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The Solent is just a big playpen. It is relatively sheltered, and has numerous havens and marinas. Its popularity keeps on increasing. Other yachting areas are seeing the same phenomenon, but the Solent is the first where the pressures are approaching physical limits.
The Solent is surprisingly small. For example, on the West Coast of Scotland, a wonderful sailing area, The Sound of Mull, which is the same size as the Solent, is just one tiny part of the available cruising area. . There is very little commercial shipping, and on a busy day, you are likely to see fewer than a dozen other yachts.
There are also environmental considerations on the Solent. Pressures from disturbance, physical damage (through anchoring and wash), and pollution are beginning to cause real and legitimate concern. Additionally, the port of Southampton continues to grow, while in Portsmouth ferry traffic is growing and the Royal Navy are considering basing two new large aircraft carriers and their support ships there.
Just how much more can we realistically cope with?
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