Updates & Downloads

This is a CTTE chartlet based upon a survey completed on Monday, 13th August, 2012.

This is the obvious crossing point of the Sunk Sand for those intending to use Foulger’s Gat. The crossing area is bounded by two wrecks to the south-west and the wreckage of the old Little Sunk Beacon to the north-east. All hazards are unmarked but there is ample room assuming a valid GPS signal over sand which appears to be flat and uniform with at least 3.0 metres at CD in the surveyed area.

To download a version of the chartlet complete with relevant parts of CTTE routes, click below:

Download as a JPEG file

The Sunk Sand

(The South-West Sunk)

Adjacent to the Barrow No 6 PHB

IMPORTANT UPDATE

19-05-2013

Less Water reported this year (2013). Survey to follow as soon as possible

Chartlet Revised and Updated 29th July, 2012

This is a CTTE chartlet based upon a survey completed in June, 2012.

Depths at the swatchway have reduced but it remains a viable crossing point in appropriate weather subject to height of tide and draught of yacht. The drying knoll of the Middle Sunk does not appear to have intruded much on the swatchway although a shallow finger does appear to be advancing up from the direction of the old SW Sunk beacon. Through the centre of the swatchway controlling depths are perhaps 2.2m at chart datum which is at least a metre down on last year. At mean neaps it is not unreasonable to expect more than a metre of water over chart datum at low water. At mean springs do not expect much over chart datum at low water.

I have revised the recommended track, having moved the waypoint on the Black Deep side of the swatchway. I would recommend coming south to drop down most of the way to the Barrow No 6 before turning to head over the sand to ensure you remain clear of the Middle Sunk knoll. Note that the distant NW Long Sand beacon should lie off your starboard bow as you head south. DO NOT ATTEMPT to transit direct between the Barrow No 6 and the Black Deep No 7.

Coming North, once departing the southerly waypoint, the Black Deep No 6 is an easy target. Our experience during the survey was that the tide appeared to ebb south through the swatchway. This was towards the end of the ebb. Note that this remains an area of changing depths.

The Spitway

Revised and Updated 29th July, 2012

This is a CTTE chartlet based upon resurveys on 21st and 24th July, 2012.

Whilst the Buxey Sand is relatively steep too to the west, at the right state of the tide and with a craft of the right draught, it is possible to pass well to the east of the two Spitway buoys.

The Ray Sand

Revised and Updated October, 2012

Download the Crouch HA PDF File

This is a CTTE Chartlet based upon surveys in 2011 and October, 2012.

The revision of the Crouch buoyage in July, 2011 led to some surplus old buoys which the Crouch Harbourmaster has kindly used to add to the Ray Sand Buoyage. All buoyage is now lined up on the 000.59’600N Meridian which is pretty much the best ‘water’ (2012)

The Crouch Buoyage

(Whitaker and Swallowtail)

Revised, 2013

Download the CTTE PDF file

Download the CTTE JPEG File

The comprehensive buoyage changes were completed in July, 2011. You may either download the Crouch Harbour Authority Chart or the CTTE version which is perhaps more suitable for A4 printing. Note that the CTTE version now includes the full Ray Sand Buoyage.

Bradwell Creek

Revised 2011

Data on depths in Bradwell Creek. This chart is from soundings taken in September and October, 2010 and a re-surveyed 19.07.2011. On 22.07.2011 six new withies were put into place on the eastern edge of Pewit Island and the red cans adjusted and these are now included in this latest version. NOTE: I have not had the opportunity to resurvey Bradwell this year but in visits it seems to me that the creek has largely remained as in 2011 with the exception that the shallow ‘bar’ now extends from half way between the first and second red cans as far as the third red can. This ‘shallowing’ does, however, appear to be soft mud - TG was able to power through it.

Mersea Quarters

Revised 24th September, 2012

A CTTE chartlet that I have done simply because I had the data! It shows how the Nass has retreated over the years. This chart has been amended on 24.09.2012 to remove the Trinity House Buoy following the removal of the wreck adjacent to the Nass Beacon. It includes the 2012 changes to lit buoys in the Quarters and approaches to Tollesbury.

Tollesbury North and South Channels

Revised 2nd June, 2012

This is a CTTE Chartlet based upon surveys in 2011 and 2012.

This includes the repositioning of buoys during May, 2012.

Tollesbury - the Leavings

Revised 11th June, 2012

This is a CTTE Chartlet based upon surveys in 2011 and 2012.

Lawling Creek

Revised 1st May, 2012

This is a CTTE chartlet based upon a survey in 2011 and includes the additional buoyage put in by maldon District Council for 2012.

The London Array Wind Farm

Revised 2012

This is CTTE’s impression of how the London Array will emerge during 2012.

Currently all turbines are installed and the work that remains is to bury in-field cables and commission the site. As commissioning takes place, the individual ‘worksite’ lights on each turbine will revert to the finalised state illustrated here. There is currently (March, 2013) no date set for consideration of the replacement of the Foulger’s Gat buoyage but the image below shows the avenue recommended for leisure craft.

The London Array Wind Farm and Foulger's Gat

Drawn 2012

This is CTTE’s impression of the route through the London Array Windfarm once completed during 2013.

The Kentish Flats

(Wind Farm issues)

Drawn, 2012

This is a CTTE drawing based upon Imray data showing the Rock Berm area where the main cables from the Kentish Flats and London Array Wind Farms cross over.. Original image is copyright of Imray.

The Copperas Channel

Drawn, 2012

This is a CTTE drawing based upon Imray data showing the revision to the Copperas Channel. Original image is copyright of Imray.

Crossing the Sunk Sand

2011

Copy of a 2011 article reprinted from EastCoastSailing.co.uk providing an update on the crossing places for the Sunk Sand.

Use in conjunction with the charts of the Little and SW Sunk above.

The London Array

2011