Ravenglass
These sailing directions have been provided for Glasson Sailing Club by the Ravenglass Boating Association. They were prepared by The Ravenglass Boating Association in November 1995 and were then believed to be correct. The Ravenglass Boating Association and Glasson Sailing Club cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of these notes nor for any consequence resulting from anyone following them.
Use Admiralty Chart No. 1346
The chart is broadly correct but it should be born in mind that the sand-banks, especially those at the Bar, do move. Four towers are shown within the Eskmeals Firing Range but only the southernmost one is prominent from seaward.
The estuary is not very easy to find from seaward, being only a narrow channel between sand dunes which look continuous until close to the shore. The estuary is navigable for 2 or 3 hours either side of high water and strangers are advised to arrive about an hour before high water and to enter on the last of the flood.
Liverpool Tide Tables are near enough correct for Ravenglass, but if you want to be exact, add 5 minutes to the times of high and low water and subtract 1.0 metre fom the height of high water Liverpool to get the values for the mouth of the estuary.
The Approach from the North.
Keep about 1 mile offshore to avoid Drigg Rocks.
The Approach from the South.
Give Selker Buoy and Selker Rocks a good berth as a wreck which shows occasionally is being reported. The southernmost tower should soon be visible. Keep in 10 meters plus until the leading marks are identified. Ignore 2 fairly prominent white "golf- balls" on the shore.
Black Combe is the prominent southern end of a ridge of hills that runs for some 8 miles to the north. On the skyline where the northern end of the ridge begins to fall towards the valley of the River Esk is a small wedge-shaped crag known as ( and shown on the chart as) Yoadcastle. Identification of it is helped by the oddly-shaped evergreen plantations below and to the right.
The approach to the Bar should be made with Yoadcastle ( if visible ) bearing 0880 Magnetic.
Allow for a north-setting tide around H.W. On this leading-line there are also ....
A pyramid of Blocks painted White. This is on the shore-line at the north end of evergreen planting along the shore. Identification can be assisted by a Block-house just to the north which has white-painted shutters on the upper floor.
A White Cone which is just visible above the trees behind the white pyramid. This cone is not large and binoculars will be needed to see it from outside the Bar.
The Channel
Sail on the leading-line until 2 to 3 cables from the White Pyramid on the shingle shore , then turn to port and head towards the prominent White House at the south end of the village. This course will bring you close to the south-east shore near a hut with flag-pole. After this the shore can be followed closely for 4 or 5 cables to where the lumpy dunes give way to a long grass-covered dune and there is a turn to port. At this point ease away from the shore and head for the moorings. Visitors should not anchor to seaward of the moorings as the holding is poor.
Around the moorings, the bottom is mostly sand and the holding moderate.
Entering by Night
A stern bearing from Selker light buoy will help to find the estuary if visibility is good but there is no reliable way of finding the channel across the Bar from shore lights. There is a Fixed Green light on the block-house just north of the Pyramid, which is now lit continually. This can be seen from a mile or two out to sea in reasonable weather but do note that this is not quite on the leading line.
The light is a reasonable guide within an hour, say, of high water. However, unless you are very familiar with the estuary - in which case you will not need these notes - entry to Ravenglass at night is best avoided. These directios have been prepared by the R.B.A. in November 1995 and were then believed to be correct.
Eskmeals Gun Range
Athough not shown on Chart no. 1346, the area between Ravenglass and the Isle of Man is a Danger Zone. From the Gun Range at Eskmeals, firing to seaward can take place at any time, but usually during working hours Monday to Friday. Whilst their operations do not prevent the passage of yachts through the area, bye-laws do prohibit boats from lingering unnecessarily.
The R.B.A. are grateful to the authorities at Eskmeals for the provision of the Cone and the new Pyramid now forming the leading marks and, in return, are happy to offer their co-operation so far as possible. It would assist if visiting yachts could observe the following:
1. When the Range is in operation, the Operations Room always keep listening watch on V.H.F. Channel 13.
2. If you intend to enter the Danger Zone, Eskmeals Range would always like a call on Channel 13. The sooner you let them know your intentions, the less likely they are to ask you to modify your course. Moreover, if you are asked to modify your course, it is to your advantage to be aware of this at the earliest opportunity. This will enable you to re-appraise your timings at the entrance and make usable alterations to your speed to accomodate the change. Eskmeals can usually receive V.H.F. calls from at least 40 miles range.
3.If the Range is in use, a C.C.T.V. and Radar watch is kept as well as a V.H.F. watch. You are not allowed to fish or anchor in the Danger Zone during operations.... but you may pass through.
4. If Eskmeals Range does not answer on V.H.F. Channel 13, the Range is NOT in use.
If you have contacted Eskmeals Range on Channel 13 early enough, say 20 or more miles out, they will have you identified on the Radar. Thus, should the weather thicken or difficulty be experienced in finding Ravenglass Bar, Eskmeals are able to either tell you your position or give you a course to steer. Could be useful
Don't Be Put Off Some of all this may sound alarming. With reasonable care and near high water, the entry to Ravenglass is really quite straightforward. And you will be very welcome in Ravenglass.