Thames - Gore Channel-Four Fathoms channel

[kingfisher]

I'm finalising the Sea-scout armada passage plan (sea-scout armada: read previous posts)

26th of July 2007, LW Sheerness at 16:32h BST, 1.6m over datum, what is the minimum real depth when sailing from Ramsgate to Queensborought through the Gore and South Channel, going from marker to marker ? I find 2.2m, because of a wreck/obstruction at 0.6m depth between Spaniard and Spile marker (51°26.311N and 001°00,34E).

 

[alldownwind]

There is no need to go to the Spaniard, go straight from the East Last to the Spile.
Your asking of all these detailed questions worries me - doesn't each boat in this armada full of young people have a responsible and experienced skipper? Why buoy-hop? There's nothing particularly difficult about the passage along the Kent coast, just make sure everyone has up-to-date charts and is capable of accurate pilotage. If they aren't capable, then they shouldn't be in charge, should they? Should I have my Coastguard team on stand-by that day? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[kingfisher]

I think you will find that the responsible and experienced skipper on board of each of the ships will be one of the young people you refer to. Half of the ships will by then have sailed from Poland/Norway/Germany/Portugal, skippered and crewed by those same young people, crossed the channel from Ostend into Ramsgate, across the Flemish Banks, past the Goodwin sands, across the Dover TSS.

And yes, a stand-by from the coast guard team will always be welcome, as we welcome any support on top of the Belgian coast guard, a few channel pilot companies, the PLA, and a few other port authorities.

Oh, and by the way: a direct course from East Last to Spile means sailing 10.4 Nm without reference point, and takes you within 0.2 Nm of a chartered depth of 0.2m.

 

[michael_w]

Why are you planning on the "overland" route? I did it many years ago in the days of steam navigation and decided, never again. It is very shallow, there are hardly any marks. Not fun if either the wind/sea pick up or the visibility closes in, which is what happpend to me, with 1.8m draft I was very worried about grounding in the bottom of waves.

I'd go via the Princes Channel. OK it's busy, but at least it has a few more marks. No doubt the denizens of the estuary will be along soon to offer suggestions, or say I'm talking a load of balderdash.

 

[Colvic Watson]

I wouldn't dream of saying balderdash, but I have used the Overland passage quite a lot. It is shorter and more fun and unless visibility is very bad you are always able to see the next mark, (there is a steady progression of them). It's also good pilotage stuff, all based on eyeball and chart. We are generally lazy plotter users but in the Overland the plotter is switched off and we enjoy doing it 'properly'. Ramsgate to the Thames is done on the flood, so you have the added safety net of going up on a rising tide. Good luck, whatever route you choose, hope it's a pleasant sail.

 

[LymingtonPugwash]

Never sailed those waters myself, far too depressing an area for my taste, but why isn't the 'Four Fathoms channel' 4 fathoms deep? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif I would get the trades descriptions people or somebody onto them! I'm surprised that the nanny state hasn't had clarifications posted yet, or even forced them to change the name in case some poor soul is misled! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[kingfisher]

We would prefer the Princess channel, but the PLA The Tidal Thames - A Guide for Users of Recreational Craft specifically states:
"Recreational craft are also advised to avoid the Princes Channel, the Black
Deep and Fisherman’s Gat, which are used extensively by large commercial
vessels."

Hence our dilemma. I really don't want to go against PLA recommendations without good reasons.
Also, we will be travelling against a foul tide the first 3 hours up the Thames, and the currents in the Gore are less than the Princess channel.

 

[alldownwind]

Kingfisher, as Pasta_Simon says this is just straightforward pilotage. It's my home waters, it just is not a problem especially as you say that all your skippers are highly experienced. You won't be sailing along all of it at LW will you?
By the way I presume you got the photos that I took the trouble to send you. Never had an acknowledgement. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[RivalRedwing]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh, and by the way: a direct course from East Last to Spile means sailing 10.4 Nm without reference point, and takes you within 0.2 Nm of a chartered depth of 0.2m.

[/ QUOTE ]

Which is why in these waters one keeps one eye on the depth display and plots regularly on a chart using GPS derived data if markers are not visible - they are in this case as you have the old gun towers amongst other things to take bearings from.
Surely, at the end of the day it is down to the experienced skippers of these craft to decide if this route is acceptable or to elect instead to take the long way round with the big ships (keeping to the edge of the channel)