Yachting and Boating World forums: Lonely Planet: Ostend

Some last minute practical bits - for first timers & old hands alike.
Some (important) things have changed.

1. Our usual route from Harwich was: get to Rough Towers and steer between 130° and 135° and you're bound to get there. This saw us pass to the SW of Westhinder Anchorage.

Due to the new windfarm being build on the Thornton Bank Westhinder Anchorage has been 'moved' westwards.
Three weeks ago we found ourselves smack bang in the middle of the anchorage. In daylight it's not that bad - at night I would avoid the area.
New boundaries of Westhinder Anchorage: 51 26N - 2 35E, 51 26N - 2 40E, 51 24N - 2 33E, 51 24N - 2 40E

Also note that most of the Thornton Bank now is a no-go area due to the windfarm construction.

2. Should you find yourself in the Westhinder area in bad visibility (bad visibility as in very dense fog or torrential rain, not as in 'Oh, it's dark') you can contact Wandelaar Approach - VHF65 - and they'll give you an update of what's going on around you.
If they'e in a particularly good mood, they might also advise you on when and where it's best to cross the branch of the TSS towards the Schelde river.

3. Ostend approaches: the eastern breakwater is gone. The ITPS traffic lights have moved. They're now ashore and further NE. Do NOT disobey them!
Red buoys are now in position where the eastern breakwater used to be. Foundations of the new eastern breakwater are already in place - marked yellow buoys (white light). Keep well clear, particularly around LW - stick to the fairway.

4. When sailing at night: show correct navlights. Ferry captains have complained about yachts showing incorrect lights. When we were there earlier this month a yacht was fined €500 for showing combi bow, stern light, steaming light & tricolour.

OOSTENDE VOOR ANKER is a high profile event, coinciding with a Belgian bank holiday weekend. If previous years are anything to go by, the police will be afloat in large numbers. They just received two new patrol boats and are keen to show them off.

5. To counter the increased wash in the Montgomery dock - due the the absence of the eastern breakwater - the entrance to the dock has been narrowed.
Pretty much one way traffic only, unless you're very brave/foolish. Watch for masts heading out as you will be able to see them, but they can't see you.

6. There's also increased silting in the Montgomery dock. If you draw more than 1.5m - stay away from the 'corners' as you'll be stuck in the mud.
22/05 HW 03H12 & 15H34 - LW 09h39 & 21H57
23/05 HW 03H43 & 16H02 - LW 10H09 & 22H29
24/05 HW 04H15 & 16H33 - LW 10H42 & 23H05
25/05 HW 04H51 & 17H09 - LW 11H19 & 23H47
26/05 HW 05H34 & 17H55 - LW 12H03
27/05 HW 06H27 & 18H56 - LW 00H45 & 13H04
ALL TIMES ARE LOCAL

7. Mooring buoys
If you want to pick up a buoy a buoy - please note that they've now been repositioned to be able to take larger yachts.
Buoys along the Visserkaai have been moved to accommodate boats up to 55ft, those along the Montgomerykaai to take boats up to 42ft. That's where most permanent residents keep their boat.
So, make sure your line is long enough. Know that otherwise you'll be providing free entertainment for the whole dock.

8. Harbour Master - Robert.
Do not [--word removed--] with this man. Do not lie to him. If you cross him, you do so at your own peril.
Tip: on doctor's advice, he has had to give up coffee, but he can still drink tea. It appears he only likes PG tips. He used to get them from the Delhaize supermarket, but they no longer stock them. Enough said.

He's the RNSYC God - keep on his good side and He'll lead you to pastures green and goodness and mercy will follow you.

9. Diesel
Make sure you fill up before you leave. Since January 1st red diesel is no longer available in Belgium.
You can't get fuel in Ostend (not even from Robert) - nearest fuel station Blankenberge or Nieuwpoort. Price currently in the region of €1.40/litre.

Belgian customs is aware that red diesel will be available in the UK till November. Keep your receipts. Whatever is in your tank is fine, jerry cans are another matter -> don't!

10. Documents
No-one cares about the Schengen form or VAT paperwork.
Must haves are: passports, original ship's registration documents, OFCOM ship's
licence & VHF operator's licence.

11. Duty Free
For those interested in that kind of thing

General Stores no longer deliver on weekends.

12. Finally, some useful links

- The consistently most reliable forecast for the southern North Sea

http://www.meetnetvlaamsebanken.be/hms-ftp/kustweerbericht/inter/interweer.html

It's in Flemish, but I'm sure you'll be able to grasp the basics.

- Meteo France - MANCHE & MER DU NORD.

http://www.meteo.fr/marine/naviweb/bulletins/NORD.html

Another opportunity to teach yourself a foreign language

- Windwatcher - SE UK

http://www.windwatcher.net/index.php?areaID=8

- C-Power

http://www.c-power.be/

Everything - and more than - you need to know about the new windfarm

- Duty Free - General Stores

http://www.generalstores.be/

Nudge, nudge - wink, wink

- Mosselen & friet - moulles frites

www.demosselbeurs.be

THE best in town

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Guapa on the web

I'll eat when I'm hungry
I'll drink when I'm dry
Don't boss me or cross me
Or I'll spit in your eye.

I think what I please and
I say what I mean.