Gull’s Eye

GULL’S EYE

BURNHAM YACHT HARBOUR MARINA

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51°37.50’N 0°48.23’E Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina, set in the charming Essex market town of Burnham-on-Crouch, is well-equipped and the ideal base for exploring the unique waterways of the east coast and beyond writes Sue Pelling

VISITOR PONTOONS

A-H PONTOONS

Pontoons can accommodate all vessels up to 15m and for larger vessels there is substantial lateral berthing

CLARKE & CARTER YACHT BROKER OFFICE BROKER OFFICE

RNLI BASE BOAT YARD

MARINA OFFICE AND FACILITIES

SLIPWAY AND TRAVEL HOIST HARBOUR MASTER OFFICE

FUEL BERTH HARD STANDING

Tucked away 13.5nm up the River Crouch, o the wild, at Dengie Peninsular is the quaint old market town of Burnhamon-Crouch. Among its many attributes is Burnham Yacht

Harbour Marina, located on the north bank beyond the quayside moorings, at the west end of town.

It may be a fair distance upriver, and will undoubtedly put navigation skills to the test with plenty of sandbanks to negotiate along the way, but it’s well lit and easy to navigate to the marina. is peaceful haven not only o ers visiting cruising sailors a welcome retreat from the harsh conditions in the North Sea, but is also an ideal start location for a Channel hop to Holland and

Belgium, or further a eld across the North Sea to Scandinavia.

Burnham Yacht Harbour is also a popular choice for annual berth holders not least because it is conveniently situated close to the railway station for mainline trains directly into London Liverpool

Street, via Wickford, which takes approximately one hour. ere is ample parking in the recently upgraded, snazzy new carpark, and plenty of facilities and services including a supermarket close by.

PHOTOS: ISTOCK

Harbour guide

Burnham Yacht Harbour marina was constructed on the old rugby elds in 1989 and o ers secure (24-hour on-site security), fuss-free mooring with access at all states of the tide. ere are 350 nger berths for vessels ranging in length from 7-14m plus lateral berthing for larger vessels and visitors.

is well-organised and welldesigned marina has plenty of facilities including a boatyard on site that serves most vessels up to 60 (18m) loa, and 16.5 (5m) beam, plus a travel hoist that can accommodate up to 35 tonne vessels. All berths have access to water and electricity. Diesel is available from the dedicated fuel berth at the marina, while petrol can be obtained from the fuel berth at Essex Marina, Wallasea Island, just across the river. e main building is the hub of the marina with its o ce and adjoining workshops. ere is a shower block, and a laundry room that gives berth holders and visitors full access, and a restaurant and bar ( e Swallowtail), which is a popular place to enjoy lunch, an a ernoon drink or dinner overlooking the marina.

Given its convenient position with 24/7 instant access, Burnham Yacht Harbour is also home to Burnham-on-Crouch Lifeboat Station. Founded in 1966, this is one of only a few lifeboat stations that house its inshore lifeboats in oating boathouses.

A gentle stroll along the seawall footpath into Burnham town, takes about 20 minutes, with several places of interest to watch out for along the way including three clubs – Burnham Sailing Club, Royal Burnham Yacht Club, and Royal Corinthian Yacht Club. e town is quintessentially English with its eclectic mix of whitewashed, weatherboarded and red brick cottages. One of Burnham’s most historic landmarks is the clock tower in the centre of town. Built in 1877, it was an addition to an existing school that was originally built in 1785.

Burnham is also noted for its impressive pub-to-mile ratio, so the chances of being le ‘high and dry’ are fairly slim. Check out the waterfront favourite, Ye Old White Harte, where you can relax and enjoy a pint of local Adnams ale and watch the sun go down.

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Quayside view with Burnham Sailing Club pictured far le

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A calm, safe haven with access at all states of the tide

51°37.50’N 0°48.23’E

Passage planning

e river is used regularly by commercial vessels drawing up to 6m heading to the Baltic Wharf at Wallasea Island on the south side of the river, which means the Whitaker channel is well marked and maintained.

Approach the river Crouch from the East Swin or the Wallet via the Spitway and N Swallow SWM into the Whitaker channel.

From Sunken Buxey North Cardinal Mark, the spire of St Mary’s Church (which is di cult to identify) leads 233 degrees to Outer Crouch SCM lit buoy; then steer 240 degrees past Foulness Pt into the river. ere is a 2.2M unlit gap between Inner Crouch SWM lit buoy and the Horse Shoal NCM lit buoy but you will see the mouth of the river Roach on the south side, just 2.5nm to Burnham. You’ll also see a landmark on the north bank – the towering Royal Corinthian Yacht Club building – which marks the start of the 8kt speed limit through the mooring trots.

Follow the buoyed channel to Green SHM No11 (FlQ G), turn to starboard for the yellow entrance marker (FlY5s) to Burnham Yacht Harbour.

It is advisable for visitors however, to contact the Harbour Master at the dedicated marina o ce on VHF

Channel 80 before arrival to check berth availability, and berthing instructions. Also for local buoyage/ navigation updates, and live shipping movements, it’s worth taking a look at the Crouch Harbour Authority website – crouchharbour.uk.

Cruising grounds

The River Crouch stretches 10nm further up river via Fambridge, Brandy Hole and Hullbridge, to Battlesbridge – the end of the navigable part of the river. This is a lovely, sheltered area for cruising but be aware that from Brandy Hole up to Battlesbridge the river dries out completely at low water, so you need to check tidal charts carefully.

There are plenty of popular anchorages including Cliff Reach, which is just around the corner from Burnham on the north side. Further up at North Fambridge, it’s possible to stop off for a drink at the Ferry Boat Inn or drop anchor in Stowe Creek just beyond.

The upper reaches of the Crouch was once a busy commercial shipping route for Thames Barges, which used to carry produce to and from the mill at Battlesbridge, and the Barge pub was once a favourite haunt for bargemen. The Barge is still there, as is the adjacent and hugely popular antiques centre, but it really is only possible to navigate this narrow stretch with a deep keel yacht at high water. Alternatively, jump on the train from Burnham to Battlesbridge, which takes about 20 minutes and enjoy a relaxing pint at The Barge.

Maldon, just round the coast to the north on the River Blackwater, is another interesting place to visit. As well as producing some of the finest sea salt in the world, Maldon is a pretty, heritage town that is also home to some of remaining working Thames Barges that rest majestically in the mud berths along the quayside. The visitor pontoon is at Hythe Quay.

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Thames Barges rest majestically along the quayside at Maldon

BELOW

Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina is located at the west end of town

FACTFILE

Open: 24/7 Tel: +44 (0)1621 782150 VHF Channel 80 Email: admin@burnhamyachtharbour. co.uk Website: burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk Postcode: CM0 8BL

Harbourmaster office hours:

Summer (April-October): 08001900 seven days a week Winter: 0800-1300 (weekdays) 0800-1800 (weekends) Tel: +44 (0)1621 786832

Berthing fees:

Daily: £3.50/m (including water and electricity) Weekly: £21/m Six months (summer): from £277/m Winter afloat (November to March): from £153/m Annual: from £356/m

Services on site:

Full service boatyard, and shipwrights Storage Cradle hire Lift out/in Diesel berth Swallowtail Restaurant: +44 (0)1621 785505 Clarke & Carter Yacht Brokers: +44(0)1621 785600

Other local services:

Chandlery: Marinestore at Maldon. Tel: +44 (0)1621 854280. Will deliver to marina Essex Marina petrol: +44 1702 258531 Coop supermarket postcode: CM0 8BL

Other attractions:

RSPB Wallasea Island Wetlands Nature Reserve A wildlife-rich habitat and a great place to visit, just across the river from Burnham