Nor’Westing
2010
USPS National Cruise in the Pacific Northwest
05-11 September 2010
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Charts (Paper and
Electronic) and Routes and
Marinas and Victoria Harbour This section contains a list of paper charts and electronic charts needed for the cruise and a suggested set of routes. Also, chartlets of the principal marinas used during the cruise are provided. Charts, as good USPS boaters know, are a critical item for safe boating, particularly in the rock-infested waters of the Pacific Northwest. While most charter boats have charts on-board, it is a good idea to check on the quality and coverage of the charts.
Computer-based navigation includes most modern chart plotters as well as laptop and desktop computers. Chart plotters contain dedicated processors, but do require current charts. Chip-based charts are available from C-Map with a USPS discount. Computer based navigation requires software packages as well as charts. If you need to update your laptop's navigation software, check out the discount you can receive on Rose Point Navigation System's Coastal Explorer or on Jepperson Marine's Nobeltec. Suggested chart packages include:
These suggested routes are just that, suggestions. You take them at your own risk. Click on the thumbnail images to view full sized screen-captures of the segments of the route. Since the screen image charts are scaled to about 8-9 miles per screen, some of the routes take more than one screen image. Anacortes - Roche Harbor - Scenic Route: 31 nm.
While not the most direct route, this route is more scenic and avoids most of
the heavy ferry traffic between Anacortes and Friday Harbor. From Cap Sante, the route heads north out
of Padillia Bay, up around the top of Guemes and Cypress Islands, across
Rosario Strait (3.5 nm), through Obstruction Pass between Blakely and Orcas
Islands, into Harney Channel between Shaw and Orcas Islands, down Wasp Passage
between Crane and Shaw Islands, then out to the San Juan Channel. The section
through the Wasp Passage is somewhat tricky, but the medium-sized ferries
follow the route. Once back in open water, we head NE towards Spieden Island
(look for the wild game on the hillside), then duck into Roche Harbor
through the channel to the west side of Pearl Island. When entering Roche
Harbor, most larger boats take the passage to the west of Pearl Island. The east
passage is for shallow draft vessels with local knowledge. When lined up between
Pearl Island and McCracken Point, head south into Roche Harbor, watching the
channel markers. Once inside the harbor, proceed at a no wake speed to the Roche
Harbor docks on the east side of the harbor. Roche Harbor - Victoria (along San Juan Island): 28 nm.
Note: the route above shows being close to Lime Kiln State Park. This is a favored feeding area for orcas and good boating practices indicate that commercial whale watching boats keep clear by a half mile. For more more information on whale watching etiquette, go to Whale Watching Practices.
The run from Roche Harbor to Victoria is generally to the south down Haro
Strait and can be done with three different routes: 1) an open water run down Haro
Strait for the sailors, 2) along the protected waters along the SE coast
of Vancouver Island (more like the run on Thursday from Victoria to Sidney),
or 3), along the western side of San Juan Island, where you have a good chance to see
orcas. While in Haro Strait, pay attention to the tidal currents and the
large oceangoing vessels bound for Vancouver. Victoria - Sidney (Along BC Coast) 23 nm.
As you leave Causeway Floats, head towards Laurel Point, while keeping a eye out for large ferries, airplanes, foot ferries, and other recreational boaters. You must follow the Victoria Harbour Traffic Scheme and keep in the outbound traffic lane by putting the yellow markers close to your port side. Once out the harbor entrance, retrace the route you took on the voyage from Roche Harbor. The route shown above passes through Enterprise Channel and into Mayor Channel. Both of these routes are rocky, but are marked. Tidal flows can be brisk. If you are not comfortable with close encounters with rocks, stay to the outside of the Trial and Chatham Islands. Once through Mayor Channel or having rounded the Chatham Islands, head northwest into Cordova Bay. Follow the coastline of SE Vancouver Island and pass to the west of James Island, running towards Sidney. At Sidney, watch for the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. Entering the Port of Sidney is through a narrowish channel of rip-rap, finished by a sharp 90 degree turn. Go very slow. Before entering the Port's entrance hail the Docking Crew on Ch 78 to get your slip assignment as there isn't much room inside the harbor for milling around. Sidney - Friday Harbor - scenic route: 20 nm.
We return to the USA on our way to Friday Harbor. From Sidney, make sure that you pass to the north of Sidney Spit, a great place for seeing grounded boats. Now point the bow of your craft east and head across Haro Strait towards Spieden Island. The route around the north side of Spieden Island is scenic as you pass near Reid Harbor on Stuart Island, a very popular state park anchorage. If you decide to clear customs in Roche Harbor, you should pass to the south of Spieden Island and pop in to the Customs Dock at Roche. Note that there will be no docking assistance here. After passing Spieden, head down San Juan Channel, past the Wasp Islands and Shaw Island. Keep following the shore line of San Juan Island and you will soon see the busy waters of Friday Harbor. As you round the point into Friday Harbor, watch for the Washington State ferries and landing sea planes. The Friday Harbor marina is just to the north of the ferry terminal. Note that the ferries are big, fast, have the right of way in all cases, are often followed by US Coast Guard fast gun boats, and create good wakes. You need to clear customs in Friday Harbor, then contact the Docking Crew on Ch 78 to get your slip assignment. Friday Harbor - Anacortes: 20 nm.
Going back to Anacortes? The route shown above is the most direct. There is nothing tricky about the run, but do watch for ferries because you are on their main route. The following screen image chartlets are reprinted from The Burgee, 5th Edition, by David Kutz, and are reproduced by the kind permission of the author.
Entering Victoria Inner Harbor requires special caution due to the heavy aircraft and commercial boat traffic. The following chartlets are provided by the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
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Copyright USPS January 2008 |
