Hayling Island PWC Club
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Navigation Hazards!
The Solent is full of navigation hazards and you should be aware of where you are and what you could run into! So first things first, before you ping the throttle and just head out towards the sunrise, please take the time to follow some basic rules:- Know where you are and where you are going! Take time to research the area you intend to cruise by looking up the area on a Marine Chart. Alternatively talk to local people, the Harbourmaster or even club members. Think about joining a club event to familiarise yourself with local hazards and dangers. Bear in mind that a hazard that was not there at high water may be lurcking just under the surface at low water!
- Know what the tide is doing during your trip out. In Langstone Harbour itself, certain states of tide can make the Harbour entrance very dangerous for example. Can you lauch and recover on the slipway at all states of tide? Even the Ferry Ramp on Hayling runs to stones at Low Water Springs and many a 2WD car has got stuck there, much to the amusement of onlookers in the Pub. Dont let the next victim be you, know your tides and weather!
- Do you have the necessary means of contacting the emergency services if you run into difficulty? Ensure you have a VHF and flares and a buddy out with you or at the very least carry a mobile phone in a waterproof bag.
- Never go out alone!
- and always keep a good
lookout.
Hazard
Examples
The main Hazards around Hayling consist mainly of Sandbanks, Submerged Barriers, Forts and more commonly other Marine users! The solent is a big area but when a Jetski is travelling at 50mph, it soon becomes very hazardous especially in Summer when every waterbourne user has taken to the water. Keep your wits about you and keep a good lookout.
Pictured is Horsesand Fort. Part of a sytem of Fortifications built in the area both on land and on sea known as palmerstons follies named after the Prime Minister who ordered the building of them. This particular fort is situated about 2 miles south west of Langstone Harbour and is also at the end of the old submarine barrier which extends all the way back to the beach at Eastney. (Near the South Parade Pier)
If you click on the picture you can see No Mans Land Fort in the Background with Spitbank fort out of view 2 miles to the North West.
This picture shows the Submarine Barrier from South Parade Pier end looking out towards Horsesand Fort. Note that in the Foreground the red can port marker shows the safe passing place for water users. There is another safe point further southward in deeper water which can be made out in the middle of the picture as a tall structure mid way.
As demonstrated in this picture, the safeplace to pass is between the two markers. The green starboard marker is hidden just out of view on the far left of the camera.
This picture shows that even at low tide Hazards can be well hidden. Imagine hitting this at speed! Bear in mind that this area is controlled by the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth order and is therefore subject to the speedlimit imposed by law. For more information regarding this see our QHM section.
More hazards to follow..please check back soon!