GovWire

Navigation and passage planning

The port of Rye is a fully operational commercial harbour with a large fishing and leisure fleet. There are a number of navigation aids in place to assist you.

Regulation of vessels underway

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions At Sea (COLREGs) operate throughout the harbour. Particular attention must be given to keeping a good lookout, especially astern.

A maximum speed limit of 6 knots is enforced throughout the harbour and boats should manoeuvre at dead slow when passing moored boats.

VHF radio channels

Boats fitted with VHF radio are advised to monitor VHF channel 14 whilst manoeuvring in the harbour or its approaches:

• Rye Harbour VHF channel 14
• Lydd firing range VHF channel 73 or 13

East Pier foghorn

One short blast every 7 seconds.

International Port Traffic Signals

International Port Traffic Signals are regularly operated in the harbour. You must comply with these signals when theyre switched on. Theyre located on the east pier and three quarters of a mile (1km) inland, near the Harbour Masters office.

These are only switched on when there are commercial traffic movements. When a cargo vessel is being piloted in the harbour:

• lights will show on the signal masts by the harbour office
• amber lights will flash on the harbour office roof

All vessels must keep clear of the entrance and the main channel during this time.

Contact Rye Harbour radio (VHF channel 14), before entering the harbour.

Navigating the harbour

Navigating Rye Bay

(Admiralty Charts Nos. 2451 536 1991)

In strong on-shore winds, the seas in Rye Bay can be very rough, often breaking well off-shore. Take care when you approach the harbour entrance in on-shore winds greater than force 6.

If you approach from the west, keep at least 2 miles off-shore in a depth of not less than 6 metres. When Rye Fairway Buoy is sighted (Spherical R.W.Fl every 10 sec), position 50 54 04N 00048 02E-149 degrees true X 1.8 nautical miles from the harbour entrance.

There are numerous anchored gill nets in the bay. These are usually marked at each end by dan buoys and have a minimum depth of water over them of 2 metres.

Lydd firing range

The Ministry of Defence operate the Lydd Firing Range to the east of Rye Harbour. It extends 3 miles along the coast with prohibited areas to seaward varying in distance from 1.5 nautical miles to 2.5 nautical miles.

When firing is taking place there are range safety patrol boats to give advice to mariners (VHF channel 73 or 13). Firing times can be obtained from the Harbour Masters office (telephone 01797 225225).

Rye Harbour approaches

The easiest approach to the entrance is from the Fairway Buoy, on a rhumb line course of 329 true, keeping the port and starboard entrance markers wide open. The harbour entrance is 42 metres wide and is marked by a red painted tripod beacon (flashes red every 8 secs) 30 metres seaward of the West Groyne, approximate position 5055.55N 00046.65E.

Harbour entrance

The west side is marked by a red tripod beacon. The light flashes red every 8 seconds positioned 30 metres seaward of the West Groyne. Dont attempt to pass between the tripod and the West Groyne. There may be strong eddies inside the West Groyne during the flood stream. Mariners should be prepared to apply correcting helm (usually to starboard) when passing the West Groyne.

The East Pier, which is submerged at high water springs, is a further 240 metres inland. It has a green square steel structure with a green board at the top which flashes white every 15 seconds. The seaward face of the green board is illuminated at night. The East Pier also has 4 unlit starboard hand beacons.

Main Channel

Once inside the piers there is good shelter in all conditions. The channel narrows to 30 metres and runs straight (329 true) for half a mile with:

• Rye Harbour village on the west bank
• the Harbour Masters office on the east bank

Attention must be paid to the west training wall which submerges at high water but is well marked by port hand beacons and lights. The east training wall is sloping and is marked by starboard hand beacons and lights. The River Rother has a maximum flood stream of 5 knots on spring tides and reaches this maximum velocity between high water and 1 hour.

All new arrivals must stop at the visitors jetty and report to the harbour office for berthing instructions and further navigation information.

Rye Harbour dries out completely at low tide. Boats should not approach the harbour more than 2 hours before high water and more than 3 hours after high water.

Boaters without good local knowledge wishing to berth in the soft mud near the town of Rye should not arrive at the entrance to the harbour later than 1 hour after high water.

Pilotage direction and services

Pilotage is compulsory for all ships over 30 metres long navigating in any part of the Harbour of Rye. Requests for specific pilotage services must be made to the Harbour Master, with 24 hours notice. Less notice may be accepted in specific circumstances.

Any ship navigating to the Harbour of Rye and liable to pilotage in the harbour should establish radio contact with the Harbour Master to notify his position. This should be done when no more than 5 and no less than 2 nautical miles from the No. 2 red light tripod beacon. Ships should not proceed closer without the Harbour Masters direction.

Any ship navigating to or from the harbour and liable to pilotage in the harbour should board or land a pilot no less than 1 nautical mile from No. 2 red light tripod beacon.

Pilotage direction does not apply to:

• ships that are less than 20 metres long
• fishing boats that are less than 47.4 metres long

Moorings

Strand Quay: visitor moorings

The visitor moorings will be open from 1 April to 2 October 2023.

A limited number of visitor berths are available.

You should arrange a mooring in advance by contacting the Harbour Master:

• by email at rye.harbour@environment-agency.gov.uk
• call the Rye Harbour office on 01797 225225

Annual moorings

Annual moorings are available on request. Contact the Harbour Office for more details.

There are also a number of private operators offering long-term moorings along the rock channel.

Public slipway

Rye Harbour public slipway is open all year round. It is next to Rye Harbour lifeboat station in the village of Rye Harbour. To use the slipway you must buy a disc from the Harbour Office or from Rye Harbour Marine.

Rye Harbour charges

Harbour dues

All vessels using the harbour must first pay for a harbour dues disc from the Harbour Office.

You must display your registration disc clearly on your boat, preferably on a forward facing window.

VAT is chargeable on all dues and fees, but dues related to the carriage of cargo are zero-rated. Annual fees are for the period of 1 April in any year to 31 March in the following year.

Charges for visiting boats

These prices include VAT, harbour fees, use of water, toilets and showers.

Navigation and mooring charges

There are different charges for commercial vessels and other types of boats, such as dinghys and canoes.

For details of the harbour and mooring fees you need to pay see Rye harbour: navigation charges.

Rye Harbour safety plan for marine operations

The Environment Agency is committed to promoting good management of its available resources to:

• carry out and regulate marine o
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