NEWBIES Cruising past Dover & North of the Thames

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TotOfRumTina

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We are newbies to motor boats we have a Sealine 285
We have only done a few days out on the sea but are going to need to move our boat from Brighton to River Crouch north of Thames
I am concerned about having to go past Dover and going across the Thames

Should we really be advised to get an experienced pair of eyes to come with us?

If we stop overnight in Dover I notice it says they escort you in and out, does that remove most of the headaches.

I am not only worried about all the big guys (ferries) but all the boys all over the place.

Thank you in advance for any advice ???
 
We are hoping to take a similar route from the Solent to the Orwell shortly.

On Dover, having looked at their website there are videos that show what is a very straightforward procedure for entry and exit but I don’t recall seeing anything about an escort. Just keep well clear of anything big and follow their procedure and you won’t go far wrong.

Crossing the Thames estuary is an undertaking that requires careful passage planning with a good eye on the weather. Lots of sandbanks and wind farms so I would suggest having someone experienced aboard or at least ensure that you fully understand tides, bouyage, chart work / plotter and inshore weather forecasts. It might be a good idea to get an RYA skipper/instructor to accompany you as a combined delivery trip / training session - kill two birds with one stone so to speak.
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I can recommend Ian George
An RYA instructor who knows these waters well.
I used him on a recent rip from the Medway to Lowestoft. Very knowledgable and a nice chap
His phone is 07981 021137
 
Brighton to crouch is a one day cruise. If you want to break it, give Dover a miss and pull into Ramsgate. Cross Thames Estuary at HW and you barely even need to worry about Nav. Just head across keeping out of the wind farms and away from any ships. Just keep away from Foulness and the firing range.
 
CLB said:
Brighton to crouch is a one day cruise. If you want to break it, give Dover a miss and pull into Ramsgate. Cross Thames Estuary at HW and you barely even need to worry about Nav. Just head across keeping out of the wind farms and away from any ships. Just keep away from Foulness and the firing range.
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Wind farms, big ships (atleast both fairly easy to see) firing range so now I might get shot aswell thank you so much for that ??
 
Pick a nice calm day with good visibility. If you give Dover marina an email or phone call they will put marina guide in post or you can download it. It contains all info you need.. Port control and marina are very good and friendly on VHF. They will let you know when to enter or pass entrances.
River Crouch authority also do a guide if you contact them.
 
Brighton to Dover is pretty beign, be careful of the overfills off Beachy Head - can get interesting in wind over tide.

Talk to Dover Harbour control and enter via western entrance.

Only other risks are as mentioned.

Dover to the Thames is a little more challenging with the Goodwin sands which move frequently.

W.
 
Can confirm entry into Dover is easy, all they (Dover Port Control) ask is to radio them when approaching entrance (West if coming from Brighton) when 2m outy and they will give you the OK to proceed usually when you are about 200m from entrance. You also ususally have to give them a call once in the harbour to enter the Wick Channel which leads from the outer harbour to the inner harbour where the marina is.

On exit you would again contact and if heading East would be asked to call once you have exited the western entrance and before crossing the Eastern entrance and await instructions. This is the main ferry entrance with a ferry going in/out probs every 15 mins so they want to make sure pleasure craft don't get in the way.

All very straightforward.

Cheers,

TC
 
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