New 'Island' near Hurst Castle... Dont Get Caught Out !
There have been changes at Hurst spit at the western entrance of the Solent. A new shingle bank has formed and is fully visible at low tide. The “island” has gradually built up over the last few months to the east of historic Hurst Castle. The new shingle bank is in an area where many boaters entering the Solent against the ebb tide, having successfully negotiated the Trap, will turn north to get out of the strongest tides, particularly if heading in to anchor or are destined for Keyhaven or Lymington.
A lot of boaters out there won't be aware of this change, and at high tide, the water is going to be much shallower. The potential is for boats to go aground as it would be easy to hit the new bank when entering the Solent using a chart plotter or even using previously good pilotage marks. In darkness or poor visibility or rough conditions, the risk increases
Some local sailors have visited and explored the bank and say it is, about 100 metres long and 20 metres wide.
The RNLI and others are spreading the word that there has been a change. Awareness is important to minimise the risk to small boaters. The shingle bank is continuing to change size and location, and had made the water "considerably shallower. Seafarers have been told to be "extra careful" when navigating around the spit.
Drone footage of the new bank and photographs has been published on social media. There have been updates to some chart sources, but not all. Existing nautical charts would not show the formation so should be considered "inaccurate”
An associate professor in physical geography at Bournemouth University believes the phenomenon may have been caused by English Heritage protecting the Hurst Castle, which was built by Henry VIII as a fort to protect against a French invasion.
Dr Luciana Esteves has said: "Hurst Spit is artificially maintained, with a lot of shingle added over time. Sources indicate that 7,500 tonnes of shingle were added to the edge of the spit after the damage to the wall of Hurst Castle in 2021.
Head of hydrography at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, made it clear that the position of the shingle beach in the area changes constantly. The recent coastal defence works to protect the castle will also have altered the tidal currents and conditions, causing a localised change in sediment transport.
The MAC have surveyed this area in the past and we work closely with colleagues at the Channel Coastal Observatory who have been monitoring Hurst Spit and the frontage around the castle for 30 years.
It is understood that the data shows that the new spit is still within the footprint of the beach."
It is not unknown for new shingle banks and Islands so appear in the area. Many local small boaters will recall that more than ten years ago a new “island” appeared to the west of the southern end of the Shingle Bank and was easily visible from the mainland at low water. This bank has slowly disappeared and no longer causes a hazard to small boats.
UPDATE !
This revised Navionics chart shows the new Lentune Island off Hurst Point...
