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cat man do · 31-10-2006, 19:45

Next time We go to New Caledonia we want to stop at Chesterfield reef and Bellona banks for a bit of a look around. I have been told I must clear in at New Cal and go back out, a detour of around 500n/m at a guess.

Also has anyone got an idea where or if charts exist for here , I've had no joy tracking any down.

Any Idea's

Dave

tdw · 14-11-2006, 23:16

I don't have the charts but theoretically AUS4602 should cover that area and possibly au230150.
If I'm correct then they are standard aus charts from any chart onseller.

Cheers

Andrew

cat man do · 15-11-2006, 16:53

Thanks for that tdw, but I suspect that these will not give me enough detail to navigate inside the lagoon, woul I be correct?

As yet to find a site on the net that lets me view charts with any detail.

Any hints?

Dave

tdw · 16-11-2006, 00:27

You'd be right I'd guess. Both those charts cover pretty big slabs of the blue slushy stuff. Looking at the chart catalogue there does not seem to be any chart that would give you detail of the reef itself. I must say that it seems a real pity that the chart catalogue doesn't have a preview function.

tdw · 16-11-2006, 14:09

Chart would actually be aus4604 and it's the best you'll get from what I can glean from others who have looked at doing the same as you. Only other possibility is if there is a cruising guide for that area. Noonsite don't seem to have much info either. This is all the detail you will get from 4604.

cat man do · 16-11-2006, 14:27

Yeah mate , bit sad really.
It looks like you sailed through there on that pic, is that correct and if so does it appear easily navigable?

Also I'm hoping someone may have a comparison on a plotter / computer screen for me to look at.

I've contacted near everyone who does mapping packages but as yet, 1 week later have only had one reply

Dave

tdw · 16-11-2006, 15:02

No, not me. A mate of mine with too much time on his hands put together a virtual cruise from Queensland to Noumea and he sent me a copy of that part of the chart.
It would be high on my list of things to do however. Given that you have to sail to Noumea then return to Chesterfield not too many boats would visit. Solitude could well be guaranteed but at the cost of some 1000NMs. That doesn't bug me cos I like passagemaking but then not everyone does.

Andrew

cat man do · 16-11-2006, 15:15

We'd be stinkboating , so would think of a stop on way over pretending to have engine problems if asked. Don't even know if the Frenchie's do flyovers, did'nt see anyone on last trip, but that doesn't mean they don't.

Thank's for the replies

Dave

Charlie · 16-11-2006, 20:57

Dave:

I've got this older (1998) C-Map program that has a 1:1500 chart of the main port of the reef. I can't email the chart or I'd send it to you. Anyway I think the charts that you will want for that area are going to be from the Frogs. Here are the numbers that were on the echart FR,Show,graph 5978B Don't know what they mean.

BTW When people are going to the Marquesas there ae only a few places to check in and it often meant 500 miles of upwind work to get to the windward islands so people started just showing up even though they were not official ports of entry. From there they were given three days then they could go to another island and get three days there. It depended on how well you got along with the local authorities

tdw · 16-11-2006, 22:32

French Hydrographic Department is at www.shom.fr.
Their is a chart number 5978 whcih is labelled Cartouche B - Iles Chesterfield - Mouillage de l'île Longue. It's 1:20,000. No detail in the preview but it might be the go. Where you would get one I have no idea.

cat man do · 17-11-2006, 00:52

Thanks for that guys, i'll try a contact in New Cal and see if that chart has any real detail, but not holding my breath.

Last time in New Cal we foun spots in the lagoon that had quite bad desrepancies.

Dave

tdw · 03-12-2006, 20:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat man do

Thanks for that guys, i'll try a contact in New Cal and see if that chart has any real detail, but not holding my breath.

Last time in New Cal we foun spots in the lagoon that had quite bad desrepancies.

Dave

How'd you go ? Any luck obtaining those charts ?

Andrew