Crossing Thames Estuary

[billiew]

Our traditional route over the estuary from Harwich is Medusa channel,Black Deep and either Foulgers Gat or Fishermans Gat. Has the wind farm works made any difference to these routes and are these Gats still open as before? A friend thought he heard Foulgers Gat had been closed but wasn't sure of accuracy of info.
Thanks
Bill

 

[VARNE]

Used both Foulgers & Fishermans last week -----No problem, miles from the Gunfleet sand windfarm.

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I think the windfarm activity that will restrict Foulgers Gat is on hold due to the backing out of one of the financiers......

My understanding is that it will be restricted, but not closed....

 

[Cantata]

Foulgers Gat will eventually be 'surrounded' by the London Array windfarm, but the proposed turbine layout was adjusted to allow continued passage through the Gat.
As you rightly say the London Array project has been delayed; Shell were one of the partners and backed out a while ago, but IIRC their share has been picked up by Dong Energy who are building the Gunfleet farm.
I was told the other day by someone who should know that there would be 'no offshore work' on London Array until 2011.

 

[billiew]

Thanks for your useful replies,I expect the info.is in the almanac but my new one is on board
Bill

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

A point of caution.... Foulgers Gat does wander around a little (although admittedly not as much as some short cuts), and there must be uncertainty as to whether it will remain useable in the long term, and also, what impact the Array will have on the water flow in the area, and hence scouring anyway.... and I don't think the planning permission required any dredging....

So, if you haven't used Foulgers Gat yet, and want to... best do so before the array starts being built!

And two more quick points.... don't know what anyone elses impressions are, but Foulgers Gat seemed a little shallower than previous years towards the back end of last season... and secondly, if it does end up closed up, its not the end of the world, as Fishermans Gat remains open.... although busier, and not quite so much one of the 'classic' Thames Estuary routes for small vessels as Foulgers Gat...