Ferries in Chenal Du Four

[Scillypete]

I had heard it said that Brittany ferries and the like used the Chenal Du Four on a regular basis but in my many transits of the Chenal I had never seen anything bigger than a fishing boat and was doubting whether any ships used it any more . . . . . that was until yesterday when I met this one

It certainly took up a fair bit of the channel and had me scuttling off out of the way. Might now have to rethink my strategy for when I'm caught there in fog again.

 

[Sybarite]

I had heard it said that Brittany ferries and the like used the Chenal Du Four on a regular basis but in my many transits of the Chenal I had never seen anything bigger than a fishing boat and was doubting whether any ships used it any more . . . . . that was until yesterday when I met this one

It certainly took up a fair bit of the channel and had me scuttling off out of the way. Might now have to rethink my strategy for when I'm caught there in fog again.

The ferry to the Ile de Molène has just grounded on the way into harbour; it went the wrong side of a mark.

 

[makingplansfor]

Pont Aven (Brittany Ferries) went thundering past me in the Raz du Sein heading that way a couple of weeks ago - presumably from Santander heading for Plymouth. Like you, couldnt help thinking about poor visibility although it is fair to say that he passed quite away to the west of where the majority of us are likely to be.

 

[Plomong]

I had heard it said that Brittany ferries and the like used the Chenal Du Four on a regular basis but in my many transits of the Chenal I had never seen anything bigger than a fishing boat and was doubting whether any ships used it any more . . . . . that was until yesterday when I met this one

It certainly took up a fair bit of the channel and had me scuttling off out of the way. Might now have to rethink my strategy for when I'm caught there in fog again.

I cannot see the name on the buoy so cannot be sure you are really posting a photo taken in the Chenal du Four and not in the Chenal de Fromveur. Could you please post the name of the buoy ???

Plomong

 

[Robin]

we never saw a ferry in there, but I believe the separation zone off Ouessant (Ushant)when it was modified some years back now has an inshore passage only for 'passenger' vessels although again we never saw any inshore of the main east or west going 'lanes' maybe passenger vessels using the inshore route of the separation zone could chose to use le Four on occasion. Maybe some do so to call in at Brest??? The biggest we saw in the Four were the huge deep sea fishing boats,plus the big French ocean going tug that often anchored off Camaret waiting for customers and a couple of times some French Navy vessels which were more frequently seen in le Raz De Sein. WE had plotter routes loaded andwell tested in good vis that took us through going directly down the leading lines of the (excellent) light sectors and were grateful of these several times in dense fog ( we had radar as well). However it is perfectly possible to use straight through routes that go directly inside many of the marks that would keep out of the main channel where the ferries etc would be, I noticed many French boats did use the direct routes whilst we always stayed on the centre channel track line because that route was easily useable by night and day. THE French have a signal station/radar at Pointe De St Mathieu towards the southern end that we were told by Ushant Traffic St Mathieu could talk us through the lower end of the Four if needs be in thick fog. I had called Ushant Traffic to ssk if they had information about vis in the Four as we were still 15 miles off it having just crossed the 'lanes' east of the separation zone itself off and were headed south to transit the Four. Traffic control asked for our approx. position and when I told them they said we were showing up clearly on their radar (thank you Firdell). Ushant checked with Pte De ST Mathieu for us and they said it was clearing there but that they could talk us through if we had problems, which with our tried and tested routes and a good radar we did not. Very helpful The French.

BTW for pedants I know there are no 'lanes' as such between the main separation zones in the Channel but the bigstuff does take the very straight line route between them and I had even drawn the lines on my paper charts to show where to expect the ships.

 

[Scillypete]

I cannot see the name on the buoy so cannot be sure you are really posting a photo taken in the Chenal du Four and not in the Chenal de Fromveur. Could you please post the name of the buoy ???

Plomong

Basse St-Paul, definitely not in the passage de Fromveur

 

[Roberto]

It goes back to November, 2011
this text (not sure if it appears)
http://www.premar-atlantique.gouv.fr/arretes.html?frame=download-arretes.php&fichier=125

indicates which categories of ships are allowed to go through chenal du Four, Fromveur, Raz de Sein.
It introduced a "special authorization", either temporary or permanent, for passenger vessels under 220m sailing under specific conditions, like for example speed <15kt, ship Captain competence assessed by Pilots, specific machinery, etc.

 

[agurney]

I've been on both Pont Aven and Cap Finisterre when they've taken that shortcut, but it's always been at night so haven't had a chance to see much.

There's a chart on display in Cap Finisterre that details the options for the routes they use, and a nice presentation of the lighthouses to be met on the way. [edit: passed, not met ]

 

[LadyInBed]

OK providing its not run by the Italians!

 

[Plomong]

Basse St-Paul, definitely not in the passage de Fromveur

On which side of Grande Vinotiere did she pass, E or W ??? There's only about 0.3 NM between Grande Vinotiere and Rouget to the west, and east of Gr. Vin there is not much depth over some parts.

I'm quite surprised such a large ferry would pass through that area. Must keep a good lookout next year when next going north around there.

Plomong

 

[Scillypete]

On which side of Grande Vinotiere did she pass, E or W ??? There's only about 0.3 NM between Grande Vinotiere and Rouget to the west, and east of Gr. Vin there is not much depth over some parts.

I'm quite surprised such a large ferry would pass through that area. Must keep a good lookout next year when next going north around there.

Plomong

West side of Grand Vin, and she was steaming at speed as well good job it was a clear day I saw it from miles away and thought she might be aiming for La Helle at first then she spun round and came speeding towards me which is why I cleared off to the side. Tide was mid flood so she was steaming against the flow of which we had 3.5 knots when we passed to the east of Grand vinotierre at 9 knots over the ground

 

[Plomong]

West side of Grand Vin, and she was steaming at speed as well good job it was a clear day I saw it from miles away and thought she might be aiming for La Helle at first then she spun round and came speeding towards me which is why I cleared off to the side. Tide was mid flood so she was steaming against the flow of which we had 3.5 knots when we passed to the east of Grand vinotierre at 9 knots over the ground

That is scary, given the bottom contour around that area, at least as shown on the corresponding SHOM chart (7122, scale 1:25000).

Apart from the narrow gap at Grande Vinotiere, she would also need to be careful with St Paul, and later negotiate the Platresses.

Hats off to the master who has what's needed to even try it !!! In his (or her) risk assessment I hope he took into account the possibility of mechanical failure, and had an appropriate response prepared for such !!!

Have made a mental note to keep a sharp lookout for such "unexpected intruders".

Plomong