Rye Harbour (River Rother)

In settled offshore conditions the yachtsman or motorboater should have no problem finding and negotiating the well marked entrance to Rye Harbour.

Any kind of onshore winds will make things lumpy, and strangers are best advised to stay away with onshore winds of more than F4 or in darkness. If the wind has any north in it the bay and entrance will be well shelterted.

For boats of 1.5m draft an approach should not be made till about 2 hours before HW and entry to harbour ideally made 1 1/2 hours before HW. This will give you time to sort the paperwork with the Harbour Office, and proceed to the Town Berths a couple of miles further in.(In a leisurely manner on a rising tide).

Pilotage Detalis...

Approaching from the East after passing Dungeness is hampered somewhat by the Lydd Firing Range, show on our approach chart. Firing can take place over 300 days per year, from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Sometimes this can be extended to 11 PM.

When firing is taking place red flags or red lights are displayed ashore, and range safety craft will be patrolling. All craft need to keep out this area when practice is taking place, and details can be had on VHF channel 73, or by telephoning 01303 225518/9. For planned firings see:-
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/south-east-training-estate-firing-times/lydd-firing-times-february-2022

Skirt around the range, and approach the safe watermark/fairway buoy when it's bearing NNW.

Approach from the West simply involves keeping at least 2 miles offshore and in depths of over 6 m until you locate the fairway buoy.

The waypoint given in our data is at a safe offing, and close to the red and white fairway buoy.

Submerged gill nets will be found anchored around the bay, with their ends normally marked by Dan buoys. These nets normally have a minimum clearance of 2 m. Keep a sharp eye out.

As mentioned before there is the possibility of commercial traffic in the very narrow channel. The harbour office displays international three light traffic signals from a mast on it's roof, and these are only switched on at times of ship movements. In addition to the standard lights an orange flashing light will also be displayed.

Therefore in your approach keep a sharp eye out for the signals and be prepared to clear out the way should you see three red lights vertically arranged together with the orange flashing light.(No entry to the harbour). Also bear in mind that a ship could be coming up behind you. Green/white/green displayed vertically means that you must not enter the harbour without specific permission. Sometimes all small boat activity is suspended for 20 minutes while ships manoeuver.

The best plan for the stranger is to call "Rye Harbour Radio" on VHF channel 14, or telephone 01797 225225 before you approach too close. A link to their website is also provided below where you can download a very useful visitors guide:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rye-harbour-passage-pilot-and-mooring-information-for-boaters

Ed Note:- that document has last year's (2021) prices

The most important thing for a stranger to realise about this harbour is that the flood tide in particular can run hard, up to 5 kn. Also two training walls run either side of the channel. These will be submerged at high water and are marked by beacons, so it is essential to stay within the channel. To further add to the fun there can be strong eddies in the closer approach, inside the longer West Groyne. This has been known to deposit a ship under the control of a pilot on to the training wall itself..... As long as the approaching mariner is aware, keeps sufficient way on his vessel, and applies corrective helm all should be well.

The general approach is made from the red and white fairway buoy (LFl.10s), nearly 2 nm to the SSE, with the leading line into the harbour being on 329° true. A red painted tripod beacon marks the end of the Western Groyne (LFl.R.7s),which is now an AIS transmitter, and somewhat further inland a conspicuous square structure painted green with noticeboard marks the end of the Eastern Training Wall.(Q.9.15s). (Interesting mark; green with a triangle top mark and a white West Cardinal Mark lighting??)

In your approach from the fairway buoy keep the entrance wide open. Once within the channel proceed inland, on your port side you will see blue buildings, and on your starboard side the conspicuous harbourmasters office. Immediately past this office on your starboard side lies the timber Admiralty Jetty. Visitors need to round up and secure to this Jetty.... bear in mind the flood tide can run very hard. You don't want mooring antics of the cringingly embarrassing kind right under the gimlet eye of the harbourmaster.

The training walls end in the vicinity of the Harbour Office.

Report to the harbourmaster ashore and arrange your berth. Most boats under 15 m will opt to proceed a couple of miles further and berth deep within the town, where the quay can provide a soft mud bottom, so that even fin keeled boats settle in it. Other berths are available on the Admiralty Jetty outside the harbour office. The bottom here is firm. Take advice from the harbour master.

Speed limits are 6 knts, and considerably slower passing moored craft. Anchoring is not allowed except in emergencies.