![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-2.jpg\")
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There are some confusing rules about import duty, value added tax, and the status of visitors to the EU. The safest approach seems to be to clear out of the EU, and then back in by visiting the Channel Islands and then returning. The port of Bray on the Island of Alderney is just 75 miles from Lymington and normally a casual journey, except for three factors.<\/p>\n
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![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-7.jpg\")
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First, this is spring which means boisterous weather. It has been blowing a near gale for the last five days. Next, we are on the highest tidal cycle of the month, so one way or the other you are bound to have wind against current raising a big sea.<\/p>\n
![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross.jpg\")
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Finally, there is the Channel traffic, huge quantities of shipping closely spaced which has to be dodged. The radar image above was taken during a quiet period on the trip to Alderney. The radar is on eight mile range. The green trails show where the targets have been while the dashed white lines are from AIS and project their intercept with our course. The target immediately to our left is a problem requiring a change in speed or heading (we slowed down and let him pass our bow).<\/p>\n
![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-3.jpg\")
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Having arrived Braye harbor at 1430 on Friday, we found the Harbor Master’s office closed. But these kind gentlemen took us to the government house and the secretary to the president called up the harbor master on his cell phone. In due time we met up, got our paperwork, and had a rolly night at anchor (for which Alderney is justifiably well known).<\/p>\n
![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-4.jpg\")
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We’re headed to the “City” (London) and not wanting to tackle the Thames River estuary the first time at night decided to stop in Dover – a passage of 180 nautical miles depending on how you cross the channel. Leaving at 0430 gave us with a fair tide – three plus knots- for the first six hours. That’s 14 knots when added to our 11-knot cruising speed. We chose to cross the Channel traffic lanes well before Dover, where the Channel is still reasonably wide, and therefore easier to play dodge the freighter.<\/p>\n
![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-5.jpg\")
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Here’s what it looked like as we were just getting into the westbound (north side of the Channel) traffic lane (radar again on 8-mile range). Tricky deciding whether to cross the stern (usually preferred) when slowing down exposes you to additional oncoming traffic. Not exactly a relaxing way to cruise.<\/p>\n
![\"channel](\"https:\/\/setsail.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2009\/04\/channel-cross-6.jpg\")
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Here is a geography test, something to test your coordination, and timing. There is a universal answer to this conundrum, and you could have a mean time guessing it.<\/p>\n
We were off Dover 14 hours after departing Alderney, asking port control for permission to enter (this is one very busy, confined harbor so they have traffic controllers). With the hook set for the evening we called UK Customs via cell phone and were quickly cleared back into the country.<\/p>\n
Tomorrow we are off bright and early to tackle the Thames River.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"