Breydon Water Closed To Hire Boats

[ranworthbreeze]

I have been informed by the Broads Authority that Breydon Water is closed to hire-craft.

Regards

Alan.

[ranworthbreeze]

I have not been informed but Breydon Water has now been reopened according to the Broads Authority website.

Regards

Alan

[ExUserGone]

Why was it closed, what were the conditions that made it so dangerous?

[deebee29]

It looked very misty on the BB webcam this morning, possibly the reason for the closure if  Breydon was as bad

[NorfolkNog]

I think it's either usually wind or visibility. It was quite hairy when we crossed earlier this month but that was wind and rain. I'm not even sure if it was closed then or not  

[johnb]

The coast north of GY was very misty/low cloud this morning, could be the reason

[Gracie]

Make up your mind Alan, it's either closed or it's not

Seriously though, very misty on the web cams earlier in the day, perhaps that's why

Grace

[JennyMorgan]

The tide was also very high meaning that lack of air-draft at the bridges might have caused issues.

[Broads01]

How do they physically close it? I'm imagining it must be difficult to enforce. 

[Chelsea14Ian]

It's not uncommon,We had one year,BA were checking boat heights.

[Chelsea14Ian]

A bit like car parks a big post comes down and stops you crossing. 

[quo vadis]

Floating yellow cones 

[imtamping2]

A man with a limp waving his arms and shouting    "you can't cross there "...........................

[NorfolkNog]

I don't think they can prevent you from crossing but if you are on a hire boat and go against the "advice" and cause any damage etc then it could cause problems with the boatyard and possibly insurance? You could be liable I suppose.

There was a good write up on the Royalls blog a while back when Nigel Royall took one of his boats across when Breydon had been closed.

I think they park a launch at strategic locations and no doubt the rangers will shout at you. I've a feeling that Breydon was supposed to be closed at some point when we crossed earlier in the month but we weren't aware of anyone trying to stop us! Not that we noticed anyway

[kfurbank]

12 hours ago, NorfolkNog said:

I don't think they can prevent you from crossing but if you are on a hire boat and go against the "advice" and cause any damage etc then it could cause problems with the boatyard and possibly insurance? You could be liable I suppose.

There was a good write up on the Royalls blog a while back when Nigel Royall took one of his boats across when Breydon had been closed.

I think they park a launch at strategic locations and no doubt the rangers will shout at you. I've a feeling that Breydon was supposed to be closed at some point when we crossed earlier in the month but we weren't aware of anyone trying to stop us! Not that we noticed anyway

The BA can use their powers under special directions to close sections of the waterway. Easter Monday 2016 they closed Breydon to hire craft and advised privateers not to cross. I guess it would make for an interesting discussion with your insurance company if you ignored the advice of the experts and crossed anyway and had a mishap. Then again we'd need to find some experts first!

[ExUserGone]

If you have day skipper cert and the like who is the expert, you or the rangers?

[grendel]

well if all the bridges are shut (or not operational) and there is not enough clearance under others, then they could say its shut

[thingamybob]

It is probably wise to close Breydon in very thick mist. I have crossed in thick mist that came down when I was half way across it can be a bit hairy up the Burgh Castle end as all the posts seem the same colour in the mist and the channel does wander somewhat there.

Also it is very easy in thick mist to wander off the fairway elsware and once you do that, you are lost, with no posts to guide you.

What I will say whilst we are on the subject is, if you do go aground on Breydon, reverse immediately and go backwards, the reverse way you went on the mud. I have seen it so many times when boats have gone aground and tried to power straight through the mud only to push further aground.

[kfurbank]

I suspect the reason it was closed during the week was due to the high water making it difficult to pass under the bridges. I've been approached in the past by the rangers when starting to cross Breydon and been asked do I know my air draft as the water is high. On that occasion they were turning all hire boats back. Also on that occasion I was just cruising over Breydon, doing the circuit of Breydon bridge and coming straight back so the Yarmouth bridge heights didn't concern me and the rangers didn't stop me.

[marshman]

Dilligaf - I suspect your insurance company would say the Rangers everytime!!!

[kfurbank]

Just now, marshman said:

Dilligaf - I suspect your insurance company would say the Rangers everytime!!!

As a matter of interest, does anyone know what qualifications the rangers hold?

[marshman]

My guess is not a lot - probably just PB2 but then Day Skipper/Coastal is in itself hardly relevant in Broadland!

[Baitrunner]

I have seen them stop boats at Berney Arms during very high water conditions. They just tell them to wait a few hours. 

[Wonderwall]

I remember when I was about 10/12 crossing breydon one early morning and it was very misty. You could see the next post nae problem , but it was spooky. I was allowed to pilot the whole crossing ( though my uncle never took his eyes off the river for sure!).  I felt so grown up and proud of myself to manage it unaided.

Its funny how certain things stay with you forever.

A bit like hibs winning the cup, have I ever told you fine people that tale??

[kfurbank]

Have asked the question and got a very quick response. Breydon is only closed to all vessels if there is an immediate hazard to vessels or persons, or an obstruction across the channel. Access is restricted for hire boats due to adverse weather conditions such as large swell, strong wind or poor visibility, whilst private craft are advised to exercise caution at this time. The decision is made at the discretion of the local rangers on duty at the time. The question regarding qualifications wasn't answered, but I guess is harder to answer as it depends on the local ranger at the time.