Entering Dover W Docks

singlesailor · Post by **singlesailor** » Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:03 am

Having recently purchased a Classic Seadog Mizzen Rigged Ketch EMRA ,which has been moored at Northney Marina, Hayling Island, it was necessary at the begining of April to sail EMRA around the southern coast to her new mooring in Faversham Creek, N Kent coast. We had a succesful motor/sail, until the weather turned rough on our approach to Dover Marina, it actually ended up a Force 6 just coming along the stretch of coast between Folkstone and Dover, and apparently the entrance into Dover Marina is a bit rough at the best of times, but in these conditions really awful. Our main was still up, so about 5 minutes before the entrance I sheeted in hard, then as the skipper made a turn to port, let fly the main halyard, as we finally entered the calmer waters of the harbour.
Has anybody out there experience of entering W Docks under these difficult conditions, and any advise as to the best approach to enter.
EMRA is now safely in her home berth of Faversham Creek.

Post by **Jeff** » Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:21 pm

Glad we're not the only ones. We came in and discovered that the sea was crazy just outside, and the cross-set was close to 4 knots. We'd had a lovely sail from Eastbourne in fair conditions and were not expecting it. We entered the harbour motoring hard, almost at 90 degrees to the entrance.

singlesailor · Post by **singlesailor** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 6:06 am

When we sailed EMRA out on her journey up the coast to Faversham Creek,, we contacted the Port Authorities on their call sign, and awaited permission to exit through the E Docks, which of course is where the cross channel ferries enter....it is certainly easier than the W Docks, and once clear of the entrance and ferries, you can swing up into the wind in the lee of the Cliffs, set the sails and get going safely...

Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:49 am

Yep, that's exactly what we did too. Scary being so close to the massive cross-channel boats, especially when told to hold position in the same location as one of them, while another one came in the East entrance! (Think there's a picture of part of this in my blog, I'll dig out a link and post it).

Post by **admin** » Wed Apr 18, 2012 7:51 am

Here's my account of our West entrance arrival:

viewtopic.php?p=781#781

And here's my account of our departure:

viewtopic.php?t=279 (pre-departure)

viewtopic.php?t=281 (actual departure with pictures)