Slipway in North Sunderland/ Seahouses?

[ST6]

Hello,

I appreciate lockdowns etc will have curtailed some activities but does any one have any recent information on the slipway at North Sunderland harbour? Is it open? Not looking at using it until the summer but information is sparse and contradictory. Any help greatly appreciated!

[paulhe35]

From the R.N.Y.C. Sailing Directions it says "Seahouses Harbour lies at the southern end of the Farne Inner Sound, 2 miles south of the islands. Its a fishing harbour with a hectic tourist trade. There is an Inner and Outer Harbour, both of which dry. Shelter in the Outer Harbour is poor. Harbour Master tel: 01665 720 033 Mobile: 07432 134 808 or VHF Channel 8." The slip isn't mentioned. Worth a call.

[Pikey Dave]

The slip is a half tide slip onto very deep mud. There’s a barrier at the top of the slip. The last time we used it was around 10yrs ago. The harbour master at the time was very anti-RIB/diver/day boat & would lock or un-lock the barrier whenever it suited him. The harbour was dominated by the local trip boats & fishermen. I don’t know if things have changed in the recent past, but it was more hassle than it was worth. There’s a launch at Beadnell which is aimed at “tourist” boats.

[chipko]

In non lockdown times the North Sunderland (Seahouses) public slip is normally open to leisure craft between April and October. Last years costs were £30 but need to factor in car park charges of £4 all day. Overnight berths in outer harbour are £10.

Also a couple of miles south at Beadnell Bay is a tractor launch direct onto the beach at all states of tide. Costs £30 (plus car parking).

[ST6]

Originally Posted by paulhe35

From the R.N.Y.C. Sailing Directions it says "Seahouses Harbour lies at the southern end of the Farne Inner Sound, 2 miles south of the islands. Its a fishing harbour with a hectic tourist trade. There is an Inner and Outer Harbour, both of which dry. Shelter in the Outer Harbour is poor. Harbour Master tel: 01665 720 033 Mobile: 07432 134 808 or VHF Channel 8." The slip isn't mentioned. Worth a call.

Great thank you, I’m surprised to hear the outer harbour dries as well from the looks of it on the chart it looked like it stayed wet. I must need a bigger scale! Thanks!

[ST6]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

The slip is a half tide slip onto very deep mud. There’s a barrier at the top of the slip. The last time we used it was around 10yrs ago. The harbour master at the time was very anti-RIB/diver/day boat & would lock or un-lock the barrier whenever it suited him. The harbour was dominated by the local trip boats & fishermen. I don’t know if things have changed in the recent past, but it was more hassle than it was worth. There’s a launch at Beadnell which is aimed at “tourist” boats.

Yea this is what i’ve been hearing that the slip is open on a whim, didnt know about half tide so thanks for that.

[ST6]

Originally Posted by chipko

In non lockdown times the North Sunderland (Seahouses) public slip is normally open to leisure craft between April and October. Last years costs were £30 but need to factor in car park charges of £4 all day. Overnight berths in outer harbour are £10.

Also a couple of miles south at Beadnell Bay is a tractor launch direct onto the beach at all states of tide. Costs £30 (plus car parking).

Thanks for the cost updates, useful to know. Space in the car park for a 9m trailer? Or anything else nearby?

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by ST6

Thanks for the cost updates, useful to know. Space in the car park for a 9m trailer? Or anything else nearby?

Re. Beadnell beach launch. The last time we were there (10yrs[emoji848]) there’s a big public car park which can get busy at weekends. The launch/recovery off the beach can get “sporty” especially if the conditions change whilst you’re out, there are rocks lurking at low tide. I see you have a 9m trailer, so assuming your boat is a similar size, you may need some bodies to help recover. I’ve had to drive the RIB up onto the beach a couple of times, & winch her on dry when it blew up.
There’s a launch at Amble, I’ve never used it & it’s on my list of things to do. It might be a bit more civilised.

[ST6]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Re. Beadnell beach launch. The last time we were there (10yrs[emoji848]) there’s a big public car park which can get busy at weekends. The launch/recovery off the beach can get “sporty” especially if the conditions change whilst you’re out, there are rocks lurking at low tide. I see you have a 9m trailer, so assuming your boat is a similar size, you may need some bodies to help recover. I’ve had to drive the RIB up onto the beach a couple of times, & winch her on dry when it blew up.
There’s a launch at Amble, I’ve never used it & it’s on my list of things to do. It might be a bit more civilised.

Great thanks for the information, yes the rib is 8m, have looked at Amble and it may be the best option was just trying to avoid the drive up to the Farnes. Thanks for the advice!

[Neil R]

These two dive RIBs operate(d) regularly from Beadnell, so you *should* be fine there:
https://www.facebook.com/farneIsland...2741817118030/
https://www.facebook.com/farneisland...3866922332389/
The rocks are more in the middle of Beadnell Bay, and are easily avoided if you go straight out. And their position is easily seen at low tide.
Being tucked in behind Beadnell Point and the harbour, the launch point is normally well sheltered.
The tractor guy parks unloaded trailers above the high tide line on the beach. On a busy summer weekend there can be >30 trailers. Getting there early is the key. I'll dig out his tel number when I'm on my other computer.
Main issue for me over the years has been the tractor's mechanical unreliability - it's not unknown to lose a week whilst he fixes it. The barrier remains locked on those days (immediate DIY recoveries excepted). I did see a tractor breakdown last year when a cabin RIB nearly got stranded - recovered after an almighty faff by a Volvo XC60 with a long rope from the car park - so there is a chance the tractor guy might now be more cautious with larger RIBs.

I think the Seahouses public slip stayed closed ALL through last year. I can't remember if that was Covid else a lifeboat refurbish thing though.

Update, see also:
http://beadnellbayboatlaunch.co.uk/
Although clearly not well updated, that first tel number ties in with a more recent photo I took of a sticker in the tractor's cab.

[chipko]

Based and launch at Beadnell in season and echo Neil R’s comments.

It’s a beach launch so don’t expect pan flat Marina/Estuary slip conditions. However, launch area is South facing and semi protected by Beadnell Point/Harbour so waves and swell negligible unless there’s a Southerly/South Easterly blowing.

Agree, need to be aware of Burn Carrs and Robins Wood rocks in the bay (visible at low to half tide), but all charted and not a problem with unhindered launching/access available at all states of tide. Beach very gently shelving fine sand so expect to give your trailer hubs a dunking.

Plenty of commercial dive and private ribs regularly launch here. If the tractors working Jim’ll happily launch your 3m or 9m rig. Hand launch fee for small boats/sibs £10.

Seahouses slip closed all last year due to major construction works strengthening the harbour sea wall...fully open this year. In addition to Amble there is also a public slip at Craster...£10 fee I think.

[ST6]

Originally Posted by Neil R

These two dive RIBs operate(d) regularly from Beadnell, so you *should* be fine there:
https://www.facebook.com/farneIsland...2741817118030/
https://www.facebook.com/farneisland...3866922332389/
The rocks are more in the middle of Beadnell Bay, and are easily avoided if you go straight out. And their position is easily seen at low tide.
Being tucked in behind Beadnell Point and the harbour, the launch point is normally well sheltered.
The tractor guy parks unloaded trailers above the high tide line on the beach. On a busy summer weekend there can be >30 trailers. Getting there early is the key. I'll dig out his tel number when I'm on my other computer.
Main issue for me over the years has been the tractor's mechanical unreliability - it's not unknown to lose a week whilst he fixes it. The barrier remains locked on those days (immediate DIY recoveries excepted). I did see a tractor breakdown last year when a cabin RIB nearly got stranded - recovered after an almighty faff by a Volvo XC60 with a long rope from the car park - so there is a chance the tractor guy might now be more cautious with larger RIBs.

I think the Seahouses public slip stayed closed ALL through last year. I can't remember if that was Covid else a lifeboat refurbish thing though.

Update, see also:
Beadnell Bay Boat Launch - Serviced boat launching facility in Beadnell, Northumberland, for divers, fishing and pleasure activites.
Although clearly not well updated, that first tel number ties in with a more recent photo I took of a sticker in the tractor's cab.

Brilliant thank you for the information, certainly tallying with what I had thought before.

[ST6]

Originally Posted by chipko

Based and launch at Beadnell in season and echo Neil R’s comments.

It’s a beach launch so don’t expect pan flat Marina/Estuary slip conditions. However, launch area is South facing and semi protected by Beadnell Point/Harbour so waves and swell negligible unless there’s a Southerly/South Easterly blowing.

Agree, need to be aware of Burn Carrs and Robins Wood rocks in the bay (visible at low to half tide), but all charted and not a problem with unhindered launching/access available at all states of tide. Beach very gently shelving fine sand so expect to give your trailer hubs a dunking.

Plenty of commercial dive and private ribs regularly launch here. If the tractors working Jim’ll happily launch your 3m or 9m rig. Hand launch fee for small boats/sibs £10.

Seahouses slip closed all last year due to major construction works strengthening the harbour sea wall...fully open this year. In addition to Amble there is also a public slip at Craster...£10 fee I think.

Thank-you for the information, will be looking at Craster now....!

[ST6]

Originally Posted by Neil R

These two dive RIBs operate(d) regularly from Beadnell, so you *should* be fine there:
https://www.facebook.com/farneIsland...2741817118030/
https://www.facebook.com/farneisland...3866922332389/
The rocks are more in the middle of Beadnell Bay, and are easily avoided if you go straight out. And their position is easily seen at low tide.
Being tucked in behind Beadnell Point and the harbour, the launch point is normally well sheltered.
The tractor guy parks unloaded trailers above the high tide line on the beach. On a busy summer weekend there can be >30 trailers. Getting there early is the key. I'll dig out his tel number when I'm on my other computer.
Main issue for me over the years has been the tractor's mechanical unreliability - it's not unknown to lose a week whilst he fixes it. The barrier remains locked on those days (immediate DIY recoveries excepted). I did see a tractor breakdown last year when a cabin RIB nearly got stranded - recovered after an almighty faff by a Volvo XC60 with a long rope from the car park - so there is a chance the tractor guy might now be more cautious with larger RIBs.

I think the Seahouses public slip stayed closed ALL through last year. I can't remember if that was Covid else a lifeboat refurbish thing though.

Update, see also:
Beadnell Bay Boat Launch - Serviced boat launching facility in Beadnell, Northumberland, for divers, fishing and pleasure activites.
Although clearly not well updated, that first tel number ties in with a more recent photo I took of a sticker in the tractor's cab.

Blimey. I could live without an exciting recovery at the end of a long day at sea! All useful information, thank you.

[Gd tech 107]

Hi guys , update on Beadnell beach launch by tractor.
Unfortunately Jimmy’s tractor has finally given up the ghost. He’s currently looking for another but not having any luck. So as it stands don’t turn up at weekends and expect to launch.I’m in regular contact with him so will report here any changes, as soon as I know..

[Cumbria]

Any news on launch and new tractor ? How's craster for launching

Thx

[Gd tech 107]

A new tractor did eventually appear. Unfortunately it was less reliable than the old one. There won’t be a tractor service for the rest of the year, so I’m told.
I think changes will be made by the council for next year. They are committed to running a good quality tractor launch for next year.

[chipko]

Originally Posted by Cumbria

Any news on launch and new tractor ? How's craster for launching



Thx

Ha! Ha! Tractor launch has been a nightmare this year and last, all thanks to Jim, bless him. Managed three launches this year, and we’re based at Beaders all season.

Aye! he did part chop two knackered tractors for this little freebie beauty;



In fairness not half as bad as it looks, think Mater’s tractor chums (the cows) from Cars, just needed a little TLC…aka new clutch, starter motor and battery. SadlyTLC not in Jim’s vocabulary, use it till it’s broke then don’t fix it and sod off to all his customers.

Council have also been an arse….not bothered whether there’s a launch there or not, despite current breach of contract. Have shown no interest in allowing another contractor to take over despite local parties all set to go with reliable launch machinery.

Anyways, as reported above, don’t expect any tractor launch a Beadnell this season.

You can self launch at Seahouses harbour slipway for £30 plus parking at most tides….use a rope at lows. Craster slipway is also a viable option and only £10 I think…not launched there for many years though.

[Impulse]

New launch facility at Beadnell Bay from May 2022 bookable through their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Beadnel...08843861801665

[chipko]

First launch for us last Sunday with the new Beadnell Boat Launch crew. So excited to have this service back. Hope it’s well supported to make all the effort Neil and his team have put in worthwhile.

Very friendly, professional launch and recovery behind their mahoosive and very smart Clayton ex crop sprayer. We only have a small rib but dwarfed behind this monster…another good excuse for a bigger boat methinks. [emoji3]