LNTM - 28/05/25

Notice is hereby given jointly by ABP Southampton Harbour Master and Cowes Harbour Master that the annual Cowes Classics Regatta races will take place between Friday 30 May and Sunday 1 June 2025.

During this period heavy concentrations of sailing vessel of all types will be racing in the Solent, in the approaches to Cowes Harbour, Southampton Water and within the Precautionary Area (Thorn Channel).

Mariners should be particularly vigilant and should maintain an efficient 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.

Starts and Finishes within and in the approaches to Cowes Harbour

The Cowes Classics Regatta races will start from a committee boat in the Solent or from the Royal London Yacht Club (RLYC) Start Line. Start times will be from 1030 each day with racing planned to be complete around 1530.

More information can be found on the Cowes Classics Regatta 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 2 June 2025.