Formal consultation on a revised set of General Directions for Cowes Harbour has now ended, and Cowes Harbour Commission’s Advisory Committee and the RYA, both statutory consultees in the process, have confirmed their agreement for the new Directions, following minor amendments.
Cowes Harbour Commission then ratified the Directions at their recent December Board meeting. The revised set of General Directions will come into force on 1 January 2014.
A major change is the introduction of General Direction No. 6 relating to the Cowes Chain Ferry (replacing Cowes Harbour Byelaw 34 of 1972). This General Direction governs the navigation of the Chain Ferry and includes giving the Chain Ferry right of way over most vessels, although the Chain Ferry must still take appropriate action to avoid a close quarter situation or collision. In addition, there are new safety control measures built in, including the introduction of a CHC Chain Ferry Operators Certificate.
You can view the full set of 2014 General Directions here.
For more information, see also Local Notice to Mariners No. 33 of 2013 – Revised set of Cowes General Directions Come into Force on 1 January 2014.
