ECA Solent Mid Week Rally July 2020 (Now fully booked)

The originally planned midweek rally in the Solent has been moved to July with a few changes. This rally will only take place should the restrictions around Covid-19 be sufficiently relaxed to enable it to do so. We hope to know if it can go ahead by early July. If you are interested in attending please register now for the event by booking on the website. If the rally is unable to go ahead you will be notified as soon as possible.

Monday 20^th July destination Island Harbour IOW and stay for a day

HW Chichester 12:09 BST 4.4m HW Cowes 12:07 BST

Leave EYH around 10:00 to arrive at Island Harbour around 14:00. As you pass Folly Reach please notify the Control Tower of your arrival on VHF channel 80 (or phone 01983 539994). Let them know you are with the rally.

• Do not attempt to enter or pass through the lock without permission from the Control Tower. When permission has been granted, a green traffic signal will be visible by the side of the lock gates. If the lights are red, please contact the Control Tower again for further instructions.
• As you approach the marina in the river, stay in the main river channel until you reach the green starboard-hand marker buoy, directly opposite our holding pontoon. Then, turn at ninety degrees in towards the lock and keep on this line until you have entered the lock gates. If you have spoken with the Control Tower on VHF Channel 80, then a member of staff will have informed you whether or not we are on 'free flow' and whether or not you can sail straight through the lock without stopping. If we are not on free flow and you need to be 'locked-in' to the marina, then a member of staff will be waiting for you on the lock-side, to pass you ropes to hold onto, whilst you are moored in the lock.
• We normally ask that vessels moor in the lock on the side nearest to the Control Tower (starboard-side when arriving, port-side when leaving). However, if you would prefer to come in to the lock on the opposite site for any reason, just let us know and we will meet you on the other side, as requested.
• When you leave the marina you should first call the Control Tower on VHF Channel 80, to request permission to leave your berth. Stay on your berth until this permission has been granted. When exiting the lock, you should also do the same ninety degree turn, just before the green marker buoy. If you cut the corner too much, then there is the risk that at lower tides, you might run into the un-dredged mud bank that runs opposite to the holding pontoon on the starboard side.

There won't be the usual pontoon party or visit to an eatery for the obvious reasons but we should be able to meet up at a social distance. It is unknown at the time whether the Folly or the Breeze restaurant will be open. There are a choice of walks available here either up river to Newport or down to Cowes. A shorter option could be to go to St Mildreds church at Whippingham which was used by Queen Victoria when staying at Osborne House. A BBQ has been booked for the Tuesday evening for those who wish to use it.

Wednesday 22nd July destination Bucklers Hard and stay for a day

HW Portsmouth 13:35 BST 4.7m HW Bucklers Hard 12:58 BST LW 18:59 BST

Leave Island Harbour at 10:30 BST. It is advisable to aim to get to Bucklers Hard around slack tide to avoid a strong stream through the berths. You should also be aware that a number of changes have gone on at the marina over the winter period as part of a plan to significantly increase berths. When you are near the marina call Beaulieu river radio on Ch 68 for berthing instructions (let them know you are with the rally). There may well be a harbour launch to guide you. Usual rules about social distancing. We are a bit out of the way here so cooking on board will be the order of the day. On Thursday a walk to Beaulieu can be planned. It is unknown at the time whether the café or Master Builders Hotel will be open. A BBQ has been booked for Thursday evening for those who wish to use it.

Friday 24th July destination Emsworth

HW Chichester 15:07 BST 4.5m Bucklers Hard LW 08:00 BST

Leave Beaulieu around 09:30 BST to head for home. You will need to punch the tide out of the river but then ride the tide to Chichester. The tide turns West to the East of Portsmouth at HW-2 (13:07 BST).

Communication

The OOD for this Rally is: Andrew Bannister Contact no: 07599180046, Boat Name: Bob.MMSI: 235081546

Rally Contact: VHF Chan 16/72

Liability

Participating Skippers are reminded that all ECA rallies and events are carried out under rule 22 of the Emsworth Cruising Association Rules as published in the ECA Yearbook.

Participation in an ECA Rally or event is taken as acknowledgement and understanding of this rule.

The ECA draws to the attention of skippers and crew attending, that full responsibility for sea worthiness of boats and experience of crew attending is held with the skipper of the boat sailing to the rally. All information given should be checked before setting out.

Crew needed and available

Tide times

Tide data for Northney

Last updated 4:41pm on 2 May 2024