martinriches
Well-Known Member
I know I have to cross the separation zones at a heading which is at right angles to the traffic. But how do I judge that? is it just a visual thing or is there a way I am not understanding
Martin
Martin
Crossing the channel for the first time
- Thread starter martinriches
- Start date
duncan99210
Well-Known Member
Look at the chart, which will show you the layout of the separation zones. Your course should be at right angles to the zones, or as near as is reasonably possible given tide and wind.
jerrytug
N/A
Well the SHIP's HEAD should be at right angles to the general direction of traffic. The COURSE OVER THE GROUND will usually be different, because of the TIDE and the LEEWAY.
Imagine trying to show the whole side of your boat, at right angles, to approaching ships. That is what you should try and do.
It also means you will spend the least time in the traffic lanes.
CFarr
Well-Known Member
Your boats 'attitude' to the lanes should be 90 deg, not the 'course to steer' after allowing for tides, leeway etc.
Damn, Beaten to it again.
Damn, Beaten to it again.
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[70521]
Well-Known Member
Good luck... and enjoy 
I have been know to switch the iron sail on, just to charge the battery.
I have been know to switch the iron sail on, just to charge the battery.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
Good luck... and enjoy
I have been know to switch the iron sail on, just to charge the battery.
Where are you crossing? There is no TSS between the Solent and France, for instance, so you can steer how you want as long as you comply with colregs.
jerrytug
N/A
A very good point... I just recklessly jumped to the conclusion he was asking about separation zones, because he mentioned crossing them.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
Regardless of the angle you cross… A couple of observations..
1 The place will be empty until you get to the TSS then every ship in the Chanel will appear at the same time… and they will have all gone when you clear the other side..
2 Watch out for smallish white ships… They go like speedboats. Easily dong 28 knots… They are perishable fruit carriers, still called reefers.
3 You will never forget your first crossing
4 Good luck
1 The place will be empty until you get to the TSS then every ship in the Chanel will appear at the same time… and they will have all gone when you clear the other side..
2 Watch out for smallish white ships… They go like speedboats. Easily dong 28 knots… They are perishable fruit carriers, still called reefers.
3 You will never forget your first crossing
4 Good luck
prv
Well-Known Member
[70521]
Well-Known Member
We are a wee bit further west so Les Casquets.
VicMallows
Well-Known Member
I can't specifically remember any of my early crossings TO France (c.1985 with only DR and RDF). We would only set out if conditions were good; and crossings were always uneventful. It is the RETURN crossings (back in work on Monday no matter what) that stick in my mind
martinriches
Well-Known Member
It will be Ramsgate to Calais. Not sure whether to go inside the Goodwins or down the outside. Are the ferry's from Dover a problem if you go inside?
I have been know to switch the iron sail on, just to charge the battery.[/QUOTE]
I have been know to switch the iron sail on, just to charge the battery.[/QUOTE]
tillergirl
Well-Known Member
'tis pretty simple. Go outside, clear North Sand Head, drop down clear of the East Goodwin and then to the East Goodwin light float, plot your course for Calais allowing for the SW going tide, that will have you heading at the right angle to the TSS and drop you down straight to Calais. Ferries are always an issue as you come over the Ridens outside Calais. You have to pick your time to cross the Approach Channel to the beach side of the channel. You always let into Calais quicker if you are over that side and can follow a ferry in. But traffic in the TSS is easier to deal with outside the Goodwins rather than inside IMHO.
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Crossed last weekend. Coming from Essex. Headed down towards the South Falls buoy and with the SW tidal stream headed about 130 / 140 degrees (right angles to traffic) at 5.5 knots and by the time came clear of separation zone was still on course for Calais.
Once when came out of Ramsgate I underestimated the tidal set and was pushed closer to the Goodwin Sands than I wanted so do keep an eye on that.
Getting into Calais, watch the ferries and get on the beach side of the ferry route in to the harbour. Once there you are out of the worst of the current and can call Calais Port on #17 for permission to enter - as Tillergirl said line up to follow a ferry in.
Once when came out of Ramsgate I underestimated the tidal set and was pushed closer to the Goodwin Sands than I wanted so do keep an eye on that.
Getting into Calais, watch the ferries and get on the beach side of the ferry route in to the harbour. Once there you are out of the worst of the current and can call Calais Port on #17 for permission to enter - as Tillergirl said line up to follow a ferry in.
Lucky Duck
Well-Known Member
Also keep a sharp lookout for fishing lines emanating from the Western pier head at Calais, they can be a menace if entering close to the pier.
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
Used to sail from Ramsgate...
Going to Calais was the milk run..
Leave at LW.
Follow the deep water chanel as far as Gull
Turn right and point at Dunkirk
You arrive Calais in about three hours.....
There is a very large silo to the East of the port that is visible at about ten miles..
You arrive before first opening at the bridge .. but do be prepared to wait outside if there is a lot of ferry traffic so you may not make the first opening.
The waiting bouys have very easy to grab rings... Tie up and wait for the lights to close the bridge.
When the bridge opens, it is a scramble of dozens getting out. Then another scramble as all the waiting boats rush in.
The yacht club bar du yachting is still nice.
Return trip, leave at first opening. Point at Dover and arrive at Gull.
Both ways you will come to about half a mile from the top of the Goodwins. Keep a good lookout as they do go walk about. If depth starts to drop just stay east...
Going to Calais was the milk run..
Leave at LW.
Follow the deep water chanel as far as Gull
Turn right and point at Dunkirk
You arrive Calais in about three hours.....
There is a very large silo to the East of the port that is visible at about ten miles..
You arrive before first opening at the bridge .. but do be prepared to wait outside if there is a lot of ferry traffic so you may not make the first opening.
The waiting bouys have very easy to grab rings... Tie up and wait for the lights to close the bridge.
When the bridge opens, it is a scramble of dozens getting out. Then another scramble as all the waiting boats rush in.
The yacht club bar du yachting is still nice.
Return trip, leave at first opening. Point at Dover and arrive at Gull.
Both ways you will come to about half a mile from the top of the Goodwins. Keep a good lookout as they do go walk about. If depth starts to drop just stay east...
Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Where you end up will depend on your speed through the water
And ignore the rule to cross the separation lanes at right angles? It is boats heading not COG that is refered to in the rules so you spend as little time in the zones as possible.
I leave Calais on a heading of 320 / 330 and exit the lanes up towards the South Falls buoy with a speed throught the water of about 5 knots.
Dover Coastguard was spotting & reporting on VHF a yacht that was breaking the rules last Monday night. Had to listen to something, there was no shipping to watch.
jerrytug
N/A
That's very interesting Alchemist about the CG reporting the yacht.
Would they put it out on CNIS 11, or 16 or what?
(not asking about that particular incident by the way) thanks
Would they put it out on CNIS 11, or 16 or what?
(not asking about that particular incident by the way) thanks
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Athene V30
Well-Known Member
Call was initially on #16 - vessel in position, course , speed. When they eventually replied chopped to #11
AndrewB
Well-Known Member
Dover CG often put out messages about yachts crossing: these are generally just for information to shipping and do not imply there has been a serious failure to observe the rules. Occasionally they are a bit sarky about minor transgressions (as are Dover Port Control), but only very rarely follow up on this.
