Check port traffic on VTS

James Stevens’ short article about navigating out of Poole Harbour in fog (Apr 16) raised many valuable issues. However, two major hazards he mentions – the chain ferry and the inbound tall ship – could have been resolved by monitoring Port Control on VHF Ch 14.

This invaluable aid to avoiding commercial traffic is available in any harbour that is served by Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) or its equivalent, but is only too frequently overlooked by small craft skippers.

readers, like John, certainly do Colin Chestnutt built a model of his beloved Fulmar to relive his cruising exploits