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West Scotland and Northern IrelandWales and NW EnglandBristol ChannelChannel, WestSolentChannel, EastNorth Kent, inc Swale and MedwayThames and EstuaryEast CoastNorth East EnglandBrowse All Harbours
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Channel West, (Scilly Isles to the Solent, Sailing Directions and Charts)
Courtesy Flag
Flag, Red EnsignWaypoint
N/ACharts
Tidal : NP250, NP254, NP255 Navigation: Admiralty, 2454, 442, 2565, Medium Scale: 3315, 1613, 1267, 777Rules & Regulations
Hazards
Portland Race, and other disturbances around headlands..see textTidal Data Times & Range
Plymouth Devonport: HW Dover-0540 MHWS 5.5m MHWN 4.4m MLWN 2.2m MLWS 0.8mThis site is designed for slower, roaming broadband connections, like you would get at sea, so it needs JavaScript enabled to expand the text. Click here to show the fully expanded version
General Description
Weather Patterns
Winds-Weather.-The climate of the English Channel is controlled to a large extent by the series of cyclonic disturbances that usually move toward the E or NE, generally passing N of the British Isles. In such cases, the English Channel is under the influence of a mild and moist SW or WSW jet stream. ... read more
Approach
This area is described from W to E, starting with approaches to the Scilly Isles, and ending at Poole Bay.
The Scilly Isles
The Scilly Isles (49°55'N., 6°20'W.) comprise a group of isles and numerous above and below-water dangers that occupy a bank, about 5 miles wide, lying between 21 and 31 miles WSW of Land"s End, the SW extremity of England. The largest isles are concentrated in the NE part of the bank and the small isles, rocks, and hidden dangers intersperse, rather sporadically, the SW part of the bank. Bishop Rock (49°45'N., 6°35'W.), the SW extremity of the Scilly Isles, is the N of a small detached group of above-water rocks which are mostly awash at HW. Bishop Rock Light, equipped with a racon, is shown from a conspicuous granite tower, 49m high, standing on the rock. The light tower is radar prominent and generally the first sighting made when approaching the English Channel from the W. The light is obscured on some bearings.
Pol Bank (49°50'N., 6°28'W.), with a least depth of 23m, constitutes the S danger in the Scilly Isles area. It should be avoided by all vessels, specially in periods of heavy swell, when strong overfalls are formed. St. Agnes lies close SW of St. Mary"s; an old conspicuous lighthouse stands on its summit. St. Martin"s, fronted by rocks and islets, lies at the NE side of the group about miles N of St. Mary"s. A conspicuous beacon, 56m high, is situated on the E and highest end of this isle. ... read more
Berthing, Mooring & Anchoring
Lists of charts and publications covering the western English Channel:
Most popular yachting areas worldwide are covered by these cost-effective and attractive Admiralty Small Craft folios.Click on the links below to see the coverage available and buy online from Todd Charts, our preferred Admiralty Chart Agent.
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