THE LOCA L PILOT Jersey
When planning your passage to Jersey, start with the tidal gates you must make. The Needles, entry to the Alderney Race and landfall in St Helier need careful planning. Remember you can always wait at Cherbourg if you miss the tide.
When approaching St Helier from the NW, round La Corbière and keep half-a-mile off the south coast until just east of Noirmont Point where you can get on the West Passage Leading Line and Dog’s Nest (FI.Y.3S3M) 082°. From the NW past Gorey, take St Aubin Fort bearing 314°. Leave Hinguette R can buoy, Q.R. to port and East Rock G con buoy, Q.G to starboard until on Leading Line 023°.
Speed limit within port is 5 knots. International Port Traffic Signals (IPTS) are on W arm of Elizabeth ferry terminal and E side of St Helier Harbour. Blind sectors do exist in the port area. Yachts can wait in the W side of the Small Roads.
All craft should listen to St Helier VTS on VHF channel 14 for shipping movements within the port area.
Exploring day anchorages in Jersey, despite the increased tidal flow, is well suited to springs
MARINE FACILITIES
St Helier is well equipped for yachts, but the drying basins and marina on the eastern side of the harbour is for residents only or those staying over one month.
South Pier Marine (01534 711000; www.southpiermarine.co.uk ) is a well-stocked chandlery happy to order parts for visiting yachts, whilst Normans (www.normans.je), the island’s hardware store and building merchants, also has a large chandlery section.
ST HELIER MARINA
St Helier’s visitors’ marina has up to 200 berths for yachts up to 60ft LOA, drawing up to 2.7m beyond the tidal sill, approximately three hours either side of HW. Waiting is on a tidal pontoon accessible at all states of tide. In the high season don’t be surprised if you are rafted. When busy, berthing is managed by marina staff on their workboat. All berths have electricity and water. There is also an excellent scrubbing berth in the NE corner of the basin. On arrival be sure to pick up the marina’s useful free Mariners Handbook from the marina office. (01534 447708; www.ports.je/ Jerseymarinas/)
FUEL
A self-service fuel berth ‘Marina Fuel 24/7’ can be found adjacent to the Albert Pier pontoon and is open seven days a week, dependent on tide. (01534 525247) St Helier Yacht Club is located in a commanding position overlooking the harbour entrance and welcomes visiting yachtsmen. Food and drink is available every day. (01534 732229; www.shyc.je)
GOREY
Gorey has 12 yellow tidal visitor buoys that dry out at low water. Further in on the harbour wall are five wall berths alongside. Two buoys can also be found in deeper water. (VHF Ch 74, 01534 853616)
Fuel is available from pumps at the pier head steps. Open three hours either side of high water, unless the wind is above Force 5. Water is also available and electricity. Gorey Marine Fuel Supplies (07797 742384)
CHARTS AND GUIDES
Channel Islands, Cherbourg Peninsula and North Brittany by RCCPF/PETER Carnegie, 1st edition (Imray, £42.50). NV Atlas Chart FR2 Admiralty SC5604 Imray 2669