CRUISING THE THAMES ESTUARY RIVERS

Between the North Foreland and Orford Ness, the Thames Estuary is a funnel-shaped, sand-bank riddled stretch of water with a myriad of channels fed by numerous rivers and creeks. Its weaving spout leads to London and deep inland.

The tides run strongly in many places. Whimbrel has a 4-knot average passage speed; the tide is her companion. Plan and use those tides.

An easterly on the coast will cause sea build-up in anything other than light conditions. Corners should not be cut until confident in local knowledge.

In cruising chunks, in the south, the Swale, Medway and Thames are enough for many life-long sailors. As are the middle rivers: Crouch, Roach, Blackwater and Colne. Further north are the Walton Backwaters, Stour and Orwell. Comfortably onwards are the Deben, then Ore and Alde.

The Medway and Swale basin has numerous creeks. The former provides most in quiet afloat anchorages. The Lower Thames is a wildlife hotspot, especially in winter.

In the Backwaters, seals will delight. Beware of shallows far into Hamford Water. For Harwich, consult pilot books and listen to harbour VTS. Suffolk’s coastal rivers have bars. Caution is my adage. As with a road map, follow the channels and be amazed.