Lighthouses, beacons and buoys of Brittany

[philip_stevens]

Is anyone aware of a site where I can find the actual positions of French lighthouses, beacons and buoys - mainly in Brittany. I don't want waypoints, only the actual positions.

I did find one site that only gave positions to the nearest minute - not accurate enough.

The reason being that last week while going down the Le Four channel, I got two different lats and longs from two different charts for some of the beacons and buoys. Even applying GPS derived position differences, I still plotted a "too close" position for one of the beacons.

If I can get the actual GPS derived positions, I can work out for myself decent clearing waypoints.

So, if anyone knows, I would be grateful.

regards,
Philip

 

[Gunfleet]

I know you know this... but you did check the datum?

 

[coliholic]

Aren't all these positions in Reeds?

Just had a quick look and for example it gives the position of of the Ile Vierge lighthouse as 48 38.33N; 04 34.06W based on WGS 84 datum. Is that what you're after? Or are you trying to find a website with them on?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by coliholic on Fri Jun 14 18:27:25 2002 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[philip_stevens]

Yes, that was one of the things I did do, but with no reference to WGS84 datum, I assumed them to be OSGB36.

I was looking through my last years almanac (here at home) and can see the difference between OSGB, WGS and ED for a situation off Lands End.

The main waypoint that I almost come unstuck on was the Les Vieux Moines beacon. From the chart I plotted 48 19.30N, 004 46.70W as a clearing mark for good weather. As we were coming up to it, I could see that we would run into it on the course we were on, and altered course to take us well clear of the rocky beacon.

Nothing is certain, and I may well have plotted it wrong. I don't think I did, but will have another look at the weekend.

This beacon is not mentioned in the almanac I have at home. I will have to have a look again at the almanac on board.

regards,
Philip

 

[philip_stevens]

Thanks for that. I didn't have Reeds on the boat, but will look at it on a friends boat this weekend. It is not in the (last years) almanac I have here at home, but will have another look in my almanac on my boat.

I was hoping there was a website with the data on. I had a good search this afternoon, and could not locate a site.

regards,
Philip

 

[coliholic]

Reeds has Les Vieux Moines beacon as 48 19.33N, 004 46.63W

 

[philip_stevens]

Many thanks, Colin. I can now see that I plotted my passing waypoint too close - though I plotted it on/from the chart.

.03 doesn't leave a lot of "Latitude"! The Long. was OK.

The answer is to get a Reeds! and maybe the French SHOM chart 7122, Channel of the Furnace (sic) - on their website.

regards,
Philip

 

[hlb]

Try. Looking out the window now and then. That usually helps <G>

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn

 

[LadyInBed]

Re: Too close

Dont forget Buoys move with the tide!!!!
I only put a chart / book derived WP in as a temp WP.
Then when I am in the vacinity of where I want the WP to be I enter Position as WP in the GPS. Only then do I have confidence in the WP.

 

[philip_stevens]

Re: Too close

The buoys weren't the problem, Nigel. I was entering a clearing waypoint for a tower/beacon. There was a great lump of French rock under it. I am sure I must have plotted it wrong from the info given to me above. All my plots up the Chanel du Four were for towers/beacons, as, with the speed of the tide there, the buoys can move quite a way.

As for the reply above yours - when doing 15 knots in the vicinity of hard bits, I am always looking out of the window. That's how I knew I was going to be a bit too close!

regards,
Philip

 

[hlb]

Re: Too close

Well thats Ok then. Just thought I'd check. Must admit, a plotter stops this kind of mistake. We've often plotted a way point slightly out. But the plotter soon shows you your error. Or the radar come to that.

No one can force me to come here-----------
----- I'm a Volunteer!!!

Haydn