5th October 2023

NTM No 48 of 2023

Raysand – Buoyage and Crossing for Small Leisure Craft

Important Information

It has been reported to the CHA that some electronic charts have not been updated or corrected to reflect the recent changes to buoyage in the area of the Raysand Channel.

Vessels navigating in this area should therefore refer to CHA NtM No.38 of 2023.


13th July 2023

NTM No 38 of 2023

Raysand – Buoyage and Crossing for Small Leisure Craft

Following assessment of the latest survey data in the vicinity of the Raysand and Raysand Middle buoys, slightly deeper depths of water were identified to the East of the buoys current positions.

After consultation with Trinity House, the Raysand and Raysand North buoys have been re-located to reflect this information.

New position of Raysand 51º 39.84’ N 001º 00.57’ E
Characteristic remain unchanged.

New Position of Raysand North 51º 40.81’N 001º 00.57’E
New characteristic – Special Mark-Yellow Unlighted Pillar Buoy

*Note the Raysand Middle buoy has been permanently withdrawn.

See Chartlets [not to be used for navigation]

Chartlet 1
Chartlet 2

The Raysand and Raysand North yellow ‘special mark’ buoys are not marking a
safe-water route merely the best water available in the location for shallow draught vessels at certain states of tide.

Crossing the Raysand should only be undertaken by mariners with local knowledge after due consideration has been given to

• Rise of tide
• Weather conditions
• Passage ideally undertaken on a flood tide only

if in any doubt owners and master’s of vessel crossing to and from the River Blackwater to the River Crouch should do so via the Spitway route further to the East marked by the Swin Spitway and Whitaker Spitway light buoys.


20th July 2022

NTM No 31 of 2022

River Crouch Survey Findings

The Port of London Authority have on behalf of the CHA recently undertaken Survey Operations on the River Crouch and Approach in areas of particular interest to deeper draught vessel as follows:

• In the vicinity of the Swallowtail West Cardinal Light Buoy
• Between Buxey No 1 Southerly Cardinal Light Buoy and Buxey No 2 Northerly Cardinal Light Buoy
• In the vicinity of the Crouch Northerly Cardinal Light Buoy

This information is available to view on the links below. It will further be incorporated in a new addition of Admiralty Chart 3750 [Rivers Crouch and Roach] scheduled for publication within the next few months by the UK Hydrographic Office [UKHO].

A further survey of the Raysand Channel has been commissioned for later this year.

The CHA will promulgate these findings and any alterations [if necessary] to the buoyage once completed. However, until then we would remind mariners of NTM No 43 of 2021 less water reported and re-emphasis that caution should be taken when using this route.

Buxey Buoys
Crouch Buoy
Swallowtail West


18th July 2022

NTM No 30 of 2022

Re-Location of Swallowtail West Lighted Buoy

Following a recent survey of the Swallowtail Bank undertaken by the Port of London Authority on behalf of the Crouch Harbour Authority, mariners are advised that the Westerly Cardinal light buoy Swallowtail West has been re-located today 18/07/2022 to a new position of:

51° 39.956N
001° 02.369E

Light sequence and top-mark remain unchanged.

Please see chart [not to be used for navigation]

Re-Location of Swallowtail West Lighted Buoy


16th June 2021

NTM No 28 of 2021

Buoy Changes in Swallowtail and Whitaker Navigation Channels

Mariners are hereby notified of the following alteration to navigation marks in the Swallowtail and Whitaker Channels as of 15th June 2021.

Swallowtail Channel

  • Swallowtail No 1 LT Buoy has been moved to a new position of:
    51° 41.400N – 001° 07.500E
    Colour, top mark and light characteristic Fl. Y. 5s remain unchanged.
  • Swallowtail No 2 LT Buoy has been permanently withdrawn from 51°41.184N 001°06.296E
  • Swallowtail No 3 LT Buoy in position 51°40.843N 001°04.391E has been renamed Swallowtail No 2
    New light characteristic is Fl. Y. 10s
    Colour, shape and top mark remain unchanged.
  • Swallowtail No 4 LT Buoy in position 51°40.519N 001°03.487E has been renamed.
    Swallowtail No 3
    Light characteristic unchanged Fl. (2) Y. 10s
    Colour, shape and top mark remain unchanged.

Whitaker Channel

  • Whitaker No 1 LT Buoy has been moved to a new position of 51°40.530N 001°05.400E
    Shape, colour, top mark and light FL. G. 5. remain unchanged.
  • Whitaker No 2 LT Buoy has been moved to a new position of 51°40.250N 001°05.400E
    Shape, colour, top mark and light Fl. R. 5s remain unchanged.
  • Whitaker No 3 LT Buoy has been permanently withdrawn from 51°40.424N 001°04.719E
  • Whitaker No 4 LT Buoy has been permanently withdrawn from 51°40.161N 001°04.912E
  • Whitaker No 5 LT Buoy in position 51°40.038N 001°03.217E has been renamed Whitaker No 3 LT Buoy.
    New light characteristic is Fl. (2) G. 5s
    Shape, colour and top mark remain unchanged.
  • Whitaker No 6 LT Buoy in position 51°39.757N 001°03.478E has been remanded Whitaker No 4 LT buoy.
    New light characteristic is Fl. (2) R 5s
    Shape, colour and top mark remain unchanged.
  • Whitaker No 7 LT Buoy in position 51°39.540N 001°02.000E has been renamed Whitaker No 5 LT Buoy.
    New light characteristic is Fl. (3) G. 10s
    Shape, colour and top mark remain unchanged.
  • Whitaker No 8 LT Buoy in position 51°39.351N 001°02.000E has been renamed Whitaker No 6 LT Buoy.
    New light characteristic is Fl. (3) R. 10s
    Shape, colour and top mark remain unchanged.

Please see chart [not to be used for navigation]

New Outer Buoyage 2021


4th May 2021

NTM No 12 of 2021

Burnham Fairway No 2 Lighted Buoy

Following consultation between the Crouch Harbour Authority and Trinity House Mariners are advised that the Burnham Fairway (Red) No 2 Lighted Buoy in approximate position:

51° 37.264’N
000° 48.862’E

has been permanently withdrawn.


12th August 2020

NTM No 35 of 2020

New Position of Fairway Buoys, River Crouch

Mariners are advised of change of position to the Burnham Fairway Buoys:

Fairway No 3 Lighted Starboard Buoy
51° 37.176’N
000° 50.014’E

Fairway No 5 Lighted Starboard Buoy
51° 37.187’N
000° 49.667’E

Fairway No 7 Lighted Starboard Buoy
51° 37.239’N
000° 49.157’E

Fairway No 9 Lighted Starboard Buoy
51° 37.327’N
000° 48.870’E

Fairway No 2 Lighted Port Hand Buoy
51° 37.264’N
000° 48.862’E

The repositioning of these buoys has taken place in order to enable the large commercial vessels attending Baltic Wharf the safest and clearest passage whilst passing Burnham Yacht Moorings.


27th April 2020

NTM No 15 of 2020

Outer Crouch No 4 Lighted Buoy, River Crouch

Mariners are advised of the new position for the Outer Crouch No 4 Lighted Buoy (Red Can Fl R 10s):

51° 38.000’N
000° 58.000’E

The Colour, Shape and Light Characteristic remain unchanged.