After ending the 2020 season in Cherbourg late august last year, I came twice to visit Belisama there to ensure everything was Ok. Finally, late April, I came again from Sweden to welcome the crew that would accompany me from Cherbourg to Sables-d'Olonne where Belisama is expected on 17 May to get her skeg fixed... Here is the crew on the way from Cherbourg to Aber-Wrac'h, the first step on this difficult route.
We found a window of opportunity to sail from Cherbourg to Aber-Wrac'h despite the ban for sailing during the curfew, from 19:00 to 6:00 the next day as per the new arrêté published non 3rd May. We got approval for night sailing in no time from the authorities. Just a bit difficult to know whom to talk with initially, but once identified it became easy and effective:
Note that you need a good reason for getting approved. I had to show that indeed, I have an appointment in Sables d'Olonne on 17 May for my boat and that the weather conditions were deteriorating after the window of opportunity for the night sailing.
We departed at 6:00 from Cherbourg, passed North of Alderney and Guernesey with freezing side winds around 7m/s. We reached the Aber-Wrac'h at 7:00 the following morning, after a 150 nautical miles ride.
Belisama sheltered in Aber Wrac'h
The captain recovering from the 25 hour sailing. Note the tan!
The weather forecast is tricky with expected storms coming in from the West, preventing any progression towards the Raz de Sein for the next couple of days. The first window of opportunity will be next Thursday, 13 May.
The passage consists of the "Chenal du Four", 13 nautical miles on the North, from the Four lighthouse (point 1 on the map) to the Pointe Saint Mathieu, then the "Raz de Sein", 3 nautical miles long on the South. All together, the distance between 1 and 2 is 30 nautical miles. In order to get through with the current, one should be on point 1 just after the time of the high tide in Brest and get through in less than 6 hours...
These are the currents at their max when heading South. Light green corresponds to 2.5m/s, being 5 knots
This is the typical forecast for the coming days (Beaufort 8, head winds!)
And the forecast for Thursday morning...
Useful links:
error in you link for raz de Sein:dead link.
ReplyDeleteBeware in Four Channel, the current goes to Vinotière . take a large way from that lighthouse
I know! I have read your post about it!
ReplyDelete