News from Bob Telford of the Faversham Creek Trust: The Faversham Creek leaflet that contains the Creek chartlet is very out of date and is being replaced by a new simpler one.The new chartlet will be ready well in time for 2015 season.
This is being worked on now, but the chartlet needs further updating with new buoys. There will be additional info about the position of the buoys in relation to the channel, shown at low water. Next year we will have some repositioned, but the trick is to watch your depth sounder. Contact details are also very out of date, especially telephone numbers.
However, the top end of the Creek in the town has been dredged and visitors are welcome. We have had visitors from Leigh, Benfleet and Walton this year, as well as from the Medway and the south coast. The bottom is very flat and clean at Town Quay.
The big problem with the Town Quay is that there is only one verticle ladder to get off a vessel. It is open to the ‘town’ and this should be taken into account. What is needed here is a pontoon so that more craft can use the facility … I’ve used Irn Wharf for decades as my first port of call in the town. Back in the early to mid 1980s I used Standard Quay, before the barges came over from Pollocks Wharf (now des-res housing). I must say after years of navigating the creek, I’ve never had a problem, but welcome the news of a new chartlet.
One of my joys is to sail up wih the tide … and sail out, tacking as needed – clearly with a good tide and before high water! Wonderful place …