Rosaire Steps, Herm
It is easier than you may think to make the passage to Herm, says David Jefferson
The directions in some of the pilot books hardly encourage leaving the shelter of St Peter Port, Guernsey, to explore Herm, just three miles across the Little Russel, but navigation through this island’s offshore hazards is easier than you may think.
The best time to leave Victoria Marina for Herm is on the flood as soon as there is enough water over the sill. The tidal stream in the Little Russel will be starting to run north and gaining strength, reaching 4-5 knots at Springs.
Alligande Pass, leading to the deepwater Rosaire Steps anchorage or to the drying harbour, is the nearest to St Peter Port, the simplest, and the one used throughout the day by the Herm ferries, except at Low Water Springs.
The key mark to locate is Alligande – a green pole mark with a fluorescent orange letter A topmark. Leaving St Peter Port, as a rough check Alligande is on a line from the pierhead to the white cottages on Herm (distance three miles). Having identified Alligande and made an allowance for the northerly current, steer a course to pass 100m north of the pole beacon. From this position, 074° leaves three green posts with fluorescent orange top marks to starboard: Alligande (A) Godfrey (G/B) and Epec (E) and one red pole beacon: Petit Creux with fluorescent orange C to port. Ahead will be Vermerette yellow pole beacon with fluorescent orange V top mark. Vermerette lined up with the white patch on the harbour wall (074°) will keep the boat in the deepest water. Making for the Rosaire anchorage, alter course to pass between Vermerette and Epec, steering 128°, taking the Percée Pass between Herm and Jethou, leaving Percée rock (west cardinal yellow/black/yellow post) close to port and then starting a gradual turn to port into the anchorage, giving a wide berth to the Mouette rocks which form the west side of the anchorage opposite the landing steps.
The tidal current in the anchorage, starting at Low Water, is unusual in that it runs south for a full nine hours (3-6 knots maximum at Springs, averaging about 4 knots). A local notice warns boat owners of a danger at High Water: ‘Strong southerly tide. Exercise caution when rowing out to vessels. Row close inshore to north, then out to vessel.’ The anchorage is exposed to southerlies (between SSE and SSW) but apart from winds from this quarter when the anchorage can be uncomfortable, the rocks exposed as the tide drops to the north and west and the land to the east provide perfect protection. All the moorings are private and often used by the island’s cargo vessels and passenger boats.
Five minutes from the anchorage is the White House Hotel with a restaurant and brasserie, the Mermaid Tavern with a grill restaurant and snack bar, and a small shop for basic provisions. The island’s administrative office and showers are near the Mermaid. Call in to register your arrival and make a contribution towards the facilities for visiting yachts. Stretch your legs with a 20-minute stroll across the island to Shell and Belvoir beaches where there are beach cafés.