As usual we extend a warm welcome to all our subscribers, including those who have recently signed up to these very occasional newsletters.
This is just a short communication this time, mostly about our website but also some news of the Deben river entrance.
We have completely revamped our website, www.eastcoastpilot.com, something that's been in plan for a long time but somehow, like many boat maintenance jobs, we couldn't quite get round to it. But now we have. The old website used a software platform that had become obselete, and was never going to display well on devices other than a desktop computer. We were painfully aware that it wasn't good enough any more so we have replaced the old site with a new one written on a very modern, fast platform, which we have found quick and easy to use. In our tests it certainly is fast, and readily adapts to the screen size you have, from phone upwards.
We have also taken the opportunity to simplify the site structure - it had become quite complex, unnecessarily so in retrospect, so the new site does lack some of the original detail in some areas. However, we are very willing to receive constructive feedback and if necessary tweak the new design and structure to meet the needs of you, the user. We look forward to hearing from you!
We have taken the opportunity to add a page that includes any updates to Imray's new 'North Sea Passage Pilot', written by Garth and published last year.
And now that perennial subject for our coast - the Deben entrance. Before you dive off to look at our chartlet, I can say "hang on, it's still the same", with the same firm advice issued in December to call the HM if you want to enter or leave the Deben at the moment. What is new, though, is that the Trinity House survey has been done unusually early this year, and discussions about buoy placement are going on right now. At this moment it looks likely that the buoyed entrance will be further north than in recent years, moving to the 'new' entrance that has been steadily opening.
So, watch this space! As soon as it's available, we shall be telling you about the new directions and pointing you at a new chartlet on our website.
Kindest regards,
Dick Holness
Co-author and webmaster
East Coast Pilot.
Header photo - a Summer's day on the Orwell.
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