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Cowes Harbour Commission
Harbour Authority & Marine Services
Newsletter 29th March 2019
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New navigation channel to bring improvements to harbour safety
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Harbour safety remains Cowes Harbour Commission’s highest priority alongside ensuring the delivery of our statutory responsibilities and duties according to the Port Marine Safety Code. Ahead of the main 2019 sailing season, may I encourage you to take the time to read our article below on safety of navigation, as well as the most recent Notices to Mariners on the new Eastern Channel, and the Chain Ferry clearance depths. These and all current Cowes Local Notices to Mariners can be
viewed on our website
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Meanwhile, I look forward to welcoming our new Deputy Harbour Master Statutory, Jon Howden, who will be joining the CHC team in mid April. You will see from the article below about Jon’s appointment, that he is already an Island resident and a keen yachtsman, and I know he is looking forward to his new position and importantly getting around and meeting the harbour users and representatives of the companies, clubs and organisations. I would also like to acknowledge and thank our current and highly respected DHM Statutory Jon Kidd for his contribution to the harbour over the last four years and wish him every success in his future career.
Capt. Stuart McIntosh
- Cowes Harbour Master
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Dredged Eastern Channel opens in Cowes Harbour
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Cowes Harbour Commission (CHC) has completed the delivery of a new, dredged Eastern Channel, in line with the Commission’s priority and overriding responsibility for navigational safety and strategic objective to deliver improvements to harbour access.
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Capt. Stuart McIntosh, Cowes Harbour Master, said: “I am very pleased to declare the new Eastern Channel open for harbour users. The dredged Eastern Channel provides a more direct, all tide route to the Solent than the previous Small Craft Channel, and allows smaller vessels safe access to and egress from Cowes Harbour, reducing potential conflict with the ferry and commercial traffic movements. Our contractor Jenkins Marine has impressed with their performance throughout the project, and we thank them for their assistance in the successful delivery of the dredging works.”
Small craft, up to 20m in length, approaching from or departing to the north or east can now use the Cowes Harbour Eastern Channel and avoid the busy main harbour entrance, thereby de-conflicting small craft from the larger commercial vessels. The 35 metre wide Eastern Channel is dredged to 2.25 metres below chart datum, therefore the minimum depth of water in the Channel is equal to the height of tide plus 2.25 metres. Small craft leaving the Eastern Channel when proceeding into the Inner Fairway should give way to vessels in the Inner Fairway and converge with caution as this area, with the East Cowes Red Funnel Ferry Terminal to the south, may become extremely busy, particularly during the summer months.
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Meet CHC’s new DHM Jonathan Howden
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Cowes Harbour Commission has announced the appointment of Jonathan Howden to the position of Deputy Harbour Master Statutory.
As DHM, Jon will assist the Harbour Master with CHC’s “day-today” compliance with all aspects of the Port Marine Safety Code and associated statutory legislation, as well as training to become a Cowes Pilot. He joins Cowes Harbour Commission from the position of Chief Officer and Senior Dynamic Positioning Officer at Global Marine Group.
Jon said: “My family and I are very settled on the Island, having lived here for 14 years, and we intend to stay here indefinitely. I am much looking forward to playing a part in the life of Cowes Harbour, meeting and working with local people on a daily basis and contributing to the harbour and local community.”
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Safety of navigation and MAIB report on Solent incident
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The MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Branch) has published its report on an investigation into a collision in the Solent, including what happened, safety lessons learned and actions taken. As a result, CHC would like to highlight the following lessons learned to all harbour users:
1. Yachts/motor yachts navigating across shipping lanes should do so with extreme caution:
The approaches to Cowes are some of the busiest waters in the UK. Mariners should navigate with caution when proceeding in or near shipping lanes, particularly when leaving Cowes and entering the Southampton Precautionary Area. Please see
LNTM No. 10 of 2016
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2. Yachts/motor yachts are recommended to look over their shoulder when underway:
All mariners should be aware of the need to keep a good lookout when making way. Please remember that situations can develop all around you so it is important to check astern at regular intervals.
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Royalty, racing and rigging
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Historic walking tours of Cowes with professional guides will be taking place on Saturday 20th April, Saturday 4th May, and Saturday 18th May.
The tours are being organised by fine gifts and homeware shop “Joli” in Cowes, in conjunction with Isle of Wight Guided Tours.
The walks will follow the themes of “Royalty, Racing and Rigging” and even those familiar with Cowes will learn fascinating things they didn't know about the past of our well-connected and industrious town.
Tours start at 10.30am from Joli, Bath Road, Cowes. Places are limited and booking is recommended by phone on 01983 200124 or 07854 833159.
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Local organisations join forces to promote the Medina Valley
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An exciting new brand has been launched for the Medina Valley to position the area as a diverse, accessible and naturally beautiful destination. Useful information has been compiled to celebrate the unique characteristics of the area. Medina Valley is made up of six parishes: Cowes, East Cowes, Gurnard, Newport, Northwood and Whippingham.
The brand has been developed for local organisations to support and enhance their marketing, and will be freely available to use. Graham Biss, from the Medina Valley Coastal Communities Team commented: “This is not a commercial brand, its purpose is to help raise the profile of the whole area and show what a fantastic destination this is. Now we hope that businesses will use this brand as part of their marketing.”
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