ECA Cross Channel Rally to Cherbourg etc.: 05-18 June 2010
Cherbourg / Basse-Normandie / Channel Islands / or Baie de la Seine / Le Havre.

June 2010 offers ECA members a chance to cruise cross-channel in company. So if you’re a seasoned Channel crosser or a X-Manche virgin this cruise will provide the opportunity to sail as part of a social group rather than set off into the wide blue yonder on your own.

There is little point in going into too much detail over the navigational concerns at this stage. A lot will depend on wind and tide on the day, and of course, for the rest of the cruise period. Members intending to participate on the Rally should therefore text or e-mail their Estimated Day/Time of Departure from homeports and Estimated Day/Time of Arrival at Cherbourg to Richard & Dick not later than Thursday 27/05/2010. Cherbourg is a popular summer rally venue, so we will try to book in at the Cherbourg marina once participants are known, or arrive on a Sunday/Monday as the weekend rallies and racers head back to the Solent!

The intention is to sail in company if possible to Cherbourg during daylight hours staying a few days in Normandie & the Channel Islands and back to UK by Friday 18/06/10. Kotka will be looking to depart the Solent on ????June and Tringa II will be looking to depart from the Solent on the 5 or 6th June. There may therefore be two opportunities to cross in company.

We have two possible jumping off points, depending where in the Solent your boat is kept - The Nab Tower or the Needles Fairway Buoy, possibly via an overnight stay in Lymington or Yarmouth IoW. My usual personal preference is for the Nab Tower, other skippers preferences may be different.

The first intended destination is Cherbourg as it’s a large target with a safe deep water harbour enjoying 24 hour access. Kotka takes 15-18 hours and Tringa II 12-14 hours to get from slipping at EYH to berthed in Cherbourg. In order to keep night sailing to a minimum for those new to the Channel it would make sense to leave Emsworth on the previous evening, cross to Priory Bay northwest of St Helens Fort and anchor for a few hours. It is approximately 65 miles from St Helens to Cherbourg so a departure time of 02:00 to 04:00hrs will enable the crossing to be almost completely in daylight.

Once we’re all in Cherbourg other destinations to the East and West can be decided on in view of local conditions and everyone’s wishes.

All are more than welcome but we particularly hope that those of you who haven’t made it across yet will feel encouraged to come along. Kotka and Tringa II will be more than happy to act as “mother ships” and offer assistance and company on the way across.

The Skipper should ensure that adequate safety equipment for the whole crew is carried, the boat & crew’s papers are in order and the vessel is well found and able to cope with the conditions which may be encountered in a Channel crossing.

It is now a legal requirement for a Skipper to prepare a Passage Plan for any trip leaving sheltered waters (eg: Chi. Hbr.). It must include the weather forecasts consulted by the Skipper in deciding whether or not to sail that day.

If you have not done such a trip or passage plan before, Dick and Richard, will be happy to meet up prior to the crossing to discuss your plans and share our experience.

Communications

Liability

Participating skippers are reminded that all ECA rallies and events are carried out under Rule 22 of the Emsworth Cruising Association Rules as published in the Emsworth Cruising Association Yearbook. Participation in an ECA rally or event is taken as acknowledgement and understanding of this rule.

In addition, as this is a foreign going Rally, we recommend that Skippers should ensure that all the vessels registration, vhf and insurance, CG66 documentation, fire extingushers, distress flares, liferaft, life jackets, together with the crew's passports, ICC, VHF & First Aid certificates, etc are in date & good order for the whole of the cruise period and on board!

This event is for members and their crews only.
Applications by 30th May.
For urgency, use the 'SUBMIT' button below or phone or e-mail as above or print this form and post to:-
Dick Tyrrell, whose address is in the Year Book