Ferries; actual routes

[pcatterall]

Thanks guys for the good tips as always. My concern is to keep the crew happy rather than the actual risks. When ever a ship appears on the horizon they call me . I am trying to 'train them' " it' miles away yet andnot closing rapidly" " just watch, its moving accross us, we will pass miles astern" " take a compass bearing" etc etc.
It takes time to get them confident and I can see they remain worried until it is crystal clear that there is no danger. They have heard about collisions and also about this marvelous AIS stuff. I want them to feel that they are as well equiped as can be.
I can then supply the 'training' to increase their confidence in their 'eyballs'.
Cheers

 

[Koeketiene]

Thanks guys for the good tips as always. My concern is to keep the crew happy rather than the actual risks. When ever a ship appears on the horizon they call me . I am trying to 'train them' " it' miles away yet andnot closing rapidly" " just watch, its moving accross us, we will pass miles astern" " take a compass bearing" etc etc.
It takes time to get them confident and I can see they remain worried until it is crystal clear that there is no danger. They have heard about collisions and also about this marvelous AIS stuff. I want them to feel that they are as well equiped as can be.
I can then supply the 'training' to increase their confidence in their 'eyballs'.
Cheers

Not sure how to read this:
Do you feel that your crew doesn't have confidence in your ability as a skipper and that they will need reassurance every step of the way?
If you feel they have a point, should you be making the trip?
If you feel they haven't got a point, do you really need/want a bunch of back seat drivers as crew?
Remember, skippering is all about confidence. My theory is that if you look confident you can pull off anything - even if you have no clue what you're doing.
Crew never question a confident skipper.

 

[lw395]

Not sure how to read this:
Do you feel that your crew doesn't have confidence in your ability as a skipper and that they will need reassurance every step of the way?
If you feel they have a point, should you be making the trip?
If you feel they haven't got a point, do you really need/want a bunch of back seat drivers as crew?
Remember, skippering is all about confidence. My theory is that if you look confident you can pull off anything - even if you have no clue what you're doing.
Crew never question a confident skipper.

We all have to start somewhere.
I remember my first cross channel with SWMBO.
It did not quite go to plan, a few minor issues with gear on the boat, then we arrived in fog very tired.
Hence I would consider a day's (or night's) hop to Cherbourg and work up from there, if the crew are not experienced. If you have a good 'watch leader' in the crew, you can be more adventurous, but Le Havre is a long haul if the crew don't work well together. I'd prefer to do it with someone I'd done a passage with before.
If the skipper is going to go off watch, the crew have to be competent.
Sometimes even the most confident skippers should be questioned, it's good for the crew to know the reasoning behind plans etc. Skippers should also be a bit open to input from crew (particularly if they are not paying them!). You are in it together.
Before we went across channel, we did several equally long passages west. At least doing that we had the option of stopping if it stopped being fun for any reason.

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

A good pair of binoculars to assist Mark 1 eyeball is IMHO the most important aid whether crossing in daylight or at night. e.g. ships size and speed can be more easily assessed; at night the lights are more easily identified; and you might be able to work out what the dreaded fishing boats are up to!
Having said that as soon as funds allow I'm getting an AIS!

 

[aslabend]

to the OP, don't worry about the ferries, you'll be swept along by the tide more than the faster ferries so will be away from their routes. Traffic in the channel always looks daunting but is never as bad as you expect. As skipper, make sure you get some rest ready for the arrival in a strange port, it's then that need a good head.

 

[sailorman]

A good pair of binoculars to assist Mark 1 eyeball is IMHO the most important aid whether crossing in daylight or at night. e.g. ships size and speed can be more easily assessed; at night the lights are more easily identified; and you might be able to work out what the dreaded fishing boats are up to!
Having said that as soon as funds allow I'm getting an AIS!

Hey Kid
what about this
http://www.chartsandtides.co.uk/chartplotter/gpsdongle

 

[A1Sailor]

Hazymoonshine thank you writing that it's one of the most obvious points about crossing the TSS which I had never thought of and I haven't seen it elsewhere. Is it in books like the Shell Channel Pilot etc? If not it should be! Well done any more tips? Cheers Jerry

+1 for the tip about the middle of the English Channel being less busy near slack water. You learn something on here every day...

 

[johnalison]

I have been crossing the channel on & off since 1978, with starting points from Dover to Salcombe and I can't remember ever being frightened by a ferry. I can't quite say the same for cargo vessels, but even that is a rare event.

 

[pcatterall]

Quote: Do you feel that your crew doesn't have confidence in your ability as a skipper and that they will need reassurance every step of the way?
If you feel they have a point, should you be making the trip?
If you feel they haven't got a point, do you really need/want a bunch of back seat drivers as crew?

Crew and skipper are quite competant thanks OR4751. And we have done longer day and night trips as a crew before. It's just the issue of shipping where their experience is lacking. My question was about ferry routes and trying to see if I could get advanced information. " time spent in planning is seldom wasted" etc

Cherbourg was considered as it is a slightly shorter hop but then the leg from there to Le-Havre is quite long. Swings and roundabouts ?

Thanks all

 

[lw395]

Quote: Do you feel that your crew doesn't have confidence in your ability as a skipper and that they will need reassurance every step of the way?
If you feel they have a point, should you be making the trip?
If you feel they haven't got a point, do you really need/want a bunch of back seat drivers as crew?

Crew and skipper are quite competant thanks OR4751. And we have done longer day and night trips as a crew before. It's just the issue of shipping where their experience is lacking. My question was about ferry routes and trying to see if I could get advanced information. " time spent in planning is seldom wasted" etc

Cherbourg was considered as it is a slightly shorter hop but then the leg from there to Le-Havre is quite long. Swings and roundabouts ?

Thanks all

The bit I've put in bold makes a big difference IMHO.
Have a good trip!

 

[Koeketiene]

Quote: Do you feel that your crew doesn't have confidence in your ability as a skipper and that they will need reassurance every step of the way?
If you feel they have a point, should you be making the trip?
If you feel they haven't got a point, do you really need/want a bunch of back seat drivers as crew?

Crew and skipper are quite competant thanks OR4751. And we have done longer day and night trips as a crew before. It's just the issue of shipping where their experience is lacking. My question was about ferry routes and trying to see if I could get advanced information. " time spent in planning is seldom wasted" etc

Cherbourg was considered as it is a slightly shorter hop but then the leg from there to Le-Havre is quite long. Swings and roundabouts ?

Thanks all

No disrespect was intended - apologies if it came across as such.

Maybe you worry too much