Update on Dover

[Dazzajohm]

Are there any issues with depth over the dogleg?

No problems at all, they've dredged the new channel

 

[MountainGoat]

No problems at all, they've dredged the new channel

Thanks. Planning to arrive and depart around high water so it makes my question somewhat academic, but it's always useful to be prepared!

 

[Dazzajohm]

Thanks. Planning to arrive and depart around high water so it makes my question somewhat academic, but it's always useful to be prepared!

If you've not visited since the new channel has been in place when you head down the channel keep over towards the cruise terminals and then enter the dog leg once you get the green light. If you're unsure of anything they have safety boats lurking about which you can ask to escort you through.

 

[Tomahawk]

It's perhaps worth mentioning for anyone unfamiliar with Dover and thinking of stopping off there, the Port Control people are brilliantly professional and very sympathetic to small craft. So long as you do exactly as you are told, that is. They do spell out very clearly what they want you to do. Just do it!

Indeedee
Leaving via Eastern on aftrnoon we were instructed to proceed and clear to the north.... as soon as our nose was clear of the breakwater we were given five blasts by Nord Pas d'Caiais who was approaching. First Officer got on the blower and enquired if we had misunderstood the instruction to proceed. "no came the reply, he has plenty of room".

 

[MountainGoat]

They were extremely helpful and patient with us trying to slot into the eastern on Friday in lumpy moderate seas that reduced our top speed to just over 3 knots, even when thrashing our engine. Was told to continue approach at best speed towards an incoming RORO tho, which was unnerving as hell! I guess he had us both on radar (and the ferry on AIS, as did we), and knew the vectors didn’t come close to intersecting, but it’s a bit hairy when you’re the one piloting the little 30 foot yacht towards one of those enormous things!