Vamoose
Well-Known Member
Just out of interest, as I don't intend trying it but has anyone ventured across Foulness in anything other than a hovercraft from the Crouch towards Middle Deep in the vicinity of NE Maplin or Maplin Edge,
Crossing Foulness Sand
- Thread starter Vamoose
- Start date
MoodySabre
Well-Known Member
I was once sailing up Middle Deep?east Swin when a fleet of racers zoomed across the sands. Once you are out to Whitaker 8 it is not charted as being too difficult with a good tide. Never dared try it but it could save a lot of time.
Cantata
Well-Known Member
Nice idea but note it is all within the Shoeburyness 'Outer Firing Danger Area' and entry is prohibited when it's in use (and having seen shells falling in it when I was passing one day I wouldn't want to argue!)
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
Well! I am surprised you didn't know about it. :sleeping: It's well known: from West of the Ridge buoy head for the Maplin Light House. 
Actually if you are going the other way there is a tide gauge on the base of the screw pilework; the lower edge of the horizonal tide-bar is awash when there is a depth of 5ft about MLWOS 
. Vessels drawing 4ft and under can make the passage between half-flood and 1 and a half hrs ebb. Crossing the sands from the southward boats of this draught can start from the lighthouse when the lower edge of the tide-board is awash. At this point the ebb sets very rapidly off the sands. 
There is another route from the Swin Middle Lightship to the Whitaker Channel (inside the beacon). Yachts drawing 4 and a half feet and under can use this cut bound either way between 3/4 flood and 1/4 ebb 3.8 nm. From the Swin Middle Lightship steer NW. by W3/4W:encouragement: heading for the West Buxey buoy:encouragement:.
Did you all get that?
Whoops late NtM.:nonchalance: Delete the Maplin Light House. Apparently its fallen over.
Substitute Black conical buoy 'Maplin Spit' Fl(3) ev. 10secs You can't use the tide-board so wait to start from the south until the tide has risen 5ft above chart datum.
Last Thursday there was a fabulous show over the Maplins and Foulness. Single fighter/bomber dive bombing several times; down through the clouds, puffs of heavy white smoke and climbing very steeply up to the clouds. It'll be fine......:ambivalence:
Seriously now, actually a forumite posted a couple of years ago cutting across Foulness for the Barrow Beacon (not exactly directly crow flying but cutting large chunks).
Actually if you are going the other way there is a tide gauge on the base of the screw pilework; the lower edge of the horizonal tide-bar is awash when there is a depth of 5ft about MLWOS . Vessels drawing 4ft and under can make the passage between half-flood and 1 and a half hrs ebb. Crossing the sands from the southward boats of this draught can start from the lighthouse when the lower edge of the tide-board is awash. At this point the ebb sets very rapidly off the sands. There is another route from the Swin Middle Lightship to the Whitaker Channel (inside the beacon). Yachts drawing 4 and a half feet and under can use this cut bound either way between 3/4 flood and 1/4 ebb 3.8 nm. From the Swin Middle Lightship steer NW. by W3/4W:encouragement: heading for the West Buxey buoy:encouragement:.Did you all get that?
Whoops late NtM.:nonchalance: Delete the Maplin Light House. Apparently its fallen over.
Substitute Black conical buoy 'Maplin Spit' Fl(3) ev. 10secs You can't use the tide-board so wait to start from the south until the tide has risen 5ft above chart datum. Last Thursday there was a fabulous show over the Maplins and Foulness. Single fighter/bomber dive bombing several times; down through the clouds, puffs of heavy white smoke and climbing very steeply up to the clouds. It'll be fine......:ambivalence:
Seriously now, actually a forumite posted a couple of years ago cutting across Foulness for the Barrow Beacon (not exactly directly crow flying but cutting large chunks).
RMA
Well-Known Member
When I was based in the Crouch I used to cross from near the NE Maplin towards the Crouch, but only from about half flood and on a rising tide. Due north would take you towards the position of the old Ridge Buoy, but after about half way across it was possible to curve more towards the west. From memory the minimum depth of water was a little under 2 metres (it helps having a lifting keel), but it was around 6 or 7 miles less than going the long way round.
The main problem is the MOD at Shoebury. You would be entering the “Outer Sea Area” of their Range Sea Danger Area. That’s normally ok at weekends, but to be certain you would need to make sure there were no red flags flying on the shore and in order to see them you need to go into their “Inner Sea Area” – which is prohibited at all times, I think you get shot if you do.
The Qinetiq website says -
A GUIDE TO NAVIGATING MAPLIN AND FOULNESS SANDS
Range Sea Danger Area
The Maplin and Foulness Sands area surrounding MOD Shoeburyness is very popular for recreational sailing, watersports and fishing. If you intend to sail, board or paddle nearby you should be aware that the area outlined on the map below is a Range Sea Danger Area.
The Range operates Monday to Friday (and occasionally on weekends), all year round and is shown as being ACTIVE by the flying of Red Flags. If you are unfamiliar with navigating in the area or if you believe you have a legitimate reason to request entry to the the Range Sea Danger Area, you must contact MOD Shoeburyness as follows:
Range Control: 01702 383211
Marine Control: 01702 383311
Marine VHF: Channel 72 & 16 (Call sign "Shoe Radar")
The map can be found at
http://www.shoeburyness.qinetiq.com/public-safety/Pages/information-for-mariners.aspx
The main problem is the MOD at Shoebury. You would be entering the “Outer Sea Area” of their Range Sea Danger Area. That’s normally ok at weekends, but to be certain you would need to make sure there were no red flags flying on the shore and in order to see them you need to go into their “Inner Sea Area” – which is prohibited at all times, I think you get shot if you do.
The Qinetiq website says -
A GUIDE TO NAVIGATING MAPLIN AND FOULNESS SANDS
Range Sea Danger Area
The Maplin and Foulness Sands area surrounding MOD Shoeburyness is very popular for recreational sailing, watersports and fishing. If you intend to sail, board or paddle nearby you should be aware that the area outlined on the map below is a Range Sea Danger Area.
The Range operates Monday to Friday (and occasionally on weekends), all year round and is shown as being ACTIVE by the flying of Red Flags. If you are unfamiliar with navigating in the area or if you believe you have a legitimate reason to request entry to the the Range Sea Danger Area, you must contact MOD Shoeburyness as follows:
Range Control: 01702 383211
Marine Control: 01702 383311
Marine VHF: Channel 72 & 16 (Call sign "Shoe Radar")
The map can be found at
http://www.shoeburyness.qinetiq.com/public-safety/Pages/information-for-mariners.aspx
Supine Being
Well-Known Member
I did something approximating this once at high water, and lived to tell the tale:
However, I would NOT do it again. It was my first time crossing the estuary and I took advice from an old salt of my acquaintance. To be fair, it was fine but, for all the reasons stated above, plus the fact that there could be fouling around there that is uncharted, and because who knows what sand ridges could be thrown up by munitions testing, it's not a move that I would recommend.
However, I would NOT do it again. It was my first time crossing the estuary and I took advice from an old salt of my acquaintance. To be fair, it was fine but, for all the reasons stated above, plus the fact that there could be fouling around there that is uncharted, and because who knows what sand ridges could be thrown up by munitions testing, it's not a move that I would recommend.
MikeBz
Well-Known Member
Some discussion on this a couple of years ago - I still haven't tried it... http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?405523-Crossing-Foulness-Sands
Tammany
Well-Known Member
That must have been scary to be that close! Target practice lol
