Port of Wells

The Port of Wells in Norfolk caters for a growing leisure trade, both for locally-owned boats and, increasingly, as a popular destination for visiting vessels from all over the UK and Europe. Sailing, windsurfing and other water-based activities take place in the harbour, and the town, Wells-Next-The-Sea, itself has a thriving sailing club and a water ski club.

Harbourmaster Robert Smith MBE was born and raised on the North Norfolk Coast – the creeks and marshes were both playground and classroom for the boy whose ancestors have gained their livelihood from the harbour, sea and North Norfolk from the 1700s. It seemed inevitable that he would follow in their footsteps, first working with his family of longshoremen before joining a local shipping company, then Wells Harbour Commissioners as Assistant Harbour Master and, in 2000, Harbour Master. This, as well as his position  as crew and second Coxswain on the Wells lifeboat, has given him a great appreciation of the power and unpredictability of the sea.
In 2016/17 Robert was recognised in the New Year’s Honours List and awarded an MBE for his services to the Port and Community of Wells. The following year, he published his first book, Crossing the Bar, described as ‘a hymn to the most beautiful coastline in the world’. The book has received countrywide acclaim – no small feat for a man challenged by dyslexia!
Robert’s office is situated in the Old Lifeboat House, built on the quayside in 1868, and overlooks the harbour and especially the visiting pontoons: 206m with an access bridge and fresh water and electric. Moored on the inside of the pontoons is a facilities barge used by visiting vessels – it contains showers, WCs and a small laundry.
Wells Harbour has a maximum tidal range of 3m. The visiting berths alongside the pontoons have a low water depth of 2.5–3m. “The Harbour Office does not take bookings for visiting vessels, and every effort will be made to accommodate you at the town,” Robert says. Visiting vessels are allowed to berth in the Outer Harbour only under the express permission of the Harbour Master.
It is always best to plan your arrival at Wells outer buoy to coincide with the incoming tide, approximately 2-3 hours before High Water,” Robert advises. “The tidal window for most vessels is 2.5hrs before to 1.5hrs after High Water. On arrival at the outer buoy (West Cardinal), call Wells Harbour VHF Ch12 for entry instructions.”

First-time visitors are often escorted in by the harbour launch – a free service – and is vital that all yachtsmen, whether you have visited Wells before or not, call on channel 12 before entry. Wells can become very difficult to enter in strong northerly winds as there is a bar at the entrance – avoid when possible, or unless being escorted by the harbour launch.
“Even after all this time, every day is different,” says Robert of his work. Off-duty, he sails a small Stiffkey Cockle – a traditional and popular boat on the North Norfolk coast. “Even when you think you have seen it all something will surprise you – even the speed and direction of the tide can catch you out when you least expect it’.”

Ashore, wells-Next-The-Sea is a popular and family-friendly seaside town, with a selection of pubs, shops and those all-essential fish and chip shops. The beach with its colourful beach huts is pretty and packed on a warm, sunny day. A cute little passenger train transports those who can't face the long walk between the town and the sands.
www.wellsharbour.co.uk