The River Colne offers the sailor a choice of anchoring in Pyefleet Creek, or using the harbour facilities of Brightlingsea. There are no big marinas and no real alongside berthing for the visitor (apart from a very small marina that has now has sprung up), and perhaps this is where the charm lies.

The harbour authorities at Brightlingsea can provide moorings and pontoons for visitors at most times, but they can get overwhelmed on busy summer weekends. The town can provide most day-to-day needs, and there is a wealth of boating experience on hand too. ... read more

Approach involves pretty much the same area as approaching the Blackwater. This part of the world is extremely flat and featureless so you won't get much help from the lay of the land.  All the channels are well marked by buoyage, but it is very easy to mistake one seamark for another with possibly serious consequences... the sands in this area (and the Thames estuary) are rock hard and unforgiving should you end up pinned on them by the wind. Pilotage advice now follows:

The best general advice for handling this kind of area is to have your passage plan well worked out in advance, with courses planned (taking into account tidal cross sets if required) and a clear list of the buoyage you are expected to pass in the order you will encounter it. When you are following your plan you will probably see plenty of other buoyage..... the best advice is to assume nothing, follow your preplanned course and tick-off the buoyage on your list as you pass and positively identify it. The other alternative is a set of carefully chosen and checked waypoints. ... read more

Brightlingsea.

After passing fairly centrally between the red can buoy No. 10 (Fl.R.3s) and the green conical buoy No.13 a northerly course will bring you to a southerly cardinal buoy that marks the entrance channel to Brightlingsea. ... read more