East Swallowtale, a bit clenching...

[Tomahawk]

Came through the Spitway on our way home from Harwich this afternoon. As mostly happens we arrived at exactly the same time as Edme but we were on Stb and across the front of her on port so no problem. (just).

Looking at various CMG as we had come down the Wallet against the tide decided to go south of the Swallowtale and aimed for the Inner Wittaker. Having just been through the spitway there should have been a similar and comfortable depth under. Just as we approached the 2m contour, the wind picked up something fantastic and suddenly we were going silly speed just when the Echo Sounder is suddenly reading a distinct lack of water... with just under a food below the boards we bore away swift and headded East.

By my reconing there is about a 1M less than the chart shows there should have been.

 

[Habebty]

Well, you must have passed half of FMYC going the other way! from Burnham to Ipswich. Used the Swallowtail and Spitway in both directions and found loads of water. Passed over Spitway about 2 hours before low water coming south and no clenching involved (draw 1.4m)

Didn't see you but saw Bru passing in both directions. (Orwell sat am and Walton sun pm)

 

[Tomahawk]

I was going over the E of the Swallowtale at just about LW. Chart shows similar depth through the spitway and the end of the Swallowtale. Not what we found.

Sorry to have missed seeing you at close quarters. We did see a lot of sails going north.

 

[PeterWright]

Pretty much to be expected - all the shoals on this coast shift.

We did Harwich to Fambridge last weekend for the river festival, but passed north of the Swallowtail about 2 hours after low water on the way south on Saturday and 1 hour after HW on the way back on the Monday without encountering any problems. I would n't choose to go south of the Swallowtail for that passage, seems a longer way round. On the way back we passed N of Sunken Buxey buoy rather than going through the Buxey chicane.

Peter

 

[Tomahawk]

Pretty much to be expected - all the shoals on this coast shift.

....

Peter

Which is why I was posting about it. I think the shoal has extended Eastward by about 1/4 mile.

 

[Bru]

I could have told you that Chris! I found out myself a couple of years ago

Making to our from the Spitway to the Whitaker, rather than going north of the Swallowtail, you have to make a significant loop to the East to avoid rise shallows I've found

Waved to Habebty on Saturday but missed him on Sunday. Didn't see anyone else all weekend!