I reviewed these notes in June 2022. We've kept up-to-date with the changes here and you should distrust all the official publications. The HM's video is the only way to get the most recent info. The Off shore wind farm is no longer using Wells and there are some ideas afoot for the development of the outer harbour but nothing firm as yet.

I reviewed these notes in May 2021. THE CHANNEL IN BEYOND THE LIFEBOAT SHED HAS ALTERED MARKEDLY. Prices have been simplified. There is a "must watch" video of the new channel on their website. You should check the age an reliability of any information you use to enter this harbour; it changes every year and even month to month.

These notes were reviewed in April 2019. A link to the harbour's navigation instructions has been updated. If you have anything other than this years charts in your plotter ignore it for entry. Prices increased va little and the Deputy HM's number has changed. New charts installed.

Notice to Mariners - Change to navigable channel
Fri 26 May 2017
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PORT OF WELLS
NOTICE TO MARINERS
Change to navigable channel
URGENT

A new navigable channel has opened up on the Run between Ben Taylors buoy and Walkers Jetty. The new channel has been cleared of moorings and all the Port hand buoys have been moved from the old channel to the new channel.

At the Southeast corner of the channel at Walkers Jetty there is a high sandbank which is marked with port hand buoys. Please do not attempt to sail over this bank.

New Position

No 16 Buoy Lat 52°57'.857N Long 000°51'.075E

Robert Smith
Harbour Master
Port of Wells

These notes were reviewed in April 2017. They've moved the WCM at the entrance to the buoyed channel again this year. The new position is that given by the harbour and differs from that shown on Admiralty Charts, Navionics and the Reeds 2017 almanac. Their prices have gone up £2 per night across the board. If you use a lot of petrol don't plan to refuel here - there isn't any for miles.

Called in for an overnight stay, heading north last week. Getting on towards Springs so approach made 1hrs before HW. Used Navionics+ eyeball Mk 1 to find Fairway Buoy and then followed buoyage to pontoons. Navionics and VMH download chart showed us crossing land in the approaches but after that not bad. Stay as close to the red cans as traffic allows for best water. For a 1st timer it is a dry mouth entrance. Wide enough for 2 vessels to pass by but not a lot more. the depth never showed more than 3m and less the further in we went. Good facilities once alongside. Harbourmaster very helpful/user friendly. Took on fuel and noted tide turn very quickly and strong enough to cause sudden change of fenders/ropes over. You would be advised to always moor into the tidal stream, not a lot of swinging room at fuel berth.Personally would not go near the entrance in any kind of swell. a nightmare with a sea running. Talk to Harbourmaster before contemplating passage. Lots of wind farm activity on new Race Bank farm not shown on Navionics but shown on VMH pilotage notices to mariners. Trust the buoys.

These notes were reviewed by Don in March 2016. NB THE CHANNEL HERE HAS CHANGED AGAIN AND IS FURTHER NORTH THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE ADMIRALTY NO LONGER SHOWS ANY BUOYAGE IN THE CHANNEL AND ALL OLD CHARTS SHOULD BE IGNORED

Due to the recent channel movement from North of number 5 buoy, the West Cardinal has been repositioned.

West Cardinal new position 52°59'.587N 000°51'.580E

http://www.wellsharbour.co.uk/getin.htm

Position update:

Latitude 52°59'.642N
Longitude 000°51'.028E

Flash : VQ (9) 10s

These notes were updated by Don T on the 12th April 2013. The replacement of the Wells Outer Buoy with a WCM is imminent otherwise little has changed. The prices have been updated for 2013