LNTM - 04/07/25

Notice is hereby given jointly by the King’s Harbour Master Portsmouth, the Harbour Master ABP Southampton and the Cowes Harbour Master that the British Classic Week will be taking place in Cowes and the Solent between Monday 7 July and Friday 11 July 2025.

Approximately 50 yachts involving 400 participants are expected to take part. Racing will take place throughout the Solent, and in the approaches to Cowes Harbour.

Mariners should be particularly vigilant and should maintain an effective and proper lookout, as per COLREGS Rule 5, for large vessels and sailing vessels and, at all times, navigate with extreme caution in these areas. Mariners are also reminded to not impede large ships displaying constrained by draft as per COLREGS Rule 9.

Mariners are reminded of the “Moving Prohibited Zone” as referred to in Southampton Harbour Byelaws 2003 No11 and General Direction 10 which refers to Clear Channel Vessels and Precautionary Area (Thorn Channel). More Information on this can be found in Local Notice to Mariners 2025 No.06 Precautionary Area (Thorn Channel).

Start and finish lines:

The British Classic Week races will start and finish from the Royal Yacht Squadron Start Line. Start times will be from approximately 1130 each day with racing planned to be complete around 1600.

Concours D ’Elegance

On Monday 7 July, there will be a parade of racing, cruising and motorboats passing the Royal Yacht Squadron. The parade will start at 1115 (BST) in the vicinity of Egypt Point, with the parade then heading eastwards towards Cowes Harbour.

Round the Island Race

On Tuesday 8 July, there will be a ‘Round the Island’ race, involving 3 of the 5 classes entered into the Regatta. The starts will be at 0755, 0840 and 0925 (BST) from the Royal Yacht Squadron Start Line. The estimated finish time is 2100 (BST).

Further information can be found on the British Classic Week website.

Advice for all mariners – Navigation within the Cowes Harbour Fairways

Vessels may enter or depart Cowes via the main fairway or the dredged Eastern Channel depending upon their size and draught and the direction of approach or departure.

Small craft including those racing or preparing to race should be vigilant for large and regular commercial traffic including Red Funnel vehicle and freight ferries, Red Jet passenger ferries, and cargo vessels, which cannot safely navigate outside of the main fairways, and are reminded of their duty under Rule 9 of the Collision Regulations to avoid impeding their safe passage.

All mariners should make themselves familiar with all the relevant Cowes Local Notice to Mariners, which are available on the Cowes Harbour Commission website.

This local notice to mariners will self-cancel at 2359 on 12 July 2025.