The Safety and Committee boats are moored at Royal Quays Marina. The Marina is at NE29 6DU. Follow signs for Royal Quays and the North Sea ferry. Leave the car ferry terminal to your right and carry on down Coble Dene to the Tyne Anew sculpture (orange crane). Turn left at the sculpture into the parking area for the Royal Quays Marina. There are plenty of free parking spaces.
Access
The committee boat and safety boats are moored on the pontoons at berth numbers 27, 28 and 29.
To gain access to the pontoon you need to obtain the four-digit code from Reception (or use an electronic pass card if you have your own boat at the Marina). Whilst in Reception, the Race Officer and Safety Officer will need to sign for a radio, and the Safety Officer will need to sign for a key for one of the RIBs. After the duty, the key and radio need to be returned to reception and any issues with the boat or equipment noted in the maintenance book. If there are none, write “all OK” in the maintenance book.
COVID NOTE: during early 2021, you will need to phone royal quays 0191 272 8282 and ask them for keys / radio. They will drop down in a bucket. Keys now have a fob used to get access to the pontoons
Equipment
Apart from the radio and key for the RIB, all items required by the Race Officer and Safety Crew will be found on the boats, including a spare tank of fuel. However, sometimes equipment is misplaced, so it is good practice to check the equipment before locking out.
Locking out and locking in
The river is tidal, but the Marina is not so it is necessary to use the lock to gain access to the river at lower tide. It takes approximately 10 minutes to get the boat ready and get to the lock. Royal Quays will normally lock in/out on request. Tune the radio to channel 80 to contact then and listen for instructions.
- Traffic lights: RED – lock gate closed. Please wait.
- Traffic lights: GREEN – proceed into lock.
In the lock, moor to the pontoon as far forward as possible. If the pontoon is full then raft up to the forward vessel. All vessels in the lock are to be secured with breast lines. Be prepared to take instructions from the lockmaster. Do not leave the vessel during the lock cycle.
Speed Limit
Dead slow in the marina, 6-knot speed limit to the Groyne (G on the Estuary diagram), then 10 knots are allowed. It takes about 10 minutes to get from the outer lock gate to our sailing area in the estuary.
Fuel
There will normally be at least one full tank in each boat. Petrol for the RIBs and Committee Boat is obtainable from the pontoon just outside the lock. Call Royal Quays and ask for fuel and moor up next to the fuel pumps. Only Royal Quays staff can operate the fuel pumps. Sign the form Royal Quays personnel give you. Note that the new committee boat red tanks are filled with 100% neat petrol. The engine is a 2 stroke but the 2 stroke oil is fed from a separate tank in the top of the motor. This will normally be topped up by the Sailing Secretary and does not need to be touched.
Contacting the Marina
This can be done on VHF channel 80 – Call sign “Royal Quays Marina”. Also by phone on (0191) 272 8282.
The whole cycle of going to the marina, picking up the boats and travelling to TSC sailing area will probably take an hour, make sure that you are aware of this so that the racing / sail training begins on time