English Channel advise

[sk16]

I'm doing a trip from Essex to Brighton this weekend. I have the journey planned etc but wanted to know if there is anything specific I need to watch out for (e.g. I know if I go within 1 mile of Dover I need to contact port control).

This will be my first trip down the south coast so any advice is appreciated.

 

[Chris_d]

Try not to fall asleep as you take in the wonderful scenary off Dungerness etc... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Not much to worry about just give Dover a wide berth as you say.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Watch your tides around Beachy Head, can cut up there at the wrong time. Fast ferries go like stink and leave a bit of a wash by little boat standards so give them plenty of room, and then a bit more.

If its clear Dungeness is quite a sight IMO, almost "magnificent desolation".

Have a good trip.

 

[neale]

I've done this trip a few times in my Binnie. Stay a good distance off Dover, It can chop up big time at the wrong state of tide close in, Stay a good distance off Dungeness and Beachy Head. Don't stray into the Shipping lanes. Keep a good eye out for pot marks.

Once passed Dover it is the most boring journey in the world!!!!

 

[Nickcf]

You don't need to radio Dover Port control unless you are entering the harbour. Keeping a mile offshore is good practice. nb the Speedferries can do 40knots and make one hell of a wake so keep well clear of them!

Oh yes, make sure you strictly observe the flow system in the shipping lanes otherwise a very big fine will follow. Best to keep just outside them unless you are actually crossing them to go to France.

 

[maybh1]

[ QUOTE ]
Once passed Dover it is the most boring journey in the world!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

That depends who is on board with you /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[goochie]

Have to agree, Dover to Brighton is dull! As above, keep well clear of Dungeness (sp?) or you might get a little chappie in a patrol boat coming to say hello before telling you to CLEAR ORFF! For some reason they get a bit twitchy about power boats approaching a large power sation at speed. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif If you get it right with tides etc. you can shortcut close into beachy head, but if you get it wrong it can be rather like being stuck in a washing machine /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif, so best keep about 2 miles off for safety.

Sorry we won't be on the boat this weekend otherwise you would have been more than welcome to join us for a drink. Enjoy Brighton, it can be good fun - usually something going on in the Marina or the City.

 

[maybh1]

Never mind Dungeoness Power Station pay more heed to the Firing Ranges.

We were doing that trip once and a voice came over the radio asking for the white motor boat at a certain co ordinate to identify themselves. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Realising they meant us we asked them to identify Themselves and got a shock to find out it was the Firing Range Conroller and we had strayed ever so slightly into his territory.

We moved - very quickly and without argument /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

May
xx

 

[gravygraham]

Hmm. We had a couple of nice men in beards and white shirts pull alongside us as well down that way. Glad to hear we're not the only dummies afloat.

 

[Elessar]

[ QUOTE ]
Stay a good distance off Dungeness



[/ QUOTE ]

why? I always go very close in there what have I done wrong?

 

[gravygraham]

I'm not sure there's any harm in keeping close to the point at Dungeness - it's going west from there where the danger area is. Take a look at your charts.

 

[sk16]

Thanks to everyone who contributed some information to make this trip a success. We did the +/- 120 nm in 6.5 hours and arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon.

We started out late...well we actually started out on time as planned at 9am but before reaching the open sea we had already turned around as we were only pushing 15 knots at WOT. Turns out that after only 9 weeks in the water the arm and props we all covered in weed and barnicles so we had to lift out and wash down before setting off again at 12:00.

All in all a most uneventful trip (just what the doctor ordered).

As for the busiest piece of water in the world, we only saw 2 ships in the south / west bound shipping lane the whole way.

Thanks again for all your comments. Here are a couple of pics.