Pilotage

Admiralty Chart 1166, 51 deg 36' 08" North 002 deg 41' 30" West Don't be put off sailing by the cautions on the Admiralty chart - there are no dragons in this part of Wales! There was a 1935 International Dragon, but she's been sold now! Boats have been safely navigating the upper reaches of the Severn since Roman times, and provided he obeys two local rules, the careful sailor should have no problems. The rules are: a/ Don't bother to try to make a passage against the tide. b/ Without local knowledge, do not sail outside the HW + 2 hrs to HW -2 hrs window up river of Avonmouth.

Coming from the West, leave the Avonmouth pierhead to go up the Shoots between 2 hrs and half an hour before local high water. The channel is clearly marked, and has leading lights on both Avonmouth and the Welsh shore. When you approach the Charston light after passing under the bridge, you have a decision to take. Locals leave Charston a decent distance to starboard and keep the same heading towards the Welsh coast until mid distance between the Charston light and the coast. At this point, turn to starboard and the entrance to St Pierre pill will be clear in front of you. Alternatively, you can leave Charston to port following the shipping channel up river until you are past the end of Charston sands and can turn inshore to punch the tide back down to St Pierre.

As the River Wye water tends to flow down this channel during the flood, there is comparatively little tide. There are leading marks (reflective triangles) to guide you into the entrance of the pill. Don't cut the corner - there is a steep spit extending from the Eastern side of the entrance, but this is marked by withies (May 2008). Once you see the moored boats in front of you, turn to leave them close on your port side. Bilge keelers can moor to either pontoon, fin keelers are advised to take the port hand pontoon as viewed from the entrance

The moorings dry 3 hrs after local HW, with a bottom of varying depths of soft clean mud. Do not enter the moorings at night without local knowledge. If departing down river, leave up to HW + 1 hrs. If going up river to Sharpness, you can leave as soon as you float on neaps but don't go too early on springs- you will have a fast tide under you. On a 14.4m (Avonmouth), it may take only an hour to reach Lydney or Sharpness. If going to Thornbury Sailing Club at Oldbury on Severn, leaving when you float will get you to TSC as their activities are starting. Shelter at St Pierre Pill is excellent except perhaps at the very top of a high spring (>14m)with a S gale, when the moorings can become a little choppy - but still very safe.

Local high water - Avonmouth + 15 min.

 
Garmin - DO NOT USE FOR NAVIGATION for interest only