Back in 2019, we published similar material. Now, it seems to us, it's time to update our knowledge and dive into the topic again! Why? Because crossing the Bay of Biscay is a true rite of passage for any yachtsman!
What is Biscay known for?
The Bay of Biscay has gained its infamous reputation due to the fact that in the prevailing westerly winds a square rig ship can be "pinched" for several days. Due to the fact that the ship could not stand up to the wind for a long time, it inexorably approached the French coast. This could lead to disaster.
Yes, it is now the 21st century and we are sailing on a yacht, not on a huge frigate. And the sails are different for a long time! But despite this, the passage through Biscay still requires preparation, balanced strategy and perseverance.
The Bay of Biscay is as changeable as the weather in it. There is no universal rule that can be applied to this transition. However, by identifying the various challenges in advance and planning for them, a transition strategy can be developed that is appropriate for each ship, crew, and weather forecast.
Should be considered six main factors: distance, prevailing conditions, weather, continental shelf, leeward coast and shipping.
Distance
The shortest distance through the Bay of Biscay without entering the Bay itself is 360 miles from Brest to A Coruña. A yacht sailing directly from Falmouth around Finisterre to Rias can add 150 more miles to go. Let's not forget about it!
For many crew members, the Bay of Biscay will be first experience long sea passage. It should be treated like a mini ocean crossing! You can face everyone difficultiesassociated with ocean crossings: fatigue, seasickness, and distance from help when something goes wrong.
Tactics
- Make sure the crew is well briefed on safety issues: what to do in case of fire, breach and how to leave the ship
- Make sure all safety devices are in good working order and have their service life.
- Fully fill the tanks with fuel and fresh water. Additionally, take a supply in canisters with you
- Inspect and check sails and rigging
- Check the engine and make sure you have spare parts
- Provide a reliable watch system so everyone can get enough rest
- Recommend everyone to take pills from motion sickness to sailing
Much of this can be mitigated by planning ahead for the transition, following up on scheduled maintenance, and familiarizing the crew in the preceding weeks and months.
Prevailing conditions
From a meteorological point of view, the Bay of Biscay is located in middle latitudes - the low pressure zone between the Azores and the Arctic highs.
The ideal time to move is May-Augustwhen the weather is more stable. Alas, many yachts are not yet ready to sail by this time. A trip in the fall or spring often works best with cruise plans. In addition, the course lies to the southwest, directly on prevailing Direction of the wind.
Tactics
- Before sailing, you must obtain an up-to-date weather forecast
- If possible, choose the time for the transition May-August. Even if it means you have to go to sea earlier!
- If you choose to go in unsettled weather, use the change in wind to your advantage.
Despite improvements in sailing performance over the past two centuries, the 400-mile journey is still no easy feat. The transition can be delayed and instead of two or three days last all four.
Weather
The average time to cross Biscay is three days. However, if you are not crossing during the summer months, then you will most likely encounter strong winds at some point along the route. You need to be ready for this!
Tactics
- Know how to set storm sails. Set them up early if you think you might need them.
- Prepare food in advance
- Blow off the ace and put it in the locker
- Establish a routine on deck during bad weather from the very beginning
- Get your transition time right - there isn't much of it
As always, small yachts should be more attentive to the forecast bad weather. Not only are they more vulnerable to storm surges, but the slower your boat is, the longer the passage takes and the more likely you are to be caught off guard at the end of the passage.
continental shelf
Somewhere between 60 and 100 miles from shore ends continental shelf and the ocean begins. Here is the depth increases from 100 m to more than 3 km.
Atlantic waves in these places dangerous, they create challenging conditions for all ships, not just yachts. This is due to the increase in depth. With a strong coastal wind, the shelf will be very noticeable (feels like). Even in moderate weather it is not very inconvenient to cross. You will breathe a sigh of relief when you pass it and the waves will no longer be a problem.
Tactics
- Choose your sailing time from Falmouth or Brest so that offshore conditions are as favorable as possible. It can be tempting to cross Biscay in a northwesterly wind, but the combination of prolonged southwesterly swells with a fresh northwesterly breeze can create dangerous conditions.
- If you think the shelf might be difficult, try to cross it in daylight when you can see the waves (and fishing boats) coming.
- Put on watch the most trained crew members on this section of navigation
- In severe weather, conditions are reported to be best if you stay west of 7°
The shelf is also a favorite place for French fishing trawlers. Often they are magnetically attracted to sailing yachts. And the more difficult the conditions, the stronger the attraction ... You will need to watch them especially carefully and be ready to take measures in advance evasion.
windward shore
As 19th-century sailors well knew, the Bay of Biscay is one big windward shore. After Brest, there are few ports and bays of refuge.
Tactics
- Avoid tacks into the bay: maintain a reserve and stay west of the main route line.
- If in doubt, stay clear and do not attempt to make landfall until conditions improve.
In case of bad weather, there is no other choice but to move as far as possible from the shore.
Shipping in the Bay of Biscay
Not only geography and weather can be a problem when crossing Biscay. A dense transport trade flow can also become such. Course from Brest before A Coruña will allow you stay out of shipping lanes and be relatively free to move.
But the course Falmouth before Finisterre will cause you to slowly approach the shipping route. It will take a long time to evade the courts!
Tactics
- If you have already entered a busy trade route, then do not count on the crew of a conditional dry cargo ship to notice you! Take all measures to stay in their line of sight.
- If you are constantly encountering ships, then change course and move straight across the line of motion. It is usually limited to a 4-5 mile area.
Routes to cross the Bay of Biscay
Now consider the main travel routes in Biscay. There are not very many of them, but they all have their own characteristics that everyone who is going to sail needs to know.
Departure points
There are two main points of departure for ships heading south through the Bay of Biscay: Falmouth and Brest. Both of them are large ports - you can get into them in any weather, and there are also all conditions for parking and recreation.
Arrival points
Arriving ashore after a long passage is always most difficult part, and the better you prepare for it, the better. Depending on the route you choose, there are three options:
- Northern Spanish ports of Gijón and Viveiro
- La Coruña
- Rias south of Finisterre
Let's consider each of them separately.
Gijon and Viveiro
If constant southwestern winds are a problem and you are not in a hurry to round Finisterre, then landing a little further in the bay may be preferable.
V Viveiro and Gijon there are decent marinas with good facilities, although Gijon is far to the east. They are difficult to approach in windy conditions. north, but they are well protected from the prevailing Western and southwest winds. The problem will be the continuation of sailing in a westerly direction. However, if you just can't make your way to A Coruña downwind, then these are safe and attractive alternatives.
La Coruña
famous La Coruña is a favorite staging post for many yachts crossing the Bay of Biscay in either direction, and for good reason. A Coruña is a beautiful city with good marinas, shelter from the prevailing westerly winds.
The only disadvantage of sailing south is that in this case it remains to go around the cape Finisterre. The notorious coastline between A Coruña and Finisterre is aptly named Costa da Morte, and it should to avoid during storm surge.
Rias
Worth it in good weather go around Finisterre and head towards one of the rias. The first large rias south of Finisterre is Muros. It has a decent marina and a pretty town.
Next you will find excellent opportunities for a cruise in Ria de Aruza, Ria de Pontevedra and Ria de Vigo. Yachts with busy schedules can skip the rias entirely and just make a short stop at bayonet (at the mouth Ria de Vigo) before continuing south.
What if…
Regardless of any preparation something goes wrong. It's always good to think through scenarios "what if" - medical assistance, steering failure, dismantling, water ingress. We need to consider options!
Make sure you have there is refuge port maps, transmit the passage data and the list of the crew to the shore. instruct command on what to do if you, the skipper, find yourself incompetent.
thrill
Crossing the Bay of Biscay is always an exciting event, its amazing reputation is imprinted on the sailor's psyche. And this should be scary, because there are few other places in the Atlantic like this. "indifferent" to us, ordinary yachtsmen and sailors.
Biscay can be succinctly described in a few phrases: dizzying waves, unforeseen breakdowns, the victory of man over adversity.
However, everything is not always as scary as described. By following the simple tips that have been described above, your trip can become much safer.
Strategies
The choice of transition strategy depends on the six factors already described, as well as from restrictions your boat, your team, and your time frame. You can reduce the impact of any of these factors if you try not to run into them at the same time. Remember the simple formula and avoid it: distance + merchant ships + shelf + heavy weather = high stress!
Try to break problems down into parts. Decide everything in stages: for example, in heavy weather, stay away from the shipping route.
And don't forget about:
Small crew and/or slow boat
If you are sailing with a small crew or on a small boat at an average speed of less than 6 knots, then the passage Brest - La Coruña - Viveiro makes more sense.
Stay away from the shipping route to make things easier (wind direction permitting). Less distance increases your chances of passing through a limited weather window.
Full size crew and/or fast boat
Your choice: route Falmouth - Muros. While doing this, keep west of the main route line and out of the shipping lane until the second half of the crossing (and until you pass the shelf).
Then head to the coastal traffic area at Finisterre. If weather conditions worsen in the second half of the crossing, you can always go to La Coruna or Viveiro.
Outcome
Crossing the Biscay - an adventure not for newbies. But you shouldn't be afraid of it either. There are a whole host of factors to keep an eye on, but your efforts will be richly rewarded.
It doesn't have to be your team that's in trouble. But to make possible difficulties easier to endure, get ready. Get ready in advance, study the routes, possible difficulties. And then your journey will be an exciting event, which you will not be ashamed to talk about.
Thank you for your time! We hope that among these tips you have found something new and interesting. Do not forget to share publications and follow the announcements in our social networks! Seven feet under the keel, friends!
15.01.2022
News and articles
The other day, a plant for the production of inflatable boats in Nikolaev was destroyed. At the same time, the invaders are not going to stop and continue to wage a senseless and merciless war against the “windmills”. This time their goal was the Adzhigol lighthouse.
Read more…Good day! Interparus is in touch. Fresh news arrived, we hasten to share!
Read more…Brittany is the land of the magician Merlin, fairies, elves, magic forests, and also a very beautiful country for sailing! Deserves to have you visit her urgently on a catamaran!
Read more…