SAILING THE SHIPPING FORECAST

Celebrating 100 years of the BBC Shipping Forecast, Jane Russell takes us on a series of coastal cruises through the forecast sea areas, exploring some of the special places on offer in each of them

- Jane Russell

HUMBER

The Humber sea area incorporates the interesting but more challenging coastlines of The Wash and North Norfolk, as well as the Humber estuary itself. From the area's northern boundary, just north of Flamborough Head, all the way to Horsey on the northeast corner of Norfolk, tidal flows become much more significant. This sea area is completely ruled by the currents that swirl around and between the banks and shoals that are characteristic of this section of the east coast. There are several squeeze points where the flows lump up into overfalls, particularly with any contrary winds. The extensive shoals are a perfect breeding ground for windfarms, which, depending on your perspective, can either confuse or clarify navigation.

Many a south coast sailor has taken one look at the charts and pilotage and decided to cut this corner completely. But it is worth remembering that King’s Lynn was one of the key Hanseatic ports, and this whole corner of the coast has long been a busy trade zone, with a steady stream of deep-draught vessels heading in and out of the Humber, and coastal vessels still plying routes in and out of The Wash. In settled offshore winds there are several feasible all-tide anchorages, and with time to spare it is possible to find complete protection up the various rivers, most of which are navigable for a good distance inland, and some of which connect through to the canal system. The whole area is rich in bird life, and North Norfolk is home to the UK's largest breeding colony of grey seals.