Fecamp - Tidal depths

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moonshine

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Last month we were planning to leave Dieppe and cruise to Fecamp.

However, on studying the charts I discovered that the Navonics charted minimum depth on the visitors berth is 0.3M. Something of a problem when one draws 1.6M !? Not to mention that entry at low tide in N/NW'ers, over F5 is to be avoided. So as it was blowing F6 gusting F7 N/NE we passed and made landfall in Le Havre.

Since then I have been wondering what arrangements yachts make to berth in Fecamp ? I know it is popular as a finishing harbour with South Coast race fleets. Is the only option to enter the locked basin, and does this have to be pre-booked ?

Your experiences ??

A
 
I've only been there once in 1982, no depth problem at the visitors berth then, has the location changed ?

Large mobo's go there from Brighton annually in the Kings' Pursuit Race or whatever it's called.

The bit about being wary at the entrance in any strong wind is spot on though, I remember photo's in town of a wave breaking over the bridge of a big trawler, she was the size of a small / medium ship !
 
moonshine said:
Last month we were planning to leave Dieppe and cruise to Fecamp.

However, on studying the charts I discovered that the Navonics charted minimum depth on the visitors berth is 0.3M. Something of a problem when one draws 1.6M !? Not to mention that entry at low tide in N/NW'ers, over F5 is to be avoided. So as it was blowing F6 gusting F7 N/NE we passed and made landfall in Le Havre.

Since then I have been wondering what arrangements yachts make to berth in Fecamp ? I know it is popular as a finishing harbour with South Coast race fleets. Is the only option to enter the locked basin, and does this have to be pre-booked ?

Your experiences ??

A
Click to expand...

Just watch out for strong NW > N onshore winds especially at LW.
no need to book
lock in only available to longer stays
we were there last July
 
Oh dear, it sounds as though we missed out on a shorter passage, 30NM ilo of 60NM, although in the the prevailing weather we would have had to enter at low tide :-(

Look forward to trying again next time we are that way.

Thanks for the info.

A
 
The charted 0.3m is on the western pontoons which are largely inhabited by small mobos.

I've never had any problems berthing on any of the other pontoons in boats up 2.1 m draught, although I have run aground on leaving the pontoons on a very low spring tide, there's a mud bank running parallel to the hammerheads.

Always sensible to enter at at least half tide as the entrance can be a bit tricky.

If staying for more than a day best to go into Berigny as scend in the outer harbour can be a problem.

Dont eat in the Maritime it's ****.
 
Be sensitive at l.w. springs. There was a big Springs last month that left a few boats caught out, saw an example in Lyme Regis.
We have been there regularly over the past 3 years and enjoyed each time. Entry can be daunting in the dark at low water.

Never had any problems anywhere in the outer harbour, but we only draw 1,2m. Not been into the inner harbour.

Mackerel festival can be loud but fun.

Popular with cloggies with their oversized ensigns.
 
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