Harwich to Dunkerque

[HERoss]

We are about to leave for Dunkerque in about 2 weeks from Ipswich and wondering why I cannot find any references for a direct route. Everybody seems to be going to Ramsgate and across then up. Our planned route would follow, to the side, of the commercial channel to Longsand then a direct crossing to Dunkerque. Does anybody see anything wrong with that concept?

 

[Supine Being]

It should be ok in principle, but the direct route takes you into a mess of TSSiness in mid-channel that would be a right PITA to navigate, especially if you’re going to respect rule 10.c of the colregs. Personally I’d be inclined to pass further to the west and cross the TSS at South Falls, timing it so that you get the turn off the tide to an easterly stream as you reach the channel. Keen to see what wiser heads have to say about this though.

 

[LittleSister]

I have done it both via Ramsgate and 'direct' on several occasions.

You don't really go 'across then up' (again) when going via Ramsgate (Dunkerque is further south of it). You do your going down to Ramsgate, and your going across between there and Dunkerque (or Gravelines for those of us with more style and taste ).

When crossing 'direct' I don't actually go direct, but cross about South Falls & Sandettie bank, for exactly the reasons Supine Being mentions, and because the TSS crossings are much shorter (less time and stress). So not so different to the 'down, then across' when going via Ramsgate, just a bit shorter distance overall, and without the break there.

I endorse SB's advice to pay heed to the tides. Coming back direct last time, I was squeezed by the timing of a weather window, a requirement to be back at work on the Monday, and the tidally restricted access at Gravelines, with the result I spent a lot of time fighting a strong spring tide in one direction or another at different points in the journey.

Rough weather would add a whole layer of complication (both direct and via Ramsgate), because of the banks where depth isn't an issue, but the sea state over them might well be.