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The Solent : Profile

Clearance

All yachts arriving from outside the EU must contact HM Customs and Excise on 08457 231 110

Southampton Water and The Solent encompass a large area of protected water and is probably one of the busiest and most famous sailing areas in the world. Not only is it home for thousands of leisure craft, it is a port for very large container and tanker vessels, cruise liners and ferries of all descriptions. Consequently it is advisable to be very alert when transiting these waters and to have up-to-date charts and sailing instructions. Add to this, fast tides, a shallow bank, various defensive forts and a submerged barrier, and you have a very interesting mix! Another thing to add, is that it is never boring sailing here!

When planning to use a berth in a marina, it is wise to call ahead, and you will then be allocated a berth number and advised which side to you will be mooring. Most marinas in this area do not have dedicated pontoons for visitors, but slot them into available spaces.

Apart from marinas, the Solent has many mooring buoys and anchorages which can be used. The area is generally divided into the East and West Solent, with Southampton Water and the River Medina at Cowes forming the dividing line. The East Solent has the harbours of Portsmouth, Langstone and Chichester on the mainland, and Ride and Bembridge on the Isle Of Wight. The West Solent has The Beaulieu River and Lymmington on the mainland and Newtown and Yarmouth on IOW. Until very recently there was no harbour on the southern shore of the IOW, but now there are breakwaters at Ventnor providing a small refuge.

Care needs to be taken when entering the Solent via the Needles Channel (western entrance) as in strong wind over tide conditions it is dangerous. The eastern entrance is navigable at all states of the tide.

Lymingotn Berthon Marina
The Shipyard, Bath Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 9YL
Tel:+44 (0)1590 673 312, VHF Channel 80 'Lymington marina'
This is the 2nd marina in the Lymington river. It is also to port. All facilities and repairs possible here. It is within walking distance of the town.

Lymington Town Quay & Lymington River
Harbour Office, Lymington
Tel:+44 (0)1590 672 014
The river needs to be negotiated with care. It is fairly shallow, with extensive mud banks on either shore. At peak times, ferries leave every 15 minutes and often pass in the river. Being wide and flat bottomed, they 'suck' the water as they pass, both lowering the level and drawing small boats in towards them. The Town quay is for boats up to 12 metres. There are also buoys for visiting craft. There is water available on the quay. Lymington town has every facility a yacht could require. Some of the biggest names in the yachting world are based here.

Lymington Yacht Haven
Kings Saltern Road, Lymington, Hants SO41 3QD
Tel:+44 (0)1590 677 071, VHF Channel 80 'Lymington Yacht Haven'
This is the first of the marinas. It is to port as you enter the Lymington River. It has all facilities, repairs and storage. 40 ton hoist, fuel, restaurant and chandlery.

Yarmouth Harbour
Harbour Office, South Quay, Yarmouth, IOW
Tel:+44 (0)1983 760 321, Fax:+44 (0)1983 761 192, VHF Channel 68
info@yar-iow-harbour.demon.co.uk
During summer weekends, this harbour is often full. When this is the case, a 'Harbour Full' sign is displayed (illuminated at night). The visitors' moorings inside the harbour are a mixture of trots of piles (the harbour staff are always willing to help handle lines) and pontoons with walk-ashore access. These latter being bookable in advance. Boats should wait at the entrance to be directed to a free mooring. The harbour taxi (VHF channel 15) is very efficient. There are three rows of mooring buoys outside the harbour, quieter and very useful if just waiting for the tide to go through the Needles Channel. There are good shower, toilet and laundry facilities at the Harbour office on Town Quay. This quay also has water, fuel and LPG.