Yacht Charter Essential Information for Port Solent
Welcome to Sunsail Port Solent
Thank you for choosing to sail with us. To help you prepare for your charter we have put together some useful information and recommend you read it through a couple of weeks before your course commences. Please do not hesitate to call our office if you have any further queries.
Base Address:
The Port House
Port Solent
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO6 4TH
UK
Base Manager:
Jackie Jinks
jackie.jinks@sunsail.com
Sunsail Reservations Opening Hours: +44 (0)23 9222 2224
0900 to 1900 Monday to Friday
0900 to 1730 Saturdays
1000 to 1600 Sundays
Sunsail Reception & Base Opening Hours: +44 (0)23 9222 2336
0800 to 1600 or until 2000 on a turnaround Monday to Thursday
0800 to 2100 Fridays
0800 to 1000 Saturdays
1500 to 2100 Sundays
Late Arrivals: +44 (0)23 9222 2336
Emergency Contact for UK Operations: +44 (0)23 9222 2336 (Out of hours this will be diverted to the Duty Manager)
Yacht Collection Times:
Morning Collections are at 0900
Evening Collections are at 1900
PLEASE NOTE: if you are unable to collect your yacht on time please contact us. Arrivals out of hours will incur additional charges. All charterers should have vacated their yacht by 1700 and handed the paperwork listing any defects to a member of the Sunsail Team at the Barge Office.
Port Solent Yacht Charter Itinerary & Joining Instructions:
Please note that this itinerary is intended as a guide.
Arrival/Yacht Collection:
• On arrival at the base please proceed to the main reception (Glass doors).
• The Reception team will check you in for your Yacht Charter.
• Photo ID is required for all Yacht Collections.
• Only the skipper or nominated crew member can collect the yacht unless otherwise arranged in advance with the sales team.
• In the interests of safety, if you arrive outside base opening times, without advising Sunsail, you will not be able to gain access to your yacht.
• If you have chosen to hire waterproofs the token for this can be collected when you check in.
Handover/Briefing:
• Once reception have checked you in and allocated you a Yacht please proceed directly to the Barge where one of the Sunsail Team will show you where your yacht is moored and commence your brief.
• The briefing on your arrival is very detailed please pay attention and feel free to ask any questions you have. The yacht briefing introduces you to your yacht, it’s systems and rigging. It is carried out individually for each yacht. It is important that all systems and equipment are fully understood. Briefings are mandatory. You will need to sign to accept the yacht.
• Sunsail yachts are equipped with just about everything you will need for a safe and enjoyable Charter.
• You will be given a checklist on arrival to make sure you have all the items listed on the inventory.
• Please inform the Sunsail Team before you leave the base if anything is missing as it is not always possible to replace or exchange items once you have departed on your cruise.
• Any problems with your yacht must be reported to the base staff immediately. If not we cannot be held responsible.
• The personalised chart briefing you will receive is very detailed as the Solent is tightly controlled and charterers must fully understand strict guidelines. We have to ensure the skipper and crew are able to undertake their planned passage.
• Please do not depart until you have signed for the yacht and handed your completed Crew List to a Sunsail Team Member at the Barge.
The Charter:
• Once you have completed the handover you may want to set sail straight away or stay the night
• Berthing in the yachts usual berth at Port Solent is free.
• Now it’s up to you to enjoy all that our cruising area has to offer!
• If you need any assistance during your charter our Call Out Team is standing by 24/7. The Duty Number is by the Chart Table on board your Yacht.
The Charter/Cruising Area:
• The cruising area is from Chichester to Poole and up to 1 mile south of St Catherine’s Point
• The Solent is an outstanding cruising area with many Harbours and Marinas to choose from. There are also many local Bylaws and Hazards to be aware of when sailing in the Solent. A few of them are listed below. Please refer to Local Charts and Almanacs for full details of obstructions, Hazards, local bylaws and regulations.
• Be Prepared – SOLAS V regulations state that every yacht putting to sea has to
o Weather: before you go boating, check the weather forecast and get regular updates if you are planning to be out for any length of time.
o Tides: check the tidal predictions for your trip and ensure that they fit with what you are planning to do.
o Limitations of the vessel: consider whether your boat is up to the proposed trip and that you have sufficient safety equipment and stores with you.
o Crew: take into account the experience and physical ability of your crew. Crews suffering from cold, tiredness and seasickness won’t be able to do their job properly and could even result in an overburdened skipper.
o Navigational dangers: make sure you are familiar with any navigational dangers you may encounter during your boating trip. This generally means checking an up to date chart and a current pilot book or almanac.
o Contingency plan: always have a contingency plan should anything go wrong. Before you go, consider bolt holes and places where you can take refuge should conditions deteriorate or if you suffer an incident or injury. Bear in mind that your GPS set is vulnerable and could fail at the most inconvenient time. It is sensible and good practice to make sure you are not over-reliant on your GPS set and that you can navigate yourself to safety without it should it fail you.
o Information ashore: make sure that someone ashore knows your plans and knows what to do should they become concerned for your well being.
• Portsmouth Harbour
o Please keep your wash to a minimum when under motor, especially on the approach to Port Solent. There are many Dingy Sailors and small craft users in the harbour that can get into difficulty when hit by large wash. Please respect other water users.
o The approach to Port Solent has a big dog leg. Please make sure you have looked at a chart and made a pilotage plan to avoid a long wait on the mud!
o The speed limit within the harbour and 1,000 yards off the shore in the Eastern Solent is 10 knots. There is an advisory speed limit of 5 knots in the upper reaches of Portchester Channel past the Castle.
o Craft fitted with engines must use them in between Ballast and the No 4 Bar.
o The main marine VHF channel for control of shipping by QHM is 11. However you may find it useful to listen to VHF channel 11 if you have it fitted because it gives you a good idea of shipping movements.
o You are not allowed to stop or linger in the range safety arcs of Tipner Range. The limits are marked to the south by piles 62 and 87 and to the north by piles 70 and 78.
o Navigational Piles should not be approached too closely as many are on mud banks which are steep in most parts but beginning to edge into the channel in some places.
o Be aware of the Gosport/Portsmouth Ferry near the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour.
o If crossing to Gunwharf Quays or the town camber you must ask permission from the QHM on Channel 11 and cross north of Ballast Buoy.
o Keep to the Small Boat Channel in the west side of the harbour entrance.
o Remain 50m clear of all warships and MOD berths and facilities
• Solent
o Avoid Ryde Sands and Bramble Bank shallows
o Keep out of the Precautionary area North of Cowes when large vessels are transiting it. Vessels that impede ships in this area can be fined by Southampton VTS and it is highly dangerous, so please look at charts, Almanacs and local notices for information and keep a good look out at all times.
o Notice to Mariners are displayed on the PHYC Notice Board
o Weather information can be found in PHYC.
o Keep clear of ships and avoid close quarters situations. Remember that many ships in the main channels will be unable to manoeuvre to keep clear of you. If a large vessel is in doubt about your movements, he will sound five short blasts. Make your intentions clear.
• Using the Lock
o Light sequence
Red Lights Vessels shall not proceed. Vessels inbound to the lock stop and give way to outbound vessels.
Green Lights Vessels may proceed.
Flashing orange light Indicates Free Flow is operating.
o Inbound
On arrival at our Calling Point on pile 'Green 78' call 'Port Solent' on VHF channel 80 and request a lock in
During peak periods we operate a number system and staff will mark your position in the queue.
Monitor channel 80 and follow instructions
You will be asked to enter the lock on the Green Light or when you hear your 'queue' number called
Enter the lock with fenders on both sides and go as far forward as possible or as directed by staff
You will be given berthing instructions by the lockmaster
When secure in the lock switch off your engine and turn your radar off
o FREE FLOW: as the tide reaches the marina basin level both sets of lock gates are opened. During Neap tides and extreme Spring High Tides Free Flow may not operate.
o FOR SAFETY REASONS IT IS FORBIDDEN TO STOP IN THE LOCK DURING FREE FLOW
o Outbound
When you want to leave the marina call Port Solent on VHF channel 80
If the lock is available you will be asked to slip your berth and proceed to the main fairway
Enter the lock on the Green light only and listen to instructions from the lockmaster
In the lock secure your boat alongside the pontoon as far forward as possible
During peak times you will be given a number. Remain on your berth, monitoring VHF channel 80.
When the lock is available your number will be called
Call up the lockmaster on VHF channel 80 to log arrival/departure
Tidal flow may be faster then expected whilst passing through the lock
Departure: End of Course:
• Please berth where directed by the Sunsail Team. If you are asked to Lock in please contact the marina on CH 80 and follow the advice given above.
• Once you have packed up all of your belongings and cleaned the yacht please proceed to the Barge to Check Out.
• One of our Team will be allocated to go through the yacht with you and process your Check Out
• Please return any hired waterproofs to the Barge before you go home.
• A feedback form will be emailed to you after your Charter. Please help us improve by completing it for us.
Other Useful Information
SAFETY
All yachts are equipped with life jackets and a harness for everyone on board. As skipper, we leave it up to you to decide when personal safety equipment should be worn. We suggest that children who are not strong swimmers should not be allowed in a dinghy or on deck without a life jacket. PLEASE NOTE - We do not provide bedding or towels on our UK charters so you will need to bring sleeping bags, pillows and towels with you. Wet weather gear is available to hire from us at £6 per day, per person and can be booked in advance or hired on arrival (children, under 13 years, must provide their own wet weather gear and life jackets.) For hygiene reasons, we do not hire out sailing footwear.
EATING OUT
PHYC offers quality food at great prices and live entertainment on a Friday evening throughout peak season. We recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment. Tables can be reserved by calling 02392 222228. PHYC is also open for Breakfast on a Saturday morning and can provide take away Coffee and Bacon Butties for those who want to get going! There are numerous restaurants at ports around The Solent and on the Isle of Wight.
PROVISIONING
You are welcome to bring your provisions with you or provisions may be ordered with the sales team.
THE MARINA
Facilities adjacent to the base include:
• Showers/toilets
• Restaurants
• Bars
• Launderette
• Chandlery
• David Lloyd leisure complex
• UCI multi-screen cinema
• ATM
• Tesco’s is a 10 minute walk from the Marina
MOORING FEES
Marina fees are payable by the charterer.
CHARTS AND PILOT BOOK
All the charts and pilot books you will need for the sailing area are on board the yacht. Charts and pilot books can be purchased in advance from www.imray.com or www.kelvinhughes.com
WEATHER
• Tidal range of approx. 4 metres.
• Local sea breezes in summer afternoons.
• Waters protected from English Channel by the Isle of Wight.
What to bring?
• Clothing: Fleece top, gloves, hat, scarf, thick socks, comfortable trousers / tracksuit, deck shoes / sailing boots or white soled trainers, neck towel or small towel to stop drips. We do not recommend jeans as they take a long time to dry. It is much warmer to wear multiple thin layers than one thick layer. Clothing should be warm and comfortable, and should not restrict movement. Hopefully you will have good weather and if you do get sunshine we advise you have a hat, sun cream, sunglasses, shorts and T-shirts.
• Wash Kit and Towel
• Bedding: Sleeping Bag, Sheet and Pillow.
• Torch
• Cash (ATMs are not always available at every port)
• Please note that all personal items are brought at your own risk.
• Waterproofs: You may also what to bring your own waterproofs or hire some from us at £6 per day. Waterproofs for hire come in a range of adult sizes. For hygiene reasons, we do not hire out sailing footwear.
• All Safety Equipment is provided for Adults. PLEASE NOTE Sunsail only provide life jackets suitable for adults or older teenagers. Child lifejackets are not provided but are for sale at the chandlery in Port Solent.
Please bring your things in a soft holdall as there is limited storage on board the yacht.
Photography
An essential part of the success of our brochures is using photography that gives clients a true idea of the product, rather than using models. During the course of the season, we have photographers on site at our bases. If a photographer is on site at any time during your course we will advise you on your arrival at the base. If you have strong objections to close up photography of yourself and party, please indicate your feelings to the photographer at the time.
SUNSAIL – RESPECTING DESTINATIONS
• Sunsail remain committed to looking after the environment and supporting the cultures where we operate and over many years you have helped us to ensure that our presence does not negatively impact these areas. Please continue to assist us to leave these areas ‘As good or better than we found them’
Illness or injury
Contact a member of Sunsail staff as soon as possible at the Sunsail base.
If you need to make a claim for curtailment due to illness, ask the base manager for assistance and contact your insurer’s emergency medical service immediately.
Your insurance company will assist with travel arrangements, advice and payment of bills.
Obtain receipts for any medication, treatment or transport you have to pay for and submit with your claim.
PLEASE NOTE
• If you feel that a problem may adversely affect your holiday, you must give our staff the opportunity to resolve it for you. If the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction, please ensure that you inform the base manager and it is essential that you complete a holiday report form.
• Unfortunately, claims made for problems not reported first to the base staff and then to the manager locally, cannot be considered.
TO REITERATE THE HOLIDAY BOOKING CONDITIONS, ANY COMPLAINTS OR CLAIMS MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING WITHIN 28 DAYS OF THE END OF YOUR HOLIDAY.
We hope that these notes will help you make the most of your Charter and your time spent in Port Solent. Please read through carefully and contact the Aftersales Team on 023 9222 2894 if you have any queries.
We hope that you have a great time and thank you for booking with Sunsail.
Charter joining instructions correct at time of publication, but are subject to change without prior notice. Last updated 07.04.2010
Get in Touch
Call us on 0844 463 6817
Email us at info@sunsail.com
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