Photo of the Month is here. New!
Severn Bore
Small bores expected around Spring tides 09 - 12 Feb
Boating Events 2012
For boating events see Ports of Call.
Major boating restrictions River Severn/Sharpness canal.
This winter, British Waterways again has restricted services to boaters.
From 01 Nov 2011 - 18 Mar 2012, the navigation will be closed to leisure craft on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Even when the navigation is open, passage through all River locks must be pre-booked and require 24 hours notice. No traffic through Gloucester Lock and Llanthony Bridge between 0820 and 0900 on weekdays. Sharpness Canal swing bridges operating on reduced manning. Bookings via Gloucester Lock.
Source: British Waterways.
Restriction Sharpness Lock Gates
Maintenance 30 Jan - 11 Feb 2012
Source: British Waterways.
River Severn Caution
Upton Bridge; Scaffolding under bridge. Variable air draught.
British Waterways Licence Fees
Licence fees will increase by 6.4% from April 2012.
Source: British Waterways.
New name for British Waterways
British Waterways will become the Canal & River Trust (with new logo) on its transition to charitable status scheduled for April 2012.
Source: British Waterways.
Out of season boating
Useful advice on winter and out of season boating.
Gloucester Water Rescue Centre
SARA (see under Search and Rescue in Severn Boating Links) have combined with Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service to form a new service with headquarters at Tewkesbury Fire Station.
Source: SARA newsletter.
Bulk Freight transport
Cemex continues shipping sand and gravel aggregate from Ripple to Ryal on the River Severn and products to their plant on the Sharpness canal.
For photographs see freight transport
Sharpness Port, Reduced Manning Arrangements.
Until further notice, British Waterways will no longer be manning Sharpness Port between 2100 and 0900 hours daily (unless ship passage is booked in advance or high water falls between those hours). At least 24 hours notice required to book passsage through port.
Source: British Waterways.
Droitwich Barge Canal/River Severn
Barge Canal now open with access from River Severn north east of Bevere Lock.
Source: British Waterways.
River Severn LevelsRiver flow increases in Autumn and Winter months.
Caution : river levels can rise very rapidly after heavy rain anywhere in the large Severn catchment area.For current river levels and/or flood warnings, refer to the Environment Agency website (see under 'Organisations' in Severn Boating Links)
Site News
Severn boating is now hosted on several servers. If, at any time, you are unable to locate us then entering the words severn boating into 'Bing' or 'Google' or your favourite search engine should find us.
Linking to Severn-boating
Webmasters are requested to use our domain address
http://www.severn-boating.co.uk/
when linking to Severn-boating. Thank you
Online quiz to test your boating knowledge.
VHF Check
If you transmit on VHF your boat name, owner and licence details, and call sign can be checked on the official database.
Weather Forecasts
For locality specific weather forecasts go to Bristol Channel or Severn Boating Links.
Marine Safety Information
Voice VHF for Bristol Channel broadcast at 3 hour intervals starting at 0150 hours. Severn bridge aerial on VHF channel 86.
Source: Marine & Coastguard Agency.
Sea Locks Sharpness and Bristol
Heavily tide dependent; lock and swing bridges require prior arrangement by telephone or VHF.
Moon Phases
Full Moon 07 Feb. New Moon 21 Feb
Spring tides occur two days after new or full moon.
Tides
For online daily tide times at Avonmouth and other locations in Bristol Channel see under 'Nautical Matters' in Severn boating links
