The new entrance channel to the Exe Estuary from the south side of Pole Sands is due to be buoyed in the very near future when Trinity House, the general lighthouse authority give their final sanction on the harbour authority’s proposals.
Following extensive technical subterranean surveys Exeter City Council are satisfied that no rocks, wrecks or hazards exist underneath the sand and gravel in the new channel which now cuts through and divides Pole Sands. It can therefore safely sanction the relocation of all buoys from the sea to Number 9 Buoy, off Mear Rocks.
The old buoyed channel, out to Straight Point has become so shallow and winding especially off Orcombe Point that it is virtually unusable and therefore it has been proposed to Trinity House that the East Exe Cardinal Buoy be discontinued and taken off station along with buoys 1 to 6 which are to be relocated in the new south entrance Swashway channel. A newly purchased Safe Water Mark named “Exe” will be positioned in deep water to the south of Pole Sands, ( position to be confirmed) and the newly aligned channel on bearing 335 will lead to buoys 7 and 8 whereby the existing leading lights off Exmouth promenade, west end can be picked up.
It is intended that Straight Point Light be discontinued, given that it will have little relevance to any landfall and approach into Exmouth in the future, but further consideration is being given to the positioning of a sectored leading light on Exmouth promenade in the vicinity of the I L B station, duly marking the first leg of the approaches channel.
If you do have any thoughts, queries or questions or any consideration as to how these dramatic changes can be promulgated to every user, I would be pleased to hear from you.
Jack Nott
March 2008
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