Thames Estuary

[dj43]

Hi All
What is the currant situation re knock deep pass,is it open to navigation,being a bit lazy hoping to save a call tomorrow.

 

[tillergirl]

See here

http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html and select the Temporary Notices page and scroll down about 3 items.

There are some foundations being laid in the Knock Deep at present. You must keep 500m clear of these works and 50m clear of any completed foundations. There will be an update tomorrow of this week's work (it's not out yet) which will include the intended work of the cable laying ship (currently anchored in the middle of Foulger's Gat).

If you go there, call the Guard Boat, the Mary Ann 1 for instructions.

 

[dj43]

See here

http://www.crossingthethamesestuary.com/page9.html and select the Temporary Notices page and scroll down about 3 items.

There are some foundations being laid in the Knock Deep at present. You must keep 500m clear of these works and 50m clear of any completed foundations. There will be an update tomorrow of this week's work (it's not out yet) which will include the intended work of the cable laying ship (currently anchored in the middle of Foulger's Gat).

If you go there, call the Guard Boat, the Mary Ann 1 for instructions.

Hi tillergirl
Thanks very much,excellent site,could the book be used for fast passage making in a mobo,many thanks again.
merlyn

 

[tillergirl]

The 'fastest' table is 7kts. The intention of the tables is to allow those affected by the tide to plan - which at lower speeds can be quite complicated. For instance it is pretty difficult to carry a favourable tide all the way from say Ramsgate to the Blackwater if you can only average 4/5kts. Which means there are choices and the tables help those.

I did have a plan to include a 10kt table but there are difficult cost calculations over publication and size and really there was no room. There was also the thought that most Mobo's would go faster than that these days and I guess at the higher speeds, the tides become more of an issue of sea state and an impact on fuel economy than really impacting passage times. So the decision was taken to keep the tables to the range of 3 to 7kts Springs and Neaps.

It's an interesting question (well it is if you own an anorak), I did idly muse at what speeds tides became more an irrelevance (for passage planning) one wet afternoon - do they ever? Doing a quick bit of mental calculation if you can cruise at 24kts you could do the length of the Black Deep from Sunk Head to Fisherman's Gat in 30 minutes during which the worst tide you could encounter would be 1kt against you which would make little difference. Mind you if it was blowing a force 7 against the tide and you were forced to displacement speeds that would be a different issue.

The direct answer to your question is the tables will not be of use to you but the routes and the comments on the routes in the first part of the book would be valid.

As a matter if interest, given favourable conditions what boat speed would you averaqe on a passage across the Estuary. If you got forced to displacement speeds, what would that be?

 

[dj43]

Hi tillergirl
Thanks again for your reply,our normal cruising speed is around 20 to 25knts,dropping to around 14 and down to displacment speeds between 9 and 10,as we have not had our currant boat very long ,we are not sure about speeds,but will no dout find out next year,my original question was in regard to a passage we are hoping to make this week weather permitting,ware we are taking a nelson 45 displacment cat A mobo from lowestoft to cowes,hope to run a log on mobo site (spottydog)weather not looking good for next 5 days though ,we shall be attempting to do it in three legs,

1- lowestoft to shotly as not leaving untill 1130 bridge lift
2- shotly to brighton or eastbourn
3- brighton or eastbourn to cowes

If we are able to get out from lowestoft early then would try for ramsgate ,the reason for my original post.
best wishes merlyn

 

[tillergirl]

Ah, the mobo I would have if I had the money and were to give up the sailly bit.

Great trip if the weather is kind. I think with that equipment and reasonable weather I would go outside the Kentish Knock. I am sure you are aware of the Sunk Gyratory.

If coming out via the Medusa from Harwich, don't cut the Long Sand Head. Whilst there have been no buoy movements in recent months (the Black Deep was moved twice earlier in the year), the trend is for the Long Sand Head to extend north east.

 

[dj43]

Ah, the mobo I would have if I had the money and were to give up the sailly bit.

Great trip if the weather is kind. I think with that equipment and reasonable weather I would go outside the Kentish Knock. I am sure you are aware of the Sunk Gyratory.

Hi tillergirl
As we have decided that forecast looks better after Saturday,stayed in lowestoft until then, going outside kentish knock is the rout we favour with nw winds forecast,as not on boat at present,I'm thinking (without chart at hand) that we would keep to the east of the sunk Gyratory,pleased to heed your advice on this,and anything we may have overlooked as to having read the precautionary advice.

 

[Stork_III]

Ah, the mobo I would have if I had the money and were to give up the sailly bit.

Great trip if the weather is kind. I think with that equipment and reasonable weather I would go outside the Kentish Knock. I am sure you are aware of the Sunk Gyratory.

Hi tillergirl
As we have decided that forecast looks better after Saturday,stayed in lowestoft until then, going outside kentish knock is the rout we favour with nw winds forecast,as not on boat at present,I'm thinking (without chart at hand) that we would keep to the east of the sunk Gyratory,pleased to heed your advice on this,and anything we may have overlooked as to having read the precautionary advice.

Don't forget the wind farm thingy to east of Sunk Gyratory as well.

 

[tillergirl]

I don't think you have to go east of the Sunk gyratory. That's adding some unnecessary miles and as Stork has said brings the Inner Gabbard Wind Farm into play. The Sunk Gyratory is not an exclusion zone, rather a precautionary area.

Yachts are encouraged to enter the Sunk Inner Precautionary area from the north between the Sunk TSS North and the Shipwash bank and you are entitled to use the two way route (any vessel under 20m) subject to Rule 9 of the Collision Regs.

The rules are here
http://online.hhait.net/library/files/71161B24-3980-4E74-95BE-22F02453B0E9.pdf
and here
http://www.ryaeast.org/new_site/documents/gunfleet/sunk.pdf
Chart here
http://nms.ukho.gov.uk/2010/Week29_3449-3587/NP286(1)-WEEK29-10-PAGE405.pdf

 

[SpottyDog5]

Thanks for the helpful advice, most appreciated.

 

[dj43]

Left Lowestoft 9am approx sat morning,heading for Dover,passage across Thames,
e shipwash, long sand head, kentish nock,ne split,going was very good until kentish nock when weather changed for worse and also tide to wind over,making very hairy passage to Ramsgate,arrived at Dover approx 3.30pm only nocking a couple of those windy things over he he
Left Dover before 7am sun, heading to Solent,wind over tide around beachy head made conditions very lumpy boat coupted very well,arrived in hamble 3.30pm hope to do a full post with photos on mobo,

happy Xmas all

 

[tillergirl]

Well done. I look forward to the full post idc.