Crossing the TSS to Oostende etc

aquaholic

aquaholic

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When ever I go east from Ramsgate, to South Falls then adjust course to make sure my heading is at right angles to the lanes, I nearly always see foreign yachts doing there own thing... this week I left Ramsgate, Dutch yacht in front, Belgian behind, we all passed north of south falls, I adjusted my course and both the other 2 just carried on a 90-95 degree heading making no adjustment for rule 10.

I always hear Gris Nez traffic calling yachts in contravention in the Dover Straits, is it just that no one can see them.......
 
If there is no shipping in sight then I would cross at an angle suited to my course but may be only 10 or 20 degrees off right angles. The appearance of a ship in the distance might cause me to get at right angles. The exception to this is the southern section of the Sunk which always seems to get crossed at an angle e.g. S. Galloper to Long Sand Head "the ferry route".
 
MoodySabre said:
Theory v pragmatism - a continental way life.
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It has much to commend it :D

In a similar vain - sailing in/out of Harwich/Felixstowe: the vast majority of yachts seem to stick rigorously to the 'recommended yacht track'. Regardless whether there is any commercial traffic or not.
What is the point? :confused: It's only a line on a chart.
If I'm not impeding commercial traffic, point of sail matters more to me that sticking to a recommended track.
 
OR4751 said:
It has much to commend it :D

In a similar vain - sailing in/out of Harwich/Felixstowe: the vast majority of yachts seem to stick rigorously to the 'recommended yacht track'. Regardless whether there is any commercial traffic or not.
What is the point? :confused: It's only a line on a chart.
If I'm not impeding commercial traffic , point of sail matters more to me that sticking to a recommended track.
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One has to see them first :o
 
+1 to the above pragmatism,Ramsgate has a recommended yacht track and even a holding area,to not impede the zero ferry movements per day.
 
jerrytug said:
+1 to the above pragmatism,Ramsgate has a recommended yacht track and even a holding area,to not impede the zero ferry movements per day.
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Windfarm boats are more of a risk than the ferries were!
The only time I used the yacht track at Ramsgate was the first time. Never bothered after hat and no one ever said anything
 
OR4751 said:
It has much to commend it :D

In a similar vain - sailing in/out of Harwich/Felixstowe: the vast majority of yachts seem to stick rigorously to the 'recommended yacht track'. Regardless whether there is any commercial traffic or not.
What is the point? :confused: It's only a line on a chart.
If I'm not impeding commercial traffic, point of sail matters more to me that sticking to a recommended track.
Click to expand...

I think if you are leaving the harbour you can usually see if it is safe to cross near Beach End, however if coming down from the north close to Landguard Point it may be difficult/impossible to be sure that nothing is coming out. Certainly listen on 71, but sometimes their conversations are so inscrutable that it is that that clear what they are up to. :) AIS does make it a lot easier, I am not a purist and often cross where it suits me, but am very wary. The ships coming in get close very quick.
 
Has the ferry service now compleetly ceased?

If so what will Pat and the others do? There would seem to be no value in paying staff to man a lookout for non existant ferrys? but Thanet is a black hole of public spending...
 
Tomahawk said:
Has the ferry service now compleetly ceased?

If so what will Pat and the others do? There would seem to be no value in paying staff to man a lookout for non existant ferrys? but Thanet is a black hole of public spending...
Click to expand...

We were told a couple of weeks ago (by ex an port worker) that the Port is still hoping to get business in and that they wish to remain RO-RO rather than bulk shipping. That could imply grain and aggregates rather than containers. It really doesn't look like a container port
 
Champagne Murphy said:
We were told a couple of weeks ago (by ex an port worker) that the Port is still hoping to get business in and that they wish to remain RO-RO rather than bulk shipping. That could imply grain and aggregates rather than containers. It really doesn't look like a container port
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TEF filed for bankruptcy in April and the ships are laid up in Oostende or were in June anyway.
I have been following this story a bit (sad I know) here are some considerations,gleaned from observers in the industry:

1) Dunquerque is just down the excellent motorway.

2) Frequency of service,missed the boat? When's the next one? oh I see. Not a problem at Dover.

3) Ramsgate isn't too well connected.

4) Long steaming time, 2.5 times that of Dover ferries.

5) Smokey old rustbuckets have problems. New ships need expensive finance.

6) Very cheap (loss leading?) rates on Dover ferries.

7) Ostende lost the popular foot pax service when the tunnel opened.

Everone including me hopes Ramsgate will continue to have shipping,but...

I would have thought that the wind farm traffic would be enough to keep the VTS running hopefully.It can't be so terribly expensive.
Hope this is of interest,cheers Jerry
 
Going back to the OP...
You will find that when you get to the point where you are about to enter the TSS.... there will alsobe a dozen ships at exactly the point you want to cross.. coming at ypu from both directions....

Once you clear the other side.....

There will not be one ship sight. they will all go away...

I do not know thw it happens that waybut ships only appear just as you cross the TSS???
 
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