Transiting Sunk Centre

[Tradewinds]

Do you or don’t you?

I was going to on my way to Zeebrugge but now I’m not sure having seen the suggested route on the lmray N sea planning chart ( folio 2120).

Decisions decisions.

 

[tillergirl]

On C30 it suggests out the Long Sand Head either via the Cork Sand Beacon and across the Roughs or via the Medusa and NE Gunfleet. Then down to the Kentish Knock , east to the Sunk S1, then right angles to the TSS to the Westhinder then a largely east across to Zeebrugge. I don't have 2120. Garth Cooper has taken over the authorship of that title so he might comment.

 

[tillergirl]

And right now:

EAST COAST OF ENGLAND - THAMES ESTUARY - SUNK PRECAUTIONARY AREA


SUNK INNER LIGHT FLOAT (ALL Vol.A2172, ALRS 51930) - Latitude 51° 51.170’N., Longitude 001° 34.400’E

Amendment: On or about the 4th August 2023, for a period of approximately 8 weeks, the Sunk Inner Light Float will be replaced with a Safe Water Buoy, as follows:

Light: L Fl 10s – Nominal Range of 9nm

Hazard Warning Signal: Wave actuated bell

AIS Transmission: MMSI 992351027 “Sunk Inner”

Racon: Morse “T” X&S Band


Further notice will be given when the Safe Water Buoy is removed and the Light Float is re-established.

 

[Tradewinds]

Thanks Roger,
With these Easterlies it's mostly about the angle of dangle. Don't want to go too far south unless I have to.
Normally I go Ipswich to IJmuiden so this passage is unfamiliar to me.
This is my first trip out in Rose for 3.75 years so I'm a little on edge. Crossing the Pacific seemed a lot more straightforward!

 

[phatcat1]

We have passed through before, and plan to this summer, but with the usual caveats of keep well out the way if it is busy, or likely to be close to shipping. Also talking to VTS seems a sensible option so they know you are aware of what is going on and your intentions

 

[LittleSister]

I have, er, known someone who transited straight across the 'roundabout', as there was no shipping in sight.

 

[Daydream believer]

Zeebrugge? Why would anybody want to go there? how about Blankenburge? Bit like Blackpool but at least less commercial. Unless you want to motor up the canal to Brugge- Which I did once

 

[PetiteFleur]

Confession - I have transited the Sunk roundabout, albeit about 5 years ago. Didn't hit anything and only saw about 3 ships. I thought it was OK. Was I wrong?

 

[Koeketiene]

I have, er, known someone who transited straight across the 'roundabout', as there was no shipping in sight.

Same.
As long as there's no shipping in sight, they're just lines on a chart. And can therefore safely be ignored.
It's not like it's busy-busy like the Dover Straights or the Scheldt river approach.

 

[Tradewinds]

Zeebrugge? Why would anybody want to go there? how about Blankenburge? Bit like Blackpool but at least less commercial. Unless you want to motor up the canal to Brugge- Which I did once

I've been before and quite liked the place. But then again I've liked most places I've visited by boat. I even really enjoyed my time in Colon, the gateway to the Panama Canal - a town known as the ****hole of the world. What's so special about Blankenburge?
I plan to get the train to Bruges.

 

[Tradewinds]

Thank you everybody for your replies - Sunk Centre can't be any worse than the Singapore Strait - I'll be careful and make my decision on the day when i see what the wind direction and strength is (F6
on the nose probably).

 

[Koeketiene]

I've been before and quite liked the place. But then again I've liked most places I've visited by boat. I even really enjoyed my time in Colon, the gateway to the Panama Canal - a town known as the ****hole of the world. What's so special about Blankenburge?
I plan to get the train to Bruges.

Not special about Blankenberge at all, though it's nicer than Zeebrugge - IMHO.

FWIW: there's a direct train service from Blankenberge to Bruges - takes about 20 mins.

 

[Daydream believer]

Back in the 70s there was an absolutely brilliant war museum in Zeebrugge. It showed the horrors of war & what happened to the people of the town due to the presence of the U boats. It also showed the story of the allied attack to blockade the port & how the ship was bought alongside the old dock wall to blast the gun emplacements at a range of a few yards. The captain & midshipman were both killed. One lost his arms, the other his legs, but together the captain was able to tell the midshipman what orders to give down the voice pipe as they lay dying.

The ships bridge had been removed & placed in the museum with models of the two.The bridge was like a collander.
We could hardly look at the pictures of babies hanging on lines for torture.
The people of Zeebrugge built the museum in honour of the british, because once the U boats could no longer be there, the SS went away & life was a little easier on the inhabitants.

I really wanted to show my son & daughter the museum, so they would understand the horrors of war. So I took them to Zeebrugge in my boat many years later. It is a pity that it has been taken away. I assume that in the passing of time it does not help relations with Germany to have such things on display anymore. But in some ways we should not forget either.

I also recall walking along the harbour by the large fishing fleet & they had placed bits of aircraft that they had snagged in their nets. I particularly recall a large engine with one cylinder, at one end, blown away & the piston hanging out. Then another one, with a propeller still attached with all the tips bent back at right angles, Presumably as it hit the water. There were landing wheels & other items of planes. Unsurprisingly, were also a couple of shops selling stuff that had been pulled up in the nets.