Colchester (GBCOL)

The port of Colchester was closed for commercial operations in 2001. Information is retained should the port reopen. The total quay length provided by these ports is extensive. These berths provided accommodation for small general and bulk cargo coastal vessels.

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Colchester is located on the River Colne on the E coast of England and included Wivenhoe and Rowhedge.

LOA 96m, draught 4.7m.

Approx 700 vessels visit the port annually.

Between Brightlingsea and Mersea Island is a good and sheltered anchorage with depths of 6.0-7.5m above CD where vessels normally anchor to await a Colchester pilot.

Approaches: The normal approach to the River Colne is via the Wallet Channel, although vessels approaching from the direction of the River Thames frequently use the Spitway when the height of tide permits, between Gunfleet and Buxey Sands. Entrance: Entrance to the River Colne is normally via the Knoll Channel from where the channel is buoyed to Brightlingsea Roads. Least depth in the channel above CD is 3.7m but the channel between the Inner Bench Head Buoy and Brightlingsea Roads is narrow and reported shoaling could have reduced this to 3.1m. The Barrier: The barrier is built across the River Colne downstream of Wivenhoe. It consists of two approach structures leading to gate piers on either side of the navigational channel which may be closed by a pair of mitre gates similar to those used in locks on rivers and canals. The barrier is 130m in length with a 30m wide channel open for navigation. The gates are only closed to exclude high surge tides which occur, on average four times a year. The strongest ebb and flood tides through the barrier are just over 2kts. River: The channel from the anchorage to Rowhedge and Colchester can only be used close to HW. On spring tides, vessels up to 62m in length, max draught 3.5m, can normally reach Colchester while at neap tides, 2.7m is usually the max. Vessels up to 96m and max draught 4.7m can reach Rowhedge. The channel is buoyed up to Wivenhoe Reach with all buoys being lit. Beyond Wivenhoe and Rowhedge, the channel is narrow and this stretch of the river is lit by floodlights on the W bank.

BA 3741. Admiralty Pilot NP28.

Thames coastguard station available at Walton-on-the-Naze.

1025.

Compulsory for vessels over 50m in length within River Colne upstream of Bateman's Tower (0.3nm N of the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek), which lies within the area of jurisdiction of Colchester Harbour Authority. Local pilots board or exchange with sea pilots off No 13 Lightbuoy close S of the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek (51°48'N 001°02'E). The Pilotage Authority for the River Colne is Colchester Borough Council.

The jurisdiction of the Harbour Authority extends from the North Bridge, Colchester, down the River Colne and includes its creeks and branches, except Brightlingsea Creek, to an imaginary line drawn southwards through 2 beacons at Colne Point, the Colne Point and Inner Bench Head Buoys, to the Fishery Buoy and then northward to Mersea Stone.

Vessels bound for Colchester should arrive off Brightlingsea 1.5 hours before HW to make the tide.

Range 4.5m springs, 2.5m neaps.

All vessels to call, on VHF Ch 68, for permission to enter or sail. Traffic control lights on River Colne flood barrier.

Tugs available on request.

Prevailing winds: W to SW'ly.

VHF: Ch 16, 68. Port Radio Ch 68.

Notify ETA 12 hours prior to arrival, to include details of summer DWT, GT, NT, max draught forward and aft and details of cargo as per Bill of Lading.

Bye laws as to vessel carrying explosives, petroleum and carbide of calcium are in force within the limits of Colchester Harbour. Such vessels must display by day, a red flag not less than 0.5mІ at the masthead, and at night must exhibit a red light at the masthead.