Cruiser Rally to Cherbourg, France
This is a great opportunity to do the trip in company, with members who do this often.
Rally to Cherbourg
We will be teaming up with Emsworth Cruising Association (ECA) to offer this rally across the channel to Cherbourg. This is a good opportunity for those who have not crossed the channel before to do so in company.
Cherbourg is a port of entry, but still send in the PAF form a couple of days in advance, as last year customs officers had the form with them when stamping the passports in the marina. They were visiting the marina at around 10:00 and 18:00 each day but it is worth checking with the marina office on arrival to confirm this is still the case. There is no need for an ETIAS (visa) as the system has been delayed until 2026. Also the EES system is delayed until at least October so no biometric passport scanning is in operation yet (although machines are appearing in ports of entry).
There is a presentation on the website which was given for last years Cherbourg Rally which is still 99% current and is worth reading if you have not done the crossing before (or even if you have). It can be Downloaded by clicking here: ECA/TISC Cross Channel Presentation. You will need to be logged in to access it. This gives lots of useful information (but please see the disclaimer).
Friday 13th June - HW Chichester 01:17 BST 4.3m - HW Dover 00:53 4.8 and 13:13 4.8
Leave around 01:30 (HW Dover ~+30) to head East of the IOW and on to Cherbourg. Aim to be up tide of Cherbourg as you close. (if you base timings on doing 5kn then the tide will be a Westerly set).
Aim to arrive around 16:30 to 17:00 BST or 17:30 - 18:00 CEST for a 15+ hour crossing.
We are booked onto the rally pontoons
Saturday 14th June
Day in and around Cherbourg. A trip may be organised but waiting to see. There is La Cite de la Mer and Musee de la Liberation which are worth a visit if you have not been to them before.
Evening meal at the L'Equipage at the marina.
Sunday 15th June
Day in and around Cherbourg.
Lunch at Brasserie le Commerce a short distance from the marina, if they can cater fir us all.
Pontoon drinks in the evening for those late departing tomorrow.
Monday 16th June - HW Chichester 15:58 4.4m and 04:04 2.2m (17th) - HW Dover 02:43 4.6m and15:09 4.6m
Two options for departure if heading back to UK.
1. Leave Cherbourg at around 01:00 BST (02:00 CEST) aiming to arrive at EYH around HW (~16:00 BST).
2. Leave Cherbourg at around 11:30 BST (12:30 CEST) aiming to arrive at EYH about 1.5 hours before HW (~ 02:30 BST)
If you are not heading back to the UK then some boats are likely to head for the CIS and others for the Normandy coast. If you are planning to do either let us know.
Communication
The OOD for this Rally is: Giles Tewkesbury (TISC) and Neil Fuller (ECA)
Boat Name: Moana
Email: cruiser.events@tisc.org.uk
Rally Contact: VHF Chan 16/08
Please don't hesitate to contact the OOD if you have any questions.
Participating Skippers, and crew attending, are reminded that full responsibility for sea worthiness of boats and experience of crew attending is held with the skipper of the boat sailing to the rally. All information given should be checked before setting out.
Rally Organiser : Giles Tewkesbury
email: cruiser.events@tisc.org.uk
