THE LOCA L PILOT
Milford haven Pilotage
Milford Haven can be entered in any weather and any state of tide, and the entrance offers no obstructions to yachts, but it is best to avoid Middle Channel Rocks and Chapel Rocks in heavy weather. There are two well-buoyed and lit deep-water channels – East and West – in the entrance used by larger commercial vessels and yachts must not use them. Instead, tack inshore of the channels or between them. All yachts must not approach within 100m of any tanker or terminal further up the haven. Monitor Port Control VHF Ch12 for shipping movements. Be aware of the tug and pilot boats which escort the larger vessels, as they can produce a considerable wash between St Ann’s Head and Dale Fort.
4 miles south of St Ann’s Head is the Turbot Bank, marked by a W cardinal buoy on its W end which is to be avoided in bad weather. A strong south-easterly against the ebb also causes heavy seas off St Ann’s Head and should be avoided. Instead, use the East Channel close to Sheep Island.
exploring upstream
While the shelter offered by Milford Haven is welcome, sometimes its tides are not. With a spring tidal range of up to 7m, a lot of water sweeps up and down the Haven, making passage against the stream a slow affair. At high tide, yachts have a welcome safety margin that allows access to the Haven’s smallest creeks, but at low tide the unwary may be caught out by unexpected shoals and banks.
Navigation marks stop above the Cleddau Bridge, and pilotage advice follows the usual river guidance of keeping to the deeper water on the outside of the bends and resisting cutting the corners where silt builds up. The echo-sounder, lead line, and sailor’s instinct are invaluable aids when pushing the boundaries of the creek ends; their shifting mud banks defy accurate survey, yet the creek-head quays prove it’s all been done before.
Marina Facilities neyland yacht haven
Neyland has 420 fully serviced berths, a large visitor berthing pontoon, wifi, toilets, showers, and laundry. The lower basin is accessible at all tidal states, and the marina office stays open seven days a week with 24-hour security and CCTV surveillance. Nearby Dale Sailing provides a fuel berth, lift-out and repairs. Bike hire is available and the Brunel Café or the Bar Restaurant can offer refreshments afterwards. www.yachthavens.com/neyland 01646 601601
Milford Marina
With 328 fully serviced berths, the dock basin is accessed through a lock. Facilities include lift-out, storage, fuel, wifi, laundry and showers, and there are restaurants on the quayside and a supermarket in walking distance. The marina office is manned 24/7 with CCTV. www.milfordmarina.com 01646 823185
Mooring and anchoring
There are two-day moorings under Great Castle Head but no other official moorings; Llangwm, Lawrenny Yacht Station, Rudders Boatyard, and Hobbs Point (Pembroke Haven Yacht Club) may offer private moorings to visitors. The pontoons at Dale, Hazelbeach, Hobbs Point, Neyland Yacht Club, the Jolly Sailor, and Lawrenny may accommodate boats depending on depth, though if not using marina facilities, many visitors will opt to anchor in one of the Haven’s many secluded spots – there is always a sheltered anchorage, no matter where the wind blows from.
day sails
Yachtsmen are spoilt for choice when considering daysail options from Milford Haven. Clever use of the tide can make return trips possible within a sailing day, but may fail to do justice to the destination; many visitors opt to stay overnight and catch the tide back next day. Day sails up and down the Haven Waterway can fill more than a weekend, and have the added advantage of enjoying accessible shelter should the weather turn inclement.
skomer island
A mere 5 miles from St Ann’s Head, Skomer and its environs is Wales’ only Marine Conservation Zone and the Island is managed as a National Nature Reserve. Yachts can either anchor in South Haven or traverse Jack Sound to use one of the free mooring buoys in North Haven. Landing is only permitted in North Haven when the Reserve is open; there is a fee. www.naturalresources.wales This beautiful natural harbour offers shelter, shops and pubs. It dries to firm sand; those who can’t take the ground can lean against the harbour wall or anchor in the Pool in the entrance. Its situation on the north shore of St Brides Bay means a transit of Jack Sound or trip round Skomer Island to get there; the visitor moorings dry at 2m over chart datum, so calculate tides carefully.
charts and guides
Admiralty Leisure SC1478, SC2878 Imray 2600.11, C60 Bristol Channel and Severn Cruising Guide (Imray, £29.50); Sea Guide to Pembrokeshire (Imray, £17.50) The Cruising Alamanac (Imray/ca, £35)