Warning

[TheBoatman]

For anyone proposing to use the inshore route along the N.Kent coast this summer.

Be careful when approaching the East Last - Hook Spit buoys, the sand spit has reduced the depth and there is only a small gap with any depth of water.

The current situation is that the deepest water is to be found approx. 1/3rd distance from the EL bouy to the HS buoy.

<hr width=100% size=1>
The bottom line is, if you intend to use this route then approach that area with caution?<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by TheBoatman on 06/04/2004 00:43 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[AndrewB]

Thanks. I sounded through here back in January and found a maximum depth of 2.8m LAT - I confirm your position. The shoaling started after winter storms in 2002/3, previously there was 3.5m. However, at least the water is always fairly calm here, with significant waves only in strong E or NE winds.

There is also considerable shoaling to the east of the buoys, on the south side of the Gore Channel, and best water in this channel is now found disconcertingly close to the breaking Margate Hook sands. Several yachts rans aground last year here by going too far south away from the breaking water. After passing between the buoys going eastwards, it is best to head straight at the Margate Hook Sand beacon, only turning south as one approaches.

It is a great nuisance because the best passage plans coming round from the south coast heading for the Thames Estuary or Medway across the Kentish flats involve passing through the Gore Channel right on LW. The alternative is to go much further out through the Princes Channel.