Little Ship Club and Corinthians English East Coast Cruise

21st – 28th August 2021

Cruise Guide

Commodore’s Welcome

A warm welcome to all members and guests of the Little Ship Club and the Corinthians.

It is good to see so many friends gather on the Orwell, on the English East Coast for this the 2021 cruise to the Thames and Estuaries in the Little Ship Club’s 95th anniversary year.

Having suffered from COVID-19 restrictions for so long it is nice to finally get out on the water to sail (and socialise) in good company. Sadly ,we shall not be able to welcome, as is the custom, many of our Corinthian cousins to British waters as the pandemic has worsened to the extent that some hospitals in the USA are becoming inundated.

The Thames and Medway Estuaries have so much to offer the visiting cruising yachtsman. I am looking forward to visiting some of the most significant yacht clubs in the country; places with interesting sounding names such as Sunk Sand, The Warp, The Knock John Channel, Fisherman’s Gat and Barrow Deep; the historic Chatham Naval Dockyards and also the new energy generators of the Thames Array.

The Thames and Medway Estuaries were valiantly defended in World War 2 by at least one hundred or so Armed Auxiliary Patrol Vessels such as our own Sheemaun and described beautifully in LSC member Rodney Pell’s “Little Ship, Big Story”:

“For the first four years of the Second World War the waters of the Thames and Medway Estuaries were literally teeming with vessels of all sorts coming and going, discharging cargoes and servicemen, refuelling and reloading. There were scores of warships, scores of merchant ships, scores of smaller armed vessels and hundreds of unarmed harbour service vessels and of course the local fishing and trading boats,”

Enjoy the cruise in good company and of course please respect the COVID-19 guidelines of each of the venues we visit so that we can all stay safe and well. Don’t forget, also, to respect the environment and good practices such as found on the RYA website www.thegreenblue.org.uk

Enjoy the week and let us look forward to catching up with more of The Corinthians in the British Virgin Island at the end of January 2022.

Barrie J Martin Commodore Little Ship Club

Introduction

This Cruise Guide provides a day-by-day guide to the LSC/Corinthians English East Coast cruise.

Care has been taken to ensure that the information given is reasonably accurate but with circumstances changing frequently, slight modifications to the planned cruise might take place at short notice.

Where navigational information is shown, it is for information only; it is not for navigational purposes. Skippers should use their own reference material to plan their passages, including departure times, taking account of their boat, their crew and the weather conditions.

A day barely passes without mention of Covid-19, so a few words are necessary. By the time that the cruise starts, almost all Covid-19 restrictions in will have been lifted. However, we all need to exercise reasonable caution and follow local requirements, which might include wearing masks in some locations.

Similarly, crew must follow any reasonable health and safety guidance from their skipper, whilst on board. Some participants may want to take Lateral Flow Tests during the cruise.

Now for brighter things. We can expect a fascinating cruise, visiting a large section of the coast, rivers and estuaries in Suffolk, Essex and . We will have the opportunity to visit some other yacht clubs on the way before having our final cruise dinner in the Royal Temple Yacht Club, .

Due to the tides in this area and because we will experience Spring tides, we will need to set sail early some mornings but will them be rewarded with more time to relax with friends.

The programme includes a number of fixed events but there is the flexibility for individual activities, too.

This cruise has been 2 ½ years in the making having been impacted by both Brexit and Covid-19, but now we have reached the starting line. So, it is time to get ready for some Sailing in good company.

Paul Banks

Itinerary – Summary

Communication during the cruise Use VHF Channel 77 for non-urgent messages, when sailing.

A WhatsApp group: “LSC East Coast Cruise” has been set up. Follow the link below to join the group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JmHQSSFc5FyAX6Q9V2pNXQ

Port and Restaurant enquiries in Woolverstone: Ian Muspratt Mob: 07771 595595 Port and Restaurant enquiries in Ramsgate: Jonathan Hague Mob: 07795 691918 Port and Restaurant enquiries at other locations: Paul Banks Mob: 07803 231871 Day 1 - Saturday 21st August 2021 in Woolverstone

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Ramsgate Walton Harwich

LW 06:10 05:56 06:02 05:20 04:54 HW 12:28 11:13 11:29 11:34 11:38 Sat 21 Aug LW 18:37 18:24 18:29 17:46 17:21 HW 23:37 23:57 Today, we assemble in Woolvesrtone MDL Marina for the start of the cruise.

Meeting up in Woolverstone Arrive in the Marina at Woolverstone, on the River Orwell, by 15:00, Saturday, 21st August. Say that you are with the Little Ship Club.

If you are likely to arrive after this, please let Paul Banks know (Mob: 07803 231 871).

The address of the marina is: Woolverstone MDL Marina Woolverstone, Suffolk, IP9 1AS Tel: 01473 780206 VHF Channel 80

For information only – not to be used for navigation. Day 1 at Woolverstone 14:00 onwards: Registration beside Dolphin of Plymouth. Dolphin is a 16m motor yacht and should be spotted easily in the marina.

16:00: Skippers’ briefing on Dolphin.

17:00: Welcome Reception. Pontoon party beside Dolphin. Please bring your own glasses.

19:00 First Cruise dinner at the Lock & Quay restaurant, beside the marina. Set menu £20 + drinks. Pay the restaurant.

Day 2 – Sunday 22nd August 2021 - Woolverstone to West Mersea

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 01:00 00:08 00:10 LW 07:01 06:49 06:55 06:10 05:44 Sun 22 Aug HW 13:18 11:57 12:13 12:24 12:27 LW 19:25 19:14 19:19 18:35 18:09

Sailing Route: Woolverstone to West Mersea Distance: 30 nm ETD: 05:00 ETA: 12:00

Moorings: on buoys in Mersea Quarters

Buoys in Mersea Quarters

Approaching Mersea Quarters From the Bench Head buoy proceed to the Nass beacon. The Mersea Quarters are reached from the Naas beacon by a well-marked channel. Please stay in the channel as at certain states of the tide outside the channel is very shallow. As the buoyed channel finishes, we recommend, at all states of the tide, that you follow the lines of moorings as this clearly indicates where the deep water is.

Moorings have been reserved for the Little Ship Club; there are not dedicated visitor moorings.

As you reach the first of the moored boats coming from the Nass beacon, contact the West Mersea Yacht Club launch man on Marina Channel 37 (M), the call sign is YC1 (Pronounced: Why See One) . They will direct you to an available mooring.

Launch service This is available to visiting yachtsmen and a small charge is made per trip. The launches are white and fly the WMYC ensign. The launches take up to 12 people. Alternatively, a water taxi service is available:

Water Taxi: The Peter Clarke Boatyard have a water taxi which is available to offer fares. Book in advance. The water taxi helms are: Harry 07584 163 653 and Zac 07984 092 737. Please call 'Clarke's Launch' on Channel 77 when you require collection for the shore run.

West Mersea Yacht Club you probably won’t need this, but just in case. Contact: Philip Woods [email protected] RC Moorings and Boatyard West Mersea Yacht Club Tel: 01206 382947 or 01206 38626

Shoreside The West Mersea Yacht Club ( https://www.wmyc.org.uk/) will welcome for a lunchtime drink and a snack. They open at 12:00, last food orders are 14:15 and the bar is open until 18:30. If you want to use the restaurant, you must book, call 01206 384463.

Other venues include: The Company Shed (http://www.thecompanyshed.co/) for seafood. Closes at 16:00

The Coast Inn, riverside bar and restaurant (http://www.thecoastinn.co.uk/). Open all day.

Evening: Own Arrangements

Day 3 – Monday 23rd August 2021 – West Mersea to Burnham on Crouch

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 01:47 00:20 00:39 01:00 01:00 LW 07:46 07:36 07:41 06:55 06:28 Mon 23 Aug HW 14:03 12:38 12:53 13:08 13:12 LW 20:09 19:58 20:04 19:18 18:53

Sailing Route: West Mersea to Burnham on Crouch Distance: 24 nm ETD: 07:00 ETA: 12:00

Moorings: Burnham Yacht Harbour. https://burnhamyachtharbour.co.uk/

Call the Harbourmaster on 01621 786832 or VHF Channel 80. Say you are with the Little Ship Club, they are expecting us.

Bob (Duty Harbourmaster) Burnham Yacht Harbour Marina Ltd. Burnham Yacht Harbour Foundry Lane Burnham on Crouch Essex CM0 8BL

Shoreside:

• Walk along the riverside into town. • Swallowtail restaurant, in the marina. • The Royal Burnham Yacht Club is closed on Mondays. • The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club has an event on but you might be able to get in in the early afternoon. • Ye Olde White Harte Hotel https://www.whiteharteburnham.co.uk/ is open for food and drink. • The Ship Inn https://www.theshipinnburnham.co.uk/pub.html A cosy pub with good ales and food. Log fire when cool enough. • Plenty of pubs and shops just inland from the Burnham on Crouch ferry landing.

Evening – Cruise Meal 18:45 Cruise meal in the Swallowtail restaurant within Burnham Yacht Harbour. The cost of this meal is included in your cruise fee but you will need to settle your drinks bill directly with the restaurant.

Chatham Dockyard: If you are planning to visit Chatham Dockyard on Wednesday and have not booked your tickets yet, it would be best to do so this afternoon. Go to the website: https://thedockyard.co.uk

Day 4 – Tuesday, 24th August 2021 – Burnham on Crouch to Chatham

Thames Estuary Tides - Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich BST

HW 02:30 01:00 01:19 01:37 01:40 LW 08:27 08:16 08:22 07:36 07:09 Tue 24 Aug HW 14:43 13:16 13:31 13:48 13:52 LW 20:49 20:37 20:43 19:59 19:33

Sailing Route: Burnham on Crouch to Chatham Distance: 45 nm ETD: 07:00 ETA: 16:00

Moorings: Chatham Maritime Marina, MDL. https://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/marinas/mdl-chatham-maritime-marina/

Lat: 51°24.17’N | Long: 0°31.55’E

VHF Ch 80 Tel: 01634 899200

Approaching the Marina Enter the off Garrison Pt (Sheerness) and follow the buoyed channel for 9.5 miles. The entrance to Chatham Maritime Marina is 1·5 miles above Gillingham, after a long left-hand bend.

Enter the marina via a lock, available H24, but with only 1·5m over the sill at MLWS. Waiting pontoons are without/in. Call ‘Chatham Maritime Marina’ on VHF Ch 80 or by mobile for a vacant berth.

Shoreside: The marina is close to a factory outlet shopping complex, multiscreen cinema, and numerous restaurants and bars. There's also a local convenience store which stocks essential items.

18:00 Pontoon Party/Cocktail invention competition More details will be given at the skipper’s briefing but the cruise will be broken down into about 5 groups. Each group will create two cocktails; one, a non-alcoholic “mocktail” and the other will be an alcoholic version of the same.

As well as inventing a cocktail each group will give a name to their cocktail based on life over the last 18 months. For instance: “Lockdown”, “Breakout”, “The Third Wave”, “Quarantini”.

Each group will be given a starter kit. Nibbles will be provided. Winners will get a prize.

As we have had a long sail today, this event might be rescheduled if people are tired or late into the marina.

Evening: Own arrangements Day 5 – Wednesday 25th August 2021 – Lay Day in Chatham

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 03:09 01:37 01:57 02:17 02:19 LW 09:04 08:53 08:58 08:14 07:47 Wed 25 Aug HW 15:20 13:54 14:09 14:26 14:30 LW 21:27 21:12 21:19 20:37 20:11

No sailing is planned today. It is a time to relax with an opportunity to visit the Chatham Dockyard or other locations. Chatham has a long association with ships and the sea, and some needlework, too.

Shoreside: • The Historic Dockyard, Chatham https://thedockyard.co.uk/ • Royal Engineers Museum https://www.re-museum.co.uk/ Prince Arthur Road Gillingham ME7 1UR • King George V pub. http://www.kgvpub.co.uk/ Brompton ME7 5AL • Medway Yacht Club (Upnor) https://www.medwayyachtclub.com/ • Dockside Outlet Shopping Centre • Many bars, restaurants and cafés

Evening: 19:30 Cruse Meal in the Ships & Trades Restaurant You have already selected your menu choices.

The cost of this meal is not included in the cruise fee; you need to pay the restaurant for your food and drinks.

Day 6 – Thursday 26th August 2021 – Chatham to Queenborough

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 03:46 02:14 02:35 02:54 02:57 LW 09:40 09:27 09:32 08:50 08:23 Thu 26 Aug HW 15:56 14:31 14:47 15:03 15:07 LW 22:03 21:45 21:52 21:14 20:49

Today we have a short sail to Queenborough on the .

Sailing Route: Chatham to Queenborough Distance: 10nm ETD: 08:30 ETA: 11:00

Moorings: Queenborough Harbour – All Tide Landing https://queenborough-harbour.co.uk/

Harbourmaster: Tel: 07456 459 754 Staff can also be contacted on 01795 662051, and VHF channel 08 call sign Sheppey 1.

12:30 – Pontoon Party This will be a “bring and share” canapé or snack pontoon party. Each boat should bring some canapés to share with others. There is no theme for this so you have a free rein on what to bring. There will be a prize for the best liked snack. Drinks will be provided.

Shoreside: There are several pubs just a stone’s throw from the All Tide Landing:

• Queenborough Yacht Club https://www.queenboroughyachtclub.co.uk/ Might be closed on Thursdays. • Pub: Admirals Arm. A micropub specialising in real ale and craft beers. https://www.admiralsarm.co.uk/ Near the Flying Dutchman and Old House at Home. • Pub and restaurant: The Old House at Home. 1 High Street, Queenborough. • Pub and restaurant: The Flying Dutchman. 19 High Street, Queenborough. • Pub and Bistro Restaurant. The Queen Phillipa. High Street, Queenborough.

Evening: Own Arrangement

Day 7 – Friday 27th August 2021 – Queenborough to Ramsgate.

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 04:21 02:52 03:15 03:30 03:32 LW 10:15 09:59 10:03 09:25 08:59 Fri 27 Aug HW 16:31 15:08 15:25 15:38 15:42 LW 22:38 22:17 22:24 21:50 21:25

Sailing Route: Queenborough to Ramsgate Distance: 34nm ETD: 06:00 ETA: 12:00

Moorings: Royal Harbour, Ramsgate. http://www.portoframsgate.co.uk/ Port Control: VHF Channel 14 Marina Staff: VHF Channel 80 Dock Master – Marina Office: 01843 572110

Best boat dressed overall It’s a Bank Holiday Weekend so dress up. There will be a prize for the Boat which is best dressed overall, according to the judges.

17:00 Pontoon Party with Pimms Dinks and nibbles provided.

Shoreside: Many attractions and places of interest are just a short walk from the marina. Here is a sample. • Royal Temple Yacht Club • Smack Boys/Sailors’ Church and Harbour Mission, you walk past when you leave the marina • Clock House & Maritime Museum. Small admission fee for this interesting museum. Situated across the harbour from the marina. The Clock House used to provide Ramsgate Mean Time which is 5 minute and 41 seconds ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. • The Ramsgate Tunnels. http://www.ramsgatetunnels.org/ Have a tour of this network of wartime tunnels. Take something to keep you warm. The tunnels are at a constant temperature of 11c. • St Augustine’s Church. www.augustine-pugin.org.uk St Augustine Road, CT11 9PA. This is a little further to walk, but this church is interesting as it is of “pugin” construction. It is the Shrine of St Augustine who landed nearby in 579 AD and introduced Christianity to Anglo-Saxon England. • The beach. Stoll along the small sandy beach. • Pubs and restaurants. Too many to list; just wander in town or check Google. Several good restaurants (Italian, Thai, French/European) can be found along the Westcliff Arcade between, half way up the hill between the Marina and the Royal Temple Yacht Club. If you like Indian food, there is nothing better than Flavours By Kumar https://www.flavoursbykumar.co.uk/ Booking is essential, tel.: 01843 852631

Evening: Own arrangements.

Day 8 – Saturday 28th August 2021 – in Ramsgate

Thames Estuary Tides - BST Sheerness Dover Ramsgate Walton Harwich

HW 04:56 03:30 03:52 04:06 04:08 LW 10:50 10:30 10:35 10:01 09:36 Sat 28 Aug HW 17:06 15:47 16:05 16:15 16:18 LW 23:14 22:50 22:57 22:27 22:04

A day at Leisure in Ramsgate

Shoreside: The same as yesterday.

End of Cruise Dinner in the Royal Temple Yacht Club.

Dress code: smart attire would be appreciated. As a minimum, this should be smart casual but a jacket and tie, or equivalent, is preferred.

From 18:30 Pre-dinner Drinks in the bar or out on the terrace of the RTYC. Pay for your own pre- dinner drinks.

19:30: Start taking your seats.

19:45: Dinner commences. This will be a 3-course meal with wine and tea or coffee. The cost of this meal is covered by your cruise fee.

There will be a few short speeches and prize giving towards the end of the meal.

Tomorrow is another day – Time to leave for your home ports.

Participants – by name

To From Chatham Chatham First Name Surname Boat only only Paul Banks Dolphin of Plymouth Anne Billard Avventura Tim Bizzey Storm Petrel John DeWitt Pim Leigh Gibson A Day At The Races x Mike Gill Storm Petrel Melanie Gingell Dolphin of Plymouth Celia Greetham A Day At The Races x Jonathan Hague Avventura Freddie Halford Cinnabar x Michael Halford Cinnabar x Rob Hinton Cinnabar x Harbin Ho Pim Christopher Houston Hadedah x David Houston Hadedah Brett Houston-Lock Hadedah x Jenny Jones Bangoes Anna Kirsch Hadedah Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey Storm Petrel Ray Long Pim Barrie Martin A Day At The Races Lawrence Mead Avventura Iain Muspratt Dolphin of Plymouth Pete Newbury Dolphin of Plymouth Joy Noble-Rollin Bangoes Geoff Quentin Bangoes Chris Sadler Hadedah Helen Sadler Hadedah Michael Forbes Smith Avventura x Anthony Smyth Mahina Morgan Smyth Mahina John Strode Pim Douglas Taylor A Day At The Races Mark Turvey Storm Petrel Anne Weir Hadedah x Deborah Wheeler Bangoes x Lyn Williamson Avventura

Participants – by boat

To From Chatham Chatham First Name Surname Boat only only Leigh Gibson A Day At The Races x Celia Greetham A Day At The Races x Barrie Martin A Day At The Races Douglas Taylor A Day At The Races Anne Billard Avventura Jonathan Hague Avventura Lawrence Mead Avventura Michael Forbes Smith Avventura x Lyn Williamson Avventura Jenny Jones Bangoes Joy Noble-Rollin Bangoes Geoff Quentin Bangoes Deborah Wheeler Bangoes x Freddie Halford Cinnabar x Michael Halford Cinnabar x Rob Hinton Cinnabar x Paul Banks Dolphin of Plymouth Melanie Gingell Dolphin of Plymouth Iain Muspratt Dolphin of Plymouth Pete Newbury Dolphin of Plymouth Christopher Houston Hadedah x David Houston Hadedah Brett Houston-Lock Hadedah x Anna Kirsch Hadedah Chris Sadler Hadedah Helen Sadler Hadedah Anne Weir Hadedah x Anthony Smyth Mahina Morgan Smyth Mahina John DeWitt Pim Harbin Ho Pim Ray Long Pim John Strode Pim Tim Bizzey Storm Petrel Mike Gill Storm Petrel Anne Le Verrier-Bizzey Storm Petrel Mark Turvey Storm Petrel