Alderney to Dielette tidal gate

[derekgillard]

I am off to Alderney end of month and plan to make passgae from Alderney to Dielette (my first time). On a previous post it was suggested that I aim to catch slack water pre-ebb at the Alderney Race and I should easily make the tide gate at Dielette which makes sense as I reckon it is only about 15 miles

Imray chart C33A shows a drying area from the dregded outer bassin of about 200 meters, has anyone any experiance of this entrance, does it dry at low tide, if so I need to arrive by half tide.

I will do my own calculations but using the experiance of others is always worth doing.

Thanks

Del Buoy

 

[chubby]

Dielette is one of our favourites and well worth the trip: uncrowded marina, quiet, good beach, enough restaurants and basic shop and free bus to nearby village for more shops. The first time I did Alderney to Dielette made a pig`s ear of it: couldn`t work the tides to arrive when cill open, tried to stem the NE stream and ended up stationary off La platte beacon for ages to the annoyance of the crew. For a reasonable draft, we are 1.4 m, it is possible to enter Dielette outer harbour and use a waiting pontoon except at springs with a big range, then enter the marina later. On subsequent trips found it better to work your passage for the tidal flow and wait in the outer harbour, you can go ashore and excellent moules and frites at the top of the gangway:better to wait there over a beer than wallowing of Cap de la Hague in the tide!!

 

[derekgillard]

Thanks

I reckon I will leave Alderney towards the end of the NE stream and should arrive half tide.

I am based Wicor followed you at the parade yesterday and guess you were at the BBQ last night, great fun.

Derek

 

[chubby]

have a good trip, it is interesting how many forum members are at Wicor: we must meet up, we enjoyed the parade! John

 

[Oldhand]

The approach to Dielette harbour only has to be watched at low springs in calm weather if you are not deep draught. However in strong and prolonged westerly winds, a very heavy swell developes as the water shallows near the harbour entrance. This means there is a risk of being "dumped" on the bottom in a trough and holding a course into the entrance can also be difficult at low speed. An approach to the harbour in the latter conditions is best avoided and most people sensibly delay departure in this situation.

The good news is that I noticed last Thursday I had AIS data from a vessel called Wave Sentinel, designated as being a dredger, located in the proximity of Dielette harbour. So it is a safe guess that they have been dredging the outer harbour which does have a tendency to silt up.

 

[brianhumber]

Last Wednesday/Thursday overtided in the outer basin going North. Depth was around 4M in the entrance as the sill gate was raised.
Left outer basin about 1 hr before sill gate was lowered and depth was around 2.5/3m btween breakwaters.
Had 3m at LW in outer basin. Inner basin visitors quite empty and no problems staying overnight in the outer basin. Do not use the south side of the long pontoon as the high speed inter island cat ferry parked up for the night at 2100hrs.
Bear in mind last week pressure was very high so levels were depressed, however swell was nil, it does build up in any kind of wind.
Don't forget to use the tide eddies if you can, I always hug the coast inshore of the rocks from Jo'berg to Dielette as there is a counter eddy bothways from about half tide each waywhich is not on all tidal atlas's - useful for getting the race at exactly slack on the faster flowing French side.