the conservancy, harbour and local lighthouse authority. This area includes the River Dee and its estuary, extending from Wilcox Point downstream of the weir at Chester, seawards to an imaginary line linking the on the Welsh coast to Hilbre Point on the Wirral peninsular. (See map page 14).

The Dee Conservancy is used for The level of risk is particularly high commercial and recreational activities to those who are inexperienced including navigation, fishing, sailing, and lack knowledge of local power boating, water skiing, conditions. Environment Agency wind-surfing, bird watching, Wales as conservancy, harbour and wildfowling and walking. The shifting local lighthouse authority has nature of the sandbanks in the prepared this booklet following a estuary, strong tidal streams and formal assessment of risk, to draw changeable weather conditions are all attention to the hazards identified hazards that may pose a high level of and to promote and encourage safety risk to the safety of people who amongst all those who use the participating in these activities. Dee Conservancy.

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 3 Policy Statement

Environment Agency Wales has developed, documented and implemented a Safety Management System for the Dee Conservancy. As the conservancy, harbour and local lighthouse authority for the Dee Conservancy Environment Agency Wales is committed to promoting good management of its available resources so as to:

• Undertake and regulate marine • Promote the use of the Dee operations in a way that safeguards Conservancy and ensure that its the Dee Conservancy, its users, the economic development takes into public and the environment to account and balances the views achieve the standard of marine and needs of all stakeholders with safety required by the Port Marine the use of natural resources and Safety Code, conservation of the environment. and

4 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy General safety considerations for users of the Dee Conservancy Natural hazards have the potential to cause harm or injury to inexperienced and unwary users of the Dee Conservancy. Strong tidal streams, frequent changes in the navigable channel, adjacent drying sandbanks and changeable weather conditions are particularly significant.

Recreational activities such as walking isolating extensive areas of the higher are concentrated over the low water sandbanks. period when the majority of sandbanks In such conditions the unwary may are exposed and appear attractive, well find themselves quickly cut-off particularly in sunlight. However in from the shore and safety. For this some parts of the estuary there are reason, those intending to engage in areas of soft sand and mud where it is such recreational activities should first dangerous to walk and also dangerous familiarise themselves with the times for those who may be requested to of tides and periods during which they render assistance in an emergency. may safely access appropriate parts of The term spring tides refers to the the estuary, such as the area between tides that are coincident with the new and the Hilbre Islands. It is and full moon in each month, when also important to ensure that you are the highest rise and lowest fall of tide properly equipped and have reliable may be expected. In the Dee estuary, means of communication. Information the in-going (flood) tide enters the about the estuary and tides can be gullies and shallow channels first, found on Local Authority notice boards rising rapidly on spring tides and located adjacent to public access points

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 5 Estuary channels between extensive sandbanks.

6 Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy such as West Kirby, or by contacting the applicable in compliance with the relevant council. (see the numbers appropriate Regulations or Code of listed in the Contact Information on Practice. Information and guidance in page 36). these matters is available from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (see Information can also be obtained from page 36 – Contact Information). the Dee Conservancy Harbour Master Advice may also be obtained from or the pilotage authority during office Environment Agency Wales as hours (see the numbers listed in the conservancy and harbour authority. Contact Information on page 36). Cockle Fishery General Advice to Vessels Anyone in possession of the Because of frequent changes in the appropriate permit and authorised to navigable channel and adjacent harvest shellfish in the Dee estuary sandbanks, the navigation buoys should be particularly aware of the marking the channel are moved as hazards posed by the speed of the necessary. Anyone in charge of a in-going tide, changeable weather and vessel without local knowledge sea conditions before engaging in that should not enter the estuary without activity. Anyone in charge of any vessel first seeking advice from the pilotage used to transport shellfish and / or authority. It is considered dangerous anyone involved in harvesting, should for vessels to ground in certain ensure that the vessel is entirely positions in the navigable channel on suitable for the purpose intended and an out-going (ebb) tide, as the sand as a minimum, is equipped with the may be washed away leaving the following: vessel liable to keel over. • One lifejacket per person (or buoyant Although the waters of the Dee estuary clothing if worn at all times). may be relatively sheltered, strong • One commercial anchor of winds blowing in the opposite direction appropriate type and weight, with 2 to the tidal stream can rapidly generate metres of 6mm chain plus sea conditions that pose a hazard to appropriate warp of 15 metres length small craft. The person in charge of any with one end secured to a strong vessel intending to use the Dee point in the vessel. Conservancy should be competent to do so and obtain up to date • Two red parachute flares and two information on present and forecast smoke signals. weather conditions. They should also • One gas canister foghorn or other ensure that the vessel is properly means of making appropriate sound manned and equipped, where signals.

Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy 7 The bore in the canalised section of the river approaching Queensferry at the start of the spring flood tide.

• Baler or container that could be River Dee. On a spring tide a rise of used for that purpose, (this may about 8.0 metres (26.2 feet) can be contain the flares, smoke signals expected near the entrance to the and foghorn). estuary. This would correspond to a • Waterproof torch and batteries. rise of tide of about 3.0 metres (9.8 feet) upriver at Chester. Tidal considerations The bed of the river rises from the The tidal regime in the canalised mouth of the estuary towards section of the river is therefore very Chester. This means that the rise of different from the outer estuary where tide found in the outer estuary is the in-going (flood) tidal stream runs much greater than that experienced for about 5.5 hours and out-going in the canalised section of the (ebb) for about 6.5 hours. In the

8 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Removal of debris from the canalised section of the river

canalised section of the river the associated strong tidal streams in-going stream is of about 2 hours pose a hazard particularly for duration and the out-going stream small vessels. about 10 hours. During this long period of ebb the tidal waters flow Floating and semi-submerged debris out completely, leaving the natural may be found in the river, particularly level of the river flowing into the in the confines of the canalised estuary. On a spring tide the strength section where it is carried up and of the in-going tidal stream meeting down on the tide. This typically the out-going river produces a low includes empty gas cylinders and moving ‘wall’ of water known as a other containers, garden furniture and bore. The bore may attain a height domestic refuse, also trees and other of about 0.5 metres (1.6 feet) and lengths of timber that have become

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 9 detached from one of the derelict jetties and wharves on the banks of the river. These items pose a hazard, particularly to small vessels. The conservancy authority makes arrangements for regular removal and disposal of floating debris. However on a tidal river with a constant source of supply also coming downstream over the weir at Chester, it is not practicable to keep the canalised section clear of debris at all times. Users of the Dee Conservancy are therefore urged to exercise particular caution with regard to this hazard. Small vessels should where possible avoid using the river in darkness or conditions of restricted visibility when items of floating debris may not easily be seen, particularly when semi-submerged. From time to time harbour works are undertaken in the Dee Conservancy. These works may involve construction of new berthing areas or the repair and maintenance of existing structures such as bridges over the river. Harbour works may include commercial diving activities or involve persons working at a height on a structure directly over the river. In such circumstances safety boats are provided and are required to ensure that other users of the river are kept well clear of the work area. All users are required to proceed with particular caution when navigating in the area of harbour works and heed the advice given by a safety boat. Outfalls Within the canalised section of the River Dee from Connah's Quay to Wilcox Point, thirteen large tidal sluice outfalls discharge surface water from inland watercourses adjacent to the river. When tidal conditions prevent discharge to the river, land drainage pumping stations overpump surface water trapped behind the sluices into the main river to reduce the risk of flooding to land and property within the floodplain. Users of the Conservancy should keep clear of such outfalls at all times.

10 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Safety boat in attendance during harbour works at Queensferry Blue bridge

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 11 Navigational safety in the Dee Conservancy

Responsibility for safety of navigation in the Dee Conservancy is presently split between Environment Agency Wales, as the conservancy, harbour and local lighthouse authority and Docks Ltd as pilotage authority and statutory harbour authority for the Port of Mostyn and the defined area immediately surrounding the Port. (See map page 14).

General considerations responsibility for that vessel's Changes to the Aids to Navigation navigational safety at all times referred to in this publication may be All vessels navigating within the Dee made from time to time and additional Conservancy shall comply with The Aids to Navigation may be established International Regulations for in the future. Anyone intending to Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, navigate within or through the Dee as amended. Anyone in charge of a Conservancy, should ensure that they vessel must ensure that they are first obtain up to date information on familiar with the requirements of all Aids to Navigation from the Dee these Regulations and their correct Conservancy Harbour Master. application. This is particularly While this publication gives a guide to important with regard to the conduct navigation within the Dee of a vessel when underway, display of Conservancy, it can only supplement internationally understood navigation and not be a substitute for good lights and shapes, use of sound seamanship. Anyone in charge of the signals and collision avoidance navigation of a vessel must remember actions in close quarter situations. that they have the prime

12 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Cargo ship outward bound from the Port of Mostyn under Pilotage through the Mostyn Operational Area

Anyone in charge of the navigation of also available on request. Anyone a vessel must also take into account intending to navigate the area should the presence of other craft and users ensure that they are aware of the of the Dee Conservancy when contents of all Local Notices to determining a safe speed. Small craft Mariners in force at the time. are moored in many parts of the Navigational warnings are issued estuary and river and the wake by Mostyn Docks Ltd to provide caused by a vessel may pose a hazard information that may affect the safety to others, including anyone on the of any vessel navigating or intending estuary foreshore or river banks. to navigate within their area of Information concerning safety of jurisdiction or responsibility. navigation is published in Dee Navigational warnings may be Conservancy Local Notices to broadcast by Mostyn Docks Ltd on VHF Mariners issued by the Dee channel 14, or through the local Conservancy, Harbour Master. These Coastguard station. Where necessary a Notices are distributed to all known navigational warning will be followed users of the Dee Conservancy or their by a Port of Mostyn Local Notice to representative bodies and copies are Mariners. These Notices are issued by

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 13 N

14 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy the Port of Mostyn Harbour Master can be found on the latest edition of and copies are also available on British Admiralty Chart 1953 and in request. Admiralty List of Light Signals Vol.A. (NP74). Information relating to The Outer Estuary navigation of the area is also provided All vessels entering or leaving the Dee in the latest edition of Admiralty estuary, navigating to and from the Sailing Directions ‘West Coasts of Port of Mostyn must pass through a and Wales Pilot (NP37)’. part of the Dee Conservancy known as the Mostyn Operational Area (MOA). The northern entrance to the estuary, This area extends from the outer limit also marked by buoys and a navigation of the Port of Mostyn to the seaward light, is through Hilbre Swash. This limit of the Dee Conservancy. Within entrance is normally only used by small this area Mostyn Docks Ltd., conduct craft such as those proceeding to and their operations in accordance with from moorings off the Wirral foreshore procedures agreed with Environment at West Kirby, or places Agency Wales. further upstream. Due to frequent movements of traffic At appropriate stages of the tide using the Port of Mostyn, shifting vessels may navigate the high water nature of sandbanks, tidal constraints channel above the Port of Mostyn. and strong tidal streams, local This channel leads through the knowledge is considered essential for estuary to enter the canalised section navigation of the River Dee and its of the river at above Flint, estuary. Under present Pilotage between the North and South Training Directions that are issued by Mostyn Walls. (see diagram - High water Docks Ltd, pilotage is compulsory for channel through the estuary) From all vessels of 20 metres or more in the lighted ‘West Bar’ buoy in the length and for all ships carrying outer estuary the high water channel explosives or a bulk cargo of is marked by Dee Conservancy dangerous substances. All enquiries lighted buoys numbered 1 to 10. about pilotage should be addressed Due to changes in the position of to Mostyn Docks Ltd. (see page 36 – the channel, these buoys are moved Contact Information) as required. The western entrance to the Dee Unlit temporary buoys are also used estuary leading to the inner dredged from time to time to mark the channel channel to the Port of Mostyn, mainly where frequent changes occur, used by commercial vessels, is between Dee No.8 buoy and the marked by lighted buoys and other South Training Wall Light. The aids to navigation. Details of these diagram of the high water channel

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 15 Dee No. 6 bouy marking the high water channel between Greenfield and

reproduced in this booklet should Training Walls. These are constructed therefore not be used for navigation of packed rock and cover on all tides. and is provided for illustrative (see diagram – Canalised section of purposes only. Details of the up to the River Dee). The South Training date positions of all lighted buoys Wall essentially forms the south bank marking the high water channel and of the navigable river and extends unlit temporary buoys are maintained from below Connah’s Quay seawards by, and available on request from, for approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.7 the Dee Conservancy Harbour Master. miles). It is marked along its length by 9 pole perches each surmounted The Inner Estuary by a green (starboard hand) topmark. The River Dee flows into the estuary Near the seaward end of the South between the South and North

16 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy South Training Wall Light Structure.

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 17 North Training Wall Light Tower at the seaward end.

18 Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy N

Training Wall, marking the position of seaward end of the North Training the intake / outfall of the gas fired Wall there is a tower structure from at Kelsterton, there is a which is exhibited a flashing red structure from which is exhibited a navigation light, Fl.R.10s. flashing green navigation light, Fl.G.5s. and a green conical daymark. A high level bridge carrying the A548 spans the river below Connah’s Quay The North Training Wall extends for and provides a vertical clearance for approximately 0.85 kilometres vessels of about 18 metres (59.0 feet) (0.53 miles) in a north-westerly at high water on a spring tide. Air direction into the estuary and is a draft gauges are located upstream continuation of the embankment that and downstream of this bridge. forms the north bank of the navigable river. At the upstream end where the Corus jetty is located immediately North Training Wall meets the higher upstream of the A548 bridge on the grass covered embankment, it is north bank of the river. The jetty is marked by a perch exhibiting a privately owned by Corus and was flashing red navigation light, Fl.R.5s. previously used by sea-going vessels and a red (port hand) daymark. Along that loaded steel products from the the remainder of its length it is nearby works at Shotton. The marked by 12 pole perches each upstream and downstream ends of surmounted by a red topmark. At the Corus jetty are each marked by two

Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy 19 Structure on south side of river opposite Corus jetty with air draught gauge immediately downstream and A548 High Level Bridge in the background. fixed red navigation lights vertically seaward end by a perch exhibiting a disposed. flashing red navigation light, Fl.R.4s. and red daymark. Immediately upstream of Corus jetty, a groyne extends from the north bank There is an extensive and steep bank of into the river in a southerly direction, for sand and mud on the north side of the approximately 130 metres (427 feet). river behind and immediately upstream This structure known as the East Groyne of the East Groyne. All vessels must is constructed of packed rock and covers follow the bend in the river around this on all tides. This groyne is marked along bank keeping to seaward of the lighted its length by two pole perches each perch marking the end of the East surmounted by a red topmark and at its Groyne.

20 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Lighted perch at seaward end of East Groyne with upstream end of Corus jetty in the background

Immediately upstream of Corus jetty on The River at Connahs Quay the south side of the river is a Upstream of the East Groyne, on the substantial timber structure, originally bend and south bank of the river at constructed for the intake / outfall of Connah’s Quay is a piled wharf owned the previous coal fired power station at by County Council. This Connah’s Quay, exhibiting a flashing facility which has varying depths of green navigation light FI.G 4s. water alongside dries at its upstream One of the air draft gauges for the high end at low water. Local fishermen and level bridge is located close to this owners of other small craft normally structure that is a hazard to navigation. use this wharf and there is restricted access to the vertical ladders provided. All vessels moored

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 21 alongside should be tended and slipway / launching area with inspected regularly, particularly in restricted access from the shore that strong north westerly winds which is normally locked. This facility is against an ebb tide, create hazardous used by the locally based Dee Water conditions for small craft. Any Ski Club and when required in an enquiries about use of the wharf at emergency it is also used for Connah’s Quay should be addressed launching and recovery of RNLI to Flintshire County Council (see inshore rescue lifeboats. These are page 36 – Contact Information) based within the estuary at Flint and West Kirby. Immediately upstream of Connah’s Quay and on the same side of the Opposite and upstream of Connah’s river there is a purpose built concrete Quay on the north bank of the river

Small craft alongside at Connah’s Quay on high water.

22 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy there are four groynes. These are also Bridge are two disused jetties or constructed of packed rock and cover landing stages, both in poor state of on all tides. The downstream groyne repair. These structures are a hazard is marked at its seaward end by a to navigation, particularly during the perch exhibiting a red flashing hours of darkness and in any navigation light, Fl.R.2s and red conditions that restrict visibility. daymark. The other three groynes are Vessels should at all times keep well each marked by a pole perch clear of these and other similar surmounted by a red topmark. structures in the canalised section of Upstream of these perches also on the river, from which timbers may the north bank of the river and become detached. Under no immediately below Rail circumstances should vessels moor

A view of Hawarden Rail Bridge looking upstream towards Queensferry Blue Bridge

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 23 Disused jetty on the north bank of the river upstream of Hawarden Rail Bridge alongside the structures or use them on these boards relate to their height as a means of access. above ordnance datum and the tide Hawarden Rail Bridge crosses the river boards are used by the Dee River Craft approximately 1.85 kilometres ‘’ to verify clearance (1.15 miles) above Connah’s Quay and under the bridge. The pier on the the main span that originally opened for south side of the bridge is also navigation is now fixed in position. protected by a much smaller timber This provides a vertical clearance for structure, marked by a green flashing vessels of about 4.5 metres (14.7 feet) navigation light exhibiting Fl.G.5s. on a spring high tide. The Canalised River The pier on the north side of the bridge A submarine telephone cable crosses is protected by a timber structure that the river immediately upstream of extends downstream and upstream of Hawarden Rail Bridge and its position the bridge. This structure is marked at is marked by a notice board on each both ends by a red flashing navigation bank. light exhibiting Fl.R.5s. Tide boards with vertically disposed red, yellow Navigation lights on the upstream and and green segments are also displayed downstream sides of the main span of at each end of this structure on the the bridge mark the ‘Best Point of north side of the bridge. The markings Passage’ approximately in the centre

24 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy “Afon Dyfrdwy” proceeding downstream under Queensferry Blue Bridge of the river and these exhibit a white 1.35 kilometres (0.84 miles) upstream flashing light, Morse letter “A”. of Hawarden Rail Bridge. Low wooden shuttering extends along The main span that originally opened the line of and close to the south for navigation is now fixed in position bank of the river in the vicinity of and provides a vertical clearance for Hawarden Rail Bridge. The shuttering vessels of about 4.0 metres (13 feet) is covered by the tide and marked at on a spring high tide. Navigation each end, downstream and upstream lights on the upstream and of the bridge, by a pole perch downstream sides of the main span of surmounted by a green topmark. the Bridge mark the ‘Best Point of Another disused jetty in poor state of Passage’ approximately in the centre repair is located on the north bank of of the river and these exhibit a white the river, approximately 0.48 flashing light, Morse letter “A”. kilometres (0.29 miles) upstream of A coloured tide board providing Hawarden Rail Bridge. This is a information for the Dee River Craft is hazard to navigation, particularly also displayed on the downstream during the hours of darkness and in side of the south pier of this bridge. any conditions that restrict visibility. A submarine telephone cable crosses Queensferry Blue Bridge carrying the the river immediately upstream of the B5441 spans the river approximately Queensferry Blue Bridge and its

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 25 The A494 road Bridge viewed from upstream at low Water. Coloured tide board can be seen on the north pier. position is marked by a notice board board providing information for the on each bank. Dee River Craft is also displayed on the upstream end of the concrete pier The A494 Road Bridge spans the river on the north side of this bridge. approximately 170 metres (558 feet) upstream of the Queensferry Blue The remains of another two disused Bridge. The A494 Bridge is fixed in jetties are located approximately 750 position and provides the least metres (2460 feet) upstream of the vertical clearance for vessels of about A494 Road Bridge close to the south 3.8 metres (12.5 feet) on a spring high bank of the river. These structures are tide. The upstream and downstream hazards to navigation, particularly ends of the concrete pier on the north during the hours of darkness and in side of this bridge are each marked by any conditions that restrict visibility. a red flashing navigation light exhibiting Fl.R.5s. A buried pipeline crosses the river approximately 1.7 kilometres (1.05 The ends of the pier on the south side miles) upstream of The A494 Road are each marked by a green flashing Bridge and its position is marked by a navigation light exhibiting Fl.G.5s. A notice board on the north bank. navigation light marking the ‘Best Point of Passage’ under this bridge, The Airbus Development approximately in the centre of the The Airbus load-out facility and lay-by river, exhibits a white flashing light, is located on the south bank of the Morse letter “A”. A coloured tide river at Broughton, approximately

26 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy “Afon Dyfrdwy” berthed at the load-out facility at Broughton with bow protruding into the river

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 27 Load out facility at Broughton viewed from upstream

3.5 kilometres (2.17 miles) upstream south bank. Illuminated notices are of the A494 Road Bridge. displayed immediately upstream and downstream of the load-out facility to This purpose built facility owned by warn other users of the underwater Airbus U.K. is provided for the obstruction. Two pile structures exclusive use of the Dee River Craft immediately upstream and “Afon Dyfrdwy”. This vessel arrives at downstream of the load-out facility or departs from the load-out facility at and the downstream pile of the an appropriate time before or after adjacent lay-by berth are each marked high water and lies safely aground for by two fixed green navigation lights the loading of aircraft wings or vertically disposed and surmounted discharge of other components. by a green cone shaped daymark. When at this berth, the bow of “Afon Dyfrdwy” protrudes into the river Higher Ferry Footbridge about 15 metres (49 feet) beyond the crosses the river approximately line of the toe of the south bank. A 1.83 kilometres (1.13 miles) fixed red light is exhibited from the upstream of the load-out facility. The bow of this vessel during the hours of vertical clearance under this bridge darkness, to warn other river users. exceeds that of the Queensferry Blue Bridge and the A494 Road Bridge. The supporting structure on which the The river upstream of Broughton is vessel sits aground also extends into only used by small recreational craft the river about 15 metres (49 feet). and fishing vessels and there is no This structure is covered at all states requirement for navigation lights to of the tide and when “Afon Dyfrdwy” be installed on this bridge. is not at the berth, poses a hazard to any vessels navigating close to the

28 Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy Higher Saltney Ferry Footbridge viewed from downstream.

Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy 29 Lock gates at the entrance to the Shropshire Union Canal.

30 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Rail bridge at Wilcox Point marking the upstream limit of the Dee Conservancy.

The Shropshire Union Canal The River Upstream of the The lock gates at the entrance to the Conservancy basin of The Shropshire Union Canal A rail bridge approximately are located immediately downstream 0.5 kilometres (0.3 miles) upstream of Crane Wharf on the north bank of of Crane Wharf crosses the river at the river. These gates define the Wilcox Point, and marks the upstream boundary between the tidal river and limit of the Dee Conservancy. fresh water canal. Persons in charge Above Wilcox Point the Navigation of vessels intending to enter or leave Authority for the River Dee is Chester the canal through this lock should first City Council. Persons in charge of obtain all information required, vessels intending to navigate the particularly with regard to length, River Dee upstream of Wilcox Point beam and draft restrictions, tidal should ensure that they are fully limitations and safe navigation of the aware of the requirements of river and estuary. (see page 36 – relevant Byelaws made by Chester Contact Information) City Council. (see page 36 – Contact Information)

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 31 Emergency Reporting Procedure

All emergency situations in the Dee Conservancy involving a vessel, person in the water or cut-off by the tide should be immediately reported to HM Coastguard who co-ordinate maritime search and rescue in the .

All other emergency situations should be reported to the appropriate Emergency Service i.e. Police, Fire or Ambulance.

Method of contact result of an accident, incident or HM Coastguard: potentially dangerous situation involving one or more vessels. These VHF Channel 16, occurrences are defined in regulations Landline or mobile telephone dial 999 that set out the Statutory Reporting and ask for “the Coastguard”. Requirements for ships, fishing vessels and recreational craft in such Police, Fire or Ambulance: circumstances. Landline or mobile telephone dial 999 and ask for the appropriate service(s). Reports under these regulations are separate from, and in addition to, Emergency situations in the requirements to report accidents to Dee Conservancy the Department for Transport Marine In this context an emergency situation Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). should be considered as an In this respect, anyone in charge of a occurrence which has, or may have, vessel navigating in the Dee an adverse effect upon human life, Conservancy should ensure that they property or the environment. Such an are fully aware of and comply with the occurrence may for example arise as a Statutory Reporting Requirements

32 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy applicable to their vessel. After each emergency the Dee Information on this subject, relevant Conservancy Harbour Master to all types and sizes of vessels, may undertakes an investigation to be obtained from the Maritime and determine the immediate and Coastguard Agency (see page 36 – underlying cause. This investigation Contact Information) may include inspection of a vessel, its equipment and on-board records, Persons in charge of a vessel not interviews of any injured parties, required to report under regulations, witnesses and representatives from and other users of the Dee the emergency services. Conservancy, may also find themselves involved in an emergency All users of the Dee Conservancy are situation. In all cases it is vitally encouraged to report any ‘potentially important that appropriate assistance dangerous situation’, where harm to is requested without delay. (See people or damage to property or the Emergency Reporting Procedure). environment could have occurred. These reports should be submitted The flow chart and questionnaire on in writing to the Dee Conservancy the following pages have been Harbour Master who will investigate developed to provide guidance in the matter to determine whether such circumstances and to ensure any action should be taken to that the emergency services receive avoid recurrence. the information that they will require. All users are encouraged to study See contact list page 36. these documents and, where practicable, refer to them in any emergency situation. The Dee Conservancy Harbour Master will be informed of any emergency situation that occurs in the Dee Conservancy if it has been reported to the Emergency Services, Environment Agency Wales or Mostyn Docks Ltd.

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 33 Emergency Flow chart

There is an emergency situation

Prepare summary of emergency situation (use ‘Emergency Questionnaire’ on page 37)

YesDoes the emergency situation involve No a vessel, person in the water or cut off by the tide?

VHF channel 16 Notify Police, Fire or Notify Ambulance services(s) and HM Coastguard and provide a provide a summary of the summary of the emergency emergency situation. situation. Telephone 999 Telephone 999

Without further endangering life attempt to mitigate the emergency situation. Ensure personnel are properly attired. If possible follow directions of the Dee Conservancy, Harbour Master and / or the Emergency Services.

Once there is no longer an immediate threat to life or property the emergency situation is considered closed.

34 Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy Emergency Questionnaire

1. Your name: 5. State the number of persons involved:

2. Name of vessel / casualty: 6. If any people are missing give the number and a brief description of them: 3. Position of vessel / casualty:

The position of the vessel / casualty should ideally be given as a Latitude and Longitude 7. What is your most immediate (e.g. as from a GPS receiver) or, as bearing concern? and distance from a recognised landmark ( e.g. “1 mile south west of Hilbre Island”).

4. Summarise the type of emergency that has arisen:

8. Finally, provide a mobile telephone number(s) and / or the most suitable method of communicating with you / the casualty : Briefly describe the situation that exists e.g. is there a person ‘over-board’, is a vessel on fire or sinking, has there been a collision or grounding or are people stranded on a sandbank. Your description of the situation will help determine the most appropriate response by the emergency services.

Environment Agency Wales Dee Conservancy 35 Contact Information

Environment Agency Wales Port of Mostyn – Port Information (As conservancy, harbour and local Call VHF Channels 16 & 14 lighthouse authority for the Dee Metropolitan Borough of Wirral estuary) www.wirral.gov.uk www. Wirral Country Park Visitor Centre, environment-agency.wales.gov.uk Thurstaston (open 7 days/week) Incident Reporting (24 hours) Tel No. 0151 648 4371 or, Tel No.0800 80 70 60 - 0151 648 3884 ask for Wales ‘RCC’ Non-Emergency Customer Contact Tel No. 08708 506506 Flintshire County Council www.flintshire.gov.uk Dee Conservancy, Harbour Master Environment Agency Wales, Chester Contact relevant department Road, Buckley, Flintshire CH7 3AJ Tel No. 01352 704719 Tel No. 0151 632 3733 during office hours British Waterways Wales & Border Counties Mostyn Docks Ltd (Shropshire Union Canal) (statutory harbour authority for the www.britishwaterways.co.uk Port of Mostyn and pilotage authority) www.waterscape.com e-mail: [email protected] 24 hour Emergency Freephone Tel No. 0800 47 99947 Port of Mostyn Harbour Master Tel No. 01745 560324

36 Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) (UK Maritime Safety Policy and Search and Rescue) www.mcga.gov.uk/ In Emergency Tel 999 – ask for ‘Coastguard’ or call VHF Channel 16 Non-Emergency MCA Infoline (24 hours a day) Tel No. 0870 6006505 Local Coastguard Station Operations (24 hours a day) providing local advice, weather conditions etc., Tel No. 0151 931 3341 Call VHF Channel 16

Chester City Council (Navigation authority for River Dee above Wilcox Point) www.chestercc.gov.uk Chester City Council Parks & Open Spaces Dept. Tel No. 01244 324324

Environment Agency Wales: The Dee Conservancy 37 Would you like to find out more about us, or about your environment?

Then call us on 08708 506 506 (Mon-Fri 8-6) email [email protected] or visit our website www.environment-agency.wales.gov.uk incident hotline 0800 80 70 60 (24hrs) floodline 0845 988 1188

Environment first: This publication is printed on paper made from 100 per cent previously used waste. By-products from making the pulp and paper are used for composting and fertiliser, for making cement and for generating energy.

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