Getting to Chichester Marina
By Road
Chichester Marina's full address is: Chichester Marina, Birdham, Chichester, West Sussex PO20 7EJ
From the Chichester by-pass (A27), take the A286 following signs for the Witterings. At the Stockbridge Roundabout take the second exit - A286 signposted Bracklesham, Witterings. After two miles turn right into Chichester Marina.
By Train
Fast trains run between London Victoria and Chichester. National Rail Enquiries 08457 484950.
By Bus
Buses operate every twenty minutes between Chichester Bus Station (South Street) and the Witterings.
By Air
Private aircraft may land at Goodwood Aerodrome, telephone 01243 755061 for prior permission. The airfield is five miles away from the marina.
Chichester road map
Chichester approach
By Sea
West Pole Beacon
This beacon represents a waypoint from which you can start to make your approach into Chichester Harbour. It is positioned Lat 50º 45'.45 N, Long 00º 56'.59 W, black steel pile, R. Can Topmark, Fl.R.5s, 14m, 7/5M, vis W 321º - 081º, R 081º - 321º. The purpose of this pile is to guide traffic away from periodic turbulent sea conditions caused by a gradual shoaling extension that is taking place to the West Pole Sands. Craft intending to enter Chichester Harbour from the west should keep this pile on their port hand. West Pole Beacon replaces the seasonal, unlit, Chi Spit Buoy.
Chichester Bar
Chichester Bar is located at the entrance to Chichester Harbour and is dredged to approximately 1.5m below chart datum giving a depth of 2m at Mean Low Water Springs; however, the bottom can vary up to 0.75m.With an ebb tide and strong southerly winds, it is advisable to exercise caution and cross the Bar between three hours before and one hour after High Water Springs.
When approaching from the west remain on the 5m line or with the target beacon in transit with Cakeham Tower bearing 064 degrees until Eastoke Beacon opens to the east of Bar Beacon, then alter course to pass between Eastoke and West Winner Beacons leaving Chichester Bar Beacon close to the west. Reverse this procedure on leaving. Once inside Chichester Harbour you need to head north-east past East Head and towards Itchenor to arrive at the marina.
Marina Approach Channel
The channel to Chichester Marina (12m wide and minimum depth varying from 0.3m Mean Low Water Springs (MLWS) to 1.7m Mean Low Water Neaps (MLWN) is marked by the Chichester Marina starboard pile. There are five starboard markers each with a green top mark in the approach channel.
A 'waiting pontoon' is situated in the approach channel immediately outside the lock and has a green over green starboard beacon on the most western end.
Vessels entering the marina should keep to the starboard side of the channel, about 6-8m from the starboard markers, pass outgoing vessels port to port. Maximum speed 6 knots. Unless requested to do so by the duty lock keeper, vessels must NOT overtake in the approach channel.
Larger vessels may be given priority in exceptional circumstances, please call the lock keeper for advice (VHF Channel 80). The depth guage on the lock side indicates the depth of water in the channel.
Visitors please moor on the outer waiting pontoon and approach the marina office for locking instructions and additional marina information.
The slow red flashing light situated on towers at each end of the lock indicate less than 1 metre depth of water in the approach channel. The slow yellow flashing light indicates FREE FLOW is operating.
Arrivals and Departures
On arrival, please moor your vessel on the outer waiting pontoon and call into the marina reception. At reception, we will advise you of your berth number and provide you with an access code for electricity and the marina facilities. Please then return to your vessel and await a green lock light before proceeding to your berth. Alternatively, you may call the marina ahead of your arrival on 01243 512731 or VHF channel 80, and where possible, we will issue you with a berth number and instructions in advance of your arrival. If you have been issued with your berth, please radio the lock keeper on VHF channel 80 to tell him of your arrival and then follow the lock keeper's instructions.
