This year we have improved our coastline data set by walking not only the Shingle Street and Oxley Marsh beaches but also North Weir Point which shows a substantial recession to the north by some 350m. The channel at the Weir buoy has deepened and narrowed requiring one to pass close to it. From seaward, the approach hasn't changed much from 2007. Particular thanks to Anglia Sea Ventures who have comitted to both the Ore and Southwold sketchmaps. We have yet to survey the Southwold entrance but will add this within the next month.
April 2008 Deben Entrance Sketchmap
Following a substantial technical delay (main hard drive failure) we are pleased to provide the latest Deben Entrance Sketchmap for download.
Several improvements have been made in the way the sketchmaps are being presented this year, primarily by collaborating more closeley with Marine Surveys East & Soth Ltd. and also processing our own data with some back to basics data collection by walking beaches alongside geo-referencing. We would also like to welcome new sponsors, Suffolk Sails which are based in Woodbridge and as their name suggests, offer excellent sailmaking services with a new vibrant team. Thank you also to our existing loyal sponsors, Fox's, Seamark Nunn, Tidemill, Atlantic Rigging, Marine Surveys and Deben Inns Ltd.
You can also find a 3d rendering of the entrance on our message board here.
This sketchmap is about to go to press so if you think we've missed out any essential information, please send an
email
.
Ore Entrance - Buoys now in position
The Ore entrance buoys Weir and Oxley have been placed back on station.
With this information we will now be able to produce this years sketchmaps which should be available this Friday evening. Their new positions are:
Oxley 52º 01.754N - 01º 27.570E
Weir 52º 01.924N - 01º 27.380E
It is advised that you pass close to the Weir Buoy which is now located closer to the beach than in previous years.
(28/04/08)
Deben Entrance - Mid Knoll moved
The Mid Knoll Buoy (Green) has been repaired following recent storm damage and reinstated in a new position.
Mid Knoll 51º 58.735N - 01º 23.427E
(26/03/08)
Felixstowe Coastal Defence Works
Mariners are advised that on or about 1st April 2008 Coastal Defence Works will be in progress along Felixstowe Beach from the vicinity of Languard Fort to 200 metres north east of Felixstowe Pier.
This will involve beach replenishment and groyne construction for a period of approximately four months. The beach replenishment works will involve pumping shingle supplied by the dredgers Sand Harrier and Sand Weaver via a moored booster station Sliedrecht 27 through a 1.1n mile pipeline to Felixstowe beach.
The booster station Sliedrecht 27 will be moored in position 51º 56’.11N 001º 21’.60E and will display the lights and shapes as required by the Collision Regulations and maintain a listening watch on VHF Channel 71. Work craft and marked anchors will be encountered with in the vicinity of the Sliedrecht 27.
I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the Woodbridge Cruising club for inviting me to give a talk at their excellent venue.
The event was very well supported despite awful weather. I was made very welcome and enjoyed the rare opportunity to meet the users of this website in person. Thank you to John White for providing a valuable analysis of the current Deben Bar situation along with his unrivalled historical knowledge of the Bar.
Below you can view one of the presentation pieces from the talk allowing you to view a sequence of bank positions from 1995 to 2007.
THE ABOVE IS NOT A CURRENT DEBEN ENTRANCE SKETCHMAP !
First Deben & Ore Bar photos for 2008
We've just returned from our annual flyover of the Ore, Deben and now Walton Backwaters entrances.
You can see the first couple of shots on our Message board under Deben & Ore/Alde. A full gallery of pictures wil be placed online later this week. Until then, take a look on the board ...
Current Deben Entrance Buoy Positions
(16th March 2008)
West Knoll Buoy (Red unlit)
51° 58.443 N - 001° 23.672 E
Mid Knoll
51º 58.735N - 01º 23.427E
Woodbridge Haven
51º 58.200N - 01º 23.850E
We have been told the Mid Knoll is likely to be moved in the next few days to acommodate a continued southern extension of the 'Knolls'.
Southwold Sketchmap confirmed
Sufficient sponsorship has been acquired to allow the publishing of a new sketchmap for the Southwold approaches in 2008.
We will conduct our own survey initially in order to produce an accurate foundation for future updates.
We are very grateful to the sponsors, Anglia Sea Ventures (website) and Harbour Marine Services (website) with limited space available for further sponsors up until publication towards the end of March. If you would like to advertise on this sketchmap, please
email us
your enquiry.
Thank you to John & Terry
The original inspiration for this service was provided by John White, Harbourmaster at Felixstowe Ferry and Terry Clarke of Small Craft Deliveries.
For many years they produced the printed Deben entrance sketchmap we are all so familiar with which was sold through SCD and photocopied by many.
They have chosen not to produce their sketchmap this year in favour of the service provided by this website but we would like to express our sincere appreciation to both of them for the work they have done over the years and the inspiration they have provided.
You can visit Terrys SCD website here and John White remains Harbourmaster at the Ferry and also operates river trips on 'Odd Times'
for bookings call 01394 270106 or 07803 476621.
The Deben and Orford Entrance sketchmap is available for download FREE of charge by clicking here. Please note that a printed version will be freely available with a voluntary and customary donation to any marine rescue services being much appreciated. In some instances, some retailers may charge to justify display space.
For the very latest news, information and submissions, join our free message board. This administered forum gives you the chance to express opinions, sell or buy your boat and generally join in the gossip.
A simple registration process is in place to prevent abuse of the board and offer security so you will need a valid email address to register. Click to take a look
The River Deben Association provides a voice to all users of the river and its surroundings, representing their interests to local authorities and agencies to preserve this wonderful environment for the future.
Take a look at our gallery of East Coast images taken by ourselves and submitted by users of this website. If you would like to submit images for the gallery, click here to send us an email with the attached image.
