Rye is my home port. It’s full of old-world charm with a working river to add interest and a little light industry along the harbour road. It’s home to the RX fishing fleet and is visited regularly by coastal vessels bringing aggregates and other bulk cargo to Rye Wharf. It must be one of the nicest towns anywhere to visit
But for a sailor, the drying river offers many challenges and traps for the unwary – steep-sided mud banks, a submerged training wall and a strong tidal flood capable of creating awkward standing waves. The entrance is narrow and with constant commercial traffic, there’s little room
