Anyone Experienced in Entering Dover Habour?

[vandy]

Tomorrow we leave Brighton Marina (weather permitting) and must stop at Dover Marina for Refueling.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in Approaching Dover Harbour from Western Entrance? Any advice please?

 

[RupertW]

Tomorrow we leave Brighton Marina and must stop at Dover Marina for Refueling.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in Approaching Dover Harbour from Western Entrance? Any advice please?

I've been in and out quite a bit - the main thing is notifying port control when you are within 10 minutes or so. They will usually acknowledge then tell you to report again when much closer, and tell you exactly what to do and how quickly.

The Weatern entrance is nearest for the marinas which will be ahead of you and to the left. The pontoons outside the locks may be best if you are not staying long, but you should contact the marina after you are safely through the entrance and past the commercial traffic if any.

Wish I could recommend something for you to do when you get there - I've only found one restataurant that I didn't fear for my life in, and that served ok food beside the inner Marina.

 

[aquapower]

Tomorrow we leave Brighton Marina and must stop at Dover Marina for Refueling.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in Approaching Dover Harbour from Western Entrance? Any advice please?

I have been in for fuel many times but try to avoid stopping over night.
As already said when in sight of entrance you must call them on radio, let them know your intentions and they will give you permision, (I have only ever used western entrance) once in through the entrance you follow the channel to the marina and the fuel berth is straight in front of you, if staying over night you can call marina for a berth or go to the arrivals berth and walk ashore to office.

 

[vandy]

Thanks. We are on a small 7m Jeanneau Merry Fisher with OB engine. Our friends are on another boat going straight to Harwich but we are heading towards Greenwich and plan to stay at St Katharine Docks.

I called the Dover Port marina today and they said they will be open, but our main concern is entering the harbour without impeding big ferries (well because of fear of our life!!).

I have not been to Dover harbous for a while, and never have cruised around that area before but I remember the busy traffic which kind of worries me a bit.

I don't think we would stay there unless the weather is really bad. We have other options but preferably we want to do it all in one day.

 

[TopDonkey]

I've crossed the entrance a few times, but never been in, i once contacted them on vhf to ask how best to cross the entrance as there was a long line of big ships and ferries going in and out continuously, and they were very suprised i contacted them but very appreciative and said they wished more small boats would contact them before crossing as it caused problems with smaller craft just slowly crossing, I think they carefully orchestrate everything at busy times, a bit like air traffic control at an airport so like to 'fit you in' to cross as soon as they can

 

[RupertW]

Thanks. We are on a small 7m Jeanneau Merry Fisher with OB engine. Our friends are on another boat going straight to Harwich but we are heading towards Greenwich and plan to stay at St Katharine Docks.

I called the Dover Port marina today and they said they will be open, but our main concern is entering the harbour without impeding big ferries (well because of fear of our life!!).

I have not been to Dover harbous for a while, and never have cruised around that area before but I remember the busy traffic which kind of worries me a bit.

I don't think we would stay there unless the weather is really bad. We have other options but preferably we want to do it all in one day.

I wouldn't worry about the small size of your boat and traffic. I've been in in a 7m mostly and a 5.5m. Port control are great at telling you exactly what to do. The horrible bouncy swell and rebounding waves off the harbour wall are worse but everything calms down pretty much instantly once you are inside.

 

[dansar]

Hi

From memory Dover Port Control like to be called when you are 2 miles from the harbour and with your intentions. They will then ask you to call again when closer to the entrance you will be using. The approach to the western entrance is straight forward and fairly quiet as the ferries tend to use the eastern entrance. However, the western entrance can be used on the odd occasion by the odd ferry. The eastern entrance at times can be a little like air traffic control!!

Make sure you have an up to date forecast because if the wind increases the sea can also build up quickly and can be very lumpy.

Have a good trip.

dansar

 

[dj43]

Agree with other's re aproach,there's a very good indian restaurant a short walk from marina, never got any further as spotty dog refuses to pass them .

 

[BoyBlue49]

Not mentioned by others, when inside Western entrance turn to Port and follow the wall.

Marina is down the end of what looks like a narrow ally.

Good luck and fair winds.

 

[Solitaire]

Tomorrow we leave Brighton Marina (weather permitting) and must stop at Dover Marina for Refueling.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in Approaching Dover Harbour from Western Entrance? Any advice please?

Read the Port Of Dover web site re entering - http://www.doverport.co.uk/?page=DoverMarinaBerthingNavigation

 

[LittleSister]

I've been quite a number times over the years. Always found Port Control to be very helpful (and not at all like some ports I could mention who treat leisure craft as a unwelcome nuisance). They will even send a launch out to guide you in if there's conflicting ship movements going on, poor visibility or, (i suppose) they think you're a complete numpty!

I can't remember ever using the eastern entrance. I seem to recall that's usually reserved for the ferries.

Do check in with Port Control as you're about to leave to get permission to exit the harbour, too.

Can be very bouncy just outside the harbour entrance, so make your way away to sea from the harbour before turning to continue along the coast (and you definitely don't want to be passing too close to the eastern entrance, anyway!).

 

[sailorman]

I've been quite a number times over the years. Always found Port Control to be very helpful (and not at all like some ports I could mention who treat leisure craft as a unwelcome nuisance). They will even send a launch out to guide you in if there's conflicting ship movements going on, poor visibility or, (i suppose) they think you're a complete numpty!

I can't remember ever using the eastern entrance. I seem to recall that's usually reserved for the ferries.

Do check in with Port Control as you're about to leave to get permission to exit the harbour, too.

Can be very bouncy just outside the harbour entrance, so make your way away to sea from the harbour before turning to continue along the coast (and you definitely don't want to be passing too close to the eastern entrance, anyway!).

the eastern ent. is ok to use just talk to Port Control they will tell you when to come in. it is often very choppy outside near the wall

 

[Lucky Duck]

I can't remember ever using the eastern entrance. I seem to recall that's usually reserved for the ferries.

I have used the Eastern entrance a couple of times, you may well have to wait longer for a suitable gap in the ferry movements but in a typical Westerly wind it will be a more agreeable one then jilling around by the Western entrance.

The last time we were arrived around midnight (having run out of fair tide when coming from the Orwell) and were given permission to use the Eastern entrance without any delay. They will usually ask you to make contact with them again when you approach the Prince of Wales Pier.

 

[vandy]

Thanks for all your advices, we will be entering the harbour from the western entrance unless advised otherwise by port staff.

We are now monitoring the weather and it does not look great at all.

 

[Elessar]

Tomorrow we leave Brighton Marina (weather permitting) and must stop at Dover Marina for Refueling.

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in Approaching Dover Harbour from Western Entrance? Any advice please?

I've been past many times but for some reason never in. Vara is the only forumite I know who has a boat there - really nice guy and very knowledgeable, but frequents the saily boat forum.
A PM I doubt would go un answered.

 

[boatmike]

Very used to doing both eastern and western entrance. The only thing I would add to what others have said is that the western entrance can be very rough in high seas or big tides. If possible avoid it in either and especially both. Certainly avoid cutting it fine from the west. Go out at least 1/2 mile before turning in and allow for the tide well in advance. It's safe enough if you get it right and flat as a millpond when inside but the approach and entrance can be horrible. Try to arrive near slack water if possible and if you decide it's too much abort and go to eastern. It's much more sheltered and easy.
Either way call port control when within a mile and follow instructions to the letter.

 

[Hurricane]

Very used to doing both eastern and western entrance. The only thing I would add to what others have said is that the western entrance can be very rough in high seas or big tides. If possible avoid it in either and especially both. Certainly avoid cutting it fine from the west. Go out at least 1/2 mile before turning in and allow for the tide well in advance. It's safe enough if you get it right and flat as a millpond when inside but the approach and entrance can be horrible. Try to arrive near slack water if possible and if you decide it's too much abort and go to eastern. It's much more sheltered and easy.
Either way call port control when within a mile and follow instructions to the letter.

I'd second that.
The only time I've used Dover, was in very strong westerlies and at the top of a very high spring tide - on a passage from Brighton. We had chosen to drive manually rather than use the autopilot which couldnt cope. We didnt do as you said and "cut it fine". I can see the rocks on the harbour walls to this day. As you say, it was very different once inside the breakwater - flat as a pancake. Once inside, I turned to the guy who was helming - he was a "jibbering wreck". In hindsight, we shouldn't have been there and the polit documents it well. But looking back, we were never in any real danger - it just looked scary.

I called Dover on the VHF when we were about 7 miles out and they replied that we should call again later - we said that we DID want to come in. "Of Course Sir" was the reply - just let us know when you get nearer.

Leaving the following morning, I got clearance over the radio, they wished us a safe passage and we then left by the western entrance. Switched now to ch16, we had another call from them advising us of ferry traffic leaving the eastern entrance. I thought we'd cross in front but those things speed up quickly and we soon opted to pass behind.

So, my memories of Dover are of very professional help from the harbour control.

 

[Vara]

I've been past many times but for some reason never in. Vara is the only forumite I know who has a boat there - really nice guy and very knowledgeable, but frequents the saily boat forum.
A PM I doubt would go un answered.

Thank you Mark.

Missed this as I was off the plot.

Second what people say about Dover Port control Ch74, very helpful and professional, talk and listen and you won't go wrong.

Hope the trip went well.