1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN jointly by the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth and the Harbour Master, ABP Southampton, to advise mariners that the annual Cowes Week Regatta will be held between 29th July and 5th August 2017. During this period heavy concentrations of sailing vessels of all types will be racing in The Solent, in the approaches to Cowes Harbour and Southampton Water and within The Precautionary Area in Southampton Water. Mariners should be particularly vigilant and should maintain an efficient lookout for large vessels and sailing vessels and, at all times, should navigate with extreme caution in the area.
2. Start and Finish Lines. Race Starts on the ‘Royal Yacht Squadron Line’, which extends from the RYS flagstaff northwards to Aberdeen Alpha buoy (see below), are planned to commence, in general, at 1000 BST each day and will continue until the last group start at 1255 BST each day. A second start line, named ‘the Bramble Line’, will be established south of the Bramble Bank (see below), marked by two Committee Boats, one anchored halfway between the Williams Shipping and RORC buoys in an approximate position of 50 47.52’N, 001 18.13’W and the second in a position approximately 4 – 500 metres to the south. A third start line, ’The Shrape Line’, extends from a moored Committee boat, at the southern end of the line, to the Aberdeen Gamma buoy (see below).
3. Additionally, a Committee Boat Start Line will be established daily, location to be decided daily prior to racing. The Cowes Week website (address below) should be checked for exact positions and timings daily.
4. Race finishes on the above lines may take place from approximately 1400 BST onwards and most racing is expected to have finished by 1600 BST daily.
5. Sailing mark buoys to be established. Two large, yellow, cylindrical, inflatable marks, ‘Aberdeen Alpha’ and ‘Aberdeen Gamma’, will be laid in the approaches to Cowes Harbour, as follows:
Aberdeen Alpha – 4.0 cables West South West (254º True) of Prince Consort Buoy, position 50º46’.29N, 01º18’.16W. The buoy will have a yellow light, flashing every 5 secs. This marks the northern end of the Royal Yacht Squadron start line for day boats and the RYS finish line for both Black and White Groups.
Aberdeen Gamma – 4.3 cables East South East (104º True) of Prince Consort Buoy, position 50º46’.31N, 01º16’.90W. The buoy will have a yellow light, flashing every 3 secs. This marks the northern end of the Shrape start and finish line for both Black and White Groups.
The above buoys will be laid shortly before 29th July and will be removed on 5th August, or soon thereafter.
6. Additionally, should one of the two Committee boats on the Bramble Line not be on station, a large, orange, inflatable cylindrical mark will be laid in its place as required.
7. The Precautionary Area. Mariners are advised that ABP Southampton Notice to Mariners No 3 of 2016 (Port of Southampton – Precautionary Area (Thorn Channel)) is in force and provides advice on the tracks followed by large vessels through The Precautionary Area in various tidal conditions (www.southamptonvts.co.uk). As detailed in NTM No 3 of 2016, the Southampton Harbour Master’s Patrol Launch (VHF Call Sign ‘’SP’’ – watching VHF Channel 12) will precede all vessels over 150 metres in length overall within The Precautionary Area showing, in addition to the normal steaming lights, an all round blue light. Additionally, the patrol launch will, whenever possible, be accompanied by 2 RIBs to assist with the escort of large vessels through the Precautionary Area. The RIBs will be flying blue flags with ‘Harbour Master’ in white lettering and whilst in this role are representing the Harbour Master ABP Southampton.
8. As permitted by the International Sailing Federation Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS 42.3 (h) – (i)) a boat may use her engine, or other means of propulsion, without retiring, to avoid the risk of collision with commercial shipping that is underway. Thus, boats are advised to have an alternative means of propulsion ready for immediate use if there is any possibility of a close quarters situation developing between them and a commercial vessel.
9. Within The Precautionary Area, all instructions given by ‘SP’ or the accompanying RIBs should be acknowledged and promptly carried out.
10. Cowes Week Firework Display – Speed Restriction
To ensure an orderly departure from the Cowes area following the Firework Display, at 2130 on Friday 4th August, a maximum speed limit of 15 kts will be imposed on all commercial and leisure vessels throughout Southampton Water. The speed restriction will take effect between 2130 and 2300 BST. The only craft exempted from this restriction will be the Red Funnel, Red Jet high-speed vessels, which will indicate their presence by illuminating their quick flashing yellow identification lights during the above period. A 15 kt speed limit will also be imposed within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth waters for all vessels transiting east from Cowes towards Portsmouth. The eastern limit of this 15 kt area will be a line between Nettlestone Point at Seaview and Southsea Castle. The only vessels exempt from this restriction are the Hovercraft and Wightlink Catamarans.
11. A further LNTM will be published with specific details.
12. Further information on Cowes Week can be found on www.aamcowesweek.co.uk
13. Cancel this Local Notice to Mariners 6 August 2017.
Friday 21 Jul 2017
S O Hopper
Queen's Harbour Master
Owners, Agents, Charterers, Marinas, Yacht Clubs and Recreational Sailing Organisations should ensure that the contents of this Notice are made known to the masters or persons in charge of their vessels or craft.
