A rule to remember!!! ROOM TO TACK AT AN OBSTRUCTION
Hailing and Responding
When approaching an obstruction, a boat sailing close-hauled or above may hail for room to tack and avoid another boat on the same tack. After a boat hails,
- she shall give the hailed boat time to respond;
- the hailed boat shall respond either by tacking as soon as possible, or by immediately replying "You tack" and then giving the hailing boat room to tack and avoid her; and
- when the hailed boat responds, the hailing boat shall tack as soon as possible.
So when a boat to leeward calls for water you HAVE to tack or take responsibility to keep clear, a sublime example could be the whole fleet starting together every yacht overlapped right to Number 10 mark, when the most leeward comes to the Wall and calls for water, every single boat should have to tack. Come on chaps who wants to have a collision in your expensive yacht
| V&A Waterfront and Yachting With a New Year upon us, the RCYC busy relocating moorings and the V&A Marina fully occupied; it is opportune to advise on some new restrictions that have been implemented, with a reminder about existing procedures.
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- Access to the V&A:
This is controlled by Port Control via the Radio on VHF 14. The reason is that the Alfred and Victoria Basins become congested and when TNPA are busy with dry-docking, they need all available water space. The Waterfront has also had an increase in passenger ships and warships so they are also occupying maneuvering space.
- The Bunker Point:
At the entrance to the Victoria Basin on the immediate portside is the 3BP Bunkering Point. All boats are required to proceed at slow speed. The boats, both fishing & recreational ,are laying on a 6m long jetty, where somebody is holding the hose for refueling. Please this is a no wake zone.
- Jetty 2:
From time to time an exclusion zone exists alongside the passenger ships and warships. This is generally 50 metres, so give these ships a safe berth.
- Quay 4:
This is where the RCYC yachts visit when enjoying the local taverns. Please check with the local charter companies if the berth is open for your short duration stay. There are many more V&A charter boats operating and most berths are now on a lease. If you are unsure then somebody should remain on board to call the skipper back to shift your boat if required.
- Swingbridge:
The "Swingbridge" answers to this call sign on VHF 71. Generally this bridge opens on the quarter and half hours. Watch for shipping in both directions. If the bridge is open for an extended period, then the TNPA is busy with shipping movements in the Alfred Basin. The swingbridge is the contact point to open the blue Bascule Bridge.
- Bascule Bridge:
This bridge has no VHF radio contact, as the operator takes his commands from the Swingbridge who is in contact with the Port Office. The Bascule Bridge opens on the quarter too and the quarter past. As much as we try the opening and pedestrian clearance only starts at these clock times. The Waterfront has had to place a restriction on boats entering the V&A Marina without a berth/mooring. The bridge operator has been given a list of V&A Boats, and if the yacht is not on the list; entry will be denied. The V&A Marina is now fully occupied. We also advise all yacht skippers that the water depths are shallow (3m) towards the side of the newer Marina Apartments.
- V&A Slipway:
This slipway is not a public slipway. The slipway is for use by V&A tenants .Do not use the slipway without approval from the Yacht Office. All boats that use the slipway must be able to comply with SAMSA, SAS and the Port Regulations when they enter the V&A Basins, under the blue Bascule Bridge. All boat launching on the slipway is recorded day night.
The V&A Marina is managed from the Yacht Office which is located near the Slipway.
The Office number is 021-408-7833 and is manned during normal office hours.
Kind regards
Steven Bentley
Waterfront Harbour Master
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RCYC
