For many boaters and sailors, dropping anchor provides an enjoyable experience on the water and sometimes incidents can necessitate anchoring for safety.
There are three designated anchorages in Chichester Harbour:
- East Head – south of a line between East Head Spit Buoy and the Snowhill Buoy – the two unlighted starboard floating withies, to the south of these, mark the Chart Datum contour, (swimming can be dangerous because of the strong tide).
- South of the Fairway to the west of Itchenor reach
- East of Pilsey Island
(NB – Pilsey Island is a no-landing zone to protect breeding and overwintering bird populations).
Sticking to these anchorages will minimise damage to habitats elsewhere in the harbour.
When at anchor vessels must display a black ball during the day and an anchor light at night. Anchoring is prohibited in or near mooring areas or in the vicinity of navigation and racing marks. Vessels are not to anchor in the centre of channels and are to exhibit a black ball or white light. Vessels are not to be left unmanned at anchor for periods of more than four hours (Byelaw No. 12) (LNTM 4/00).
Chichester Harbour is home to many precious seabed habitats including seagrass meadows; by anchoring with care you can play a part in protecting these habitats and ensuring the future biodiversity of the harbour.
As a sailor/boater, small changes can make a really positive impact on seagrass beds.
Environmentally conscious anchoring
- Stick to designated anchorages.
- Avoid anchoring on seabed vegetation – look for bare seabed.
- Flake out the correct amount of chain or chain and warp for your vessel to minimise additional chain abrasion on the seabed.
- Avoid anchoring near resting or feeding birds, or hauled-out seals.
Why protect seagrass meadows?
- They are one of the most rapidly declining habitats on earth.
- They are home to a vast array of marine wildlife including seahorses, crabs, anemones and are a nursery ground for fish.
- They stabilise sediment reducing coastal erosion.
- Healthy seagrass meadows store carbon, mitigating climate change.
Safety points
- No anchoring in the channels.
- No anchoring in the vicinity of jetties and moorings.
- Ensure you keep a proper and effective anchor watch.
- Ensure you flake out enough rope/chain for your vessel, and the prevailing weather and tidal conditions.
- Consider the position of other vessels and leave adequate space.