Sleepless nights, nasty smells and loud noises are just some of the things Sandown residents say they are having to endure as The Bay is turned into a maritime pay and display during the coronavirus crisis.
Locals are worried that the use of the waters off the town to berth cruise ships, tankers, ferries and car carriers will become a habit, affecting water standards and quality of life in the town.
One resident, who lives in the Bay area, said a throbbing, low-pitch sound was heard last Wednesday as far afield as Culver and St. Catherine’s Point, that reminded him of a drum and bass rave but was coming from a ship docked in the bay. He said:
“You could not get away from it — it went on for hours and caused enormous distress to many, many people. The sound got inside my head and made me feel quite nauseous and panicky.”
Another woman, who lives in Luccombe, said she and her neighbour had both felt their houses move as a result of the ships’ engines being turned on. She said:
“They are very pretty to look at, I have no problem with them being there, it’s just the constant rumbling and intolerable noise.
“I can stand in my house and still hear the noise of the generators. But it is also concerning about the potential pollution, the Island’s tourism relies on her beaches and if the sea is filthy it will affect it.”
Another woman, who lives on the Cliff Path, said there had been some terrible smells last week through the night, drifting up from the Bay. She said:
“People are concerned about the level of damage the ships can do.
“Sandown has worked hard to get better quality water in the Bay, we don’t want to spoil it now or damaging the Bay long term.”
However, despite the worry of pollution the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has said no complaints have been registered with them about the ships and there have not been any reported incidents of pollution.
The Isle of Wight Council has said though it has been made aware of noise issues relating to the vessels in The Bay and are currently seeking clarification on jurisdiction and possible actions in relation to the matter.
The jurisdiction of the Bay is hard to pin point. The MCA said vessels anchored south of the Island should have liaised with the Queen’s Harbour Master Portsmouth prior to giving a position for anchorage. The Queen’s Harbour Master in Portsmouth said only 2 of the Nab Anchorages outside of Sandown Bay fall within the boundary of the Dockyard Port of Portsmouth, but the management of them rests with AMP Southampton.
ABP Southampton, which preside over Southampton docks, said the Bay is outside its jurisdiction but a spokesperson said while they do provide traffic information to support the safe navigation of vessels in the area, they do not manage or monitor their movements.
Under United Nations Conventions, vessels have a right to freedom of navigation and vessel masters are responsible for anchoring in appropriate locations, like the Bay.
Ships in UK waters have to comply with legislation governing anti-pollution rules and environmental protection — with the MCA in charge of making sure vessels don’t break environmental rules while they are anchored in the area.
The MCA said should any pollution occur they are informed immediately and will ensure appropriate action is taken, liaising with other authorities where necessary.
A spokesperson said:
“Routine counter pollution surveillance of UK waters and the UK Exclusive Economic Zone is carried out using satellite radar and manned aircraft surveillance. Reports of pollution from ports and harbours, passing ships and members of the public also contribute to this surveillance and reporting picture.
“While specific environmental monitoring of the anchorage areas is not undertaken, legislation and and at-sea monitoring is sufficient to ensure the MCA is notified of ay pollution.”
The ships can choose to stay in the Bay for as long as they see fit, with no timeframe in place, and apart from putting a complaint into the MCA, there is not a lot residents can do about it.
However, others have welcomed the ships — Cllr Debbie Andre, leader of the Island Independent Group and ward representative for Sandown North, said over the years the ships passing through or temporarily moored off the Bay have been a regular sight. She said:
“While there has been some concern regarding any potential environmental effects, their presence is largely welcomed.
“Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in this beautiful bay appreciate the feeling of safety that being part of this community brings and hope that it can continue to be a safe haven for all throughout this crisis and in the years to come.”
Director of Advocacy and Regional Engagement of the Mission to Seafarers said they have been made aware of the situation in the Bay and have been working tirelessly to provide support during the pandemic to seafarers internationally. They said:
“The Mission to Seafarers is acutely aware of the many seafarers currently on board ships off the South Coast of the Isle of Wight and many thousands more around the world unable to sign off and return to their loved ones.
“In the UK, the Mission has been working with port agencies and welfare groups to provide access to communication for seafarers to remain in touch with their families and launched an online Chat to a Chaplain service for seafarers wishing to talk to one of our trained port chaplains.”
Loud music, engines throbbing and polluting, shouting and screaming of drugged and drunken revellers, rubbish and bottles discarded into the sea, and people emptying their bowels into the bay.
Makes it a wonder that the ships don’t find a more peaceful location to anchor up now.
Are those poor, tragic homeless still in Sandown.
Look closer to home for ‘real’ problems.
Well summed up.
Some people just have to have a reason to moan just enjoy the veiw of having these magnificent vessels on your doorstep it’s giving people a reason to come to sandown after all
ha ha………oh dear, householders complaining about ships at anchor……..an anchorage that has been used for generations and long before they bought those houses.
whinging gits. More like the smell is from their own toilets.
Well daid
nobody complained 76 years ago when the ships that were there were preparing to go to france
One of the busiest shipping waters in the world.if. There not happy my advice is don’t live at the coast.
Most of the people that live in Bembridge are either old and deaf or have second homes and shouldn’t be
here at all. So what is the problem.?
True what you say although Bembridge is round the headland and can bearly see one ship, plus half of their coastline is taken up by the closed Warners Hotel.
I live right on the Bay, walk the dog twice a day every day and have not once heard anything from those ships, I thought they were on a skeleton crew until a passer by said the whole crew is on board. I think maybe the reporter can hear their washing machine throbing.
Unbelievable! Typical island mentality. Have to moan about something. I bet if they were islanders on the ships they wouldn’t moan!
Sleepless nights, nasty smells and loud noises.
Oh I so miss Sandown in it’s heyday. That was deffo grab-a-granny night in Bogeys on a Tuesday described there.
What a load of rubbish, what next, the noise of the tide coming in and out. If that’s all they’ve got to moan about at the moment they’re very lucky
They are not in Sandown bay as most of them are about 4 miles out and that is the English channel
What a load of carp – ships have been anchored here for years – regularly at least 8 ships out there. Occasionally you hear the ship horns but nothing much.
Watching when one of the Tui cruise ships moved the other day, apart from the horn, you could not hear it moving at all.
Sounds like bitter old residents living along the cliff path who do not like the view of ships. Move if you don’t like the sight of ships in the sea.
Sad people. Stop complaining and enjoy people living in cities would love to see that out their windows! They do not make a noise.
Thank goodness you are all still alive to complain…what is the matter with you all??
We felt our houses move???? Whatever, more like too much gin.
Luccombe is constantly heading towards the sea. Hence the huge cliff falls this year, and most others. Likely the very wet winter, and very dry Spring will cause more damage, and some misery, buying their house cheap ‘because’ of the risk, is now after ‘compo’.
And 5g causes corona virus.
As a resident that lives on the seafront, this is ridiculous and pointless reporting. The ships in the bay are beautiful to see. As stated before and reported many times, the constant drone of the generator on site at the Premier Inn is more problematic than the ships in the sea. Breathing in diesel fumes every day and night is far more dangerous!!’
Absolutely agree Sarah, What a load of rubbish, I live 2 minutes from the bay, have lived there all my life walk to the top of the road and you can see the tankers, freighters and cruise boats even had the queen mary 2 the other day fabulous sight. There have always been ships anchored in the bay. Never heard anything from them. Good job these people did not live in Sandown when it had 20 pubs, and several nightclubs plus late night eating establishments. In the summer months Sandown high street would be busy at 10pm
I agree it’s a rare sight to see these wonderful ships it’s the closest I will get to one and we must think of the crew who are stuck on them not seeing there family’s yes we do here some noise but it’s not going to last forever like the virus we hope
I vouch that sometimes the ships are very noisy with generators or engines running all night. It is amazing how sound does carry over the water. The ships should anchor more miles away from land…There is one ferry that goes back and forth that sounds like its propshaft is bent it causes a vibration, must be terrible for sea life. There does not seem to be any restriction about noisy vessels at sea.Its matter of fact ,not a moan
I hope these ships are not emptying their waste into the sea….. I’m talking poop! Can they not be moved on? They could be there for months.
“She and her neighbour had both felt their houses move” What a load of nonsensical NIMBY’s.
The moaners should spare a thought for the crew stuck on those ships , they’re not on some extended holiday. They probably won’t to go home but can’t, jobs will probably be at risk too , can’t see anyone cruising for a long time yet. Years ago Bogies , Zanies and the Court Jester would have made a lot more noise
Call me cynical, but as the Council are ‘investigating’, is it possible that some(one) complaining are either related to or are Councillors?!
Just saying…
Those jet skis in the forefront of the picture are probaly far more noisy.
As someone who walks the Downs every single day I have to say that the ONLY engine noise from the sea is from the daily ferry to Jersey which has a very distinct ‘clunk’ from the engine, and has been making the same noise for many many months and can be heard from many spots on the Downs… Perhaps these resident moaners are simply hearing that? The biggest complaint seems to be the ‘possibility’ of pollution,, so let’s ban all ships from coming within 10 miles of the Island, just in case one has an oil leak! It’s the usual little band of neighbours all having a grumble, Easily ignored, but not a great advert for our ‘caring’ Island when you consider the hundreds of crew stuck on board for months…. but that seems to be the way with certain groups of perceived social standing, and ‘friends in low places’.
What a load of rubbish!! They have been temporarily mooring ships waiting to enter Southampton since time began. And when things get back to normal it will be the same as it has for years. Do people think they want to be there? I’ve been on Sandown beach in the middle of the night hundreds of times and it’s never been a problem.
“House move” …… What utter tripe!