16 February 1944 Part 2

Undated review of 16–29 February 1944 diary — escort arrangements off Jersey

Editorial placement: attached by the reviewed period or earliest possible date; the review itself is undated.

An order of 28 September 1943, agreed with St Malo Convoy Control, established that patrol boats escorting St Malo–Guernsey convoys with vessels to be detached for Jersey should escort them as far as longitude 2°12′ west, the Grève d'Azette–St Clement leading-light line. This is approximately one nautical mile west of Noirmont Point and two nautical miles inside Corbière. From there harbour-protection boats accompany the vessels to St Helier roadstead and stand by to transfer pilots and, if necessary, assist them.

These are not escort duties in the strict sense. For convoys proceeding directly to Jersey, patrol boats escort them to the harbour entrance without harbour-protection boats' participation.

Transferring convoy vessels at Noirmont Point, as proposed by the Channel Islands Sea Commandant, is out of the question because the channel there is only approximately 0.2 nautical miles wide.

The navigational aids mentioned—gyrocompass, radio direction finder and echo sounder—are not decisive so close inshore with the existing navigation lights. Precise knowledge of the channel, such as the harbour-protection boats possess, is considerably more important.

The collision between the opposing vessels Irene and FK 31 occurred inside Noirmont Point and, in this instance, has nothing to do with the suitability of harbour-protection boats.

Roll 2422, scan 0798. Signed Rieve. No issue date visible; retain with the reviewed half-month and cross-reference the 19 February entry.