Advice regarding RIVER DEBEN, SUFFOLK

PLEASE NOTE -  Entrance to RIVER DEBEN, SUFFOLK changing - Jan 2017

Pick up OFFING BUOY and then BAR BUOY (shingle banks are often on the move).  There has been a fairly dramatic move of the N. shoal which has moved towards the Felixstowe shore. Channel takes craft fairly close up towards steep-to shore line which needs careful pilotage coming   IN/OUT   but with good depth.  Can alter with frequent storms.

Once passed this narrow section local  buoyage is little changed.   Bear in mind tides run fairly fast (wind over tide) not normally a wise time to experiment.

Foot passenger ferry runs daily twixt Bawdsey Quay and Quay by Felixstowe  Ferry Boatyard.

Sent by Tony Ratcliffe OBE, HPO River Deben

Anne Le Verrier..., 13.03.2017 | More from Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey’s blog

ALL HPO INFORMATION

This year  ALL information regarding the Honorary Port Officers -  Journal page, in-house database and mailing list, online interactive map and the maps up in the Club house -  everything is up to date.for Club members online.

With Judy's magnificent assistance we have finally managed to complete all relevant information and start this year with a clean slate, until I hear from someone.

Anne Le Verrier..., 13.03.2017 | More from Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey’s blog

Homewards bound: The Commodore's Blog from Croatia

Above: Leaving Korcula

Well, I said on my last blog we were hoping for more wind. And that is just what we got!  By popular request ( in fact our Corinthian friends) it was agreed we should do an informal race   - no handicaps, plus the new Little Ship rule developed in the Channel Islands cruise for racing in no wind (switch on the engine!...). So we set off beating Eastwards in light airs . Seven or eight long tacks later at around 2knots we had just got round the point, to find the wind had backed round to the south west and died, as we set off south westwards to Lastovo. So the rule (and engine) was engaged!  We arrived last, but were adjudged the winners as the boat that must have sailed longest!

Michael Forbes Smith, 16.09.2016 | More from Michael Forbes Smith’s blog

Croatia: Departures and Arrivals in Trogir

It wasn’t possible to be part of the Croatia Rally unfortunately because of the need to be in Cambridge where my wife, Carol has been selected to exhibit at The Cambridge Printmakers while it is on. The next best thing was to have a charter holiday the week before. Although the Bora tried to spoil it, it ended in fine style as The Commodore was arriving under spinnaker in the Spirit of Osprey in Trogir. He was being joined by others in the flotilla as we were packing up in the neighbouring Marina. 

We had chosen to sail north in an Allures 45 which is an interesting boat with aluminium hull and swinging keel as well as the refinements of bow thruster, electric winch and other electronic gismos. Below is a picture of us in Maslinica, a delightful harbour about 10 NM from the even more fascinating Trogir.

Drummond Robson, 16.09.2016 | More from Drummond Robson’s blog

Korcula 2: The Commodore's Blog from Croatia

I forgot to say that the "Maresca" traditional sword fight dance we were due to see on Monday evening was mysteriously cancelled - as Michael Unsworth said, this is Dalmatia!  But the pontoon party produced more than enough bonhomie to see us through our mild disappointment!

But yesterday, Tuesday, certainly did not disappoint.  After a relaxed morning, I strolled down to the Lesic Dimitri for a coffee with Michael Unsworth. There I met a demand to bring my pipes - I had piped to announce the start of the pontoon party, just as the helpful waiter from Lesic Dimitri arrived with the wine and was captivated/astonished. The word had obviously been passed on!

Michael Forbes Smith, 14.09.2016 | More from Michael Forbes Smith’s blog

Korcula 1: The Commodore's Blog from Croatia

Well, what a wonderful two days we have had. The passage from Hvar to Korcula was made without the assistance of wind - except for half an hour as we approached the Korcuka Channel. We got the spinnaker up again, only to find the wind dropping. We actually made 3 knots with the same amount of wind, but it soon dropped away. We had to get to Kircula in time to arrange the pontoon party so it was engine back in and down to Korcula at 5.8 knots. I never cease to marvel at the old town of Korcula; what could possibly be more attractive, on a sunny day with the brick-red roofs, the honeyed, weathered old towers and the spire of St Mark's Cathedral (a dead give-away as to its Venetian origins) rising majestically on top of the town hill. We got there by

Michael Forbes Smith, 14.09.2016 | More from Michael Forbes Smith’s blog

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