Ocean Master

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Oceanmaster - Congratulations

Self Skippering

While we are again being battered by the weather, Gordon and other yachtmaster tutees are out in Intuition of Boss in the Solent, a Westerly Fulmar. This time they are without a professional skipper and are in full charge of the vessel. Each on board will take the role of skipper to put hours on their logs.

Without much wind, they set out under engine power and waited for the wind to increase.

For Christmas, I've bought Gordon The Shell Channel Pilot and a number of charts for the region. I've sent down the two Solent charts for his use, but will hang onto the Pilot as it'll cost quite a bit to send. I must confess that I don't know that part of the south coast well. Using the Pilot, we can follow the journey. Last night was spent up the Medina River at the Folly Inn. Here, three pints were accompanied by whitebait, scampi, mash and peas. They tottered back on board along the legendary long narrow gangplank!

With Gordon at the helm, they slipped at 7.30 this morning and continued into the Solent. Later picking up a buoy in Portsmouth to clear up breakfast and change skipper. Much of today is about practising pilotage, and there's still not much wind.

http://www.pub-explorer.com/hampshire/pub/follywhippingham.htm
Picture from Westerly Owners Association site is of a Fulmar 32.

Ahead of the Storm

One look at the Shipping Forecast on the web and you know we are in the calm before the storm. Out this morning there is almost an eerie silence despite the hustle and bustle of the little town. I have posted the warning for Irish Sea, the forecast for the south coast, has possiblity of violent storm 11:

Gale warnings - Issued: 1001 Fri 13 Nov
Southerly storm force 10 expected soon

Shipping Forecast - Issued: 1130 Fri 13 Nov
Wind: South 6 to 8, becoming cyclonic gale 8 to storm 10, becoming west 6 to gale 8 later.
Sea State: Rough or very rough, occasionally moderate.
Weather: Rain or squally showers.
Visibility: Moderate or good occasionally poor.

As a consequence of the forecast Inspiration of Boss and her crew have made their way, very early this morning ahead of the weather, to their home port safely.

Here Wizzy is having an early walk, and we await the arrival of more moisture across the floorboards under the window.

A prayer for those who have to be on the high seas from Mission to Seafarers website:

Creator and Father of all,
we pray for those who go down to the sea in ships
and serve you upon the waters of the world.
Be with them in fair weather and foul,
in danger or distress.
Strengthen them when they are weary
and comfort them when they are far from their loved ones;
that they may put their whole trust in you
and find in you a strong anchor for their peace.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/

Delfin Salar

Inspiration of Boss is in East Cowes tonight. I think they left St Helier and moved to St Peter's Port before making the dash across the Channel.

One boat from my childhood was Delfin Salar, a Moody. The name Delfin was chosen because of the gracious way dophins glide through the water. As boats' names are registered it's important not to have duplicates. Dolphin was already used, and so the Spanish name was chosen. We had stayed in Delfin Playa Hotel in Majorca in the early 60's.

Delfin was the first Salar made of fibreglass and was in the Boat Show, at Earls Court in the 1966. One of her visitors to that show was Princess Margaret. Leaving her mark on the companionway with her stiletto. All who go on board know the importance of correct footwear. Perhaps that wasn't a priority then. I would love to know where Delfin is now.

Drying out

Leaving the shelter of the harbour wall in Alderney the company of Inspiration of Boss headed for Cherbourg's marina. It was a damp crossing, so once safely moored, the single heater was put on in order to dry out the waterproofs.

The journey from Cherbourg to St Helier, began at 9.15 am Saturday and was an even wetter thrash. They were tacking into a force 8 all the way with gusts of 9 as they headed through squalls. Rain, hail and the sea drenched them to the skin and their porridge, on Saturday morning, had to sustain them through into the night.

Once in sight of Jersey, they turned to follow the coast. Here it became more hairy as now, on a run in heavy seas, they were close to broaching. Every time they met a wave the end of the boom was submerged. They arrived, 16 hours later, at the entrance to St Helier at 1.15 am, within 15 minutes of their entrance being made impossible, by the well known bar.

When Gordon contacted me they were drying out. They were all so very cold and wet that they were thankful to be safely in port. He was not sure that the heater would be efficient or sufficient enough to dry everything, so they were hoping to find somewhere to dry their wetweather gear and they were going to find a 'greasy spoon' for a good feed. Also on board are Gareth, George, Nick and Skipper/Examiner Rich.

http://www.jersey-harbours.com/elizebeth.html

Alderney Achieved

After those false starts. This afternoon they reached Alderney, and are currently on a buoy inside the sea wall. They achieved landfall swiftly taking 8 hours. There is no chance of getting ashore as
1. there is no water taxi and
2. any attempt to use their dinghy would be to hasten arrival in France without the boat.
So it's beans on toast and a mug of tea for all on board tonight.

Am thankful for their safe journeying.