can someone help me with tides in Swansea channel.
If the tide for instance is 1.6 high does that mean that the level is only 1.6. I read on a post that the water is something like 1.2+ the tide which would make it 2.8 is this correct or is the high tide 1.6 only
It depends on the state of the channel and dredging.
The shallowest part is just off Swan Bay and into where the marina used to be. It never dries out there BUT the tidal range is very small - maybe 20cm or so.
The last few times I have done it there has been about 2 metres all the way. That is fine for me (I can float in 50cm) but you would be best off to call VMR Lake Macquarie and ask them the minimum depth. The channel really does change quite a lot. I like going to the sand islands and the way in to the little islands has totally altered over the last two years.
But in answer to your question - at the shallowest part - no you can't add the tide height onto the depth.
cheers
Phil
Went through almost low tide 2 weeks ago , keel 1.9 depth gauge was showing clearance of 0.1, 0.2 in a few places , the bar , old Marina where phil above states and just before the drop over , Used the chart plotter depths as a guide and were almost spot on.
Select to expand quoteKankama said..
It depends on the state of the channel and dredging.
The shallowest part is just off Swan Bay and into where the marina used to be. It never dries out there BUT the tidal range is very small - maybe 20cm or so.
The last few times I have done it there has been about 2 metres all the way. That is fine for me (I can float in 50cm) but you would be best off to call VMR Lake Macquarie and ask them the minimum depth. The channel really does change quite a lot. I like going to the sand islands and the way in to the little islands has totally altered over the last two years.
But in answer to your question - at the shallowest part - no you can't add the tide height onto the depth.
cheers
Phil
I draw 2.1 & have ran aground a couple of times near the runway - I usually ask Marine Rescue Lake Mac for an escort now because it changes so much. They are happy to get out & be of assistance unless there is something more important for them to do. After you go through the bridge, heading out, there is no dramas as long as you have enough tide to get over the bar, which is coal, to suit your draft.
Try to choose the last hour or so of the run in tide to make your way out the channel; it's pretty fast, but easier to control not running into the bridge than with a run out tide. There is virtually no slack water, the change there is pretty quick and about two and a half hours after the stated high or low tide due to the size and volume of the lake.
At the bar the bottom conditions do vary, but as a guide, the minimum depth on the line of the leads, is approx. 1.4 metres plus the tide height. Any sea/swell will of course reduce the depth in the troughs by approx. half the wave height.
Coming in, the entrance into the channel has two sets of leads, plus some port lateral marks. There are no starboard markers. When approaching from the south the leads are visible as you round Moon Island. When approaching from the north, DO NOT cut the corner of the northern break wall, as yachts will surely run aground. Vessels are advised to keep an easterly position off Moon Island before turning to align the leads.The leads are red triangles, lights blue at night, on a bearing of 255 degrees true. Moon Island light is a white /red sector light (Iso.WR.2s 12m 5M)
The worst bar condition tends to occur, when there is a wind and sea/swell from the NE, the tide is near low but still running out.
Moon Island and the bomboras to its south, give some protection to the bar from a southerly swell.
(In adverse conditions the skipper should consider going to Newcastle Harbour which is a safe deep water port in all conditions.)
It should be noted that a strong nor'easter generates a significant swell particularly when the tide is near low & still running out. This is less of a problem for keel boats aiming to cross the bar near high tide.Local knowledge advises to approach the Lake entrance on a line about 2 boat lengths to the north of the line of the entrance leads, bearing 255.60. There is deeper water on this northern line. This also gives you more "wriggle room" as the bar shallows quickly to the south of the line of the entrance leads.
