Sunk Sand, Crossing the Thames Estuary

[Toutvabien]

Having seen the recent posts about the lack of water around SW Sunk Tower this weekend we decided to try an alternative to what had been for many years our traditional route across the estuary when heading towards Ramsgate, France, etc.

The new route, from Burnham on Crouch, was south of Barrow No. 3 to a point about 1.5 miles north east of the Sunk Sand tower and then through the newly bouyed swatchway at Foulgers Gat. On the return journey ( using the same route in reverse), from Calais to Burnham on Monday evening we crossed the sand at one hour after LW Springs and found a minimum depth of 3.6 metres, which was on the Southern side of the sand. This enabled a fairly quick trip back down towards Burnham on the new flood, bringing us in well before HW.

Leaving Calais at the first lock out, 11:00 BST, we were at the edge of the sand at about 19:30 BST and at Whitaker Bouy for 22:00. Much quicker and more direct than our old route through Fishermans Gat and SW Sunk then up to Barrow No.5. Also seems to make best use of the tides, at least at Springs.

This route may be old hat to many, but it does not appear in any of my pilot books. I thought that having myself sought advice from the forum on the matter I should let folk know what we found.

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[max_power]

Thanks ! Very much appreciated NM

NM

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[dickh]

Thanks for the info.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
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[Gunfleet]

Thanks for that

a sailing chum had told me about that route but I wasn't able to post it, not having personal experience. Nice to hear your result.

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[RMA]

When you say you found a minimum depth of 3.6 metres, was this across the Sunk? My chart appears to show most water up towards Barrow No 2 but from what you say you were further south west than that, or have I misunderstood?

This sounds really good – the crossing down by the SW Sunk beacon is always a worry.


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[Toutvabien]

I am going down to the boat on Saturday and will pick up the details of the waypoint that we used when crossing the sand, hopefully that will resolve any ambiguity about where we crossed. It did feel like a good result, we crept over the sand at about 2 knots with eyes riveted to the echo sounder all the way. Big relief when the depth went back over 4 metres and stayed there.

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[squidge]

I look forward to giving it a try.
Ps Hi , i think i am moored a couple of boats down from you.
Moody 33 Norlandia.
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[Plum]

I would realy appreciate your waypoints of the sunk sand crossing, please?

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