St Vaast advice please

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derekgillard

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Joined
7 Sep 2001
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Location
Hayling Island
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Am going over next week (Wednesday) and expect to arrive early evening, lock gates open around 19.40. Has anyone been over this year ,I do remember from previous visit that there are lobster pots near the entrance and I do not want to get caught in fading light.

Any other problems I might encounter?

Thanks in advance


Del buoy
 
We stayed there four weeks ago, I can't remember having been hindered by lobster pots (unlike the approach to Cherbourg and rounding Cap Griz Nez, I still have the nightmares). As far as I remember, there were some, but in the areas well outside of the approach channels.

Pilotage is quite straightforward, we followed the Livre De Bord. First time I bought it. What a steal: 50€ for all the charts and harbour guides. Can't recommend it enough.

The tidal current runs quite strong in that corner, so timing is of the essence.
 
derekgillard said:
Am going over next week (Wednesday) and expect to arrive early evening, lock gates open around 19.40. Has anyone been over this year ,I do remember from previous visit that there are lobster pots near the entrance and I do not want to get caught in fading light.

Any other problems I might encounter?

Thanks in advance


Del buoy
Click to expand...

http://www.saint-vaast-reville.com/en-GB/index.html is a useful website giving lock gate times etc. There are no real hazards in the approach.
 
I've observed the following:

- Lobster pots, as already mentioned. In my limited experience they are well marked (but I still nearly managed to pick one up, at the helm of another Forumite's boat :o) last September.

- Fishing boats exiting the harbour, at speed, with no acknowledgement of the rule that incoming craft have priority. Mind you, they're working for their living and you're not.

- Apparently there can be strong currents for an initial period after the lock gate has opened. I haven't experienced this but others confirm it to be so.

I'd be wary of cutting any corners on the approaches unless I was absolutely confident of my tidal calculations. Do not attempt to come in via "le Run" :).

... but these are all minor concerns, to be honest, even I thought that it was all very straightforward. The biggest hazard last time I went there was being force-fed dodgy port by fellow Forumites. If you see a big Moody called "Fiddler's Dream", run for your life! :D
 
Pilotage into St.Vaast is easy and very clear in the almanac. The key with the passage plan is to avoid the tide off point Barfleur. If your plan gets you there with the tide running north the trick is to plan to go a bit further east then swing into St Vaast. the tides in the bay de seine are much weaker.
 
And if you rrive after dark, there's a good sector light to guide you in, the french use black flags on the pots which actually make them easier to see in the gloom!
 
By night ...

The pots are generally on the sides on the channel, not in the middle. Easy to avoid in daylight, but if you arrive by night, stay on the transit of the two occulting lights until you are about 30 seconds into the white sector of the pierhead light before turning onto it.
 
Last edited:
derekgillard said:
Am going over next week (Wednesday) and expect to arrive early evening, lock gates open around 19.40. Has anyone been over this year ,I do remember from previous visit that there are lobster pots near the entrance and I do not want to get caught in fading light.

Any other problems I might encounter?

Thanks in advance


Del buoy
Click to expand...


Likely you will arrive early; anchoring off works just fine until you're sure of entry. Don't be fooled by fishing boats roaring out - some hang off the inside of the mole so are not an indicator that the gate is open.

You will find the waters shallow to 2-3m under the keel as you enter the approaches to the mole, and even less as you round the mole and head for the gate. In the centre channel there are no special obstacles so push on, gently!

PWG
 
jhr said:
The biggest hazard last time I went there was being force-fed dodgy port by fellow Forumites. If you see a big Moody called "Fiddler's Dream", run for your life! :D
Click to expand...
he's safe - we were there four weeks ago and not planning a return in the near future.

Biggest hazard to us was the flippin' funfair right round the harbour - totally spoiled the visit with flashing lights, sirens, bells, music up until about 1am :mad:
 
Approach straightforard even in the dark. Pot markers in the entrance channel are to either side so try to keep in the middle. If you do arrive when dark and see lots of small flashing lights avoid them as they are pot markers. Most confusing from a distance when I turned up in early may. Also avoid the Nelson? (cafe du port) bar on the quay. Rubbish food and service back then.
 
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