SEAHOUSES MARINE CLUB
North Sunderland Harbour (Fluke Hole Moorings), Seahouses, Northumberland.
www.seahousesmc.org.uk
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Navigational Information
A Word of Caution !.
Whilst the coastline is attractive, it can also be a dangerous place unless proper care is taken. If in any doubt seek advice from more experienced members, or talk to the local professional boatmen. Be aware of the weather and likely changes. Be aware of the tides, tide tables are provided by the Club, from our own computer program.
Safety Equipment.
Marine VHF radio is about the most useful item to carry. You can talk to other boats, including the local working boats on Channel 8, as well as being able to contact the Coastguard in an emergency or for advice on Channel 16. In an emergency, you will also be able to speak directly to both Lifeboats and the Helicopter, which can save vital minutes. Mobile phones are not recommended, as they cannot be used with direction finding equipment by the rescue services, to pinpoint your position.
A GPS is also ideal, not just to identify your position in an emergency, but to mark good fishing spots, and it is very sensible to mark waypoints to get you home safely should fog develop quickly while you are out. (Not too uncommon on this coast in the summer).
Keep Lifejackets for all onboard well maintained, and have an up to date set of flares.
These should include "Orange Smoke" for daytime use (helpful if you are involved
in a helicopter rescue, to give the pilot an indication of wind direction), red hand
flares for day/night use, and optionally red parachute flares. KNOW HOW TO USE THEM,
in an emergency you may not have time to study instructions ! -
For further free advice -
Small Ships (Boats) Register
Why not Register your Boat on the MCA Small Ship Register, which acts as a passport,
proving nationality of your vessel -
Navigational advice.
Port hand buoys are found off Beadnell/Seahouses (North Sunderland Buoy) and the Shorestone Buoy off Seahouses. Coming from the south, keep the North Sunderland buoy to port, while setting the bow towards Bamburgh Castle. As the harbour mouth opens, wait till the front door of the Black Swan Pub is in line with the harbour mouth and then turn towards the harbour, as that line of sight provides a leading mark which keeps vessels safely off the rocky shore to the south of the harbour.
Good charts, and advice from local professional skippers are invaluable.
Seen a whale or dolphin off this coast, then contact the North East Cetacean Project,
to report your sighting
Learn more -
© Seahouses Marine Club 2012