Crossing the TSS at Dover ?

aquaholic

aquaholic

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Planning a trip down to Dieppe/Fecamp in August and one of the legs will be Ramsgate to Boulogne, will go inside of the Goodwins via the Gull Stream and were looking to cross somewhere south of the sands. However dont really want to do a 'Del Boy' so to speak and end up following a ferry, so thought I might cross just west of Dover.
Still a relative newbie, with 2 crossings under me belt but they were to Dunkerque and Gravelines so apart from the ocasional Norfolk line didnt have too many ferries to deal with.
Any advice regarding the crossing or indeed anything I need to look out for along the trip that may not be in the Almanac or charts would be appreciaited.
:)
 
Obviously pay close attention to the tides to help you through the tidal gate, contact port control at dover when you are about 1 mile north and about 1 mile offshore and say that you would like to cross the harbour entrances and would they advise you of any conflicting traffic, they will give you a clearance to cross when appropriate usually asking that you maintain a 1 mile offing.
 
aquaholic said:
Any advice regarding the crossing or indeed anything I need to look out for along the trip that may not be in the Almanac or charts would be appreciaited.
:)
Click to expand...

I recall a chart showing the routes used by ferries going to/from Dover was issued as an update to last year's Reed's Almanac. It is essentially a "voluntary" TSS for ferry masters running at right angles to the Channel TSS. I haven't got my 2009 edition to hand (it is on the boat), but presumably it can be found somewhere on the web. (It was on the RYA website but, since they have produced a new website design, it is not where it once was).

If you can't find it, PM me. I have a soft copy of the update containing the chart.
 
Angele said:
I recall a chart showing the routes used by ferries going to/from Dover was issued as an update to last year's Reed's Almanac. It is essentially a "voluntary" TSS for ferry masters running at right angles to the Channel TSS. I haven't got my 2009 edition to hand (it is on the boat), but presumably it can be found somewhere on the web. (It was on the RYA website but, since they have produced a new website design, it is not where it once was).

If you can't find it, PM me. I have a soft copy of the update containing the chart.
Click to expand...

Spot on ! you are quite right, page 270 in reeds gives details of the VSS, many thanks, just what I was looking for :)
 
Glad to be of service!! :-)

Btw, exactly what does it suggest yachts do?

1. Use the same lane as the ferries so that they run you down from behind.
2. Use the opposite lane so you have a head on collision.
3. Use the central reservation or hard shoulder (or whatever the nautical equivalent).
4. Stay well clear.
 
Done this a few times. Crossed to the West of ferry track. End up off Cap Grisnez so important to get tides right for trip down French coast as stronger their side. Also crossed using Dungeness as a departure point for Dieppe - misses out Boulogne of course.
 
Agree with Spuddy....

Go inside the Goodwins... from Goodwin 'lightvessel' across to Gris Nez.... this is about right in terms of track across the TSS and is west of the voluntary TSS...

And again, agreeing with Spuddy... get your tides right.... Cap Gris Nez against the tide ain't no fun!
 
Must you go to Boulogne?- it is one of the least atttractive ports along the channel coast, whilst I grant the old town is attractive the marina is rolly, exposed to wash from constantly moving fishing boats and at low tide can be horribly smelly. Why not cross from Dungeness direct to Dieppe or even better IMHO, have a night in Eastbourne and cross from there?
 
Forgot to add that we did that trip recently- twice in fact 'cos I returned to Eastbourne to change crews. Dieppe was pretty bumpy but I gather only really bad with north in the wind. The high spot was St Valery en Caux- very sheltered, cheaper than Dieppe and a real gem of a place with some lovely walks over the cliffs and inland.
 
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