2 week summer cruise...first time to the Channel Islands...any tips?

Seajet said:
Having crossed the Channel for real rather more than once, I have a fair idea what would happen. :rolleyes:
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Are you suggesting that on a passage from the eastern Solent to Cherbourg or the CIs one should cross the "shipping lanes" at 90 degrees in the same way as one is required to cross a TSS.

We have certainly never given any thought to the idea... I guess between the Needles and CIs one would have to be aware of perhaps crossing the extreme eastern end of The Casquets TSS
 
Well if you read the accident report it must be some sort of experience, personally I've been crossing the Channel using DR before Decca and GPS since 1979, I think the last tally was 24 times as I haven't had the time or inclination to cross for quite a few years.

If you fancy meeting lots of nice Frenchmen in a big grey mobo, feel free to zigzag in the shipping lanes.
 
Seajet said:
Well if you read the accident report it must be some sort of experience, personally I've been crossing the Channel using DR before Decca and GPS since 1979, I think the last tally was 24 times as I haven't had the time or inclination to cross for quite a few years.

If you fancy meeting lots of nice Frenchmen in a big grey mobo, feel free to zigzag in the shipping lanes.
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Maybe you are mixing terms? Traffic Separation Scheme requires that you cross at right angles. No restrictions in normal shipping lanes, normal rules apply.

(First trip across 1974, 83 in total, note the odd number!!!!)

Only time been interviewed on the vhf by French customs was off Ushant on passage from Azores to Gosport. Quite pleasant actually, but was a while ago.

Hope this helps.
 
VicS,

yes I am suggesting that - common sense and courtesy to people driving big ships says so for a start, it shouldn't need laws and patrol boats.

Speaking of patrol boats, I suspect they and Joburg Traffic take a dim view of yotties - sail or power - taking a less than direct course.

The shipping lanes are easy to spot without any electronics, a procession of ships going one way, a gap, then ships going the other way; surely one doesn't need a patrol boat alongside with gun pointed and VHF bouncing red hot on its' rest to get the message across ?! :rolleyes:


VicS said:
Are you suggesting that on a passage from the eastern Solent to Cherbourg or the CIs one should cross the "shipping lanes" at 90 degrees in the same way as one is required to cross a TSS.

We have certainly never given any thought to the idea... I guess between the Needles and CIs one would have to be aware of perhaps crossing the extreme eastern end of The Casquets TSS
Click to expand...
 
Seajet said:
Well if you read the accident report it must be some sort of experience, personally I've been crossing the Channel using DR before Decca and GPS since 1979, I think the last tally was 24 times as I haven't had the time or inclination to cross for quite a few years.

If you fancy meeting lots of nice Frenchmen in a big grey mobo, feel free to zigzag in the shipping lanes.
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No one is suggesting "bimbling" or zig zagging in the shipping lanes ... Just that there is no requirement, or need, to cross at 90°

Which accident report are you referring to ?
 
I'll watch Thunderbirds whenever I want, and note the radio procedure is usually correct none of that ' over and out ' nonsense !

I'm truly saddened by this thread; of course there's a ******* requirement to cross shipping lanes at 90 degrees !

I know a ship Skipper, will try to get a quote from him if you like.

I discussed this sort of thing in the past and suggested yotties - again sail or power - trundling across ships' bows was like cycling in front of a lorry, he agreed.

It seems ' common ' sense is once again rare as hens' teeth, does it really take heavy handed enforcement patrols ?

I despair.
 
Seajet said:
I'll watch Thunderbirds whenever I want, and note the radio procedure is usually correct none of that ' over and out ' nonsense !

I'm truly saddened by this thread; of course there's a ******* requirement to cross shipping lanes at 90 degrees !

I know a ship Skipper, will try to get a quote from him if you like.

I discussed this sort of thing in the past and suggested yotties - again sail or power - trundling across ships' bows was like cycling in front of a lorry, he agreed.

It seems ' common ' sense is once again rare as hens' teeth, does it really take heavy handed enforcement patrols ?

I despair.
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I am concerned you are confusing the TSS with a shipping lane. IRPCS rule 10 for TSS.

For explanation, see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_Separation_Scheme
 
VicS,

I'm referring to the accident when a Condor fast ferry mowed down a fishing boat in poor vis', killing 3 people I think it was; I have been on a Condor hydrofoil going between Jersey and St Malo in the early 1980's, I was horrified by the thing slaloming between yachts as they appeared out of the fog, like playing Space Invaders.

I thought he must have some fancy military grade radar, so when we got off I had a look at the antennae; no, bog standard as used on 8 knot fishing boats !

If you really feel no requirement to cross shipping lanes at 90 degrees, not only for safety but courtesy, I find it very sad.
 
er anyway, back to the OP, he will have to book his 2 weeks i bet, and then hope the weather is ok.

I reckon the flexibilty shd include perhaps um, not even setting out that way, if the weather is against. Perhaps stay on UK side and go down the coast, or perhaps easier to make Deauville and then westwards in the lee of the Contentin (?) anyway Cherbourg pen. a few days later. So nice flexibilty rather than ba****y bash. In cherbourg you just hoik the boat onto the visitors pontoon and that's that. If you want to use a hose pipe in france - take yerown.

Also yeah, St Malo is lovely whereas Channel islands not quite as good, not quite.

edit - just noticed the nancyfied moderation of my post , the fu ckingsh itba gwa nkers...
 
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Seajet said:
I'll watch Thunderbirds whenever I want, and note the radio procedure is usually correct none of that ' over and out ' nonsense !

I'm truly saddened by this thread; of course there's a ******* requirement to cross shipping lanes at 90 degrees !

I know a ship Skipper, will try to get a quote from him if you like.

I discussed this sort of thing in the past and suggested yotties - again sail or power - trundling across ships' bows was like cycling in front of a lorry, he agreed.

It seems ' common ' sense is once again rare as hens' teeth, does it really take heavy handed enforcement patrols ?

I despair.
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Nobody is suggesting its Ok to go trundling across ships' bows but there is no ******* requirement to cross shipping lanes , other than TSS, at 90°

One watches the shipping carefully while crossing the lanes. One takes bearings at intervals of approaching vessels. If necessary to maintain a good speed one sticks the engine on. One tries to plan what course changes might be necessary so that they can be made in good time.

The most difficult thing probably is noticing when ships alter course to avoid you ...... they don't make big bold alterations of course .. just a few degrees so that they miss you by a few cables.
 
tcm,

good point; I know some people who refuse to visit the British South West, apparently it doesn't have the snob value of France.

Well I love the West Country, and reckon places like Fowey and Falmouth absolutley reek of real sailing, the Yealm is a nice spot, Dartmouth and Salcombe are well worth a visit too.

If it all seems a bit easy, consider Portland Race !
 
tcm said:
er anyway, back to the OP, he will have to book his 2 weeks i bet, and then hope the weather is ok.

I reckon the flexibilty shd include perhaps um, not even setting out that way, if the weather is against. Perhaps stay on UK side and go down the coast, or perhaps easier to make Deauville and then westwards in the lee of the Contentin (?) anyway Cherbourg pen. a few days later. So nice flexibilty rather than ba****y bash. In cherbourg you just hoik the boat onto the visitors pontoon and that's that. If you want to use a hose pipe in france - take yerown.

Also yeah, St Malo is lovely whereas Channel islands not quite as good, not quite.

edit - just noticed the nancyfied moderation of my post , the fu ckingsh itba gwa nkers...
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Indeed back to the OP's question.

I'd seriously consider crossing to Cherbourg for a first crossing. As said, easy to find and enter .
Not a bad place to jump off from for Alderney or the other CIs. Although care is needed with the tide to get to Alderney rather than being carried down the race!

With a fin keel esp on a first visit you are pretty much confined to the major ports and marinas although there are some nice bays to anchor in.

Nothing wrong IMO with St Helier and St PP.

Alderney is a place I have mixed feelings about. Been there is some rough weather i suppose .. scary when the water comes over the top of the breakwater and lands among the moorings! In the old days landing from a small dinghy could be hairy at times too ... anybody else remember landing on the breakwater and climbing the "ladders" to the top.
It's not a place to be missed though!

Sark IMO is worth a visit...


With 2 weeks available well worth a visit to N Brittany....... Thinking of Lezardrieux and/or Treguier

I expect things have changed now but we found some places in Jersey a bit fussy about dress. One restaurant ( Bouley bay??) would not let us in without ties!
A pub we then walked to objected to us wearing what they called "fishermens" clothes.
 
Well I love the West Country, and reckon places like Fowey and Falmouth absolutley reek of real sailing, the Yealm is a nice spot, Dartmouth and Salcombe are well worth a visit too.
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Not so sure about Dartmouth. Better to go up the Dart away from the town IMO. Dittisham say. Add Plymouth and the Tamar, Mevagissey, Helford and of course the Isles of Scilly to that list.
 
I do find it amusing this talk of 'shipping lanes'. Which lanes are we speaking of, the ones going to UK S coast or the ones to Le Havre or round to Holland?
As I see it, it is more like a funnel, ships converge to go down the TSS and fan out when they come out of it.
It just happens that the bit where we cross is where all the ducks are lineing up to go in/out of the TSS.
If the wind is on the nose when you cross, you either motor or tack your way across, so putting you at something other than ninety degrees to the flow of the ships. Nothing wrong with that if you are NOT in the TSS.
 
Those who are suggesting Iain C goes west, in his original post he says "Having done a few trips from Gosport down as far as Fowey". So he is well experienced of having to deal with various tidal gates.

In my experience, crossing the channel is a damned sight easier than going west. There is far better chance you might be lucky enough to get the wind on the beam.

I dont think I have ever crossed the channel at 90 deg to the channel traffic. This is confirmed when using either radar or AIS. The only actual TSS I have experience of is between Longships and Scilly. There I did do my best to ensure a 90 deg passage.
 
As to when to go it all depends on weather. The places I love in the CIs are Alderney, if you have settled weather without any NE or E then the harbour is fine. Spend a few days walking the island, you'll have some beautiful scenery with some superb views across to both France and the other CIs. And book yourself on a round the island boat trip, they'll take you to places you'd never dare venture in your own boat and give a running commentary on all the interesting bits. I've always found Alderney people extremely friendly, it's a lovely relaxed place to spend a few days. If you happen to be there for Alderney week then it has a carnival atmosphere about it. As someone has already said it feels like this country did 50 years ago.

From there maybe make for Guernsey, maybe SPP or Beaucette marina, a place I love, quiet with an excellent on site bar/restaurant. Lots of great walks from there, and only a short bus ride into SPP. If you plan to spend some time on Guernsey and want to get to see as much of the island as possible then buy an ormer bus card. The buses are very regular and the drivers friendly and helpful, a great way to get around. Try to walk as much as the coastal path as you can, again the scenery is dramatic. I know people who spend their entire holiday on board in SPP enjoying the island, there really is loads to see and do.

Others have already written about Herme and Sark, both well worth a visit, either by ferry or in your own boat. If you intend to anchor then do check the holding, the currents around the islands can be fierce. Some people love Jersey so go and have a look, not really our cup of tea so haven't spent much time there, maybe our loss. But overall loads to see and do, certainly enough to fill best part of two weeks. And yes the French ports are well worth a look, but how much rushing around do you want to do? For me I'd rather spend a few days getting to know a place, more relaxing than trying to cram in too much. Whatever you do I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
 
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