Join us on the upcoming Guernsey Rally, 1st-5th May 2025
Published 08:46 on 14 Apr 2025
This is a very informal rally as given the early stage of the season we realise that not everyone will yet be up for a cross-channel hop. We will therefore firm plans as and when people arrive in St Peter Port as of course its very weather dependent.
Our rough plan at this stage is:
- Arrive St Peter Port Thursday afternoon/evening no fixed plan for Thursday/Friday night and expect most people to arrive on the Friday
- Saturday
- 18-30 - Pontoon drinks alongside Tamarisk in the outer harbour walk ashore pontoons
- 20-00 - Dinner ashore at a local restaurant, which we will book when we know actual numbers
- Sunday/Monday or later return home, or travel onto Brittany (St Malo possibly) with Tamarisk and others
Navigation
The critical issue is arrival time and hence route into St Peter Port, if choosing the North, clockwise approach down the Little Russel Channel, you must take the favourable tide as you really dont want to fight the adverse current.
Little Russel Southerly Stream:
Thursday 1st May - 13.19 18.19 BST
Friday 2nd May - 14.09 19.09
Saturday 3rd May - 15.05 20.05
The Little Russel Channel is much easier to navigate than its reputation but do use your detailed chart or pilot book unless you are very familiar and watch for tidal offset. There are useful chartlets available here https://www.harbours.gg/guernsey-harbour-approaches if you are unfamiliar.
If it looks as though you will arrive after this it is not a problem, just navigate South, anti-clockwise around Guernsey, where the tides are reasonably favourable for a further 6 hours after the Little Russel switches to the North.
Harbour signals Access to St Peter Port is controlled by standard IALA signals (Traffic Lights) and you must obey them http://www.harbours.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=119939&p=0
Regulations
Post Brexit there is now a requirement to register both your voyage to Guernsey and return trip with HMRC which can be done online and surprisingly is quite straightforward at https://www.spcr.homeoffice.gov.uk/
It is important that you take your passports and complete Customs and Immigration documents upon arrival these will be given to you by the harbour staff.
Dogs are welcome.
Berthing
There are two options for berthing, either locked into the Victoria Marina which is great fun and right in the heart of the town, but is limited by a cill to roughly 2.5 Hours either side of high water and is not suitable for drafts over about 2 m.
The alternative, which we prefer, is the walk ashore pontoon berthing in the main harbour, which is accessible at any state of the tide.
Looking forward to seeing some of you in Guernsey.
Adrian and Theo
Tamarisk white Rustler 36 with maroon livery
07973 325669 Adrian
07909 991454 Theo
ap_parker@yahoo.co.uk or theo.spink@yahoo.com
And many thanks for the use of Johnnys template!
