Channel visibility

[misterjenkins]

In this situation we were very aware of the risks of looking for a forecast that would justify deciding to go.

What we were looking for was two things: first, a forecast for longer than 24hrs ( so we might decide if the situation was improving or worsening ), second, a forecast with better resolution that would help us interpret the shipping forecast's sightly vague forecast of 'fog patches' .

We found both of these and planned accordingly, very consciously never making a decision that ignored any of the data we had.

 

[johnalison]

A minor and more general point.... I would guard against seeking out other sources of weather forecast to satisfy yourself it is OK to go. Your first source gave you cause for concern. It is likely you went somewhere you trust for your first forecast. If every other source said there was no risk of fog what would your assessment be? Mine would be that was still a chance of fog.

OP's and my points of view were different. I didn't actually know what his source was, and it was very different from a source that I respect. It may have been a rumour picked up at the harbour office, and it looked as if he hadn't sourced the usual weather sites. He was asking for advice, which was inevitably going to cause confusion. In the end, he probably made a judgement based on a number of sources, and at least he got home and enjoyed himself, which is probably a good thing all round.

 

[scotty123]

OP's and my points of view were different. I didn't actually know what his source was, and it was very different from a source that I respect. It may have been a rumour picked up at the harbour office, and it looked as if he hadn't sourced the usual weather sites. He was asking for advice, which was inevitably going to cause confusion. In the end, he probably made a judgement based on a number of sources, and at least he got home and enjoyed himself, which is probably a good thing all round.

"probably"?

 

[franksingleton]

6I have a page on fog at http://weather.mailasail.com/Franks-Weather/How-Fog-Forms-And-Why that may help understanding. Fog is particularly difficult because of its often susceptibility to local effects. It is extremely difficult to be precise and it would be misleading if forecasters tried to be so. Inevitably. They have to use words like “moderat4, locally poor with fog patches.”

I would not trust forecasts of fog direct from computer models. I doubt the value of satellite images. Be wary whenever a forecast has words like “moderate locally poor.” Looking at actual reports may help.

After my first Channel crossing as skipper in a yacht with no radar, we bought a radar the next day. I would not like to be without it now. Nor would I be without AIS Class B. Remember that these are aids only.. Some large vessels, eg warships and customs cutters may not be operating their AIS. Nor might fishing boats. Some vessels, eg minesweepers may not show well on radar.

 

[GHA]

I doubt the value of satellite images.

Another plus for windy.com, not only the forecast & sat images but links to the local web cams as well

 

[franksingleton]

Another plus for windy.com, not only the forecast & sat images but links to the local web cams as well

Indeed, but I would not place too much reliance on computer forecasts of fog. Also, fog can be more localised. Last year, we had a nasty experience when fog was not forecast although visibility was expected to be poor, ie >1000 metres, in precipitation. We had poor vis from Ile de Batz westwards but it thickened to fog ie <1000 metres and down to less than 50 m by we were at the Libenter WCM. Webcams only tell you what is happening at a few locations and not what will happen where you are. Useful but only extra information. Not a predictor.

As ever with weather, I am trying to be realistic.

 

[yerffoeg]

In addition to the mast radar reflector I alway rig an extra (octahedral) reflector on the backstay when crossing shipping lanes.

 

[johnalison]

In addition to the mast radar reflector I alway rig an extra (octahedral) reflector on the backstay when crossing shipping lanes.

I switch on my SeaMe.

 

[scotty123]

I switch on my SeaMe.

I switch on my engine, for the reassurance of better manouverability & extra speed if neccesary.

 

[LittleSister]

I switch on my engine, for the reassurance of better manouverability & extra speed if neccesary.

I switch on the engine to drown out all that irritating honking and hooting going on.

 

[prv]

I switch on the engine to drown out all that irritating honking and hooting going on.

You'd have been fine in the Channel a couple of weeks ago, then.

We heard a few blasts from the Commodore Goodwill as it steamed up from the Channel Islands and past us, but otherwise the only foghorn we heard was our own, despite the various traffic we were tracking on radar.

Pete

 

[Fr J Hackett]

I switch on the engine to drown out all that irritating honking and hooting going on.

I used to switch on the engine to drown out all the sobbing and wailing "we are all going to die" Damned annoying when one is trying to get some sleep.