Conwy Notice to Mariners 01/2023

All mariners are advised that the Beacons Pontoon is off station for repairs.  The access gantry is laid on the riverbed and accordingly mariners should not navigate within the Beacons piles due to the underwater obstruction.  A further notice will be issued once the pontoon is back on station.  The present downtime is estimated at up to four weeks.  

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

Bangor Notice to Mariners

Navigational Special Mark Position. Update

We hereby notify mariners of a small change in position of the four special marks at the corners of the experimental mussel farm site in Conwy Bay. Each special mark is of yellow, St Andrews Cross type (2m), indicating a marine farm/aquaculture. The NE and SW marks are fitted with a yellow light, set to a 5 second flash sequence.
The new positions are:

DDM WGS84
NWN 53 18.643W 3 59.523
NEN 53 18.688W 3 59.282
SEN 53 18.543W 3 59.205
SWN 53 18.497W 3 59.446

The experimental site and system

The experimental site is in an area of open water in Conwy Bay (see figure 1), just to the East of Dutchman bank. It is marked on admiralty charts for aquaculture research.

Within the site are six 150m polysteel longlines. Depending on production state, they may be buoyed with pencil floats, or they may be invisible; using near-surface submersible floats.

Please be cautious when navigating near to the site

Mariners are requested to give the installation and the buoys by which it is marked a wide berth. The buoys have drogues attached that trail beneath them in the water.

For more information, contact Julie Webb on 01248 388140/07966546915 or Ben Winterbourn on 01248 388784/07732438894 or Conwy Harbour Master, Matthew Forbes: 01492 596253.

Figure 1. Location of the Conwy Bay site for shellfish seed settlement and rope-based grow-out trials. Red crosses indicate the updated position of special marks.  
Figure 2. Special Mark; 2m yellow St. Andrew’s Cross type

Conwy Notice to Mariners 17/2022

All mariners are advised that the yellow special mark buoy denoting the north western limit of the Puffin Island experimental mussel farm has been reported off station.  The buoy was previously in position 53°18.65’ north, 003°59.52’ west.

Caution should be followed if navigating to the south of Puffin Island in the vicinity of the mussel farm.  A further notice will be issued once the buoy is back on station.

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

Conwy Notice to Mariners 16/2022

All mariners are advised that a new yellow conical special mark, with a 10 knot speed advisory, has been laid to seaward of the Beacons Pontoon in Conwy Harbour.  The mark position is Lat. 053° 17.753’ North, Long 003° 50.422’ West.  The mark is lit with a yellow lantern, flash characteristic Fl Y 10s.

The 10 knot speed limit is a maximum and certain vessel hull types can still generate an excessive wash at speeds of 10 knots or less.  It is a matter of both good seamanship and safety to ensure excessive wakes are avoided so as not to potentially endanger other harbour users.

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

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