Premier Marinas are anticipating an incredible International Fleet Review on 28th June, but are advising all of their customers to plan ahead carefully to avoid missing out on a berth during the festivities.
Premier Marinas are anticipating an incredible International Fleet Review on 28th June, but are advising all of their customers to plan ahead carefully to avoid missing out on a berth during the festivities.
With thousands of yachts and craft expected to witness the spectacle, their well-placed marinas at Southsea, Gosport, Port Solent and Chichester are set for an extremely busy time. Premier managers are urging everyone to check tide times, free-flow times and access times to the marinas well in advance to plan their outward and return journeys. The general line of advice is: make sure you phone in advance and we will endeavour to find a berth for as many Premier customers as we can.
Click for further information and make sure you are not caught out on the day. www.premiermarinas.com
Premier is also helping to keep thousands of spectators safe at sea for the International Fleet Review by providing uniforms for the 200 marshals on 100 Marshal Safety RIBs, in charge of patrolling the special anchorages. (pictured)
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In the meantime, here is Premier’s customer guide to using their facilities on the Big Day itself:
In Portsmouth Harbour high tide will be at 04.45 and 17.28, with low water at 10.25 and 22.53. Free-flow at Port Solent Marina will be operating between approximately 0405 and 0525, and 1629 and 1833. Customers are recommended to make use of the free-flow times outbound and inbound Ð although these are early, they should ensure a prime anchorage location.
Staff at Port Solent are warning all craft to expect queuing delays re-entering the marina after watching the fireworks Ð and to consider anchoring overnight and returning to the marina early on the Wednesday free-flow if the weather is favourable. This is expected to run between 0511 and 0601. The Outer Waiting Pontoon will be used for management of the lock only.
Gosport Marina is in a prime position for access to the Fleet Review and staff are predicting a hectic time. Visitors must book a berth before arriving or face disappointment. The marinaÕs fuelling pontoon will be open 24 hours but will obviously be extremely busy at peak times. Again high water is at 04.45 and 17.28 with low water at 10.25 and 22.53.
At Southsea Marina, craft setting off for the Fleet Review will only be able to leave between 0145 and 0745 on Tuesday June 28th. The cill will then remain closed until 1430 and will close again at 2028 Ð meaning no access for craft to the marina after this time until the early hours of the following morning. Southsea Marina Manager, Glynn Thomas suggests berth holders consider returning to the marina before the cill closes at 2028 and walking to the seafront to watch the fireworks.
“After the cill closes at 2028 it will be first come first served on the holding pontoon but then we will have to turn people away,” Glynn explains. “If craft miss getting into the marina before the cill closes they will have to wait until the cill reopens again at 0240 on Wednesday June 29th when it is again expected to be extremely busy.” Southsea Marina has a few berths available around this period but mainly for craft of up to 10m. Call 023 9282 2719 for more information.
Chichester Marina expects to have berths available for the Fleet Review Ð without any need to book. The marina is running a special free flow between 0323 and 0643 on the day of the review to allow berth holders to get out early and minimise delays. The advertised free Flow between 16:00 and 19:35 will run as normal. Extra staff will be on hand to ensure as speedy a service as possible. High tides are at 0453 and 1735, with low tide at 1042 and 2311.
All craft are advised to keep a listening watch on VHF Ch.80 for broadcasts about the queue and lock times. Copies of the QueenÕs Harbour MasterÕs safety rules for the event are available from all Premier Marinas. All craft at the review must carry a copy, and they must have been read and understood by skipper and crew.
