East Coast Sailing Video: Crossing the Thames Estuary to Chatham Maritime Marina
In his latest video, Rob from East Coast Sailing departs his home port of Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park, located in Ipswich, setting out on a 58 nautical mile solo passage across the Thames Estuary.
The route takes him past Harwich and Felixstowe, before entering the North Sea and heading south past Clacton. From there, Rob crosses the busy shipping lanes, sharing his tips for staying safe when navigating this challenging stretch, along with some of the key laws and procedures that apply to the Thames Estuary. Many sailors are unaware of these rules, which could lead to a substantial fine if not followed.
Along the way, Rob passes notable maritime landmarks, including the Second World War defences of the Red Sands Fort and Shivering Sands Towers, as well as the site of the explosive wreck of SS Richard Montgomery. Continuing up the River Medway, he sails past Hoo Island, a place of special significance as it marks where his sailing adventures began along the Kent coastline.
The journey concludes with a visit to Chatham Maritime Marina, where Rob takes time to explore both the marina itself and the nearby Historic Dockyard. He also highlights MDL’s Dock & Discover scheme, designed to encourage boaters to explore new destinations within the MDL network.
Leaving his boat in Chatham, Rob returns the following week with his family to continue the voyage. The next leg sees him sail to Faversham, rounding the Isle of Sheppey and navigating the Swale — a passage that provides its own challenges when Rob finds himself grounded three times.
Rob’s latest video captures both the excitement and the realities of solo sailing, while offering valuable insights for anyone planning to cruise the Thames Estuary and the Kent coastline.
