About Harwich Haven Authority Mayday Collision awareness Navigation channels and As a trust port with statutory responsibilities for conservancy and safety of navigation we ensure A mayday should only be sent if there is grave checklist speed restrictions that commercial and leisure users co-exist safely and imminent danger to vessel or person in the Haven. We do this by providing free services which requires immediate assistance. • A vessel of less than 20m in length or sailing Channels for recreational users, including navigational and vessel shall not impede the passage of vessels The main deep-water navigational channels A DSC distress alert will sound an alarm on all traffic information via our Vessel Traffic Services which can safely navigate only within a within Harwich Harbour are well marked Best practice advice Safety DSC sets within range, including ships and at Pollution and Respect our (VTS) and website. narrow channel or fairway. by buoys and lights. Yachts are advised Coastguard stations and will send the position for sailors brief • A vessel shall not cross a narrow channel or to keep clear of the channels and use the dangerous goods special environment Marker buoys, yacht channels and harbour of the boat if the set is interfaced with a GPS. recommended yacht tracks. patrols ensure the main channel is kept clear for fairway if such crossing impedes the passage commercial shipping. During the weekends of the On 1 July 2002, Chapter V of the SOLAS Skippers should educate their crew about the If it is urgent, but not life threatening, make a of a vessel which can safely navigate only When main channels have to be crossed, this Prevention of Pollution by Garbage So visitors can fully enjoy the Haven’s summer months we patrol between 0800 and 1800. (safety of life at sea) Regulations came into safety equipment onboard the boat, where it is Pan Pan broadcast preceded by a DSC urgency within such channel or fairway. The latter should be done as nearly as practicable at Regulations surroundings, we work to preserve its force internationally affecting all leisure and when and how to use it. alert. For advice contact the Coastguard by vessel may use the sound signal prescribed in right angles. Avoid crossing the bows of The North Sea, including its Estuaries and Rivers, environment by collaborating with groups We collaborate on a regular basis with local yacht vessels. routine DSC or on Channel 16. Rule 34(d) if in doubt as to the intention of the on-coming commercial traffic. Large container is designated a Special Area under Annex 5 of including the Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Natural clubs such as the Harwich Area Sailing Association crossing vessel. MARPOL. Within this area the disposal of all England and RSPB to protect natural habitats. The weather ships, in particular, have very restricted (HASA) to make their members aware of the garbage is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Food waste Get a forecast before leaving and consider • A sailing vessel underway shall keep out of visibility for quite a distance ahead when In addition to being home to one of the UK’s hazards of boating in our busy harbour. How to start the engine may only be put overboard outside the 12 how it applies to the area. Prepare the boat DSC DISTRESS ALERT the way of: carrying a deck cargo of containers. largest and busiest port clusters, Harwich mile limit in compliance with the Regulations, Each year we welcome more than 10,000 leisure and crew for that. Update the information Location of first aid kit and Haven is also an area of high environmental - A vessel not under command; We request that sailors conduct themselves in otherwise all garbage must be retained on vessels of all shapes and sizes who visit the Haven regularly. Open the red cover, then press protection, mainly due to the bird population book a responsible way while using the Haven and board until it can be deposited on shore in from both the UK and Europe. and hold the distress button - A vessel restricted in her ability to that it supports. The tides manoeuvre; adhere to both the Collision Regulations and approved receptacles. Whether you are visiting the area or are a local sailor When are the tidal streams favourable? Will How to send a VHF/DSC through the countdown. best practice advice given by the Royal Yacht Both estuaries are part of the European we urge you to review the information contained - A vessel engaged in fishing; Association. Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations it be wind against tide making sea conditions distress alert and mayday Use Channel 16 on high power conservation sites know as Natura 2K, are within this guide, which will assist with safety and worse? Is there a tidal gate? Is there sufficient - Any vessel other than a vessel not 2016 (DGHAR) recognised as important wetlands under Speed limits enhance your enjoyment of the Haven. height of tide to cross any shallow area? Use of lifejackets, harnesses under command or a vessel restricted A vessel alongside displaying an all-round red international conventions (Ramsar) and are MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY The speed limit for power boats, cruisers, or in her ability to manoeuvre shall, if the light by night or a red flag by day indicates also Sites of Special Scientific interest (SSSI) Limitations of your vessel and jack-stays yachts is 8 knots within Harwich Harbour, the THIS IS [vessel type and name, circumstances of the case admit, avoid that she is carrying dangerous substances. and UK legislation. The shores and surrounding Is the boat suitable for the conditions River Stour and the Walton Backwaters. The impeding the safe passage of a vessel Under these Regulations an exclusion zone areas include Areas of Outstanding Natural expected? Do you have the safety Location and use of flares vessel name, vessel name] MMSI limit is 6 knots within the River Orwell. constrained by her draught, exhibiting of up to 200m is to be enforced around any Beauty (AONB) and local nature reserves. equipment and spares that you need? and EPIRB & call sign the signals in Rule 28. vessel loading or discharging explosives. Manoeuvring and For further information, download Harwich Rivers Deben, Alde, Ore, Stour, Orwell Crew Tankers alongside the oil jetties at Harwich, MOB equipment and MAYDAY THIS IS [vessel type Haven Authority Byelaws from our website - and Hamford Water are recognised as Does the crew have enough experience The Full Collision Regulations (Colregs) can Felixstowe and Ipswich should also be given a warning signals & name] MMSI & call sign www.hha.co.uk/operations/downloads Internationally Important Conservation sites and physical ability for the trip? Are there procedure be downloaded at www.collisionregs.com wide berth. and are designated Special Protection Areas. sufficient crew? Cold, tired or seasick crew The Ipswich Port Authority Byelaws can be Gas safety and use of cooker IN POSITION [lat/long] Considerate visitors are welcome but take One prolonged blast will add to the skipper’s tasks. Are you, downloaded at www.abports.co.uk/About_ care to avoid polluting the area and it is a -------- as skipper, liable to seasickness too? Is NATURE OF DISTRESS [fire, ABP/ABP_ByeLaws/ Location and use of AIS kit criminal offence to damage the habitat or Leaving a dock, quay, or anchorage there warm waterproof clothing, food and sinking, mob] disturb wildlife. One short blast accommodation for the crew? How to gain access to the I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE Do not land in these areas from a boat unless • Navigational hazards engine space if there is no in a recognised landing area. Yacht owners Altering to starboard Check on the charts and read pilot books for ASSISTANCE automatic system Fog Report suspicious activity should ensure that the anti-fouling paints information of the hazards in the area. Two short blasts OTHER IMPORTANT used on their vessels comply with current How to launch the life raft •• Contingency plan INFORMATION Harwich VTS cannot undertake control of small around the Haven regulations. Environment Agency advice on If it gets too late, too dark, or too cold to craft in reduced visibility but our VTS team Altering to port The danger zones where [number of persons abandoning the approved paints can be obtained from follow the original plan, where will you will provide assistance if possible. Listen in on PROJECT KRAKEN is a the Marinas or direct from the Environment Three short blasts to life raft or no life raft] go? If the weather deteriorates or there is there is risk of injury from channel 71 and always carry a radar reflector, joint initiative aimed at Agency (Guidance note: ING 309). ••• an accident, where will you go for a safe flares and suitable emergency equipment. If encouraging the public the boom or mainsheet in an OVER Useful websites: My engines are going astern haven? Have sufficient charts to cope with a you do not have radar and intend crossing any to report suspicious or www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org and different destination. accidental gybe shipping lane, and you are in serious doubt as unusual activity around Five or more blasts www.thegreenblue.org.uk to the commercial movements, call Harwich Watersports the coastal and maritime ••••• Information ashore VTS on channel 71, or Ipswich Port Radio Ch 68 environment. Your intentions are unclear Tell someone ashore about your plans and tell During the Mayday all the communication is whilst in the River Orwell. Carriage and use of an Waterskiing, jetskiing and sailboarding are them how to inform the Coastguard if you likely to continue on Channel 16 and it will be If you see or hear anything Four short blasts followed by one short blast Further guidance is available within MGN operational AIS is also encouraged.