Benfleet

PORT INFORMATION  LEIGH ON SEA  BENFLEET HOLEHAVEN

OVERVIEW  Leigh on Sea tidal HW -2 + 2  Approach area increased activity commercial shipping in estuary/many buoy changes ..SEA AREA managed by Southend on Sea BC Tel 01702215620 : Essex Police Marine Section RIBs/launches patrol area. Dover Coastguard control area Coastguard Station at Shoeburyness  RNLI boats at Southend Pierhead (sea end) & shore plus hovercraft. Port of London Authority control commercial shipping = eastward of SEA REACH 4 BUOY VHF CH 68 ==westward SEA REACH 4 BUOY VHF CH 69 until Crayfordness  Call Sign "London VTS" National Coastwatch at Shoeburyness Tel 0781 5945210 National Coastwatch VHF CH65

Hadleigh Ray has  constant water,drying sands to south, north mud to shore  banks dry HW-3 to LW +3 Hadleigh Ray entered via LEIGH BUOY (G) unlit, known locally as the "Lowway"  from main channel = useful place to  await flood if bound upriver =best water at LW adjacemt to fishing boat moorings = frequent fishing boat moorings hereabouts = at tide time this runs into Benfleet Creek to Benfleet HW-2 +2 = on the flood or by dinghy =  concrete causeway At Two Tree Island suitable for landing =nothing here except fresh water tap north of container hut. 1.5 mile walk to Leigh Rail Station 2 miles to Leigh NOTE if you are being met at Two Tree Island there is a height restriction bar 2.1 metre on north approach bridge to Two Tree Island (motor caravans etc note) Area charts Admiralty 1185 (Sea Reach)  2484 London to Thames Haven Pilot book East Coast Rivers

AT LEIGH  Yacht clubs Essex YC  (C/S Wilton) Leigh on Sea SC clubhouse old station building  adjacent Bell Wharf Diesel Mikes Boatyard  Petrol only in town (nearest Tesco junction Thames Drive/London Road (A13)  Plenty of shops, pubs and restaurants of all types at top of hill. TRAIN service  C2C  Eastwards to Southend (10 mins) Westward to London Fenshurch Street (40mins) Post Office  Broadway West opp Library . Airport  = London Southend

BENFLEET At tide time follow creek buoyed by Benfleet YC port & starboard to clubhouse  good slipway (water) just beyond  Dauntless Boatyard  (01268 793782)( m/b 07825 322204) pontoons, slipway travel hoist water  diesel   Chandlery at rear of buildings  Tel Barry 07833 562536 Shop 07771 944288 email infor@dauntlessyachtcentre.co.uk Web   http://www.dauntlessyachtcentre.co.uk/ NO PETROL= nearest garage in High Road. Nearest shops in HIght Road  2 miles TRAINs C2C  Benfleet eastwards to Southend 15 mins  westward London Fenchurch St 40 mins  Good walks north of creek Hadleigh Country Park/Hadleigh Castle

HOLEHAVEN Increased commercial activity in area owing to London Gateway Port  makes anchoring/mooring difficult = if waiting for tide / up river , better to go to Hadleigh Ray, or press on to Gravesend. Wooden landing slipway Lobster Smack pub behind sea wall =nothing else long walk to Canvey village  or Benfleet =Benfleet YC or Benfleet Sation. National Coastwatch Lookout on old PLA  pier Tel 01268 696971  National Coastwatch  VHF CH65. HM  Coastguard Instant 'Response Unit  (IRU) at Canvey Island.

Terry Pond UPDATED/REVIEWED   FEB 2021                    E & O E