Digging Holes in Portsmouth Harbour

This will affect small boats going in and out of Portsmouth harbour entrance during February and March 2012.  QHM Notice is as follows:

1.     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth that borehole works in support of the Capital Dredge programme for the new Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers will commence on the 04 February 2012 within the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth.

2.     27 borehole samples will be taken in the Approach Channel, Harbour Entrance and Harbour (Annex A).

3.     DEEP DIVER a Jackup barge (40m Length by 20m Beam) will conduct the borehole operations. Each bore hole will require DEEP DIVER to remain on station for approximately 48hrs. DEEP DIVER will display the appropriate signals in compliance with the COLREGS when conducting borehole operations.

4.     The first five boreholes will be sunk in the approaches to the harbour in order to familiarise local mariners with the rig.

5.     Whilst works are being carried out in the harbour entrance the small boat channel (GD 07/10 Refers) will be closed. Traffic management during this period will be enhanced by the Ministry of Defence Police supported by the Volunteer Harbour Patrol.

6.     Mariners are required to contact harbour control for traffic clearance on VHF Ch11 before transiting in and out of the harbour when the rig is working in the harbour entrance. Priority will be given to large vessels that have to commit early to passing through the entrance.

7.     Mariners are to keep a good lookout and pass DEEP DIVER where possible at reduced speed whilst borehole operations are being conducted. DEEP DIVER will maintain a listening watch on VHF Ch11.

8.     Whilst the barge is being jacked-up or refloated mariners will need to pay particular care when passing. To avoid mandatory speed limit reductions, the repositioning of rig in the harbour entrance and on the Hamilton bank will occur, when practicable, when moves of large vessels are not scheduled.

9.     QHM Harbour Control will be kept informed of the work in progress and may be contacted on VHF Ch 11 or by telephoning 023 92 723689 for the latest information.

It is envisaged that the works will last approximately 7 weeks.

Round Britain Powerboat Race, Portsmouth

More information on the race itself is on http://www.roundbritainrace.co.uk/ . The following was issued by QHM Portsmouth for safety information regarding the relevant dates:

LOCAL NOTICE TO MARINERS
No 14/08
THE 2008 ROUND BRITAIN POWERBOAT RACE 21 - 30 JUNE 2008

1. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth in conjunction with Associated British Ports Southampton (Notice 47 (T)/08) that the Round Britain Powerboat Race will start from Portsmouth on Saturday 21 June and finish in Portsmouth on Monday 30 June 2008. There will be approximately 48 powerboats in total taking part in the event with two starts, one at 0930 and one at 1000. As part of the race build up, there will be a ten minute aerial performance by the ‘Black Cats’ Helicopter Display Team to the south of Southsea castle, starting at 0910.


2. The Race StartThe Race Boats will depart from Gunwharf Quays from approximately 0830 onwards, exiting the harbour on the Eastern side under the control of the QHM Volunteer Harbour Patrol and proceed to the holding area just West of the Submerged Barrier. At 0930 and 1000, a Race Start Boat will lead the Race Boats to the Start Line which extends from Southsea Castle to a Committee Boat 3 cables to the South. Once over this line, the Start Boat will initiate the Race Start by lowering the Start Flag. In the event of reduced visibility in the Solent or congestion in the area of the proposed course, the Start Boat will lead the Race Boats at a reduced speed through the Solent until the visibility improves or the congestion clears. QHM Harbour Control will make warning broadcasts throughout the morning on VHF CH 11, which will include a Portsmouth Main Channel closure between 0900-1000A.


3. Once clear of the start line, the Race Boats will then pass between the following gates before exiting the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth to the West:
   Gate 1: Spit Sand Fort and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 2: Gilkicker Point and HMS GLOUCESTER 5 cables to the South.
   Gate 3: NE Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 4: N Ryde Middle Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 5: South Bramble Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the South.
   Gate 6: East Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   Gate 7: West Lepe Buoy and a Mark Boat 2 cables to the North.
   The course then proceeds West past Hurst Point.
   Mark Boats will fly an extra large Blue RYA flag with Yellow writing.


4. Black Cats Helicopter DisplayPrior to the Race Start, there will be a ten minute Display by two Helicopters of the Royal Navy “Black Cats” Display Team commencing at approximately 0910. The display will take place in the general vicinity of the Race Start Line, approximately 100 to 400 yards south of Southsea Castle. All craft are to keep clear of this area during the display.


5. The Race FinishThe first Race Boats to finish are expected to enter the Solent from the East at approximately 1200 on Monday 30 June 2008. They will leave Horse Sand Fort to starboard and immediately turn North to run towards South Parade Pier leaving the submerged barrier to Starboard. Approximately 3 cables from the shore they will then turn to the West around a large inflatable yellow Mark to cross the finish line which extends from Southsea Castle to a Committee boat, or another inflatable mark, 3 cables to the South. QHM Harbour Control will make warning broadcasts on VHF CH 11 that the Race Boats are in the Solent. The first Race boat home will be escorted into harbour by QHM’s Launch via the main channel to berth in Gunwharf Quays. All other Race Boats will enter harbour in the normal manner. At 2100 the finish line will move South to Horse Sand Fort.


6. Spectator CraftThis is a high speed race and in the interests of safety all craft not participating in the race must keep well clear of the Holding Area, Start Line and the intended track. All vessels should proceed with caution and keep a good lookout whilst navigating in or near the area of the race.


7. Safety/Marshal BoatsFor the Race Start on Saturday 21 June, there will be approximately 50 Race Safety/Marshal Boats displaying a large Blue RYA Flag with Yellow lettering stationed along each side of the intended track through the Solent. Mariners are strongly advised to heed the advice given by the safety and Marshal Teams.


8. Cancel this Local Notice To Mariners Tue 1st Jul 2008 (14 days)
   Mon 16th Jun 2008Semaphore TowerHM Naval Base, Portsmouth.

Portsmouth Harbour Notices

Many moons ago I registered on http://www.qhmportsmouth.com/ which is the official Portsmouth Harbour web site. It was supposed to email Notices to Mariners that affected boaters in the Harbours and Solent. Nothing happened, and I put it down to a rubbish web site design. Perhaps it was and perhaps they have fixed it because now it's working! You can get emails telling you about events, major ship movements, dredging and other useful things to know about if you plan a trip in the area.