The estuary of the Blackwater extends roughly twelve miles eastwards from Maldon in Essex to the sea. Approaching from the south a section of the Dengie Flats which lie on the western bank of the Ray Sand channel are used as a target area for the U.S.A.F. This part of the channel is marked by R.Y.V.S. danger zone buoys but it is wise to keep well outside these and the Batchelor Spit which runs into the Ray Sand channel at its northern end.

Bradwell Creek lies to port about two miles up the river and has its mouth marked by a black can buoy that should be left to starboard when entering, a line of withies then guides one in and these too are left to starboard. The channel turns to port at the last withy and to starboard about a hundred yards further on. From here it runs towards and then in the centre of the creek. Unfortunately a word of warning must be given. A nuclear power station is being built at Bradwell and this means that details given for this creek may be inaccurate especially after this year. The ‘Green Man’ hotel has a camping field opposite and water can be drawn from taps within its toilets. A small shop at the head of the street will supply most needs except meat and bread. Dinghies would be best left on the mud above the quay or in charge of the Waterside Engineering Co.

Between Bradwell and Stone lie the mudflats of St Lawrence Bay an area which the newcomer or novice should avoid. Stone offers a café-cum-store and a sailing club where visiting yachtsmen can get water and mid-day meals.

To the west of Stone is Stansgate, no more than a name on the map. The tide runs strongly through the channel between here and East Point on Osea Island. The beach to the east of Osea Pier makes a convenient spot to scrub the bottom or pic-nic. Unfortunately the owners of the island do not welcome campers and no supplies are available. However, directly opposite Osea Pier lies the entrance to Lawling Creek. At the head of which is Maylandsea, a pleasant area offering a boatyard with good facilities and, a little way off, shops and a camping site. To port as one enters Lawling Creek is the entrance to Mayland Creek only accessible near H.W. There is a beach on the N.E. bank about a hundred yards in from the entrance from where one can reach the Steeple Bay Camping Site.

Above Osea Pier the channel to Maldon is buoyed. Mill Beach with its café and caravan site will be left to starboard. Here the channel turns sharply south, the bend being marked by a red can buoy off Hilly Pool Point, the northernmost tip of Northey Island. The long low white club house of the Blackwater Sailing Club is on the western shore and a little inlet between it and Mill Beach gives shelter for a dinghy that has to be left when the south-westerlies are strong. Also on the north-western bank is the lock into Heybridge Basin, a boat can be left here and the cost is very reasonable. Access can be gained about an hour or so either side of H.W. Facilities here are a store, a chandlers, water, the ‘Ship’ and the ‘Jolly Sailor’.

From Heybridge one follows the channel round Herring Point to Maldon. This ancient seaport has two boatyards, a sailmaker, shopping facilities, reasonable travel to London via the bus to Chelmsford and train to Liverpool St. Station. Visitors are recommended to leave their craft at a boatyard rather than on the beach by the promenade. The best place for the one tide visitor to land is the beach between the fishing smacks and the motor boats awaiting their fill of trippers. Water is at a nearby stand pipe. A short cut down river for those leaving at the top of H.W.S. is to go through Southey Creek, the narrow channel between Northey Island and the mainland. There is a causeway across this channel and it is marked by beacons at either side. Pull up the centreplate when crossing.

From seaward the first haven on the northern shore of the estuary is West Mersea, the most crowded yachting centre on the river. Entrance is made by leaving the Nass Beacon — a pole crowned with a spherical basket — to port. After this one comes to the Quarters which is the best place for visitors with deep draft yachts to anchor. The channel then turns sharply to starboard passing between islands. The main mass of moorings can then be seen. On reaching this crowded area, the causeway will be seen to starboard. At the top of this causeway is a stand pipe, a small store is a hundred yards away to the left at the end of the road along the front. The main shopping centre and bus terminus is about three-quarters of a mile away to the east. Near the causeway are two boatyards a sailmakers and the yacht club. Visitors wishing to leave their craft at W. Mersea are strongly recommended to hire a mooring from a yard.

Salcott Creek carries straight on through Mersea Quarters and at this end its banks like those of the other little creeks around Mersea are well lined with withies. These mark oyster beds and it is forbidden to anchor or land among them. The channel to Salcott twists and turns and towards its head is very narrow. One can only get up as far as this about an hour either side of H.W. To camp, land on the saltings on the southern side the field just over the sea wall will do. Permission should be asked for at the nearby farm where there is a stand pipe. Tollesbury Creek lies to port as one approaches Mersea Quarters and the entrance is marked by black buoys. The channel divides in two at Cob Island, both branches are navigable. Lying just beyond this to the S.W. is the entrance to Woodrolfe Creek where the boatyard and sailing club are quartered. The village and its shops are about a mile distant, but water can be got at the boatyard.

When sailing further up river along the northern shore take care not to be caught behind Thirstlet Spit, a long high bank marked at its tip by a beacon. The next inlet, Goldhanger Creek is marked with a black conical buoy at its mouth. This creek leads towards its name village which really is only accessible by dinghy. The village is about a quarter of a mile from the landing. On its way to Goldhanger this creek passes the edge of the Stumble — an extensive mudflat which lies between Osea Island and the mainland to the north. Sailors are warned to keep well clear of it when the tide it falling. The main channel is regained just before Mill Beach and the channel from here to Maldon was described earlier in this article.