Harbour/Yacht Club

Mark Dryden

Harbour Master

(843) 686-8813 mdryden@wexfordhiltonhead.com

Harbour/ Yacht Club

Wanda Marshall

Administrative Assistant (843) 686-8813 wmarshall@wexfordhiltonhead.com

Lock and Wexford Channel Procedures

Another boating season is upon us! I think it’s helpful for everyone to go over a few basics of how we operate the lock and a couple of reminders. The guidelines below are designed to make the transit of the Wexford lock as trouble free as possible and to ensure that everyone knows the proper procedure for entering and exiting Wexford Harbour. • All in-bound traffic must establish contact with the Harbour Center before entering the channel. This should be done via VHF channel 14. Do not enter the channel unless directed by the lock operator. Many times, there could be boats you are not aware of or unable to see. • After Hours: Contact Security via phone at 843-6868818. They will contact you via VHF once they are at the lock and will advise when you can enter the channel. Please keep in mind Security has many responsibilities and are not always able to attend the lock immediately. Please stay outside the channel allowing you more room to maneuver and ensure your vessel is safe. • Do not contact Wexford lock till you can see Wexford lock. This applies to either lock-in from Broad Creek or lock-out from the Harbour. • Please use the floating docks by the lock entrance for emergencies only and not for tying up overnight. Pick-up and drop-off from the docks is acceptable but if you are going to be longer than 30 minutes, please pull into the Harbour and use the guest dock inside. Even if you are just coming in to pick someone up, please contact the Harbour Center on 14 to get clearance. • When the operator is at the lock, they will either direct you via VHF to enter the approach channel or give you instructions if there is a vessel ahead of you. If you do not have a VHF radio, the lock operator will fit you in when space is available, boats with proper communication will take priority. If you do not have VHF and need to access the lock after hours, please make sure the Security guard you speak with is aware and has your contact information to pass along to the lock operator. • Once in the channel try to keep as close to the center as possible. The channel depth is uniform, but some shoaling naturally occurs between dredging. • The marked channel, from the flashing red light to the lock, is a no wake zone. Please proceed at a speed that will not create a damaging wake. This no wake zone extends for the entire channel behind Wexford Island. • The entire harbour is also a no wake zone. Some boats will create a wake even at low RPM. To avoid making a wake that will disturb other vessels, you can engage and disengage your engines to better control your speed. • As you approach the lock gates, a flashing yellow light indicates the gates are fully open. This light warns you to approach the lock with caution. If this light is not flashing, do not approach and contact the lock operator on 14 and await verbal instructions. • If you see a constant red light, then the lock gates are either closed or are still moving. The red light only turns off after the gates are fully open. • If you do not see either of the lights, do not proceed to the lock, there could be a malfunction. Please wait outside the lock and contact the lock operator for instruction. Once contact with the operator is established, you will be guided via VHF radio as to your next set of actions. Once again it is imperative that your vessel have a VHF radio on board. • Once in the lock, take direction from the operator. If they instruct you to take a line, please do so. This will minimize the buffeting from water entering the lock and ensure a safe passage with no damage. • Once the water level has been equalized, the lock operator will direct you to leave the lock. If lines have been used, the operator will retrieve the lines first and then direct you to leave the lock. • When departing the lock, if the yellow flashing light is not visible obtain confirmation from the operator before proceeding. Do not attempt to leave the lock before the doors are fully opened as indicated by the yellow light.

• When a Security officer operates the lock, they have certain constraints upon them – imposed by the Harbour Master – to ensure the safety of everyone. Security officers are not to operate the lock with more than one boat in the lock chamber. The only exception to this is PWCs, Security may put two PWCs through at the same time. This does not stretch to one PWC and a boat. • Do not turn your VHF off channel 14 until you have cleared the Wexford Channel. Please always monitor Channel 14 while in the harbour. As you enter the lock, outbound, the lock operator will ask the following questions: 1. Who is in command? 2. What is the name of the boat? 3. How many people are aboard? 4. Where you are heading? 5. Do you have a time of return? These questions provide a simple “sail plan.” Wexford has a protocol that if you are two hours overdue from an expected time of return, we will try to contact you. If we cannot contact you, the Harbour Master will contact the Coast Guard and report an overdue vessel. The Coast Guard will ask the above questions and for a description of the boat. The Coast Guard will then try to contact you via VHF and put out a notice on Channel 16 that there is an overdue boat. This may seem a bit extreme; however, if you have engine trouble and are in the Calibogue Sound with the tide going out, there is a pretty good chance you may end up headed to the open ocean. Or you may have run aground somewhere and are not able to get help. At least everyone is looking for you. The Coast Guard likes this protocol for one very good reason, usually they are contacted eight to 12 hours after someone is missing and they have to start from scratch with minimal information. This two-hour window means they can usually find you pretty quickly. In the past, I have reported two vessels overdue and, in both cases, they were found within the hour. Neither were in any great danger, but they could have been. One last thought: If you are having work done on your boat and a service technician will need to take the boat out of the lock, please contact the Harbour Center. All the listed procedures are in place to ensure our members can use the lock with confidence with the knowledge they will not have to deal with any unpleasant surprises.

Mark

Wexford Yacht Club News

UPCOMING EVENTS

Docktails | April 5 & May 3 All Wexford members are invited to attend the monthly Docktails event. Bring your favorite drinks, hor d’oeuvres to share and enjoy an evening at the Harbour Terrace with old friends and new.

Harbour Seminar Series April 20: Collision Regulations and Rules of the Road May 18: Guide to Local Waters and Wexford Harbour Seminars are held at 3:00pm at the Harbour Center. They are free to attend and registration is not required. Georgetown/Charleston Overnight | May 3-8 Georgetown is the third oldest town in South Carolina with a large preserved historic district. The marina we will visit is in the heart of the downtown area with possible activities to include a historic tour and a trip to the South Carolina Maritime Museum. Several meals are planned and the many dining options available. On this trip, we will be stopping at Charleston on the way up as well as the way back. Please email aljklein95@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us on this trip.