Arcachon basin closed

[Roberto]

Hello,
just seen this, in case anyone heads there: Arcachon passes are officially closed to leisure vessels. Winter storms have displaced the sand banks and it has been impossible to relocate beacons and buoys to the correct positions.
https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv....n-de-risques-exceptionnels-pour-la-navigation

 

[Thresher]

Hello,
just seen this, in case anyone heads there: Arcachon passes are officially closed to leisure vessels. Winter storms have displaced the sand banks and it has been impossible to relocate beacons and buoys to the correct positions.
https://www.premar-atlantique.gouv....n-de-risques-exceptionnels-pour-la-navigation

Thank you for the link. I had it in mind for July/August and now can check progress.

 

[franksingleton]

Very sad. We visited several times. The semaphore station was always helpful. We always enjoyed Arcachon.

 

[Roberto]

Good news, the pass has been reopened to navigation.
Most buoys have been placed in the correct positions (except one so far, the 9N, the Nav Warning advises to pass close to it).
Fin d’interdiction des entrées et sorties du bassin d’Arcachon en raison de risques exceptionnels pour la navigation. - Préfecture maritime de l'Atlantique
I could not find the GPS coordinates of the new buoy locations, the new bathymetry has been made by SIBA (local authority) so I guess their web site gives the correct positions
http://geo.bassin-arcachon.com/e-navigation/index.html?context=kXtb
or else the two apps
https://www.siba-bassin-arcachon.fr/pole-de-competences/carte-du-balisage

 

[doris]

I’ve been to Cap Ferret many times and been out on local fishing boats but the thought of bringing a fixed keel yacht into the basin is more than a tad daunting, bloody terrifying in fact. The sand banks plus the tide rip, wow! Perhaps in an OVNI!

 

[Roberto]

Perhaps in an OVNI!

Or a charter boat

 

[franksingleton]

I’ve been to Cap Ferret many times and been out on local fishing boats but the thought of bringing a fixed keel yacht into the basin is more than a tad daunting, bloody terrifying in fact. The sand banks plus the tide rip, wow! Perhaps in an OVNI!

We have been up and down the coast a few times. Clearly to be treated with respect. We always checked the weather carefully - as ever. We always spoke to the Semaphore before leaving for Cap Ferret. To get advice on entry times. We always called on VHF on the approach. They were always most helpful. They would far rather spend time on ensuring your safety than mount a rescue operation later. Treat it sensibly, as you should always do at sea. Enjoy the experience.