Shingles Bank - Surprise & Beware

[RichardB]

Hope the picture attachment works...

We were out around Yarmouth yesterday and on heading out from Hurst had a bit of a surprise. At first I thought it was a very clear day and we could see the cliffs of Anvil Point / Swanage. But it became clear that we were looking at the Shingles Bank.

Surprising because I've never seen it as exposed. We were about 2hr after HW and (checking later) tide height was 1.9m at Totland. With a charted drying height of 1.9m, this meant the bank should just be exposed. Instead it was a good 2-2.5m high, perhaps higher (I couldn't see over the top stanting in the boat and that's about 2m eye level). This means that the bank is presently around 2+ metres above HW. On some of the pics I could see a HW mark (black line). Pics wern't great as they were on a phone (not expecting the day to turn out quite as fine as it did yesterday).

Anyway, I don't recall ever seeing the Shingles as high as this (the smaller bank, most westerly on the chart was also clearly visible). I'm aware they can build up over the winter but is this size 'normal'?

And, of course, as a footnote... Best not to take any shortcuts across the Shingles for a while, at any state of the tide.

[Steve_B]

My first reaction was "that has to be photoshop'ed"

I have never seen it exposed to that height before.

I am doing Southampton - Poole next weekend so will have a cautious look. I sometimes go across at High water through the washing machine, for a bit of fun!

Steve

[willk]

BBQ and Cricket!

[RichardB]

Originally Posted by 250kts

My first reaction was "that has to be photoshop'ed"

I have never seen it exposed to that height before.

Steve

Promise it wasn't!

Suprised the hell out of me too which is why I wondered if this a particularly unusual build up this year.

[Nos4r2]

It was quite high when I came back with Boristhebold to Poole from the last Jolly to the Folly-but not that high.

[Channel Ribs]

I might come over and stick and Alderney flag in it, it worked in 1066 so no reason it wont now.

[boristhebold]

Yikes, that is scary, good Job I always stay well clear of it, Ive seen it exposed before but never by this much. Thinking about the Moon state over the past few nights just goes to show what extreme effect the moon has.

[biffer]

what was the deep water channel along the beach like?

[RichardB]

Originally Posted by biffer

what was the deep water channel along the beach like?

The north channel along the mainland shore along Hurst Spit seemed fine. At least I followed that right around as we went round to Barton on Sea on the way out and then came back to the bank.

Didn't actually 'survey' it of course but the shallowing water (about 3m) towards the bank was very clearly defined and was well away from the channel markers.

[Paul Cannell]

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

I might come over and stick and Alderney flag in it, it worked in 1066 so no reason it wont now.

To late, flag planted months ago ..........can't see it at the mo'