Pilotage & Navigation

Navigation notes: Local Notices to Mariners

Extension to Floodgates Ipswich Wet Dock Lock

Mariners and Port Users are advised that the new Environment Agency floodgates are now installed and working in the Wet Dock lock. The floodgates have been extended to a height 1.84 metres above the top of lock coping stones. The gates will be closed when the height of the tide is expected to reach 4.5 metres above chart datum. There will be no access into or out of the Wet Dock during the period the gates are closed. The Lock Master or Operator will advise when movements through the lock can resume.

Contact via VHF68 or telephone 01473 213526.

Approaches to Lowestoft Stanford Channel
WRECK "CARRIE LOUISE” Latitude 52º 26'.880N., Longitude 001º 46'.830E
The wreck, which lies sunk in the position defined above, has been marked by means of an emergency wreck marking lighted buoy, as follows:-
Position: Close south east of the wreck.
Characteristics : Pillar: Blue & Yellow Vertical Stripes: Yellow Upright Cross Topmark:
Alternating blue and yellow flashing light, where the blue and yellow 1 second flashes are alternated with an interval of 0.5 seconds.
The word WRECK is exhibited Black on Yellow.
Mariners are advised to give the wreck and buoy by which it is marked a wide berth.

Going Abroad?

Going abroad needs a passport and, to obtain some NHS assistance, the new version of the E111.  Skippers entering and leaving Schengen Agreement countries must present a crew list for Immigration on the proper form to the harbourmaster at an approved port of entry.  The Club's authorised ICC "tester" is Mike Perkins.  Schengen forms can be downloaded and information is available from the Cruise Captain Co-ordinator, John Warwick.

Download Belgium and Netherlands Schengen forms.

 

ATIS Enabling your Radio for inland waterways

If you are intending to cruise on the inland waterways of Europe, you will find that there are now new rules covering the use and carriage of VHF radio transceivers.

So what is ATIS?

ATIS, not to be confused with AIS, stands for Automatic Transmitter Identification System. This system is used on inland waterways in various countries in mainland Europe. At the end of every transmission the radio sends out a unique FFSK data signal, which contains the user or ship's unique ATIS call sign, this identifies you to marine coast stations and inland stations.  RAINWAT is the "Regional Arrangement Concerning the Radiotelephone Service on Inland Waterways" which, through the Basel Arrangement has made mandatory the use of the Automatic Transmitter Identification System (ATIS) for vessels making VHF transmissions whilst on the inland waterways of the signatory countries: Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; France; Germany; Hungary; Luxemburg; Moldova; The Netherlands; Poland; Romania; Slovakia; Switzerland; Serbia & Montenegro.

Do I need a new radio to comply or can my current equipment be upgraded?

The vessel's Ships Radio License will need to be amended and an ATIS number issued. Ofcom is the authority in the UK who makes the necessary modifications to the radio license.  You will not notice a difference in the way you operate your radio and there are no buttons to press to activate it; it is an automatic and passive function once programmed into your radio.

What do I need to do to comply?

Contact OFCOM at licencingcentre@ofcom.org.uk, emailing them your name, vessel name, vessel callsign and MMSI number. You must also include the following text in your email "I give consent for Ofcom to disclose license details to BIPT for the purposes of safety and ATIS administration, including making the details available to RAINWAT member states".  Ofcom will then check their records and issue you with a Notice of Variation (NOV) to your licence, this will be sent to you electronically. You can then contact your local dealer, with your newly issued ATIS number and have it programmed into your radio.

Please note:  As part of this process your data will be given to the BIPT. You must print a copy of the Basel Agreement from http://www.rainwat.bipt.be/rainboat.html and keep it with the NOV and your ships radio licence.  You must familiarise yourself with the Basel Agreement.  The UK has NOT acceded to the Basel Agreement. Whilst overseas you will be under the jurisdiction of the authority in that country. 

The RYA has issued a page on their website.

One other point to note, is that once a VHF radio has been programmed for ATIS, it must be switched back to DSC in UK territorial waters!

 

Here are a couple of links submitted by member Ted Evans:

Free/inexpensive PC Aids for Passage Planning

Interfacing an inexpensive electronic compass to the JRC 1000 radar

The first link takes you to Ted's web page where you will find waypoints and routes for Gartrip and Neptune.