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Charts SAN 118 or SAN 55 or BA 2082
BUY
(Click on the SAN Marine Charts and Books
Icon in African International Shopping Mall)
Distance: 57 miles
Robben
Island lying 4 miles westward of Blouberg Strand, and
5 miles north of Green Point, can be passed either side.
Be aware though, that the island is fringed with reefs
and a buoyed wreck and sunken rock lies approx. 1 mile
S by E of the island. At night the red section of the
Robben Island Light covers the rock.
There
is an anchorage on the N.E. of the island.
Enquire
in Cape Town if planning a visit.
The
coastline along this stretch is low and sandy, and often
appears to merge with the sea. Dassen Island may also
be passed either side. The west and south of this Guano
Island is fringed with reefs. There are two anchorages
in the north and east, shown on most large-scale charts.
Vondelingeiland,
a proclaimed Guano Island 0.5M offshore, 4 miles south
of Saldanha South Head.
Currents:
(For this section)
An
eddy current between Saldanha Bay and Robben Island
at a distance of 4-5 miles occurs during the winter
months. Outside of this, the main northerly current
usually runs at a rate of half to one knot parallel
to the coast. A strong tidal stream could be experienced
in the Saldanha Bay entrance as well as within Langebaan
Lagoon.
(See
the "Cape To Carribbean" Cruising Notes by Tony Herrick
for the full list of Dangers, Lights, photos, diagrams
and charts for this section http://www.cruiser.co.za/tony.asp
)
ARRIVAL
AT SALDANHA BAY
A
detailed chart is recommended for navigation within
the Bay. This is a wonderful and varied cruising area,
visited by many local and foreign yachts. The outer
leg of the entrance channel is marked by leading lights
on the low Marcus Island breakwater, in line with the
light on the head of the Ore Loading Jetty, and is on
a bearing of 056deg T.
The
inner leg is marked by lights in line 080deg T, situated
near Club Mykonos.
There
is a traffic separation scheme in effect on approach
to the entrance. In order to use or cross the channel
permission must be obtained from Saldanha Bay Port Control.
Call on VHF Ch. 16. Working channels are 10 and 12.
There
are two yacht Clubs and a marina within the bay. Saldanha
Bay Yacht Club is in the northern section of the bay,
north of President Jetty in Smitswinkelbaai. The club
has visitor's moorings available, and foreign cruising
visitors are welcome. At present the first 10 days are
free. It is suggested to book ahead, especially over
the holiday periods. The phone number is (022) 7141036.
Most amenities including e-mail are within easy walking
distance from the club.
Club
Mykonos is situated on the eastern shore of Saldanha
Bay and is conspicuous from the entrance channel. It
is entered from the south through lit breakwaters, and
there are no dangers in the vicinity of the entrance
which has a depth of 3.1m at MLWS. VHF Ch.16 and 71
are monitored. In addition to the usual facilities,
the club offers telephone and TV connections on the
moorings.
Langebaan Yacht Club is situated south of Langebaan
village. The club offers most amenities and uses a converted
oyster factory and it's jetties and slipway. The slip
and winch are capable of hauling a yacht of up to 11
tons. The club is approached by a buoyed channel with
a least depth of 3m, on the eastern side of Skaapeiland.
This
southern area of Langebaan is a national park.
The
area is characterised by strong winds and tidal streams
which increase towards the narrows either side of the
island. The club operates a tow-boat "Snippie" which
can be called on VHF Ch.12. There are a few other anchorages
within the park - enquire locally.
For
full lists of dangers, lights, diagrams, weather details,
photos, charts, etc., - available in the cruisers guide
"Cape to Caribbean" by Tony Herrick http://www.cruiser.co.za/tony.asp
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