General
Channel: 15 & 17. Telephone: 01323-470-099
Approach: in flashing-white channel: red = steer to left, green = steer to right
Departure: red = steer right; green = steer left
Harbour Approach
From the east or south east, the only dangers, except the in-shore Coxheath
Shoal some 4 miles up-channel, are the tide rips over the Royal Sovereign Shoal
and the Horse of Willingdon. From the west, clear the shore by a mile after
rounding Beachy Head. The Martello Tower at Langney Point now serves as a lighthouse
to indicate Sovereign Harbour. Its xenon light (FI.(3).15s12m7M) is visible
by daylight. A 'safewater' mark (LFI.10s) at the waypoint Lat 50° 47'.37N
Long 000° 20'.81E marks the start of the entrance channel, where you should
contact "Sovereign Harbour" on VHF Ch15 or 17.
To seaward of the breakwater entrance the channel is buoyed with two green starboard
marks. These two green buoys (Fl.G.3s & Fl.G.5s) mark a WWI wreck, visible
at LW Springs. It is important to keep the white sector of the single point
leading light (Dir.Fl.WRG5s4m1M), which leads in on 258° true (261°
magnetic 2002). If the leading light is red, turn to starboard to regain the
white sector; if green, turn to port. Pass between the breakwaters marked with
lights Fl(4)R12s3m6M (port-hand) and FlG5s3m6M (starboard-hand), coming off
the leading line and heading towards the locks once you can clearly see the
lock traffic signals.
(NB: be aware parts of outer harbour dry at low water.