Fog/mist- I know the answer BUT..

phanakapan

phanakapan

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I'm sitting here in beautiful sunshine at home, but the fog/mist is pretty bad down at the marina. I was hoping to sail from Brighton to Solent leaving 3am ish sat morning- tell me I'm doing the right thing in not going.. forecast is for mist patches vis mod/good but poor in mist.. I have got radar but will on my own..
 
IMHO if there is fog and you can reach a marina or safe anchorage, head there. If there is fog and you're already in a marina or a safe anchorage head for the pub.
 
Based on the forecasts below, I'd still be planning to go. Its likely the fog will have cleared by tomorrow morning, you've got radar, there are no shipping lanes or major hazards, presume you've got GPS etc. If it does go foggy on you, you can sneak into Chichester before reaching the area of shipping movements in the Solent .. give the CG a call at 3am on the radio for the latest situation and forecast ..


Shipping Forecast..

HUMBER THAMES DOVER WIGHT PORTLAND PLYMOUTH EAST OR SOUTHEAST 4 OR 5. FAIR. MODERATE WITH FOG PATCHES BECOMING GOOD
Coastal
 
I know, I know- I'm just frustrated!! Rather proud of myself though- was in the inner harbour this morning, tried engine for the first time in months, wouldn't start, fiddled, bled it, it started! Not an amazing feat I know, but first time I've done it. Then got through lock with the usual audience-and onto my pontoon with 'never been on a boat before' girl crew no problems, walking along later and the 'audience' said 'oh look, it's those girls who got their boat through the lock'- Girls! I was dead chuffed!
 
Southampton wasn't nearly as mizzly this morning as the past two, is now positively sunny for the first time this week, and tomorrow is supposed to be better. I'd not expect >2 miles vis. first thing, but its got to be better than grovelling around in the bilges trying to get the gearbox off the Yanmar, which is what I'll be doing. At least I've got my manual on CD now so I ought to know what I'm doing.
 
I'd start of as planned. Vis looks as if it might improve and with route your planning you'll not be in any area of commercial traffic. I'd stake stock abeam of Chichester and if the vis is still bad head for Chi, anchor at East Head until the vis clears. You might have to sit out a tide but you can catch up on your sleep.
 
i wd go

with radar, and apilot or radar vizible from helm, i wd go. Fewer boats out there in fog, a saturday with fewer fishymen, everything not too bad. Make sure that when you see summink, you change the course by not less than 60 degrees and don't be sniffy about being under power.
 
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Girls! I was dead chuffed!

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Well, sod the fog ! Stay in the Marina and see if you gan get any more "Girly" remarks over the weekend

You'll feel much better for it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Thanks chaps, I may well do it. Billmacfarlane- good advice about taking stock near Chichester. Well, I'm off down to the boat to get well prepared just in case- thanks again all.
 
hey wait a minute .. it was me that mentioned Chichester first, Billy boy was jist copying moi ... harumph .. wummin .. attenshun span af a gnats eyelash!!
 
To add to the confusion....

I heard "smoke" on the visibility reports from coastal stations. Any ideas? They were too far apart to be explained by volcano/bbq/arsonist/reefer etc.
 
If it's any consolation, the forecast last weekend was moderate with fog patches, and our overnight trip from Weymouth to Shoreham, over Sunday night was absolutely fine. Good luck!
 
Re: To add to the confusion....

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I heard "smoke" on the visibility reports from coastal stations. Any ideas?

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"Smoke" comes when you get cold air moving over a warm sea. It's a bit like the wisps of steam you get over water being heated in an open pan. Most commonly found when the air is <u>very</u> cold.
 
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