THE CHANNEL
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The English Channel has been the object of numerous
innovative sea, air and human powered crossings;
o The first air crossing from Dover to Calais took place in 1785 when John Jeffries and Jean Pierre Francois Blanchard successfully crossed in their hot air balloon
o The first vessel to ferry passengers was a paddle steamer in 1821
o The first person known to have successfully swum the 21 mile stretch of water was Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 – it took him 21 hours and 45 minutes
Nowadays the Channel is the world's busiest seaway, seeing over 500 ships per day through the narrow strait. Shipping travelling north must use the French coastal side and those travelling south the English side. There is a separation zone between the two lanes – think central reservation of a 4 lane motorway!
Any swimmers crossing have to safely negotiate this busy shipping route! The CCA, CSA and CS&PF are the organisations escorting channel swims, their pilots have the experience, qualifications and equipment to guarantee the safety of the swimmers they escort.
o The first air crossing from Dover to Calais took place in 1785 when John Jeffries and Jean Pierre Francois Blanchard successfully crossed in their hot air balloon
o The first vessel to ferry passengers was a paddle steamer in 1821
o The first person known to have successfully swum the 21 mile stretch of water was Captain Matthew Webb in 1875 – it took him 21 hours and 45 minutes
Nowadays the Channel is the world's busiest seaway, seeing over 500 ships per day through the narrow strait. Shipping travelling north must use the French coastal side and those travelling south the English side. There is a separation zone between the two lanes – think central reservation of a 4 lane motorway!
Any swimmers crossing have to safely negotiate this busy shipping route! The CCA, CSA and CS&PF are the organisations escorting channel swims, their pilots have the experience, qualifications and equipment to guarantee the safety of the swimmers they escort.