Somerleyton Swing Bridge – Trial Water Spraying

Officers of the Broads Authority and Network Rail have been meeting regularly over a long period to discuss the significant problems that arise for boat owners when the two swing bridges at Reedham and Somerleyton are unable to open in very hot weather as a result of the thermal expansion of the rails.

One of the potential short term measures considered was to cool the rails by spraying water on them. There is no fresh water at Somerleyton and the engineers have concerns about the impact of using semi-saline water on the bridge structure.

However, given the current very high temperatures, the company is going to pump water out of the river onto the Somerleyton bridge for the next two weekends as a trial in an effort to keep it operational. Boat owners should therefore be aware that water drawn from the river will be cascading off the bridge back into the river.

Network Rail is doing its best to obtain the necessary equipment so that water spraying can commence this weekend (30 June – 01 July).

As of 2 July the Broads Authority has been informed that Somerleyton Swing Bridge is operating again.

 

Advertisements

Mutford Lock road bridge closed

 

Urgent Boating News – Following an accident, the road bridge at Mutford lock cannot be opened and they are awaiting engineers to assess and for Suffolk Highways  to arrange temporary Traffic Management.

Only vessels of minimal air draft will be able to pass through Mutford Lock. Please contact Mutford Lock for further advice.

 

Wanted: New Green Book Organiser

NSBA Green Book Organiser, 2018

Dredging work around Horning – from 24 April

As part of the 2018/19 planned dredging programme dredging is due to start on the River Bure 300 metres upstream of Horning Swan.  This work will start on Tuesday 24 April 2018, various sections will be dredged between Horning Swan corner and Cockshoot Dyke.  Please be aware of manoeuvring vessels at the dredge site and at the offload site at Horning Hall, this is 500 metres upstream of the mouth of the River Ant.  If you require more information in relation to this work phone Tim Lamb 07771676074.

Lowestoft Harbour Survey – from 26 April 2018

Mariners and Port Users are advised that survey work is scheduled to commence on 26/04/2018 in the Outer Bridge Channel, and in the RN&SYC basin.

The work will be undertaken by the 8.9 m catamaran Eagle, with the survey equipment on a short tow, operating at a speed of between 0 & 4 knots. The vessel will monitor VHF Ch.14.

Other vessels are requested to afford the works a wide berth, and pass the areas at slow speed to reduce vessel wash.

Works are expected to take approximately 10 days to complete, weather permitting.

Please contact Lowestoft Port Control, VHF Ch14, or Tel. 01502 572286, if further information is required.

 

River Chet – missing warning sign

The sign at the mouth of the River Chet warning of dredging works is currently missing.

Please proceed with caution as navigation is restricted and be aware that delays of up to 2 hours may occur.

Reedham Quay Moorings

We are advised by the BA that these moorings revert back to the responsibility of Broadland District Council during the winter season but will open again ready for the summer season in March 2018.

The electricity supply to the charging points also had to be turned off due to the frequency of the water over topping at the mooring and constantly tripping out the charging points.

Lowestoft Inner Harbour – Wreck “Aisha” – update

Mariners and Port Users are advised that from 18th December 2017 removal of the sunken vessel ‘Welsh Conquest (Ex Aisha)’, in position 52° 28.60’N, 001° 43.225’E, (alongside Harbour Road Jetty), will commence.

During the removal operation, the ‘Aase Madsen’ (35 m x 8.5 m) will be positioned alongside the wreck, obstructing the north side of the channel. The channel width will be reduced to approximately 20 metres adjacent to it. The Aase Madsen will be appropriately lit if in this position during hours of darkness.

The yellow special mark buoy, displaying a light Fl Y 5s, moored immediately south of the wreck in position 52° 28.595’N, 001° 43.230’E will be removed whilst work is being carried out.

All vessels are requested to afford the operation as much room as possible, and pass at slow speed. A floating containment boom will be in position around the Aase Madsen and the wreck, which should contain the escape of any pollutants resulting from the operation. Mariners are however requested to be alert to the potential for floating debris in the vicinity of the wreck. Please report any such debris to Port Control, VHF Ch14.

The salvage operation is expected to take approximately 3 to 4 days. Notice will be provided once operations are completed.

This notice supersedes NTM No.27 which is hereby cancelled.

Please contact Lowestoft Port Control, VHF Ch14, or Tel. 01502 572286, if further information is required.

Harbour Master

 

Vauxhall Bridge Gauge Board

passing under Vauxhall bridge

We are advised by the BA that the bridge height gauge board on the downstream approach to Vauxhall Bridge, Great Yarmouth, located near to the yellow turning marker at the confluence of the Rivers Bure and Yare, will be temporarily removed for urgent repairs during afternoon low water on Friday 1 December 2017 and will be replaced during afternoon low water on Sunday 3 December 2017.

 

River users are advised to exercise caution and ensure they refer to the gauge board on their port side, immediately downstream of Vauxhall Bridge.

Hoveton St John Moorings works – January to March 2018

“The Broads Authority  are planning to carry out works at the Hoveton St John  moorings (just upstream of the road bridge on the Hoveton side) starting early January 2018  for 10 weeks up until the Easter holiday period . The quay heading timber will be renewed and raised by approximately six inches. The path at the moorings will be narrowed to about 2.5 metres from the quay heading and 3 metres from the quay heading at the electric points. This will mean that the path is kept drier than the rest of the site as at the moment it is susceptible to flooding.  It will be a grey type one footpath surface with a back rail and then graded off to the existing height of the grass, the graded area will be top soiled and seeded to expand the grass area.

 Please note that access will be very restricted through the area during works on site. Signage will be in place diverting people around the roadside path rather than through the construction site.

 If we encounter high water etc. during the project and it causes delays then we will manage the work accordingly to ensure that it can be opened up sensibly to the public during the Easter period. It is anticipated that works will be complete by then but a contingency will be in place to pause work if necessary and complete after the early Easter break if this is required.”