Advice to Navigators

The majority of the Broads are totally accessible, but there are some areas that may need extra care.  Certain sections of the Broads are very shallow and not suitable for yachts and cruisers.  However the Broads Authority dredges and maintains channels that are marked by posts, poles, buoys or leading marks.  Keep well within these limits to avoid going aground. Although there may be navigable water outside the channels, this requires local knowledge. If you see someone outside the marker posts do not follow them unless you have this knowledge, they may need less water than you do.

Channel Markers

Channels are marked with posts of buoys, with red ones on the left side, and green or black ones on the right side when going up river (away from Great Yarmouth). It works the other way round when heading down river.

Where a channel divides, the post marking the fork will be painted black and yellow.  Do not go outside the posts or you are likely to run aground.  Do not moor to channel markers – except in emergencies.

A red marker post makes small local obstructions and shallows, give them a wide berth.

Danger marks

At some places notice boards will mark navigational hazards. There are also poles painted red, some surmounted by a red disc which will show more isolated dangers. Keep well clear of these and use your common sense.  Inspect carefully any bank to which you wish to moor or approach closely.

What are those yachts doing?

Even the most skilled yacht skipper can only go where the wind allows and when under sail can only stop by steering the yacht head into the wind.  (Remember it might be the yacht skippers’ first experience of sailing.)  It is very satisfying to be able to manoeuvre your boat correctly when confronted by yachts and the yacht skipper will appreciate your consideration.

Yacht tacking

When approaching yachts tacking (steering a zigzag course across the width of the river in order to make progress against the wind) always SLOW DOWN.  Most collisions are caused by excessive speed or by trying to dodge round a yacht’s bow.  Always keep to the right.

Keep well over to the right, throttle down and wait for an opportunity to pass BEHIND the yacht when it starts to sail back to the other side.  NEVER attempt to cross in front.

Yachts ‘running or reaching’

1.  When you encounter yachts that are ‘running or reaching’ (have the wind either behind them or blowing across them) SLOW DOWN.  Try to work out the yachts likely direction of travel and watch for instructions  from the yacht skipper, they will try to avoid confusion by giving you verbal directions or hand signals to indicate which side and when you should pass.
2. Give the yacht plenty of space. Broads breezes are usually unsteady and sometimes gusty in wooded parts and this could cause a sudden change in the yacht’s direction.

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