Notices for Mariners

Notices to Mariners provide essential, up to date information and advice to those navigating in the harbour and estuary. Subjects will include notification of works and events, which may impact on navigation and the notification of new and updated rules and regulations for navigation.

Notices to Mariners published by Dart Harbour will be posted by the Harbour Office in this section of the Dart Harbour website.

There are two types of notices - Current Temporary and Permanent.

Local Notice to Mariners

Diving Operations

Diving operations on the Dart Harbour mainstream moorings from No 3 buoy to No 5 buoy will start at 0800 hrs on Sunday 7th March for approximately 6 days in daylight hours only. The divers will operate from the Dart Harbour mooring barge “Hercules” which will fly an international code “A” flag during diving operations.

All vessels are instructed to give the barge a wide berth and proceed at slow speed with minimum wash when transiting the area of operations. Further daily updated information can be obtained by contacting “Dartnav” on VHF Channel 11.


Captain David White
Harbour Master 4 March 2010

The speed limit on the whole of the River Dart is 6 knots.

We have recently become aware of occasions where craft have greatly exceeded this limit, causing wash and interference to other river users. Prosecutions for excess speed no longer require the authority to quote a specific speed in cases where it can be demonstrated that a craft is clearly exceeding the speed limit. Excess wash is detrimental to the river banks, causes unnecessary erosion resulting in a decrease in depths on the river and also damages moorings. Wash must therefore be kept to a minimum even if this means proceeding at a speed of less than 6 knots.

All river uses are therefore reminded of the need to respect the speed limit and reduce wash where possible.


Captain David White
Harbour Master

July 2009

The 2009 Totnes & Bridgetown Regatta will take place on Saturday 27th June and Sunday 28th June 2009. Racing will commence in the Longmarsh area from 1000 each day.


All mariners are required to navigate with care in these areas and to heed any requests from Race Marshals. Where possible, craft should reduce speed and avoid unnecessary wash.

The existing Dartmouth Higher Ferry will be permanently withdrawn from service on the evening of Sunday 7th June. The new ferry is due to arrive in Dartmouth on Monday 15th June but is not expected to enter service until approximately 22nd June. Prior to the latter date contractors will be working on both slipways.

The new ferry will be propelled across the river on larger 38mm cables without the use of any externally visible propulsion and extensive trials will be carried out before it enters service.

All river users should be aware that at times the wire guide cables may be on or close to the water surface when the ferry is underway and at all times should proceed with caution and give the ferry a wide berth.

The Mussel Farm established in 2006 in Compass Cove has been discontinued. All marks, buoys and floats connected with this project have been removed and the area is now clear

Cancel Notice to Mariners Number 03/06

HIGHER FERRY – OVERNIGHT WORKS

Overnight works will take place between the 5th and 7th of May commencing at 1930 each evening. The Higher Ferry will be suspended during this time.

The work will involve diving and dredging of the riverbed on the Dartmouth side extending some 50m into the channel from the slipway. A barge offloading spoil will transit from both sides of the river at this point. The operations will be well lit.

All vessels are requested to give both slipways a wide berth and proceed at slow speed to minimize wash during the work period.

Please cancel this notice on the 8th May 2009.

THEFTS FROM VESSELS

Dart Harbour has received notification from the Police that several thefts from boats have been reported in the South Hams area. These are mainly fuel tanks, outboard engines and fuel cans.

The Police advise owners to remove such items from vessels if possible and to mark all property with indelible pens.

For further Crime Prevention advice from the Police please call 08452 777444”


Captain David White
Harbour Master 3rd April 2009

SOUTH EMBANKMENT WORKS

Works commenced by South Hams District Council on Monday 2nd March 2009 to strengthen areas of the South Embankment.

The area of the South Embankment and the double steps outside the Harbour Office will be inaccessible during the course of the works until the expected completion date of 4th April 2009.


Captain David White
Harbour Master 2nd March 2009