Sutton Bridge (GBPSB)

Sutton Bridge is an alt-name of Port Sutton Bridge.

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

Port Sutton Bridge is located on the banks of the River Nene, approximately 6km inland from The Wash Estuary on the E Coast of England.

LOA 120m, beam 17m, draught 6.0m.

Approx 453,000t of cargo and 210 vessels handled annually.

An outer anchorage area is centred 0.8nm NNE of Nene Roads Lightbuoy (52° 54.4'N 000°15.4'E). Vessels should report to Wisbech or Sutton Bridge pilots upon arrival at the anchorage. Anchorage shelter in The Wash is dependent on prevailing winds. Ministry of Defence Bombing Range situated due W of outer approach channel, well buoyed.

The Wisbech channel is entered from the NE and then runs in a generally S direction for 4.5nm between the extensive drying sands which front the coast. The sands to the W of the channel is Old South and to the E, Outer Westmark Knock and Inner Westmark Knock. The channel is marked by lightbuoys and light beacons some of which indicate the E limit of the danger area. The S part of the channel is marked by light beacons and buoys. Those painted green and exhibiting white or green lights should be left to starboard and those red with red light left to port. From its entrance, formed by Wisbech Cut, and marked by Big Tom Light Beacon, red, 10m in height (52°49.6'N 000°13.1'E), on the E side and West End Light Beacon (black 7.0m in height, 0.2nm SW) on the W side, River Nene leads 9.0nm S, past Port Sutton Bridge, down to Wisbech. The river banks are marked by light beacons or lights mounted on stakes similar to those in Wisbech channel. The stakes are moved as and when bank erosion occurs. Caution: The channel has a least charted depth of 0.7m. However the channel is tortuous and both the line and depths are liable to change. The Harbour Master should be consulted for the latest information.

BA 1190, 1200. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

This area of The Wash is covered by the Main Coastguard headquarters at Great Yarmouth, approx 75nm due E of Sutton Bridge, with a Coastguard sub-station on Hunstanton Cliffs, overlooking the three approach channels into King's Lynn, Wisbech and Boston. RAF Search and Rescue helicopters are based at RAF Coltishall.

Density of water: Fresh to salt. Usually brackish, dependent upon the amount of fresh water being released from River Nene headwaters via sluices and the fresh water drainage/catchment area.

Pilotage is compulsory for all commercial vessels. On arrival at Bar Flat Anchorage, vessels should contact Wisbech or Sutton Bridge Pilots via VHF Ch 09 and 16. Pilot boards in position 52°54'.43N 000°14'.79E (in bad weather, Pilot boards in position S of RAF No 4 Buoy). The Pilot Vessel does not cruise on station but only when vessels are expected. Pilots will make contact with vessels approximately two and a half hours before HW on VHF Ch 09.

Port Sutton Bridge and Wisbech port limits are located between the King's Lynn and Boston approaches in the Wash and the whole of the River Nene as far as Bar Flat.

Roaring Middle Light Float in The Wash and Bar Flat Buoy for the pilot station. Trial Bank (52°50'.5N 000°14'.6E), an artificial island, elevation 10m, light beacon 3m in height. Mound (52°49'.1N 000°17'.2E) 8m in elevation, causeway to shore.

Vessels using Port Sutton Bridge may request latest information on acceptable vessel dimensions, and restrictions, from Sutton Bridge Ship Agency. Tel: +44 1406 351133. Speed Limit: There is a strict maximum speed limit of 6kts at Port Sutton Bridge between the Port Hand Beacon "Double Reds" and sluice, 0.5nm S of Cross Keys Swing Bridge and at Wisbech between the Port Hand Beacon "Drakes" and Elgood's Brewery. Cross Keys Swing Bridge (52°46'.0N 000°11'.7E), which is a revolving structure 21m wide with signals in both directions controlling traffic, crosses River Nene at Port Sutton Bridge. Agents usually advise swing bridge operators in advance and pilots keep in touch when approaching the bridge on way to or from Wisbech Town Quays, vessels restricted to max 13m beam. The E and W dolphins of the bridge are marked by lights. Vessels requiring the bridge to be opened should sound Morse Code 'B' or call using VHF transmission. Prior notice should be given when possible. Port Sutton Bridge: LOA120m, Beam 17m. Vessels of an unusual design or with restricted or limited visibility require prior permission from the Harbour Master and may be subject to daylight only passage and/or tug assistance. Power cables span the river between 1.6 and 3.6km S of Port Sutton Bridge with least safe vertical clearance of 30m.

Mean spring range about 5.0m, mean neap range is 2.9m. The tidal streams are reported to be strong at springs with rates up to 6kts but at neaps, with freshets in the river, the ingoing stream does not reach Wisbech. The ingoing stream normally runs for 4 hours at Sutton Bridge and at springs, for 3 hours at Wisbech. It should be noted that fresh to strong S winds cause tidal heights to be lower than predicted.

Drake Towage operate three tugs: "Stint" 500hp, "Brent" 500hp and "Sheldrake" 100hp. These tugs are privately owned and are sometimes used as an aid in berthing and in swinging vessels. Tugs arranged after consultation between Master, Harbour Master and Pilots, by the Agents, with the owner's agreement. 12 hours notice may be needed for a tug.

Prevailing winds: S'ly winds can seriously cut the amount of water available at HW, especially at neap tides. N'ly winds will quite often increase the amount of water available. Once vessels have arrived, W'ly and E'ly winds can affect vessels unmooring and manoeuvring in port.

SUTTON BRIDGE 52°46.19'N 0°11.83'E UNCTAD LOCODE: GB PSB For details see: WISBECH PILOT REQUIREMENTS ________________________________________________________________________________ ___________

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WEEKLY CORRECTIONS FROM UKHO NtM WEEK 34/23 Port of Sutton Bridge correspondence, (RSDRA2023000196951), 34/23

..... Sutton Bridge Pilot: VHF: Ch 16, 09. Callsign: "Sutton Bridge Pilots" Vessel should report to Wisbech and Sutton Bridge Pilots on VHF Ch 09 on reaching Bar Flat Anchorage. Sutton Bridge Port: Tel: +44 1406 351133. Fax: +44 1406 350503. Email: sbsagency:croports.com Website: http://www.croports.com Wisbech Pilot: VHF: Ch 16,09. Callsign "Wisbech Pilots" Tel: +44 1945 588059. Pilot - out of hours: Tel: +44 7860 576685 (Duty Officer, Mobile) Tel: +44 7793 960094 (Pilot Master, Mobile) Fax: +44 1945 580589. Hours: From 3hrs before HW to HW when vessel expected. Nene Ports Authority: Tel: +44 1945 588059. Fax: +44 1945 580589. (Office hours) Port of Wisbech: Tel: +44 1945 587070. Fax: +44 1945 587072. (Office hours) Sutton Bridge Ship Agency, C.RO Ports: Tel: +44 1406 351133. Fax: +44 1406 351613. Email: SBSagency@croports.com Website: http://www.croports.com Cross Keys Swing Bridge: VHF: Ch 09. Callsign "Swing Bridge VHF 09" Tel: +44 1406 350 364 Mob: 07788931616. Local navigational warnings are issued by the Wisbech Port Manager or Pilot, if on station, on VHF Ch 09 or 16. Outbound vessels can request weather information from the Harbour Master. Contact can also be made through Humber Radio, preferably via Bacton sub station. It is often a case that Scheveningen Radio can be used.

Bonded Stores are the responsibility of the Master with no large quantities to be issued to any individual crew member. It must be noted that Immigration and Customs Officers may descend on any vessel at any time and conduct full scale searches of all spaces, both accommodation, cargo spaces, engine room and store rooms.

Previous notice is given by agents to all parties concerned. On arrival, Master's should have available for submission to Customs: Two Forms C13s, 2 Crew Lists for Immigration, 2 Cargo Manifests and, in addition, if trading from outside EU, Customs require stores declaration of Form C142, in duplicate. In addition, all ship's certificates and documents should be in order and up to date. If in doubt then the agents should be consulted.

Notification of ETA should be sent to agents at least 24 hours prior to arrival at Pilot station or anchorage, or on sailing, if less than 24 hours from Port Sutton Bridge, or Wisbech, and regularly kept up to date.

General Notices and Regulations: These should be advised by the pilots when they first board vessels, as the first Port Authority employees to see the Master. If in any doubt, then the agent will settle any problems on arrival.

Providing that there is no notifiable disease onboard, pratique is not required. If in doubt, then Master should call agents. Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates can be issued.

Providing that agents have been advised in advance of the Charter Party requirements, this will be attended to by them in accordance with Charter Party terms.