Benfleet Creek
This is an area not used by many sailing vessels, or by motor craft for that
matter, other than vessels that live that way. Most vessels head out into
the expanse east of Canvey Point, when on some days, when a northerly or
southerly breeze is blowing, an interesting passage can be made, up to the
Benfleet Yacht Club and back on the tide. It also makes an excellent
direction to sail when the wind is a little stronger!
Wild life levels are extremely high and a huge number of different species,
that inhabit our locale, can be viewed at leisure as you pass by.
The
chartlet that I compiled some time ago has been up-dated to reflect some
minor changes. I will continue this process to ensure that the information
is as accurate as is possible.
The
buoys laid by the Benfleet Yacht Club do not indicate the true extent of
available water to navigate in. This came to light, some time ago, when
tacking up the creek.
Note: I do not decry the efforts of the Benfleet Yacht Club, although I have
in fact raised this with a number of their members. This is not being
placed on our web site for any other reason than to spread local knowledge.
The
survey was compiled by walking the seawall and looking at the creek after
the tide had gone noting, the position of the buoys in relation to the rill;
mud banks; type of bank and slope etc, etc.
The
chartlet starts at the BYC No.1 Green Buoy to the eastern tip of Marks Marsh
Island (the low lying marsh island to the south of Two Tree Island) and ends
just to the west of BYC eastern dinghy launching pontoon – the start of
their bank side moorings.
The
contours that are shown bare no relation to depth of water; they typically
show the slope of bank that exists.
Note: On a typical 5.4m to 5.6m mid
range tide I can presently get off my mooring (No.56) around 2 hours before
high water. With a fair wind (i.e. not having to tack), I have witnessed
gulls still standing on the area of ‘High Mud’ on the southern side, south
west of the Old Salvation Army Jetty. So beware of this – it has risen
markedly over the last few years. This is true too, for the Horse, to the
north of the eastern end of Marks Marsh Island.
Benfleet YC boats can leave at about the same time as we can – but have the
(up to) 3 nautical miles to traverse before reaching open water, this should
give an indication of where the tide is on its flood cycle.
Most of you that know my vessel, Whimbrel, know that she is of moderate
draft of say 0.8m (2’6”) – I do however use the centre plate and generally
operate up in this area with a draft of at least 1m to 1.2m, when tacking.
It is a useful depth sounder!
Pilotage Details
From the end of Smallgains Creek there are two passages to the area off Two
Tree Island slipway;
1.
Follow the buoys laid by Southend Corporation to the north of
Bargander Sand.
2.
Follow the vessels/mooring buoys in the deeper channel to the south
of Bargander Sand – this is banana shaped, it curves round the sand bank
towards Two Tree Island slipway. To the south is a sloping bank that rises
into the marshes on the Canvey Island side. This then becomes a fairly
steep to bank along the southern side of the waterway.
At HWS’s, Bargander sand has no more than 2.5m of
water over it, at its highest point. 2 hours before a mid range high water
there is less than a metre.
From the area south of Two Tree Island slipway, there is generally
sufficient water to traverse north to south of the moorings. Watch the
depth on the Two Tree Island side! (Note: the shallower draft boats tend to
be over in this area).
On
the way up to Marks Island, the extent of the moored vessels generally
dictates the available water for sailing.
BYC
vessels tend to follow a general course (motoring) on a line, 100 deg/280
deg, between the beacon on the outer end of the Two Tree Island slipway and
a position to the east of the No.1 Green Buoy at the eastern end of Marks
Horse Marsh. This is the general course of the gutway. The mud bank
extends eastwards from the No.1 buoy.
On
the approach to Marks Horse Marsh an area of apparent open water (devoid of
yacht moorings) can be seen just prior to, and to the east and north of the
No.1 Green Buoy – This is a mud Horse - do not be tempted to go here unless
you want a cup of tea! The tide rushes through, so one can be pinned
aground. On a quiet day the ripples from the tidal over-fall can be seen.
The
deep water passage runs between the Green Cans and Marks Marsh Island.
A
passage through, what I have termed, the ‘Swatch’ is much more amenable for
sailing and has more than sufficient depth to tack between the edge of Two
Tree Island marshes and the Horse. Use the depth sounder until sure of
yourself. At about 1 ½ hours before HW – mid range tides, some 2m – 2.5m of
water stretches across this swatch, with plenty right up to the edge of the
marsh. The edge of the marsh of Two Tree Island generally has at least a 1m
drop.
Note: At the marsh edge south of the eastern bird watching hut is an old
marker stump, visible as you pass, but not on the way back. It is close
into the bank and in a shoal area of cord grass. I have not considered it a
hazard – just be aware – especially on the top of the tide when it can be
covered.
By
the No.3 Green Buoy, bank to bank sailing can be enjoyed.
At
the western end of Marks Marsh, the buoyage heads for the northern bank (and
the old jetty). Beware of the southern end of the area of ‘High Mud’ –
another Horse – plenty of water lays to the south of No. 4, 6 and 8 Red
Buoys. To the north bank, one can tack virtually up to the marsh edge under
the seawall. Good water continues up to a post on this north bank, roughly
in line with No.10 Red Buoy.
At
the No.8 Red Buoy, the channel moves generally SW to the southern bank.
Note the Yellow Race Buoy – used by BYC dinghy fleet. The creek bed in this
area is wide and, generally, is a shallow basin.
The
bank along the edge of the Canvey Island marshes is steep to. The Green
Buoys are more or less in, or on the northern edge of, the rill. The mud
bank slopes gradually to the marsh edge on the northern side. Note the
White Race Buoy. It is relatively shallow over in that direction. (Note:
the tide will have made some 1/2 to 1 hour by this time – since leaving
Smallgains depending upon speed over the ground.)
Once the BYC outer trot moorings are reached, unless a fair breeze exists,
sailing further is not advisable… When able, I generally sail straight down
between the two trots, where there is some 1.5m of water, 1 hour before HW
mid range tides.
The
deep water channel, buoyed passage turns to the northern bank from No.11
Green Buoy. It is then buoyed with Reds and Greens on either side. A
seriously high bank of mud creeps up from midstream, just to the north of
the two mooring trots, culminating in a high mud bank (Horse), upon which a
post, some 1.5m in height is mounted, immediately in the vicinity of No. 20
Red Buoy. So Beware. The post is not always in place…
From No.20 Red Buoy, the channel turns immediately south. And at No. 17
Green Buoy, it again turns back to a westerly direction. From this point,
the clear water runs between the moorings along the marsh edge and the
trots.
With a fair breeze, it is possible to sail up past the BYC, turn prior to
reaching the pontoons of Dauntless Boat Yard and sail back to Smallgains.
It is possible to complete this in time to reach ‘home’ waters at or just
after HW.
Weather note: In fairly strong winds of NW- ENE 5, or 6 with a reef in, it
can become gusty and fluky off the hills – but it makes for a grand sail.
Disclaimer! This information is what it is and I take no responsibility for
inaccuracies, changes or any other matter. I will endeavour to post changes
as and when noted.
Click to view full size Map
Map updated 08
Bon
Voyage.
Nick Ardley
Whimbrel
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