ECA Rally to Cherbourg
ECA Rally to Cherbourg
This is a long weekend rally to Cherbourg with option to heat down to CI's or head East into Normandy for the adventurous. This rally is in conjunction with TISC who will also be coming. This is a good opportunity for those who have not crossed the channel before to do so in company.
Cherbourg is a port of entry, but still send in the PAF form a couple of days in advance, as last year customs officers had the form with them when stamping the passports in the marina. The marina has now published a schedule for when customs will be stamping passports in the harbour office and is attached below. There is no need for an ETIAS (visa) as the system has been delayed until 2026. Also the EES system is delayed until at least October so no biometric passport scanning is in operation yet (although machines are appearing in ports of entry).
There is a presentation on the website which was given for last years Cherbourg Rally which is still 99% current and is worth reading if you have not done the crossing before (or even if you have). It can be found at: ECA Cross Channel Presentation. You will need to be logged in to open it. This gives lots of useful information (but please see the disclaimer).
Friday 13th June - HW Chichester 01:17 BST 4.3m - HW Dover 00:53 4.8 and 13:13 4.8
Leave EYH around 01:30 (HW Dover ~+30) to head East of the IOW and on to Cherbourg. Aim to be up tide of Cherbourg as you close. (if you base timings on doing 5kn then the will be a Westerly set).
Aim to arrive around 16:30 to 17:00 BST or 17:30 - 18:00 CEST for a 15+ hour crossing.
We are booked onto the rally pontoons
Saturday 14th June
Day in and around Cherbourg. A trip may be organised but waiting to see. There is La Cite de la Mer and Musee de la Liberation which are worth a visit if you have not been to them before.
An evening meal (set 3 course) has been booked in La Commerce for 19:00 and costs 24.90 Euros per head. It is a short distance from the marina. Meal choices are required in advance (See attached menu, translated to English in booking form). Booking cancellation with 4 or less days notice may result in a charge.
Sunday 15th June
Day in and around Cherbourg. Pontoon drinks in the evening for those late departing tomorrow.
Monday 16th June - HW Chichester 15:58 4.4m and 04:04 2.2m (17th) - HW Dover 02:43 4.6m and15:09 4.6m
Two options for departure if heading back to UK.
1. Leave Cherbourg at around 01:00 BST (02:00 CEST) aiming to arrive at EYH around HW (~16:00 BST).
2. Leave Cherbourg at around 11:30 BST (12:30 CEST) aiming to arrive at EYH about 1.5 hours before HW (~ 02:30 BST)
If you are not heading back to the UK then some boats are likely to head for the CIs and others for the Normandy coast. If you are planning to do either let us know.
Communication
The OOD for this Rally is: Neil Fuller and Giles Tewkesbury (TISC)
Contact no: See Members Directory, Boat Name: Koto
Email: See Members directory
Rally Contact: VHF Chan 16/08
When booking the ECA rally ticket please indicate whether you wish to be included in the rally 'WhatsApp' group for up to the minute communications.
Please don't hesitate to contact the OOD if you have any questions.
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 ECA Yearbook.
Participation in an ECA Rally or event is taken as acknowledgement and understanding of this rule.
The ECA draws to the attention of skippers and crew attending, that full responsibility for sea worthiness of boats and experience of crew attending is held with the skipper of the boat sailing to the rally. All information given should be checked before setting out.
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Last updated 7:52pm on 17 May 2025