COWES & RIVER MEDINA COWES & RIVER MEDINA Cowes Harbour, Paul Wyeth Between No. 2A buoy and No. 4A beacon from HW-2.5hrs to HW, vessels may experience a cross-current of up to 2 knots at spring tides, which has a tendency to set vessels down towards the western shore. This cross-current splits into two separate flows on the western side of the Inner Fairway (between the Island Sailing Club and the Red Jet terminal) with a current of up to 1.5 knots in either direction. Small craft transiting between No. 2A buoy and No. 4A beacon should be prepared to alter their heading so as not to be set westwards across the fairway and should avoid impeding the safe passage of commercial shipping and ferries. At the Chain Ferry, the flood tide can reach 2.5 knots between HW-2.5hrs and HW at spring tides. The ebb tide can reach 4 knots between LW-3hrs and LW at spring tides. Passage to Newport, 2 nautical miles south of the Folly, can generally only take place about 2 hours either side of high tide. Tide gauges are in place on the Shrape Beacon, at Watch House Slip by the Island Sailing Club at Cowes Town Quay, on the 4A beacon at the west end of the Eastern Channel, and at the north end of Medina Wharf opposite East Cowes Marina. There are frequent ferry movements in the harbour and its approaches. Large vessels, including Red Jet passenger ferries and Red Funnel vehicle and freight ferries, when entering or leaving the harbour between HW-2.5hrs and HW, may be required to remain towards the eastern side of the fairway between No. 2A buoy and the Eastern Channel beacon to avoid being set down onto the western shore. Small craft should be prepared to alter their heading so as not to be set across the fairway when transiting this area and avoid impeding the safe passage of commercial shipping and ferries. Vessels should not overtake on the starboard side of inbound Red Jets approaching their berth at Town Quay, Cowes. Inbound Red Jets sound one short blast and swing to starboard towards the terminal ejecting a substantial wash from their propulsion units. Red Jets also sound one short blast on departure. When joining the Inner Fairway from the Eastern Channel, always give way to vessels already navigating in the Inner Fairway, especially large ships. Two Inner Fairway Precautionary Areas are marked on Chart 2793 for “Red Jet Turning and Eastern Channel Traffic Convergence Area” and “Red Funnel Vehicle and Freight Ferry Berthing Area”. Mariners are advised to navigate with particular caution and keep a good lookout. The speed limit in the Inner Harbour at Cowes is 6 knots through the water. All craft must comply with the speed limit and wash 76 solenthandbook.com