Haisborough Sands (or Haisboro Sands or Haisbro Sands) is a sandbank off the coast of Norfolk, England at Happisburgh.[1] The shoal is 10 miles (16 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide and lies parallel to the north-east coast of Norfolk. The shoal is marked to the northwest by north by the Haisbro Light Buoy, North cardinal. To the southeast by south is a light buoy South cardinal, and to the west by Mid Haisbro light buoy starboard hand. In 1995 there were three drying patches[clarification needed] recorded to the north-northeast and east-southeast of the Mid Haisbro light buoy. Except at slack water their positions are indicated by tidal eddies particularly on the northwest, and in slight or moderate seas the swell breaks on the shallower parts of the banks. There are several foul patches[clarification needed] on the southern part of the shoal. Over the years this shoal has claimed many ships.[2]
Description
Haisborough Sands forms part of the Haisborough, Hammond and Winterton Special Area of Conservation. The main ridge of the shoal is made up of five distinct areas. These are named Haisborough Sand, Haisborough Tail, Hammond Knoll, Winterton Ridge and Hearty Knoll. To the eastern edge of the sands there are areas called Hewett Ridge and Smiths Knoll which form a ridge of sandbanks on the outer boundary of the sands. Inshore and to the west there are additional banks including Winterton Shoal and the Newarp Banks.[3]
Fish and mammals
Haisborough Sands and its surrounding shoals are known to be spawning grounds[3] for Sand eelsAmmodytes, Lemon soleMicrostormus Kitt and soleSolea solea. The sands also provide nursery grounds for CodGadus morhua, HerringClupea harengus, MackerelScomber scombrus, Sole, Lemon sole and PlaicePleuronectes platessa.[3] There are small numbers of Harbour porpoise regularly observed within the boundaries of the sands. The common sealsPhoca vitulina which are resident in the Wash are occasionally observed in this area.[4]
^SC1408 Harwich and Rotterdam to Cromer & Terschelling Admiralty Small Craft Chart
Coastal planning chart of the Harwich and Rotterdam to Cromer and Terschelling Scale: 1:300,000
^ abcdefghijklThe Ship-Wrecks off North East Norfolk by Ayer Tikus: Published by Ayer Tikus Publications; ASIN B0032Z2NU0