Advice re TSS

[Littlemiss]

Hi new to the forum and first post - well tried to send this yesterday, either moderator didnt like it or didnt receive it so apologies if this ends up duplicated, anyway here I go!

We are planning on our first trip to the Channel Islands sometime soon and have been avidly looking at our route, however, just a small question re the TSS, looking at the charts we were just wondering where it starts and finishes? We obviously understand the fundamentals i.e. direction, lanes and separation but were a little confused, for instance, does the TSS 'run' from Ouessant continuously through Casquets and to the Strait of Dover? We intend leaving some point from the Needles and across to Guernsey or possibly Jersey, any tips? also have read and heard so much re the Alderney Race, so any advice would be appreciated.
Many Thanks!

 

[DAKA]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

You can totally ignore the TSS from the needles to alderney race.
Even if you go west of alderney you will not enter the TSS.

From the needles I would head straight to the middle of the race off alderney, slightly west of centre to miss the worst overfalls as marked on the chart.

You dont really want to hit the race running against you unless there is a large swell .

The tide runs much faster in some of the race than any charts show, dont try to punch it unless you can cruise @ 20 +

Please note my boat is a Princess 360.

If you dont own a 20-30 knot 9-14m boat then my advice is useless.

Just my opinion, others will no doubt disagree, thats just the nature of the forum at the moment .

 

[lisilou]

Hi Little Miss. Having just done that crossing, you'd think I'd be a font of knowledge but alas no such luck. Loads of advice will be headed your way from the more experienced folk on here so all I can say is, soak it up and enjoy your first crossing coz you're gonna love it!!! (take seasick tablets 2 hours beforehand...trust me on this!!)
Lisa

 

[lw395]

As Daka says, you will not enter the formal TSS, but you will see plenty of ships effectively in 'lanes' passing between the sections of TSS. Unless the vis is poor, it is not normally a big deal in a yacht at 6knots, so should be easier in a faster craft.
Don't forget the ferries etc that are crossing the channel too, not everything is going the same way.

 

[timbartlett]

... re the TSS, looking at the charts we were just wondering where it starts and finishes? ...

Traffic Separation Schemes are exactly where they appear on the charts, so yes, some of them really are just a few miles long, and it is perfectly OK to go round them.

Of course, you are likely to encounter ships making their way in more or less straight lines from one separation scheme to the next, but the special rules for separation schemes only apply within the schemes, not the in-between bits.

 

[DAKA]

(take seasick tablets 2 hours beforehand...trust me on this!!)
Lisa

Eat well before you go, greasy food such as bacon , nothing dry which may get stuck halfway down (or is that half way up)

The feeling of hunger is very close to sickness and hunger can start seasickness.

Good breakfast is the best cure for seasickness, and these from Boots

 

[Littlemiss]

Thank you very much for your usefull replies, that has cleared up the TSS situation, we know about crossing them and how to but was just unsure as to their location and in between

I will make sure we have a hearty breakfast before we set off