MOORING
Visiting Cowes by boat
Paul Wyeth
All the information you need for mooring in Cowes and the River Medina Cowes is renowned across the world for sailing and is busy throughout the year with racing yachts and regattas, but it also offers much for cruising sailors. As one of the south’s most sheltered locations, it provides access to fine cruising grounds east and west, and of course is a gateway to all the beautiful Isle of Wight has to offer. Cowes is home to many high quality modern marinas, but visitors can also find more tranquil and secluded spots up the River Medina. MOORINGS There are a large number of visitor swinging moorings and river pontoons both in Cowes Harbour and upstream on the River Medina. The main marina facilities for visiting craft are at Cowes Harbour Shepards Marina, Cowes Yacht Haven, East Cowes Marina, and Island Harbour Marina. Visitor mooring charges appear in this section, but often special rates apply during major events such as Cowes Week and the Round the Island Race, so enquiring in advance is recommended.
For river pontoons and swinging moorings, call ‘HM1’ on VHF Ch 69. During busy periods you may need to ‘raft up’. When possible, you should always, as a courtesy, hail the vessel you intend to moor alongside and request permission. For marinas, call on VHF Ch80. ANCHORING Leisure craft: Do not anchor in the Cowes fairway, Eastern Channel, and small craft mooring areas due to obstructions such as ground chain, other 34
COWES HARBOUR HANDBOOK
than in emergencies. Osborne Bay, 2nm east of the Shrape Breakwater, has excellent holding ground and is reasonably well protected from prevalent winds. Commercial vessels up to 150m may anchor in the dedicated anchorages in Cowes Roads by prior arrangement with the Harbour Master. TRINITY LANDING Trinity Landing, located just inside the entrance to Cowes Harbour, provides walk-ashore access to this bustling town. The outside, fairway side of Trinity Landing is for pick up and drop off only, except by prior arrangement with the Harbour Master. Leisure craft can moor on the inside of the pontoon under direction and control of the Harbour Master.
VHF Ch 69 call sign ‘HM1’ Overnight mooring: £2.50 per metre; short stay: £1.50 per metre cowesharbourservices.co.uk COWES ROADS SWINGING MOORINGS All swinging moorings require prior arrangements with Cowes Harbour before use. From May to October, M row is laid to the west of the harbour entrance between Egypt Point and the Royal Yacht Squadron. The heavy duty yellow/orange swinging moorings provide deep water moorings for vessels up to 25m in length.
For events between June and August, J row is laid
