East Coast Tidal Pilotage Association / Passage notes

Good company on a coastal passage

A shared chart, a spare kettle and a little consideration can turn a solitary cruise into a sociable one. East Coast harbours have a long tradition of crews helping crews.

← Return to the almanac and tidal calculator

Make an easy first approach

At a Harwich rally, introduce yourself at the pontoon or the clubhouse and ask where visiting boats should go. A practical question about a passage or local berth gives conversation a natural start. For a solo skipper, an invitation to compare tomorrow’s forecast can be easier than arriving with a full evening planned.

Respect the raft

At Pin Mill or a busy Dutch Delta harbour, rafting can put neighbours close together. Ask before coming alongside, agree lines and fenders, and leave a clear route across the foredeck. Step over another boat forward of the mast where practical, keep noise down late at night and let the inside crew know your intended departure time. Offer a hand with lines without taking charge of someone else’s boat.

Share the table and the chart

A cockpit supper need not be elaborate: invite the next boat to bring a mug, offer what you have, and leave room for people to decline. Comparing passage charts can reveal useful local questions, but check any advice against current notices and your own plan. Exchange contact details only if everyone is happy to do so.

For the next leg, return to the East Coast tidal almanac and swatchway calculator to work through the heights together.