oldgit
Well-Known Member
Are you supposed to call Dover when going past the port ?
Transiting Dover.
- Thread starter oldgit
- Start date
Biggles Wader
Well-Known Member
Yes if you go within two miles of the port. They are good at giving you any useful information about shipping movements that may affect you. Very helpful
oldgit
Well-Known Member
Bru
Well-Known Member
I would personally not even consider transiting past Dover within the harbour limits, even with permission from port control. Those ferries move!
I've only gone past once and that was in the dark at night but it isn't actually any imposition to stay more than two miles off
Even then I'd give the a call if in any doubt especially during the day when it's busy. I didn't because it was very quiet and there was only one outbound ferry on the move and he was long gone
I've only gone past once and that was in the dark at night but it isn't actually any imposition to stay more than two miles off
Even then I'd give the a call if in any doubt especially during the day when it's busy. I didn't because it was very quiet and there was only one outbound ferry on the move and he was long gone
johnalison
Well-Known Member
If anything, I would regard it as easier to pass close by, before the ferry routes have fanned out over a larger area. They are normally polite and very understanding of yachts that obey the rules. I have only passed once, in about 1989, which was easy enough. Providing that you are going with the tide, you will be doing something around 8kn SOG or more, so you will be past in no time.
mattonthesea
Well-Known Member
Not only polite but very helpful too.
pvb
Well-Known Member
Yes, Dover Port Control are incredibly helpful to sailboats. Be sure to call them in good time - when you're 3 miles away isn't too early. Tell them your position, boat size and intentions, and they'll advise you.
Gary Fox
N/A
They are a shining example of how it should be done. If Heineken made Port Control...
Alhough IMO , callng from 3 miles away is pointless, a mile is fine in a yacht.
Compare and contrast with Humber VTS, a confused shambles.
Alhough IMO , callng from 3 miles away is pointless, a mile is fine in a yacht.
Compare and contrast with Humber VTS, a confused shambles.
Gary Fox
N/A
Last time I pulled in there it was Christmas Day, and the ferries were asleep. Look how smooth the water is!
pvb
Well-Known Member
I've been called by Dover Port Control when I've been about 2 miles away and preparing to call them! They have keen radar coverage.
[70521]
Well-Known Member
I entered Dover westbound this summer and Port Control were extremely helpful, I kept a wide berth when going eastbound. I stated that I had not entered the port before and they gave clear and exact instructions.
Pity about the beer, got a score of 3/10 and the pub was quite close to the marina!
Pity about the beer, got a score of 3/10 and the pub was quite close to the marina!
Tomahawk
Well-Known Member
There are many ports who could learn a lot from Dover. Ramsgit being high on the list.
Bru
Well-Known Member
You're supposed to call when 2 miles off. Not 3 miles, not 1 mile, 2 miles 
Calling too soon can cause confusion if there's several boats inbound (been there, had an exchange with Port Control to clarify who was where cos a yacht over three miles out called in without being specific about where they were just before I called in from two miles out and Control were thus uncertain who was who. I've also heard Port Control, with just the merest trace of sarcasm, tell somebody 4 miles out to call back at 2 miles!)
Calling too late can be very entertaining for the rest of us too because Dover Port Control does an exquisitely understated ultra polite line in telling off naughty leisure boaters
Calling too soon can cause confusion if there's several boats inbound (been there, had an exchange with Port Control to clarify who was where cos a yacht over three miles out called in without being specific about where they were just before I called in from two miles out and Control were thus uncertain who was who. I've also heard Port Control, with just the merest trace of sarcasm, tell somebody 4 miles out to call back at 2 miles!)
Calling too late can be very entertaining for the rest of us too because Dover Port Control does an exquisitely understated ultra polite line in telling off naughty leisure boaters
Marmalade
Well-Known Member
We stopped overnight both ways this year - on the way back we were arriving too late for the Granville and they found us an all-tide berth - amazing service and welcome.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
On a point of order, nobody in their right mind would ever mistake Heineken for the ‘best beer in the world’. The slogan was invented by Carlsberg, whose beer will at least do you no harm.
johnalison
Well-Known Member
The RCPYC used to have the whole of a very nice property on the front. They also served their own beer, brewed by Shepherd Neame but I doubt if this s still the case.
dansaskip
Well-Known Member
Indeed they called me too when I was within a mile and gave me a bit of a telling off for not calling them sooner! I did explain my my main vhf was broken at the time so didn't call them earlier because of limited range of my handheld which mollified them only slightly.
Gary Fox
N/A
Gary Fox
N/A
Good excuse I will remember that one..
