Dardanelles
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The Dardanelles
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| Coords: 40°0.9′N, 26°11.8′E |
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| Photo gallery |
| Local chartlet |
Background
The Dardanelles (Turkish: Çanakkale Boğazı, Greek: Δαρδανέλλια, Dardanellia), laterly known as the Hellespont (Greek: Ελλήσποντος, Hellespontos), is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It is located at approximately GPS: 40°13′N, 26°26′E. The strait is 33 nM (61 km or 38 mi) long but only 0.65 to 3.2 nM (1.2 to 6 km or 0.75 to 4 mi) wide, averaging 55 meters (180 ft) deep with a maximum depth of 82 meters (300 ft). Water flows in both directions along the strait, from the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean via a surface current and in the opposite direction via an undercurrent.
Like the Bosphorus, it separates Europe (in this case the Gallipoli peninsula) and the mainland of Asia. The strait is an international waterway, and together with the Bosphorus, the Dardanelles connects the Black Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.
The Turkish name Çanakkale Boğazı is derived from the major city adjoining the strait, Çanakkale (which takes its name from its famous castles; kale means "castle"). The name Dardanelles derives from Dardania, an ancient land (founded by Dardanus) on the Asian shore of the strait.
According to the Montreux Convention of 1936, still in force today, the straits are an international shipping lane but Turkey retains the right to restrict the naval traffic of non-Black Sea nations (like Greece or Algeria). During World War II, when Turkey was neutral for almost the entire length of the conflict, the Dardanelles were closed to the ships of the belligerent nations.
Climate & Weather
See Turkey
Charts
- BA
- 1004 Çhannakale boğazi
- 1086 Srimonikos kólpos to Edremit körfezi
- NIMA
- 55040 Sea of Marmara
- 55041 Canakkale Bogazi
- Turkey
- 29 Marmara Sea
- 295 Hoşköy - Gelibolu
- 2111 Saros Körfezi
- 2134 Anafartalar Koyu - Tavşan Island
- 2131 Gelibolu Yarımadası - Gökçeada
- Greek
- 109 Ionio-Aegeo Steno Messinis mechri Thalassa Marmara
Local Radio Nets
Also see World Cruiser's Nets
Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.
Arrival/Departure procedures
See Turkey.
The Dardanelles is a very busy channel with a lot of ship traffic. There is a separation zone with eastbound ships staying on the south shore and westbound ships staying on the north shore. Yachts transiting the straits should keep outside the charted shipping lanes (which is in any case a wise move for a northbound yacht in view of the strong adverse currents).
These adverse currents flow from the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean and make a reasonably powerful engine an essential requirement for a northbound yacht, especially since sailing is usually impossible in view of the prevailing winds blowing down the straits and the folly of attempting to tack across the shipping lanes. The current reaches up to 3.5 – 4.0 knots at the Aegean entrance to the straits, especially around the headland of Kumkale Burnu on the southern side and in the narrows N and S of Canakkale. Once beyond Canakkale the current slackens gradually from 3.0 knots down to 1.0 – 1.5 knots as a yacht enters the wider part between Nara Burnu N of Canakkale and the port of Gelibolu.
A northbound yacht is best advised to stay close inshore on the southern side of the straits, following the 10.0 – 15.0 metre contour where the current is weaker. This course is actually quicker and has the added advantage of keeping a yacht well clear of the shipping lanes.
Bordering Countries (with Port details)
Cruiser's Friends
Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".
References & Publications
See Turkey.
Links to Forum Discussions
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
External Links
- Dardanelles (Wikipedia)
Personal Notes
Personal experiences?
- Leaving from the Turkish island of Bozcaada, a yacht motoring at 6.5 knots should be able to make Canakkale within six hours following the route above. The port of Lapseki takes a further four hours at the same rate of progress.--Athene of Lymington 16:30, 18 May 2011 (BST)
Last Visited & Details Checked (and updated here)
Date of member's visit to this Port/Stop & this page's details validated:
- August 1999 --Istioploos 13:24, 6 July 2008 (MDT)
- May 2011--Athene of Lymington 16:30, 18 May 2011 (BST)
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