Shower, toilet, sluice disposal facilities, water and electric hookup are available. Elsan disposal facilities are situated adjacent to the facilities block. 

Permanent moorings are classified as basic, standard and premium. Basic moorings tend to be situated some distance from facilities. Standard moorings are closer to facilities.  Premium moorings include access to electric hookup and water.  

Space for vessels over 3 metres draft and over 20 metres in length is restricted.

The sea lock is 55 metres long by 7.5 metres wide.  There are three sets of gates which means there are three lengths of lock that are operable; they are the long lock at 55 metres, a medium size lock at 33 metres and a short lock at 17 metres.  On most lockings, the middle sized lock is used.  However, on really busy summer weekends the long lock may be used, but if only one or two boats are expected the short lock is used to conserve  fresh water.

Long and short term moorings are available at Heybridge Basin.

The Sea Lock is available for use on high waters occurring between 0600 and 2000 hrs 1st May to 30th September,and 0700 and 1700 hrs between 1st October to 30th April. Locking times are displayed on the notice board outside the Lock House. 

The sea lock only operates approximately two hours before high water. The first locking is always outwards to create space in the Basin, locking then continues alternately until all craft wishing to enter or leave are through. Please note, we try to fill the lock with vessels to maximise water conservation by locking as few times as possible on a given tide, so punctuality is appreciated.

Please contact us to book your passage through the lock.

Approach the green starboard hand buoy called Lock Approach; from here you will see the lock entrance please call ‘Heybridge Lock’ on VHF Ch 80  and wait in the vicinity of the green buoy.  Normally locking out occurs first, and but as the photographs show the channel is very narrow. Please do not obstruct this channel as boats with deep drafts may be leaving.

When instructed on VHF Ch 80 you can make your approach.  Leave the lock approach buoy close to starboard and proceed towards the withies (wooden sticks in the mud).  These withies need to be left about the beam of the boat on the port side.  The Withies are always port hand markers as identified by their red tops.

Always be prepared to moor on either side of the lock, ropes around ten metres long with plain ends are best.  Staff will help you moor up by passing your rope  round bollards on the quay and passing the end back to you.  Have plenty of fenders rigged, as the lock side is unforgiving granite and brick.

The rise in the lock varies depending on the tide; on neaps it may be as much as 2.5 metres.

While you are in the lock the lockkeeper will give you a berth in the basin.  This may involve rafting up to other boats.  We try to keep them in the order they are leaving in so boats staying the longest will go inside boats that are leaving the next day.  We also try to give boats crewed by disabled people, children and dogs berths on the quayside.

If you have a dog(s), children or are disabled please let us know when you book your berth.  You will be asked to fill in a registration card and will be given an information sheet with details of the codes for the shower block, laundry and other details.

The following terms and conditions apply to any vessel moored on the Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation, other than at approved Long Term Moorings, for which a separate mooring agreement is held. Any boat owner mooring a vessel on the Navigation is considered to have accepted these terms and conditions.