Todays tides meant that the sill in the Victoria Marina would be accessible from around 1300 and we planned a final morning in Guernsey before making an afternoon passage to St Helier. This would time our departure for 2 to 3 hours before high water St Helier, giving us a following tide for the journey south. There were very light winds forecast but we found that previously stronger winds from the south west had caused quite a heavy swell to develop which peaked at around 4 metres. This was a bit disconcerting at times, as boats could disappear from view between waves.

Daniel had been making himself useful reading the autopilot manual and had worked out the procedure for swinging the compass, something that we had been meaning to do with Brooms but never got an opportunity for. We probably caused a bit of confusion describing a 360° circle outside St Peter Port harbour but it proved to be a useful exercise, with improved accuracy from the autopilot as a result - keeping us dead on track even in the lively swell.

As we approached Point Corbiere we were a bit surprised to see a fast RIB approaching us from our port quarter. They were obviously determined to speak to us and came right up to the boat and signalled for us to slow down. It was only when they got close that we could see they were from Jersey Customs. We were asked several questions about our destination and departure ports, as well as our home port and nationalities. Fortunately they did not want to come aboard and check the drinks cabinet, nor did we have any unauthorised animals on board to complicate the issue. They could find no fault in our activities, and we were even flying the Jersey courtesy flag. Having satisfied themselves that we were not a threat to island security, they zoomed off to their next assignment, leaving us rather mystified as to their purpose.

We were soon rounding Point Corbiere on the south western tip of Jersey and making our way along the Western Approach, passing north of passage rock and within a cable of the shore at Noirmont Point. From here it is just a short hop to St Helier's harbour approach, avoiding the numerous fishing markers over the shallower areas just to our starboard side, and passing Elizabeth Castle, the islet fortress in St Aubin's Bay.

For our evening's diversion we followed our Channel Island pilot's guidance to Nelson's Eye, a restaurant overlooking the rocky beach at Havre des Pas. The food lived up to its recommendation although the service seemed a bit indifferent.

Cruising Statistics

Distance: 29nm

Total to date: 1014 nm

Avg Speed: 14 knots

Duration: 2 hours

Diesel: 155 litres, 30.6p/l

Wind: V 1-2

Mooring: £18/night

Electricity:£2/night

Waypoints

St Peter Port
49 27.50N 02 31.10W

St Martins Point
49 25.000N 02 31.00W

Point Corbiere (2nmW)
49 10.00N 02 18.00W

Banc de St Brelade
49 09.70N 02 13.00W

St Helier leading light
49 10.00N 02 07.30W

Charts

SC 5604