Photo of the Month is here. New!
Ammendment to Restrictions to Sharpness and Gloucester Locks
Now removed (midnight 16 July) but may be reimposed if drought condions return.
Major restrictions River Severn and Sharpness Canal
River Severn is now under 'drought regulation'. Restrictions on locks.
Gloucester Lock: Timed locking - 8 am, 10 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm.
Sharpness Sea Lock - closed to Leisure craft on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Locking for leisure craft only in daylight hours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Information from Gloucester Lock or Sharpness Pierhead.
Source: British Waterways.
Locking Restrictions Cardiff Barrage
Low river flows into Cardiff Bay have resulted in lock restrictions through the Cardiff Barrage. See link to Cardiff Harbour Authority under 'Nautical Matters'.
Severn Bore
Next significant high bores expected around spring tides in mid-August.
Alert Sharpness Canal (until further notice)
Warning of potentially hazardous toxic green algae blooms on canal surface between Saul Junction and Sharpness. Looks like a scum of 'turquoise paint, grass cuttings or floating mats'. Can be fatal to pets and livestock. Serious health hazard to humans. Avoid contact.
Source: British Waterways.
Boating Events 2010
Open events Advertise your open boating events for free.
Restriction of Services - Holt Fleet Bridge, River Severn
Scaffolding on underside of bridge extends to the river. Navigate with caution and keep to centre of Bridge. Restriction extended to 31 Jul.
Source: British Waterways
Bridge and Lock Times 0800 to 1900 hours. (Gloucester Lock, Llanthony, Hempstead Bridges close for rush hour road traffic between 0820-0900 and 1630 - 1730 weekdays. Fretherne Bridge closed 0820 - 0900 school term times).
Source: British Waterways.
River Severn Levels
River flow usually slight in Summer months. But caution : river levels can rise very rapidly after heavy rain anywhere in the large Severn catchment area.For flood warnings, refer to the Environment Agency website (see under 'Organisations' in Severn Boating Links)
Distress flares
New arrangements for disposal of out-of-date flares announced by MCA (Marine and Coastguard Agency). See under Search and Rescue on our Bristol Channel page.
VHF Check
If you transmit on VHF your boat name, owner 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.
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 '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
Bulk Freight transport
The River Severn is once again being used to transport bulk freight. Cemex are now shipping sand and gravel aggregate from Ripple to Ryal on the River Severn and also to their plant on the Sharpness canal.
For photographs see freight transport
Online quiz to test your boating knowledge.
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
New Moon 11 Jul. Full Moon 26 Jul 2010
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
