In strong onshore winds Rye
Bay (Admiralty Charts Nos. 2451, 536, 1991) can be uncomfortable, with seas
breaking well offshore. However, if the wind has any north in it, Fairlee (Fairlight)
lives up to its name and the situation is quite different. The bay then becomes
a welcome haven.
If entering the bay from the east, follow the coast from Dungeness.
If approaching from the west, keep at least 3 km (2 miles) offshore, in a depth
of not less than 6 metres (19 feet), until Rye Fairway Buoy is sighted (spherical
R.W.Fl.ev.10 sec), position 50º54’00N 000º48’13E, 149
degrees true x 1.8 nautical miles from the harbour entrance.
Keep a lookout for anchored gill nets in the bay. These are usually marked at
each end by dan buoys and are normally at least 2 metres (7 feet) below the
surface.
The Ministry of Defence operates a firing range to the east of the harbour,
extending 5 km (3 miles) along the coast. See the 'Danger - Hythe and Lydd ranges'
section on the right.
Rye Harbour Radio keeps a listening watch, during the daylight high water period,
on VHF channel 14, and when commercial shipping operations are being undertaken.
You are advised to monitor this channel while manoeuvring in the port or its
approaches.
Harbour Entrance
The easiest approach to the entrance is from the Fairway Buoy, on a rhumb line
course of 329º true, keeping the entrance wide open. The harbour entrance
is 42 metres wide, and is recognised by a conspicuous red-painted tripod beacon
(Fl red ev. 5 secs) 30 metres seaward of the West Groyne.
The East Pier (submerged at high water springs) is a further 240 metres inland
and is conspicuous by a square steel structure with a green board at the top.
(Q.Fl.9 ev.15 secs). The green board is illuminated at night. The East Pier
is further marked by four unlit and one lit starboard-hand beacons. See also
'Sound and light signals'.
Strong eddies occur inside the East Pier during the flood stream, and mariners
should be prepared to apply correcting helm (usually to starboard) when passing
the East Pier.
Outer Channel
Once inside the piers good shelter will be found in all conditions.
Look out for the West training wall, which submerges at high water but is well
marked by port hand beacons and withies (cuts of willows pushed into the mud)
every 100 metres. The East training wall is sloping and marked by starboard
hand beacons and lights.
First time visitors are advised not to approach the Port of Rye more than two
hours before or three hours after high water (that is, only attempt entry between
HW –2 hours and HW +3 hours). Contact Harbour Office for more detailed
information at the time.
The harbour and river are generally navigable at least two hours before HW to
three hours after HW.
Passing visitors on the tide are advised, however, to cast off from Strand Quay
no later than an hour after HW, to avoid the risk of going aground on the way
downriver.
Harbour
The outer channel of the harbour narrows to 30 metres and runs straight (329º
true) for almost 1 km (1/2 mile), with the outlying village of Rye Harbour on
the west bank and the Harbour Master’s office on the east bank.
All new arrivals must stop at the timber staging on the east bank, just past
the Harbour Master’s office, and report to the Harbour Office for berthing
instructions and further navigation information.
Above this point, watch out for mud flats, which cover at high water.
River Rother
The River Rother has a maximum flood stream of 5 knots on spring tides, and
reaches this maximum velocity between HW –2 hours and HW -1 hour.
Where the river meanders, beware of tight corners and mud flats on each side
of the channel. Remember that the port is tidal, with all vessels progressively
taking the ground. Vessels including fin keels usually "float" comfortably
in soft mud at low water.
The entrance to Rock Channel on the port-hand side, though well marked, can
be missed. The starboard-hand channel leads to the fish market and becomes impassable
to masted vessels at the road bridge.
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