OVERVIEW
The Isle of Wight is a large island off the Port of Southampton and Portsmouth on the south coast of England. It extends eastward from a group of rocks called The Needles for twenty miles and is twelve miles from north to south. It is the largest and second-most populous Island in England. The island has been a holiday destination since Victorian times and is known for its mild climate, coastal scenery, and verdant landscape of fields, downland and chines.




The Isle Of Wight is separated from the mainland by the sheltered waters of The Solent. This stretch of water is about 20 miles long and varies in width from 2½ to 5 miles, with its narrowest point between Hurst Castle and Colwell Bay. The shingle Hurst Spit, projecting 1½ miles from the mainland, narrows the Strait to less than ¾ of a mile. Southampton Water, an inlet serving the port of Southampton, extends five miles northwestward from The Solent and has a deep-water channel about a ⅓ of a mile wide. It has Southampton Docks at its head that marks the junction of the River Test and the River Itchen.




The protected inshore waters have played a vital role in British history since Roman times and are steeped in history. The Solent is an area of natural beauty bordered by and forms part of the character of several nationally important protected landscapes, including the New Forest National Park and the Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. All of this makes it the busiest centre for recreational boating in the UK and a favourite for locals and visitors alike.




Waypoints are sequenced from south to northwest and finally northward into Southampton Water to the docks, as follows:

• • Commencing South of Foreland Point, the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight


• • Passing around Foreland close outside east of the 'Bembridge Ledge' east cardinal mark


• • Entering Spithead close southwest of No Man's Land Fort via the leisure craft passage


• • Passing the Central Solent via the 2½ mile-long North Channel


• • Continuing along the northeastern side of Southampton Water

The supporting description is set out in the following eight broad sections.

• 1. Navigation


• 2. Shipping


• 3. Tides and Tidal Streams


• 4. Entering the Eastern Solent


• Including:


• 4.1 The eastern side of the Isle Of Wight


• 4.2 Spithead


• 4.3 Portsmouth Harbour


• 5. The Eastern Solent


• 6. The Northeast Coast of the Isle of Wight


• Including:


• 6.1 Cowes and the River Medina


• 7. Southampton Water


• Including:


• 7.1 The Hamble River


• 7.2 The River Itchen


• 7.3 The River Test

1. NAVIGATION
The Eastern Solent is accessed via Spithead, situated between the northeastern shore of the Isle of Wight and the mainland. Commercial shipping arriving from the English Channel navigates the well-marked Nab Channel. This route is the safest for large vessels entering and leaving Southampton Water, as it is sheltered from all winds except those from the southeast. The channel begins approximately two miles south of the Nab Tower lighthouse, which directs traffic to its entrance.




However, leisure craft need not utilise the Nab Channel or its borders, as there is plenty of water inshore, few outlying hazards, and a good reason to avoid commercial shipping. Leisure vessels have the alternative to shorten their journey by rounding Foreland and proceeding to the entrance of Spithead along the eastern side of the Isle of Wight. The run-up from there, through Spithead into The Solent and Southampton Waters, to Dock Head and the Rivers Test and Itchen entrances is more than 20 miles.




The waters of The Solent and Southampton Water are deep and exceptionally well-marked. The helm that keeps to the correct side of the marks and keeps in reasonable soundings should expect to encounter few hazards. The presented route to Dock Head is alongside the main shipping channels that are deep and intended for the use of heavily laden commercial vessels. Leisure vessels need not strictly adhere to these marks and should at all times avoid impeding deep-draft commercial vessels that may be constrained by their draft and turning circles.




The Solent's primary yellow race marker buoys are an additional set of marks that leisure craft may avail of. These charted marks are predominantly set in place from March through to November and typically lit with a Fl.Y4s signature. With the exceptions of the race marks off Hill Head and on the East Knoll, there is ample water at the Lowest Astronomical Tide for a vessel carrying a draft of up to 2 metres to move around these racing buoys. However, that is not to say all marks are charted, lit or in deep water. Racing marks close to the shoreline and pot markers cannot be relied on to be illuminated or indicate deep water. Those intending to venture off the main channels at times of low visibility should bear this in mind.




Our detailed overview highlights the key shoreline features inside of the primary lateral marks and the race buoys. Although these dangers are buoyed and easily avoided, they become essential when a vessel struggles to make way against an adverse tide.




During these times, many vessels must come inshore to escape the main tidal run and make the best of it. To support this purpose, we note key dangers so they may be found more efficiently on the vessel's charts or plotter.



2. SHIPPING


The Solent's underwater dangers present much less of a concern to the helm than its quickly shifting topography of above-water dangers. Hosting several of England's most significant commercial ports, The Solent and Southampton Water have a successive stream of huge ships moving in, out and around what is effectively a small stretch of water. These include deeply laden tankers, large container vessels, and passenger cruise vessels that are spatially challenged in these waters, mainly when coming alongside.



In addition to the large ships, many fast-moving ferries ply their way back and forth between mainland ports and those on the Isle of Wight. Add to this the number of pleasure craft, especially during race weeks or on a summer weekend when great shoals of them cut across the waterway, and the key feature of navigation will, as often as not, be to keep clear of other vessels.




Please take it as a given that larger ships have the right of way in this body of water. Draft constrains the largest of these to the primary channels, and they often have to operate at speeds of more than ten knots to maintain steerage around the Bramble Bank or Calshot Spit. Add to this the lack of forward vision and their restricted steerage, and you have to conclude that they are probably unable to take action to avoid a collision with leisure craft, even if they desire to do so.




As such, a vessel entering The Solent should have a radar reflector with an active radar responder or radar as a helpful addition. VHF channel 12, the Solent's working channel, should be monitored when on the move, and a watchful eye should be maintained for boat movements at all times. Try to habitually turn through 360° at regular intervals in The Solent, as ships can stealthily creep up on a vessel from downwind or behind a big genoa. Likewise, don't assume that small open boats are moving; some often drop an anchor on the channel's margins and cast out a fishing line - the author came perilously close to a 'hidden behind the big genoa' moment with one of these.




Give the large ships good wide berths by keeping just outside the main channels as much as possible. If it becomes necessary to cross the channels, do so at right angles and at a time that avoids crossing in front of a ship. In a specifically restricted area located in the Central Solent, called the 'Area of Concern', there is a requirement that all leisure craft must standoff commercial shipping by specified distances – detailed below. Fast ferry services also warrant a wide berth where possible. They approach rapidly, both ahead and astern, and are keen to keep to their allotted time schedules. It would not be prudent to assume the 'right-of-sail carries over power' with these ferries as it could all go very wrong, very quickly.



3. TIDES and TIDAL STREAMS


Tidal currents are moderate in Southampton Water but can be very strong in The Solent, which features one of the world's most unusual tidal patterns. The tidal variations here are essentially a function of an English Channel oscillation added to by The Solent's dual entrances. The Solent's tide rises for about six hours and then 'Stands', or has a 'Double High Water' for another three hours. The 'Stand' is caused by the English Channel's 'closed funnel effect' that causes a large volume of water to continue to flow into The Solent's eastern entrance, providing the regular tidal rise with a second wind.




As a result, the Solent flood lasts for about nine hours, and the ebb is between three and a half to four hours. So expect short, sharp ebbs and longer periods of favourable tides on approaches. Another local 'young flood stand' phenomenon is very pronounced during Springs in Southampton Water. It occurs about two hours after Low Water and manifests itself in a slackening of the tidal stream for about a two-hour period before a final surge to the three-hour 'stand'.




There are also variances in tidal ranges across the Isle of Wight. The maximum eastern range is around 4.5 metres, whereas the western range is about 2.8 metres. The difference in the speed of the rise causes tidal streams to run either east or west at the first half or latter part of the tidal range. The strength and lack of uniformity make using a tidal atlas, especially during Spring tides, an essential consultation for even the shortest Solent hop. Local wind and weather patterns also can affect tides. Several days of strong northeasterly winds accompanied by a high barometric pressure can lower tidal heights in the Solent by 0.6 metres.



4. ENTERING the EASTERN SOLENT


Commercial shipping uses the Nab Channel to approach Spithead and the eastern Solent. The Nab Channel provides the safest approach for large craft entering and leaving Southampton Water because it is largely protected from all winds except those from the southeast. The channel commences about two miles south of the Nab Tower lighthouse that guides the way into its entrance. The Nab Tower is situated 4.6 miles east by southeast of Foreland, stands 28 metres high and is made of steel and concrete.

Nab Tower – Lighthouse Fl.10s27m16M position: 50° 40.075' N, 000° 57'.155' W




You can also expect to see ships at anchor awaiting a berth in the adjacent Nab Anchorage, located roughly between the Nab Tower and Culver Down. This is a designated deep-water anchorage area for large commercial vessels waiting to enter the busy ports of Southampton and Portsmouth. They often have to wait for tidal windows, berth availability, bunkering or supplies, or for other reasons. The Nab Anchorage offers a safe and strategic location to facilitate the smooth flow of commercial traffic in the Solent and surrounding waters.




The Nab Channel, which is marked by closely spaced yellow buoys at its entrance, is dredged to a depth of 13.3 metres and intended for use by inbound deep-draft commercial vessels. There is no necessity for a leisure craft to use the channel or, should this approach be selected, to pass along the margins of the commercial channel. However, being the Solent's primary shipping route, it is best avoided as one can expect to encounter more heavy shipping on this eastern approach than on the western approaches.




Leisure vessels are free to shorten the distance by rounding Foreland and passing up to the entrance to Spithead along the east side of the Isle of Wight. The most straightforward approach is to pass close outside 'Bembridge Ledge' east cardinal, Q(3)10s, and then steer a course of 330°T for the forts about 4 miles away. The island has no dangers for those who give it a berth of ¾ of a mile.


4.1 The EASTERN SIDE of the ISLE of WIGHT


Culver Cliff, located about 10 miles northeast of Saint Catherine's Point, is a conspicuous landmark for the commencement of the route. It is identifiable by the marked contrast between the white chalk bluff and the land in the vicinity. The Culver Down Monument or Yarborough Monument, a conspicuous object from seaward, stands on Culver Down at an elevation of 100 metres and also serves to identify the cliff positively.

The Isle of Wight is high on its eastern side, with ledges extending more than ½ a mile offshore in places. From a leisure craft perspective, the principal dangers off the island are the Bembridge Shoal, No Man's Land and Ryde Sands. All of these are well-marked.




The dangerous Bembridge Ledge extends for ¾ of a mile off Foreland headland, with only 1.5 metres of water over its northern parts and 4 to 5 metres on its outer edge. A considerable part of this ledge dries at half-tide and terminates in a high, sharp point named Sharpus Rocks, about a ⅓ of a mile offshore. These rocks are high and steep-to at their outer edge, and over many parts, there are not more than 1 to 1.5 metres at high-water springs. Outside their edge, the depth increases to about 3 metres very quickly. The outer rim of the shore reef is made plain by the Bembridge Auxiliary Lifeboat Station's slipway, which extends into the sea to the east of the village.




But this is not the only danger, as the northern part of Bembridge Ledge has three unexpected outlying patches that leisure vessels should approach with great caution. These are called the Dickey Dawe Rocks, an uneven area in Bembridge Ledge with the shallowest point of 1.8 metres. They are named after Dickie Dawes, a famous local smuggler who was known to operate in the area.




More deadly is the dangerous Cole Rock, situated 400 metres due east of the Bembridge Auxiliary Lifeboat Station. It shows itself at spring tides when it dries to several heads over more than 200 metres.
About 400 metres northwest of Cole Rock, there is a shallow patch with 0.9 metres of water and a further patch with 1.9 metres over it about 200 metres further northwest of this.




A wide variety of boats commonly run aground here, especially in the often stormy weather conditions affecting the area during winter. These dangers are all marked by the 'Bembridge Ledge' east cardinal mark Q(3)10s, located a ⅓ of a mile eastward. Once rounded, look out for the yellow seasonal buoys offshore of Bembridge.




North of Foreland, the coast of the Isle of Wight turns to the northwest. At the eastern extremity of the bank extending off the shore to the north of Foreland is Saint Helen's Fort's conspicuous round stone structure. The Fort stands 0.6 of a mile offshore, 1.2 miles northwest of Foreland. At night, it exhibits a light. Immediately adjacent is Saint Helens Duver anchorage off the east end of the Isle of Wight. Saint Helens Duver is sheltered from all but southeast winds, with excellent mud and stiff blue clay holding ground. Vessels may anchor at a suitable depth, avoiding the area marked as foul on the chart.

Saint Helen’s Fort – fortress Fl(3)10s16m8M position: 50°42.300'N, 001°05.046'W



Within Saint Helen's Fort is Bembridge Harbour . The harbour lies close northward of the easternmost point of the Isle of Wight, immediately west of Bembridge Point, and is approached through a channel. It is tidal and bordered by the twin villages of Bembridge and St. Helens, which lie opposite each other across the harbour.




North of Saint Helen's Fort is Priory Bay that is shallow near to the shore and out to ¾ of a mile offshore. Yellow buoys, set in approximately 4 metres of water from March to October, mark the outer edge of the shallow patch. This shallow area continues to Nettlestone Point beyond which it increases to a mile offshore at its widest point.



Nettlestone Point, located 2½ miles northwest of Foreland, is the Isle of Wight's northeastern extremity. The seaside resort of Seaview stands on Nettlestone Point. The shore here is shoal and the welcoming Sea View Yacht Club provide visitor moorings well offshore. Outside of these, anchoring in very settled conditions is also possible.




The primary hazard for all vessels approaching the island's northeastern part is the great Ryde Sand expanse extending out to No Man's Land Fort. Ryde Sands must be approached cautiously as it has left many a leisure craft standing.


4.2 SPITHEAD


Spithead sits opposite the Isle of Wight on the western side of the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour, between the northeastern shore of the Isle and the mainland off Gilkicker Point. Spithead is an extensive, deep, sheltered channel leading into The Solent. It is bound on the north side by Spit Sand, forming the western side of the channel that leads into Portsmouth harbour, on the northeast side by Horse Sand Fort, and Ryde Sand and No Man's Land Fort on the south side.




Spithead and the Eastern Solent are entered by passing between the round stone structure of 'No Man's Land Fort' and the corresponding 'Horse Sand Fort' on the opposite northeastern side of the channel. The forts stand approximately 1½ miles offshore and at the shoals' outer edges, providing excellent marks for the channel and the extremities of the banks.




The main shipping fairway runs between the forts and leisure vessels, and it may be used if it is clear to do so. However, a leisure craft passage is available close inside 'No Man's Land Fort', between it and the edge of the banks extending from the Isle of Wight's shore. The passage is almost a ⅓ of a mile wide and has 2 metres of water at chart datum. The Fort marks the pass to the northeast and a lit post, FL R 12s, on the Isle of Wight or southeast side. The pass enables leisure craft to pass into Spithead clear of the commercial channel used by large vessels.




Once past the forts, it is essential to keep clear of the Ryde Sands while passing into Spithead. The sands uncover out for nearly a mile from Nettlestone Point and dry to 2 metres at low water springs. This drying area extends almost a mile northward, towards Spithead, and then turns away west by north towards the head of Ryde Pier.




The northern edge of this arch is very steep-to and the most dangerous part of Ryde Sands. The northeast point is marked by the 'Ryde Sands' port beacon, by night Fl.R.10s, and the westward end by the prominent Ryde Pier extending 0.4 of a mile north from the shore with the town of Ryde. At night, the head of the pier is lit. Keep at least 200 metres outside the Red Pile marks at all times.




On the east side of Ryde Pier is a hovercraft terminal, and 400 metres eastward is the small drying Ryde Harbour that is used by pleasure boats. Vessels should stand well off the head of the pier so as not to hamper the high-speed ferry service and keep a sharp eye out for fast-moving hovercraft crossing back and forth to Portsmouth from the pier's east side.




Steering a course for the 'N Sturbridge' north cardinal buoy, VQ, keeps a vessel well clear of Ryde Sands.



Portsmouth Harbour has extensive berthing opportunities and yachting facilities on the opposite shore, which is entered between Spit Sand Fort to the south and Southsea Castle with its lighthouse.

Southsea Castle lighthouse Iso.2s16m11M Dir.WRG.11m13-5M position: 50°46.697’N 001°05.340’W



4.3 PORTSMOUTH HARBOUR



Portsmouth Harbour remains a top choice for yachts due to its historical significance, excellent facilities, and city amenities. The historic naval city of Portsmouth is located on the east side of Portsea Island, with Gosport directly opposite on the eastern coast. Facilities for visiting yachts are among the best in the Solent, offering plenty of space for visiting vessels. It truly provides an unforgettable experience for all boaters.




The naturally formed harbour offers sheltered waters with ample modern navigation aids to ensure a safe arrival for yachts of all sizes. However, it is also one of the busiest and most challenging harbours to navigate in the UK due to strong tidal streams at the entrance, along with constant commercial, naval, and ferry traffic, requiring careful planning. Coastal guidance, tidal guides, waypoints, and pilotage information are available in Navigating Portsmouth Harbour .




Gosport, situated on the mainland to the west, features three large-scale marinas immediately inside the entrance: Haslar Marina , Gosport Marina , and Royal Clarence Marina . Opposite on the eastern side, at the heart of Portsmouth, is Gunwharf Quays Marina , situated at the foot of the city's iconic Spinnaker Tower.




Beyond this, the harbour widens significantly, though much of this area consists of mud flats that dry at low water. Two channels border this zone: Fareham Lake to the northwest, leading to Fareham, and Portchester Lake to the northeast, leading to Port Solent. On the northeastern side of Portsmouth Harbour adjacent to Fareham Lake, there are Hardway Sailing Club , Portsmouth Marine Engineering , Fareham Marina and WicorMarine Yacht Haven . In the northeast corner of Portsmouth Harbour, approximately four miles above its entrance and ½ mile northeast of the historic Portchester Castle, lies the large-scale Port Solent Marina .


5. THE EASTERN SOLENT


Gilkicker Point, a low-lying shingle spit, marks the southern tip of Gosport, the eastern entrance to the Solent and the western entrance to Portsmouth Harbour. The prominent, low-lying headland serves as a key boundary between the open waters of Spithead and the Solent. A light beacon that stands out from Gilkicker Point, G.10s7M, distinguishes it at night. Additionally, a yellow special mark buoy, Fl.Y.4s, often used as a racing marker, is located south of Gilkicker Point, which this route passes quite closely. Gilkicker Point also houses the Victorian Fort Gilkicker, which, although now topped by a signal mast, has long been disused. One of the historic Palmerston forts, it was constructed between 1863 and 1871 to defend the vital anchorage of Spithead and the western approach to Portsmouth Harbour.

Gilkicker Point - light Oc. G.10s7M position: 50°46.432’N 001°08.462’W




Pass midway between the mainland and the Isle of Wight, steer to pass close south of the 'Browndown' starboard buoy, Fl(2) G.10s, situated almost ¾ of a mile off Browndown Point.




Browndown Point marks the northeast extremity of Stokes Bay , a slight indentation in the mainland coast often resorted to by vessels in strong northerly winds. It is between Fort Gilkicker and Browndown Point, 1.7 miles west by northwest.




The 'Browndown' starboard buoy leads onto the 'East Bramble' east cardinal, VQ(3)5s, marking the southern entrance to the 2½ mile-long North Channel. The North Channel is the quickest route to Southampton Waters from Spithead. The channel has the least depth of 4.0 metres CD and passes parallel to the shoreline more than a mile offshore of the resort towns of Lee-On-The-Solent, from which a shallow coastal bank extends out to flank the channel's northeastern side. On the opposite side, it passes to the northeast of the Bramble Bank, where it meets Thorn Channel and Calshot Reach opposite Calshot Spit.




It is marked by three navigational aids: the East Bramble Cardinal buoy (VQ (3) 5s), which marks the eastern edge of the Bramble Bank; Hillhead (Fl R 2.5s), located offshore of Hillhead; and the Calshot Spit Cardinal (VQ), marking the northern end of the shoals extending from the Bramble Bank and the exit into Calshot Spit as well as the entrance to Southampton Water.




The channel requires some situational awareness because it is sometimes used by commercial vessels to avoid the Bramble Bank. These vessels are "constrained by their draft," which means they must stay within the deep-water channel and cannot deviate. As a result, leisure craft must always be prepared to give way and keep well clear of these vessels. Ample water can be found on the northwest or Hillhead side of the channel if you need to give way.




About 1½ miles northwest of Lee-On-The-Solent, there is a small boat, drying Hill Head Harbour . The harbour lies at the mouth of a river and is marked by a beacon on its west side. 'Bell Calshot' north cardinal, VQ, marks the convergence point of the North Channel with those of the Thorn Channel and Calshot Reach.





6. The NORTHEAST COAST of the ISLE of WIGHT
Those intending on Cowes will find the shore trends northwesterly for 3 miles to Old Castle Point after Ryde Pier and is fronted by sands and shallow banks.



Lying between East Cowes and Stokes Bay is the Ryde Middle bank that presents little concern to leisure craft. It is a long, narrow bank of mud, gravel, sand, and shells that extends for about 2 miles in a southeastward direction. The bank has a least depth of 3.3 metres, is about a mile long from its western end and has more than 10 metres close on either side. Several buoys mark it for the benefit of commercial shipping.




The primary commercial channels lead either side of Ryde Middle and vessels intending to proceed westward towards Cowes can use the following traditional sightlines:

• • Those intending to go north of Ryde Middle can steer about northwest into Stokes Bay until Spit Fort is open of its own breadth south of Gilkicker Fort, back bearing 096°. With this mark on, proceed between the Ryde Middle and Bramble shoal until abreast of Old Castle Point. When Cowes is abreast and West Knoll can be picked out, it is safe to round the Bramble Bank.


• • Those intending to round the south side of the Bramble Bank and Ryde Middle should steer to passing close south of 'SE Ryde Middle' south cardinal buoy VQ(6)+LFl.10s. Then westward until Egypt Point is just open of Old Castle Point bearing 272° T. Then pass the 'Norris' port buoy, Fl(3)R.10s, on its correct side.

Vessels proceeding to Cowes usually go south of Ryde Middle, between it and the Mother Bank. It is possible to come inshore to anchor off in Ryde Roads . However, a measure of caution is required here as Ryde West Sands dry out to about a ¼ mile from the shore, and the 2-metre contour is about ½ a mile out as far as Wootton Creek. Boaters planning to hug the shore should steer a course from the head of Ryde Pier to the Wootton Beacon that clears all dangers.



The tidal estuary of Wootton Creek makes itself readily apparent by the comings and goings of the Wightlink ferries to and from Portsmouth. On the creek's east bank, commencing at the ferry terminal, is the village of Fishbourne, and further within its west bank is the village of Wootton.

Northwest of Wootton Creek, the primary hazards are two wrecks that lie inshore of Peel Bank and within the buoyed Wootton Creek water skiing area. The water skiing area is centred on the unlit Peel Wreck Buoy about ¾ of a mile northwest of the approach to Wootton Creek. Steering a course parallel to the shore but outside the water skiing area, if it is marked, and keeping the Peel Wreck port hand marker buoy to port clears both wrecks.




A mile northwestward and 1½ miles east of the entrance to the River Medina is Osborne Bay . The bay's shoreline is about ¾ of a mile long, gently curving and beautifully forested. Its southwest extremity is at Barton Point, and its northwest extremity commences at a wooded headland located ¾ of a mile southwest of Old Castle Point. The 'Rolly Tasker' yellow spherical race buoy (Mar-Dec), by night Fl.Y.4s, serves as a good mark to locate the bay, and the tower and flagstaff on Osborne House are readily identifiable from there.



Vessels approaching Cowes and the River Medina should stand at least 300 metres off the shores leading up to and beyond Old Castle Point. The yellow race mark, moored in about 4 metres of water north of the point, provides a good mark for the offing. Approaching Cowes and the River Medina are covered in the Folly Inn entry.


6.1 COWES and the RIVER MEDINA

In the centre of The Solent, 0.8 miles east of Egypt Point, lies Cowes Harbour. Situated at the mouth of the River Medina, Cowes is Britain's premier yacht racing centre. The town is nestled on both sides of the river entrance, which branches into two parts: Cowes and East Cowes.




The River Medina is navigable for 4 miles to its historic island capital of Newport, and the first 2¼ miles up the river from the harbour entrance provides sufficient water for leisure craft. Beyond this, the water depth decreases and the river dries, but generally, vessels with a draught of 2 metres can proceed upriver on the tide and reach the island capital of Newport 1½ hours before high water at Portsmouth and 2½ hours after high water at Portsmouth.




The river and town together offer visiting boaters a wide variety of berthing options and every conceivable facility. Guidance and tidal flow information for approaching Cowes Harbour, the river, and all the berths along it are available in the Cowes and the River Medina, Isle of Wight .



7. SOUTHAMPTON WATER


The Solent's western and eastern approaches converge at Calshot Castle, where Southampton Water commences. From here, Southampton Water extends northwestward to the south end of Southampton Docks, which marks the junction of the River Test and the River Itchen. The River Itchen flows north, and the River Test leads northwestward as a continuation of Southampton Water. Southampton City will be seen from the entire length of Southampton Water.




The deep-water space embraces a channel, 5 miles long and a ½ mile wide, set between banks of soft mud that cover at high water. There are no dangers for leisure craft in Southampton Water except for its long mud flats. Being almost landlocked, with a highly protected approach, no sea of any consequence can rise in this water section. The well-marked fairway is maintained for commercial shipping and is dredged to 12.6 metres through the Thorn Channel and Calshot Reach, up to the River Test as far as Southampton's main container terminal. The approach area leading through the River Itchen is dredged to a depth of 9.1 metres. It then shoals to a minimum of 2 metres (LAT) up to Saxon Wharf Marina, about 3 miles northward at the head of the navigable waters of the Itchen. The River Test, leading northwestward, dries out entirely in less than 4 miles.





Yachts navigating the six-mile stretch of Southampton Water should keep a listening watch for Port of Southampton's Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), available via Ch. 12/16 [Southampton VTS], +44 (0)23 8060 8208 (24/7/365). Although the 'Area of Concern' ends at Southampton Water's Hook buoy, there is still no right of sail over large commercial ships in Southampton Water.




Leisure craft should use the largely navigable waters outside the buoyed commercial shipping channels whenever practicable. Leisure craft should obey all directions provided by the VTS and yield priority to commercial vessels, particularly near the docks. A speed limit of 6 knots is enforced north of a line connecting Hythe Pier and Weston Shelf.




There is ample water inside most of the marks, so keeping just outside the buoyed fairway is easy. Likewise, finding an opportunity where it is clear to cut across the channel, preferably at right angles, is easy here. The key buoy that must be passed on the correct side is the 'Swinging Ground' starboard buoy at the mouth of the River Itchen, just opposite the Dock Head.




The conspicuous Calshot Radar Tower is on the western side, 1 mile north of Calshot Castle. The conspicuous chimney of the Fawley Power Station stands 3 miles northwest, and most sailors see it as the primary landmark at the entrance to Southampton Water. Keep well clear of large tankers operating from Fawley. The mud bank on the western side, between Calshot and Hythe, is steep-to, breaking down abruptly from a high bank to 12 to 14 metres of water.




The small settlement of Ashlett Creek lies to the north of Fawley Power Station. It is a natural creek with a small and very pretty harbour associated with its former and well-preserved tide mill. The harbour and its ½ mile-long channel dry and are only accessible at the top half of the tide.


7.1 The RIVER HAMBLE


Opposite the conspicuous Fawley Power Marine Terminal, situated 1.5 miles north of the power station, is the entrance to the River Hamble. Hamble Spit runs out nearly a mile from the River's northern entrance point with the 'Hamble Point' south cardinal, Q(6)+LFl.15s, marking its southern extremity.




From here, the meandering River Hamble continues northward for about 3 miles up to Bursledon Bridge, which, with an air draught of 4 metres (MHWS), effectively marks the head of navigation for most sailing craft. The guide Navigating the River Hamble offers a tide timer and directions for approaching and navigating up the river to Bursledon Bridge, and we provide a summary overview here.





The River is a south coast yachting centre and hosts numerous yacht services. It has six marinas, several sailing clubs, boatyards and a river authority. On the east bank of the River, immediately within the entrance, is the small village of Warsash, which is conspicuous by the Hamble Harbour Master's Office tower, circled by white and black bands. Hamble Harbour Master holds jurisdiction of the River, within limits best seen on a chart, on behalf of Hampshire County Council. The village of Hamble, officially Hamble-le-Rice, is about a ½ mile above this point.





Its marinas are, in river order: Hamble Point Marina , Port Hamble Marina , Mercury Yacht Harbour , Universal Marina , Swanwick Marina . The River Hamble Harbour Master , based at Warsash, provides visitor moorings and the Elephant Boatyard also takes visitors on an ad hoc basis if it has space on its hammerhead.




The sixth marina Deacons Marina and Boatyard situated on the upper end of the meandering River, on the west bank of the River immediately before the Bursledon Bridge.


7. SOUTHAMPTON WATER (CONTINUED)


One mile above the village is the old Royal Victoria Military Hospital site within the grounds of Royal Victoria Country Park. Netley Great Dome, once the hospital's magnificent church, stands proudly today overlooking Southampton Water. There is an anchorage off Netley located close south of Netley Sailing Club's clubhouse and clear of its racing activities.




1½ miles above Netley and north of a line joining Hythe Pier and Weston Shelf, there is a maximum speed limit of 6 kn. At night, the helm should keep watch for several large unlit mooring buoys off Hythe and on the opposite side of the fairway. Likewise, high-speed Ro-Ro ferries and large ships operate in this part of Southampton Waters.




The prominent Hythe Marina Village is on the western shores of Southampton Water, a ¼ of a mile above Hythe Pier and about a ⅓ of a mile southward of Dock Head. The marina is approached via a short, well-marked channel that leads into its lock.




The southern face of the port Dock Head, standing at the confluence of the rivers Test and Itchen, is made readily apparent by its conspicuous Signal Station and tall grain silos. The water outside the main channel becomes shallower when approaching Dock Head. At the 'Weston Shelf' starboard buoy, Fl 3 G 15s, opposite Hythe Marina and backed by tall apartment flats onshore, there is only 100 metres of deep water inside the buoy.




Therefore, it is best to step out into the main fairway before this mark and pass all marks on their correct side northwards of it. Particularly, the 'Swinging Ground' starboard buoy opposite Dock Head, Oc G 4s, must be passed to starboard, on its correct side, when entering the mouth of the River Itchen.





7.2 The RIVER ITCHEN


The area leading into the River Itchen is marked on the eastern side by closely spaced large green pile markers on the riverbank's edge. The steep-to Eastern Docks and Empress Docks flank the western side. Above the Empress Dock, the head of Weston Jetty, set between the green pile marks and extending into the River from the opposite eastern side, also marks the edge of the shallows. Upon entering the mouth of the River Itchen, it is essential to maintain a watchful eye for large vessels manoeuvring alongside the commercial quays on the port side.




Immediately above the commercial docks, opposite the No. 4 pile marker, Fl G 4s, and a ¼ mile to the south of the Itchen Bridge, is Ocean Village Marina . Built into a basin formerly used by commercial ships, the marina is readily identifiable by red-roofed 'developer houses' on the east side of the River and a large sign just above the pilings.




The best water to be found when proceeding above the marina is on the east or starboard side on the approaches to the Itchen Bridge. The 28-metre-high Itchen Bridge in Woolston can cause a sharp intake of breath, but there is ample clearance for most leisure yachts. Vessels with an air draft of less than approximately 24m at MHWS or 23 metres HAT will pass easily beneath. However, exceptionally tall-masted vessels should check tide heights carefully.


Upriver of the bridge, the channel turns to port, passing alongside the western shoreline. From this point, numerous wharves, jetties and pontoons will be seen on each side of the River. A sharp watch should be maintained at night for unlit moorings in the centre of the River.




A chain of permanently moored mid-river barges, pontoons and boats mark the eastern side of the channel 300 metres northwest of the bridge. Behind these, the east shore is shoaling to more than halfway between the shorelines. The channel now passes along the western shore close to Itchen Marina, run by a transport and logistics company with several tugs. Beyond this, the west side of the River is fronted by a sequence of docks and wharves where the water is relatively steep-to at their faces until Shamrock Quay Marina.




Shamrock Quay Marina is located just over a ½ mile upriver from the bridge, on the west bank, close southwest of Millstone Point and opposite No. 5 pile marker, Fl G 3s. At night, lights are exhibited from its southwest and northeastmost pontoons, and the complex is broadly floodlit.




Above Shamrock Quay, the River wraps around Millstone Point, on which Millstone Jetty fronts on the east side. The point is made conspicuous by its large crane that exhibits F.R. lights at night.




The opposite side of the river is marked by the midstream 'Lower Trot' pontoon of Kemps Quay off the eastern shore. This is situated between starboard Beacons No. 7, Fl(2)G.5s, and No. 9, Fl(4)G.10s. Together, these beacons and the mid-river pontoon designate the outer extremity of Chessel Bay, which largely dries at low tide along the eastern shore.




Continuing northward, between the unlit red pile mark No. 8 and lit green beacon No. 9, the River Itchen bends westward. Saxon Wharf Marina will be found about 150 metres to port on the southern shore, close northwest of Millstone Point, and the pontoons of Kemps Quay lie opposite on the north bank.




Saxon Wharf Marina is about a ½ mile above its MDL sister Shamrock Quay. It primarily focuses on large yachts but welcomes all visitors.




Immediately opposite Saxon Wharf is the small family-run marina of Kemps Quay that also receives visitors.

The Northam Bridge spans the river a ¼ of a mile above these marinas with a HAT of 4.2 metres clearance, marking the effective head of navigation for vessels with any airdraft. The River Itchen then dries about ¼ of a mile above the bridge.


7.3 The RIVER TEST


The River Test is dredged to 13.2 metres for about 3½ miles, as far as Marchwood, and 12.6 metres as far as the swinging ground at the top end of the container berths about a mile further. Above this, the river shoals rapidly and dries up to the Eling Channel and the well-sheltered Eling Basin.




Cruise liner docks lie close to the city centre, on the starboard side of the River, extending for two miles above Dock Head. Immediately outside Ocean Dock, a ⅓ of a mile above Dock Head, is the lower swinging ground of Ocean Terminal.




This waterway is shared with the Fast Cat and the Hythe ferry services, which frequently shuttle back and forth to the Isle of Wight and Hythe, so maintain a careful watch for ferry and ship movements at this point.




Less than a ¼ of a mile above Ocean Dock is the Town Quay with a marina in the historic heart of Southampton City's waterfront. It is an active commercial quay that is home to the terminal for the ferry service to the Isle of Wight and across the water to Hythe.




Beyond Town Quay, the river is dominated by large container docks on its northeast shore and industrial docks to the southwest. Maintain a careful watch for ships manoeuvring off the Western Docks or intending to use a turning circle located close northwest of Town Quay. There is ample water close outside the 'Cracknore' port hand buoy Oc. R. 8s and series of 'Swinging Ground' port marks if a ship happens to be manoeuvring.




At high water, there is also the option to step out of the deep water channel and into The Marchwood Channel, opening to the south 'Cracknore', to evade ships and take advantage of a slight cut. Marchwood Channel's depths range from 2.3 metres to 3.2 metres after Marchwood Basin. Its western end has as little as 0.4 metres LAT and is full of Marchwood Yacht Club moorings that a transiting vessel has to worm its way through.




The large silver dome of the Marchwood incinerator, visible throughout the north end of Southampton Water, provides an excellent marker for the location of the Marchwood Yacht Club . The club's H-shaped pontoon lies 300 metres northwest of the dome, and there is another turning circle close north of the club pontoon.




Continuing northwestward past the Marchwood Yacht Club pontoon for just under a mile leads to the 'Eling' east cardinal buoy. The approaches to the 'Eling' east cardinal buoy have a minimum maintained depth of 12.6 metres of water, but it shallows immediately afterwards. The Eling Channel, which leads to the Eling Basin , dries 250 metres southeast of its entrance.


LISTED WAYPOINTS
The complete course is 19.28 miles from the waypoint 'W Princessa' to 'Swinging Ground and the River Itchen' tending in a north westerly direction (reciprocal south easterly).

What is the best sailing time?

May to September is the traditional UK Sailing season, with June to July offering the best weather. The amount of bad weather varies quite widely from year to year. The British Isles' weather is highly variable because they are islands between the Atlantic Ocean and an extensive continental European land mass. As a result, the entire area lies under an area where five main air masses meet and alternate:

• • Tropical Maritime Air Mass - from the Atlantic


• • Polar Maritime Air Mass - from Greenland


• • Arctic Maritime Air Mass


• • Polar Continental Air Mass - from central Europe


• • Tropical Continental Air Mass - from North Africa

The air masses can come in from any direction, bringing with them all types of weather and creating weather fronts where they meet. Fine summer weather is typically punctuated by the passage of Atlantic depressions, bringing periods of strong wind and rain and sometimes poor visibility.

Gales, however, rarely cause surprises as they are usually forecasted well in advance. Good weather windows of 48 hours are easy to predict, but any longer than that, there's an increasing chance of change. Winters see a predominance of wind and rain. Still, the protected waters of The Solent are enjoyed by many weekenders who like the offseason reduction of boating activity and berthing fees.

Across the British Isles, the prevailing winds are from the southwest. The Solent, however, is subject to a high degree of local heating. In the western Solent, the sea breeze effect can be strong enough to reverse a northeast Beauford Force 3 morning wind and turn it into a south-westerly Force 4 by early afternoon. The results of the heating of the Isle of Wight is much less than that of the mainland, but it leads to more variable and lighter winds than on its northern side.

Are there any security concerns?

Never has an issue been known to occur to a vessel cruising the waters of The Solent or the shores of the Isle of Wight.

With thanks to:

eOceanic