Crossing the Sunk TSS

[benw]

Having followed to the letter the route identified in the nth sea pilot on my first trip over to Ostende I wondered if those more experienced had a view on:

departing Harwich or land guard hw -2hrs, via Cork Snd YChts Bcn, Long Snd Hd then...?
Either a bearing direct towards Garden City Or West Hinder Zuid or as one knows one should cross the TSS at right angles having tracked Sth to a point opposite the S2 buoy?

On our last trip the traffic was more heavy mid crossing and in the West Hinder than the Sunk.

All thoughts welcome.

Ben

 

[sailorman]

Having followed to the letter the route identified in the nth sea pilot on my first trip over to Ostende I wondered if those more experienced had a view on:

departing Harwich or land guard hw -2hrs, via Cork Snd YChts Bcn, Long Snd Hd then...?
Either a bearing direct towards Garden City Or West Hinder Zuid or as one knows one should cross the TSS at right angles having tracked Sth to a point opposite the S2 buoy?

On our last trip the traffic was more heavy mid crossing and in the West Hinder than the Sunk.

All thoughts welcome.

Ben

clear LSH then 130 deg into Oostende

Rhum line & track of a trip 2009 Whit B/h

 

[Fr J Hackett]

clear LSH then 130 deg into Oostende

Rhum line & track of a trip 2009 Whit B/h

Worked for me + or - a degree or so

 

[benw]

I know I took longer on the outward as we tended to follow the way points to the letter. A 130 deg CTS doesn't cross at Rt angle!
Will we incurr the wrath of the Sunk masters?

 

[sailorman]

I know I took longer on the outward as we tended to follow the way points to the letter. A 130 deg CTS doesn't cross at Rt angle!
Will we incurr the wrath of the Sunk masters?

keep yer head down & dont worry

its the ship that should be @ right angles not the track so to give the best target

 

[MoodySabre]

The ferry track doesn't cross at right angles and neither have I. My take is that if no ships are in sight then crossing at a reasonable angle is OK. If ships come within sight then a change to the 'correct' heading is sensible. Just avoid going down the one way bits in the totally wrong direction.

 

[Koeketiene]

keep yer head down & dont worry

Follow the ferry

 

[sailorman]

Follow the ferry

worked so far

 

[PeterGibbs]

Having followed to the letter the route identified in the nth sea pilot on my first trip over to Ostende I wondered if those more experienced had a view on:

departing Harwich or land guard hw -2hrs, via Cork Snd YChts Bcn, Long Snd Hd then...?
Either a bearing direct towards Garden City Or West Hinder Zuid or as one knows one should cross the TSS at right angles having tracked Sth to a point opposite the S2 buoy?

On our last trip the traffic was more heavy mid crossing and in the West Hinder than the Sunk.

All thoughts welcome.

Ben

Shipping volumes vary enormously. I bet most posters have experienced lots and almost no traffic when crossing the N Sea - I have.

Bearing in mind your destination (approx 135 degs from Landguard) why not run direct by staying S of the gyratory? Make S of S Cork, past NE Gunfleet (either side) cut a little S of Long Head Sand, nip across the S approach to the gyratory and you're in open water.
That's the way I go and there's little shipping to challenge you. Then it's straight across the N Sea making yourself as visible to approaching vessels as possible - usual procedure.

I note your concern about how to deal with vessels in the TSS (and even in open waters). In my view you should maintain your course and speed, assuming in the first instance that the oncoming has seen you. Most often the approaching vessel will alter course 1-2 miles from you (usually to head past your stern) using his radar, and will assume you are keeping a constant course. It is a mistake up to this point to vary your course - how else can the approaching vessel plan to pass you safely? Watch for the telltale swing of the bridge and bow.

But some commercials do not permit their helms to make such moves, requiring a senior officer on the bridge. So....

If you see no response to a closing situation, and can see the bow wave clearly, you need to engineer to have the approaching vessel pass ahead of you (most often). If required, make a full stop or loop round 180 degs on sail. Make your change of course very obvious.

When a number of vessels are approaching and you're wondering how to dodge safely between them, you either hold back until they've all gone (not usually necessary) or adopt the above in sequence.

This assumes daylight. At night I would act more cautiously and hold back, not assuming any course changes from approaching commercials. Watch the oncoming bridge - if the helm (working off radar) thinks you are too close you will either get a claxon blast (had that!) or a sweep of the bridge searchlight (had that too)

Others may advise you otherwise, but this approach has kept me afloat for 25 years of crossing the N Sea.

PWG

 

[benw]

Thanks Peter.
We will be heading off 2200 landgd pt so will be dealing with the Sunk TSS midnight onwards and hopefully have light for the Dover Starits northbound and West hinder.