Passage into Les Minquiers

[Captain Sandman]

Having been down the Minquiers quite often thorughout my childhood with my father, I haven't been down there for over 20 years.

Having now managed to buy myself a boat, I am now very excited at the prospect of visiting them again. I have read lots of documents and pilotage information suggesting the required approach to the Minq's via the Demi de Vascelinand past the Fontaines de Bas. However I have also heard from other local boat owners and a couple of the local commercial RIB skippers that the large sandbank has moved East which has almost cut off this approach at low tide.

Does anyone know of any alternate approaches to Maitresse Ile or have any suggestions or updates on the way in?

 

[prv]

We visited the Minquiers last summer on the way back from St Malo. Unfortunately we didn't have the local knowledge you describe, and on our way out we came alarmingly close to coming a cropper on the uncharted sandbank that has closed off the northern entrance to the deep pool to the west of the island.

Coming from St Malo, we had entered the pool from the south, following the transit listed in the pilot book. This was exactly as charted, and although the book describes it in somewhat doom-laden terms we didn't have any particular difficulty.

I can't remember the height of tide at which we crept over the new bar, but quite possibly it would be fine nearer high water.

Pete

 

[Keith-i]

There is a passage to the east of Maitresse Ile but I can't remember the finer details off-hand. If I find it later I'll make a post.

There are some posts on here from a few years back by JSYMartini with first hand info that would be worth a look.

 

[Arcady]

If you are happy eyeballing your way past any hazards, then come in from the general direction of Le Coq beacon east of Maitresse Isle. Ideally come in early morning on HW and leave late pm, again on a rising tide. That way you will have the sun behind you in both directions which helps enormously. Rock dodging with the sun in your eyes is NOT recommended!

 

[Captain Sandman]

Thanks for the advice, looking on the charts it does look like there should be a passage from the East, but I know the area is notorious for uncharted rocks popping up here and there!

Arcady - I think your suggestion of coming in on the morning tide and leaving with the sun behind you is spot on!

 

[Arcady]

Arcady - I think your suggestion of coming in on the morning tide and leaving with the sun behind you is spot on!

Learned the hard way, I assure you!!!