Abbreviations

 N S E W       directions
HWS                  high water spring
​LWN                   low water neap

HW-3h          three hours before high water
LW+3h          three hours after low water
​NM                         nautical miles

ca         cables (1 ca = 200 yards)
m          metres
​ft            feet

Pilotage Notes

​The Dee estuary, some five miles wide at its mouth and twice as long, divides the Wirral peninsula of north west England from the coast of north Wales. It is a rewarding area to explore under sail but, dominated by a large tidal range, it can be demanding too. I hope these notes might encourage some to make the exploration and make the experience worthwhile. They are written from the point of view of sailing a small boat of about 1 foot draught (plate up), from which depth can be probed with pole or oar, and assume that skipper or crew is able, if necessary, to hop overboard to drag the boat off after inadvertently grounding.

​The Dee estuary dries extensively but two deep channels enter the estuary from the sea: the Welsh Channel from the W around the Point of Air, and the Hilbre Swash from the N off the Wirral shore. Between these lies the West Hoyle Bank, the highest patch of which is close NW of the (green) HE4 buoy SW of Hilbre. Here, the bank starts to dry at HW+3.5, and a colony of grey seals hauls out to bask on the sand.

​Hilbre is part of a sandstone outcrop from the western extremity of the Wirral peninsula and a tidal island within 2h of HW, likewise its smaller close neighbour Middle Eye.

From the high spot by HE4, the W Hoyle Bank slopes away northward and can be crossed at most states of the tide N of a line between the Hilbre Swash buoy HE2 (green) and the Point of Air lighthouse at the northern extremity of mainland Wales (white, tower, disused). The only hazard to avoid in this vicinity (apart from the drying banks) is the wreck of the Nestos (see below) which lies awash at half tide. HE2 (green) marks the eastern extremity of a spit protruding from the W Hoyle Bank, around which the Hilbre Swash turns a dog-leg. N of HE2, the tidal stream in and out of the Dee joins that running E-W along the coast. In offshore winds, boats sailing from the E to enter the estuary round Hilbre against the ebb should stay as close in to the E Hoyle Bank as possible to avoid being carried by the tide out down the Swash.

On the W Hoyle Bank due W of HE2 lie the remains of the wreck of the Nestos, a freighter that grounded in fog during World War II having become separated from its convoy from Newfoundland bound for Liverpool. Boilers and other metal work are exposed at LW and start to dry at HW+3. Depth around the wreck is about 4ft at MLW. The transit HE2 to the Pt of Air lighthouse clears the Nestos to the south.

Off the Welsh shore the tide runs swiftly in and out of the Welsh Channel and the Wild Road, and can create lively conditions against wind. The ebb here runs for 7h. For boats making passage eastwards up the Welsh coast towards the Dee, an offshore breeze at Rhyl will be deflected by the Clwydian Hills such that it comes right on the nose off Prestatyn; under such conditions it is rarely worth trying to beat against the ebb, but rather wait until the tide turns.

Welshman's Gut crosses the estuary south of the W Hoyle Bank between HE4 in the Hilbre Swash and the Dee buoy in the Welsh Channel and was formerly navigable at LW. Now, it starts to dry after HW+4. In very settled conditions, the entrance to the Gut close W of HE4 makes a delightful overnight anchorage, with shelter afforded by the bank (and you are guaranteed to be visited by seals.)

To be completed...