Krusty
Well-Known Member
After several transits of the Pentland Firth in my first boat, the trimaran Boadicea, I recognised the need for a chart showing all the relevant information on the optimium departure points and times relative to HW Dover, the tidestreams and races, plus some useful transits. There was nothing published at that time, so 20 years ago I made my own. I am not aware of another chart like it.
I now have two high-resolution digital images covering that chart. Printing on A4 gave enough overlap for matching and joining to produce an A3-size pilotage chart for use in the cockpit. Sometimes it is prudent to have the washboards in place!
Any forum member planning a transit of the Firth, or considering a visit to the area with the possibility of a venture into it, is welcome to PM me. I will soon be departing Northward to enjoy that area one more time, so unless contact is made within a couple of days, a response should not be expected until mid-summer.
Meantine, the following might be of use or interest:
I have seven departure waypoints on the chart. Using information compiled from the Admiralty Pilot, CCC Sailing Directions, personal experience and local knowledge of sailing friends in Orkney, these waypoints and timing windows were devised for a small vessel capable of maintaining a speed of 5 knots in moderate seas, avoiding known races and overfalls and taking full advantage of favourable tidestreams.
On frequent passages in all directions I have always found them very satisfactory. However, in abnormal conditions or near extreme Spring tides allowance should be made for tighter restriction of the timing windows and passages should be planned with increased prudence. At one such a time, day-sailing from Wick for the enlightenment of trainee skippers, we sailed into the Firth on the last of the W-going ebb, close-reaching on a NW heading with 7kn on the log. Less than two hours later we exited the Firth, still close-reaching at 7kn on a NW heading, but tracking SE at 4kn (GPS). Streams of 13kn have been recorded.
DEPARTURE TIMING WINDOWS FOR PASSAGE
WAYPOINTS D is HW Dover
N of Dunnet Head
58°42’.5 N 003°22’.4W (D-5) to (D-2) W to E by Outer Sound
58°40'.85N 003°22’.4W ((prev.)D+5) to ((next)D-3) W to E by Inner Sound
SE of Duncansby Head
58°37’.6 N 003°00’.8W (D+1) to (D+4½) SE to W by Inner Sound
58°37’35N 002°56’.5W (D+1) to (D+5) SE to W by Outer Sound or Scapa
ENE of Muckle Skerry
58°41’.9 N 002°52’.8W D to (D+5) NE to W by Outer Sound or Scapa
ESE of Old Head (S. Ronaldsay)
58°43’.5 N 002°52’.8W (D-½) to (D+4) NE to W by Outer Sound or Scapa
E of Old Head
58°44'.25N 002°54'.1W (D+6) to (D-6) NE to S for Wick or beyond
DISCLAIMER
No liability can be accepted for any event or condition arising from use of the above information.
As always, it is solely the responsibility of the skipper to determine the extent to which he relies upon information conveyed by a chart or any other source.
GOOD SAILING!
CHEERS!
