Publisher: Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson, 2000 £ 25.00
This series of five charts covers the Thames Estuary and the coast from Dover to Canvey Island, including the Medway. Printed in A2 size on waterproof paper, they are contained in a plastic wallet.
The folio is broadly comparable to the Admiralty SC5606 folio, Ramsgate to Tower Bridge. The Imray folio is cheaper, at £25, with individual sheets being available at £6.50, and goes a bit further South to Dover. In contrast the Admiralty folio is more expensive at £35, but includes 11 charts and extends to London.
Unlike the Admiralty folios, no details are given of marina facilities, however there is an insert giving chart symbols. Unfortunately this does contain errors: in particular the symbol for a wreck which does not cover is shown as a height above chart datum, rather than above height datum, which could be dangerously misleading. Light sectors are shown in colour, which is helpful, but the grid line spacing is large, making plotting more difficult.
Chart corrections are available by post or on the Imray website. However, Ramsgate West Pier is still shown as having a R or G tide gauge light although this was discontinued some time ago. - AMB