Category: Sailing

Y Fenai – Siart 1464 – Menai Strait – Chart 1464

Amendment to temporary change to current operational procedures at the Aber Swing Bridge dated 08/04/20

The bridge will be open to pedestrians, closed to Navigating vessels from 07:00 until 23:00 each day until further notice.

In the event the bridge requires opening to Allow Navigating vessels to freely pass. Mariners are advised to request a gate operation through the numbers below.

We have three trained members of the Gwynedd Councils Bridge operating team available to respond to requests to open the bridge – please provide a minimum half hour notice, more wherever possible.

1. William Derek Jones on 01286 676689 or 07836 360616
2. Eryl Bryn Davies on 07747 013477
3. Dafydd Roberts on 01286 831521 or 07903 586937

In the very unlikely scenario a response has not been received from the above, please contact Gerallt Hughes on 07970 975519 who can contact and mobilise maintenance engineers to attend to open the bridge.

David John O’Neill
Harbwr Feistr
Caernarfon Harbour Master

Aid to navigation Llanddwyn Island “South West Rock” South Cardinal Y.B is not on its appropriate station.

53° 07.810’ N 004° 25.060 W

Mariners are advised to navigate with caution in this area.

David John O’Neill
Harbwr Feistr Caernarfon Harbour Master

The Caernarfon Harbour Master has issued the latest chart of the bar buoy positions, both colour and black & white versions are available.

Mariners are advised that from 00:01 on Monday 1st June 2020, recreational boat owners are permitted to use their boats within Conwy Harbour for recreational purposes, as part of their local daily exercise and recreation away from their homes, but not for overnight accommodation. Mariners must follow Welsh Government Guidelines and only be accompanied by persons permanently residing at the same address or, where the vessel is of a sufficient size and design to maintain social distancing, with persons from a different household subject to the current regulations. The rules regarding ‘Staying Local’ apply and as such Mariners must consider the amended regulations when deciding to travel to their vessels.

Mariners based within Conwy and Deganwy Marinas should consult with their berth provider regarding the level of access to their vessels currently permitted and comply with any instructions to ensure the safety of Staff and other users.

Mariners are reminded of the following requirement regarding travel as announced by Welsh Government on Friday 28th May:

To allow more outdoor activity we are also amending the requirement to ‘stay at home’ to one to ‘stay local’. This means that as long as you are within your local geographical area and are outside, you will no longer be subject to the numerous restrictions that apply today.

The same restrictions as now will apply when a person wants to travel outside their local area. We will provide guidance to help people to understand how to interpret ‘local’ in this context, using five miles as a guide but recognising this is a flexible concept which can vary depending on people’s circumstances.

Many vessels within the Harbour will not have been used for a considerable time. In order to minimise the need for the emergency services to be mobilised, potentially placing them and you at risk, the following conditions should apply:

• The latest weather forecast should be obtained and vessels are to be checked and inspected thoroughly before leaving the berth. This should include ensuring that all boat systems and engines are operating correctly and all equipment is in date and operating as it should.

• Lifejackets or buoyancy aids should be worn by all on-board for your own safety.

• Mariners are urged to exercise good seamanship, courtesy, patience and common sense as they begin to move around the Harbour.

• The skipper and crew of all vessels are required to follow government guidance in relation to Covid-19 to protect themselves and others they may come into contact with.

Please note that the advice contained here is very new and Conwy Harbour Authority and other marine businesses, Marinas and Clubs around the Harbour will need to adjust their routines and ensure that the risk from infection of Covid-19 can be reduced by adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Please be considerate and allow staff time to assess the level of service they are able to provide. This is for your safety and that of the emergency services and the NHS.

Conwy Harbour Authority will continue to review the situation and any new Welsh Government guidance. We appreciate your continued support in maintaining safe and efficient Harbour operations whilst being able to enjoy the benefits of getting afloat.

Matthew Forbes
MSc LLB (hons) BSc MNI
Conwy Harbour Master

Pont Yr Aber – Aber Swing Bridge

Proposal to instigate temporary change to current operational procedures at the Aber Swing Bridge dated 08/04/20.

The bridge will be open to pedestrians, closed to river traffic from 07:00 until 23:00 every day until further notice.

In the event the bridge requires opening to river traffic – currently only four commercial vessels are authorised to leave the river Seiont, namely:

• SEIONT IV (YHCHT)
• Y FORYD (YHCHT)
• VALHALLA (MFV)
• GIRL HELEN (MFV)

For vessel arriving by sea other than the above vessels and requiring safe haven Please make contact through the numbers below.

We have three trained members of the Gwynedd Bridge operating team available to respond to requests to open the bridge – please provide a minimum half hour notice, more wherever possible.

1. William Derek Jones on 01286 676689 or 07836360616
2. Eryl Bryn Davies on 07747013477
3. Dafydd Roberts on 01286 831521 or 07903586937

In the very unlikely scenario a response has not been received from the above, please contact Gerallt Hughes on 07970975519 who can contact and mobilise maintenance engineers to attend to open the bridge.

David John O’Neill
Harbwr Feistr
Caernarfon Harbour Master

Aid to Navigation Starboard C1 Fl.G.5s is now on its new appropriate station.

53ᵒ07.212′ N 004ᵒ24.491′ W

Mariners are advised that this notice hereby replaces Notice 04/2020.

David John O’Neill
Harbwr Feistr
Caernarfon Harbour Master

Aid to Navigation Port C2 Fl.R.10s is now on its new appropriate station.

53ᵒ07.301′ N   004ᵒ24.512′ W

Mariners are advised that this notice hereby replaces Notice 05/2020.

David John O’Neill
Harbwr Feistr
Caernarfon Harbour Master