Shoreside Facilities

Our floating pontoon jetty provides clean, dry access to the creek at all but the lowest of spring tides. We provide launching trolleys for tenders and trollies to help loading your boats. Tenders should be kept clear of the jetty hammerhead at all but the lowest of tides; and clear of the launching ramp at all times. Outboard engines must be left in the down position (to avoid the risk of damaging other boats).

Fresh water is on tap at the end of the jetty on a 15 minute timer activated by a pay meter on the eastern end of the clubhouse wall facing the dinghy racks - £1 for 15 minutes.

There are a number of dinghy storage racks on the pontoon and at the side and behind the clubhouse. Members pay an annual fee to rent a rack space (£80) or for use of a mooring ring on the floating pontoon (£95). The fee incudes use of the oar store.
All dinghies must be insured by their owners, whether stored in the racks or temporarily moored alongside the pontoon.

Brightlingsea Harbour Commissioners run a water taxi service from the north and south pontoons and the visitors' moorings. The water taxi can be contacted on VHF channel 68, when in operation. For times click below.

Situated on Westmarsh Point at the entrance to Brightlingsea Creek, Bateman’s Tower is used exclusively by Colne Yacht Club for race officer duties for races on the River Colne and its estuary.

History of the Tower

It is a folly built in 1883 by wealthy local merchant John Bateman as a recuperation area for his daughter who was suffering from consumption. The roof of the folly was dismantled during the war so that the tower could be used as an observation post for the royal auxiliary observer corps.

Supported by Heritage Lottery, and using local craftsmen and suppliers, in 2004/2005 the roof was reinstated in its original form and the tower opened to the public in May 2005. It is now available for the public to visit on race days. The Colne Yacht Club managed the project through a small committee and match funded the process by volunteer labour and use of expertise from club members.

We have newly refurbished showers which are available for visitors - if the Clubhouse is closed they are still accessible - ask at the Harbour office just round the corner for details of how you get access, or, better, call in advance.

Keys for the oar store are obtained in exchange for a £5 deposit and are available from the office or the bar. Members may lock their oars in the store.