‘Only fools and passengers drink at sea’ – Alan Villiers
ROUND BRITAIN GWEN
Now at rest in Sunderland Gwen Parkin has just returned from an epic trip in ‘the good ship Marlin, a Satander 30 …not the newest but we think the best looking boat here in Sunderland! Built in Sunderland 1972 and always based here…..a very good sea boat, not the fastest but a very comfortable motion.
Set off June 5th 2015 and returned 13th September 2015 after 2096 miles in very mixed conditions and stormbound on several occasions. We set off north to the Caledonian canal via Eyemouth and Peterhead . Through the Canal and turned North and round Cape Wrath back to Inverness having visited many places including Tobermory , Isle of Skye. Anchored in the Kyle of Tongue then Scrabster and Wick.
Negotiated Kyle Rhea where the tidal streams can reach 8 knots, we goose winged at 11 knots through the narrows. Very exciting with whirlpools and overfalls.
Having sailed the Caledonian a 2nd time we headed south , dived into the Crinan to miss yet another gale, sailed the Mull of Kintyre to Ireland , sailed to Belfast seeking refuge again from high winds for 6 days !!! We then headed south into Southern Ireland and crossed from Arklow to Milford Haven. Over to Padstow and around Lands End to Newlyn. We then visited the hot ( or not so hot ) spots along the south coast ,to Dover then Ramsgate , had great fun crossing the Thames and entering Wells-next-the-sea . Although we got the timing spot on and got permission to enter we were advised while entering by the harbour master to stick our nose into a particular mud bank and wait for a few more inches of water. This seemed to be contrary to everything we knew so we turned around and made the approach 20 mins
later and observed 2 other yachts having to be rescued from the mud banks.
Had great fun in Grimsby with Humber Cruising Association……then back home via Scarborough. Made other stops during this figure of 8 journey around the UK. It was a great adventure
For the first few weeks there were 3 or 4 crew members but for the majority of the journey….just the 2 of us. Needless to say I have now read the Reeds Almanac in great detail !
Thank you for giving me the confidence to do this and put all the theory into practice. Off soon to sail for 3 weeks in Greece.’
‘SKIPPERING ON THE CLYDE
Not me as skipper, as I was employed by Peter as ‘Guru’ to assist a passage around the Mull and through the Crinan canal. An unfamiliar experience for myself, but part of Peter’s development as a sailor.
We had a Bavaria 46 and you can see here two Peters in fact, the skippering version in the luminous hat. At this stage we were rollicking down Loch Fyne before entering the West Kyle. My wife says it was a holiday, especially as we had an experienced restauranteur onboard producing superb cuisine – thank you Eric. Still it was a very happy week:)
Meet the Team
Melvyn Wallhead, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor. I started this business in 2010 partly to justify keeping our rather nice Hallberg Rassy yacht, never expecting the school would grow to the present level. The North East has a long maritime tradition but potential mariners have had to go outside the area or deal with local colleges offering an inflexible ‘service’. I have sailed all over; UK, Med, Europe, Caribbean, Thailand, four continents in all and hope I can encourage others to do the same, without the ‘incidents’.
Trevor Jefferson, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has a long pedigree in teaching with dinghy sailing going back some 40 years and is an RYA Race Trainer. Sail Cruising has been his recent activity with instruction time in Gibraltar and the West Coast of Scotland where he owned a watersports centre. As my Chief Instructor he ‘raises the bar’ for Northumbria Sailing instruction standards.
Don Gunton, Yachtmaster & RYA Instructor has extensive sailing experience primarily on the west coast of Scotland. Other trips have included a scary one to Norway with me onboard. Note ‘scary’ due to the weather. He would probably list sailing to St Kilda as one of his great achievements. Don has been instructing with Northumbria Sailing for a few years and can also do a useful turn in nautical slang due to his previous experience in the Merchant navy.
Malcolm Young, Yachtmaster helps keep our average age down and has come through the ranks with Northumbria Sailing. Malcolm has sailed in the west coast of Scotland, the Caribbean, Med, Norway as well as the North East. Sailing ambitions have to dovetail with running a company but he has already shown his capability by sailing non stop from London back to Royal Quays. He does a good turn in Day Trips too!
2016 in the Orkneys & Shetlands
The Orkneys and Shetlands offer challenging sailing in a wonderful landscape. I have sailed twice to the Orkneys, the most recent being in 2008, but never the Shetlands. In June and July I will be taking the Hallberg Rassy up there to explore the area but in my own boat which offers more comfort and security than a charter.
Extract from Ship’s Log 7th August 2008 Left Stonehaven 1351 with jib up after failing to hoist mainsail. Northerly wind F6 all the way with maximum gust 31.2 knots. Proceeded under sail only arriving at Royal Quays on 8th at 1117. 128.8 miles in 21 hours 26 minutes at an average speed of 6 knots. The engine was turned off outside Stonehaven and back on again just outside Tynemouth’s pier end. One of the best sails ever!
The aim will be to spend four weeks away from Royal Quays with skipper and crew changeovers weekly, starting from 19th June. A stopping trip up there followed by cruising this exciting area and ending with a leisurely trip back home.
‘Lian’ is undergoing a re-fit during the 2015/6 off season, to include a new engine and will be ready and able to take on the 2016 season.
Weeks available are;
June 18 – 25th (FULL) Setting off from Royal Quays to Kirkwall in the Orkneys, about 280 miles distant, with stops on the way to enjoy the surroundings. An overnight might be needed to keep to timetable if there are delays.
June 25 – July 2nd (2 berths) & July 2nd – 9th (1 berth) touring the area starting and finishing at Kirkwall. Targets will include the Shetlands and Fair Isle, with possible visits to Scapa Flow, Stromness and Hoy.
July 9 – 16th (1 berth left)
What to Expect. Both north and southbound will be good for mileage and log book entries. The fee includes full board, except for any meals taken ashore. Only alcohol, when provided with a meal, will be allowed onboard.
Kirkwall is an excellent base with a good marina within a short walking distance of the town centre. Air and ferry services are available. In the event of weather delay Lerwick could be used, the Shetlands also served by air and ferry.
RYA Competent Crew will be available for the return trip to Royal Quays.
Costs Orkneys touring weeks £595, £550 for southbound. You will be asked to confirm your fitness and reservation requires £100 deposit with the balance no later than two months before the start, when full joining instructions will be given.
Update on Courses & Trips
‘Keeping your brain active protects against dementia, probably because it increases the quality of your cognitive reserve – the connections within the brain network’
THEORY COURSES
RYA OCEAN YACHTMASTER Explore the wonders of a sextant with Celestial Navigation and Ocean Passage Planning. This ‘top of the range’ RYA theory course can lead to the coveted ‘Ocean Yachtmaster’ ticket. I have four sextants, one new lightweight metal, one plastic & two old brass, for you to handle. A practical session is included. Cost £450 or £725 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only.
RYA COASTAL YACHTMASTER The advanced Course, a must for those proceeding to Yachtmaster level. Cost £425 for class & £625 tailored tuition. You need a good knowledge of this Course before being tested by the RYA Examiner.
RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. Maximum 8 to a class and located in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £395. Bookings have already been taken for these sessions; Daytime course (0930-1430): October 11, 18th, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th, December 6th Evening Course; October 3, 10, 17, 31st, November 5, 7, 14, 21, 28th December 3, 5 & 12th
I can’t do these times and am in a hurry!
Then a Tailored Timetable with one to one tuition could be for you. Costs £595 (£950 a couple) for Day Skipper, £625 for Coastal/Yachtmaster™ and £725 for the Ocean. Available when the diary permits.
Whilst I would not wish to encourage missing sessions, it’s a fact of life in todays world and time can be made up through private sessions or, sometimes, within the class timetable
PRACTICAL COURSES
All local courses take place on the school boat, a quality 36 foot Hallberg Rassy, well known for its comfort and steadiness afloat. Properly equipped with modern electronics, the preferred wheel steering and comfortable bunk cushions you will be well set up to handle whatever may come your way. Courses are fully inclusive, except for a kitty contribution to drinks onshore.
PRACTICAL CREWING My version of RYA Competent Crew. Three days, 0930-1700hrs onboard for three persons. 3:1 private tuition and you will be up to the Comp Crew standard. No experience necessary. Cost £275. July 20, 21st & 22nd – 2 places available
DAY TRIPS. ‘Taster’ days run throughout the season with the aim of having a pleasant day out on the water. You can see whether yachting is for you at modest cost. Trips operate out of Royal Quays 0930 – 1700hrs. Cost £50 weekday & £70 weekend (maximum 5 customers onboard). Next Trip; 2nd August
RYA COMPETENT CREW A 5 day, live aboard, course where you will learn ‘the ropes’ and to become a useful crew member. A good start to, perhaps, a lifetime boating. Cost £575. September, provisionally 25 – 30th Also Orkneys return July 9 – 16th (extra 2 days) Course Review
RYA DAY SKIPPER PRACTICAL The key to bareboat charter, this course aims to get you to the ability ‘ to skipper a small cruising yacht safely by day in tidal waters with which the student is familiar’. Then you can be let loose to find your own adventures and provide endless anecdotes for you to enjoy telling. Cost £595. September provisionally 25 – 30th ‘I was pleased with the way the course was organised, the instructions for preparation and attending, the fact that you were there waiting for me when I arrived, and your welcome both before and after we boarded.’ – Hassall
INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE (ICC) This can be done on the same course as Day Skipper/Competent Crew. Cost £525 with dates as above. Alternatively I can test you on your own boat at much cheaper cost. Individual quotations are given for this which will be from £225 for one day, own boat.
YACHTMASTER PREPARATION Following on from the successful session last June, where three new YM’s were delivered, there is to be a repeat format during Three days preparation followed by examination by an RYA Examiner for two days. Cost £595 excluding exam fees (2015 rate for YM Coastal £181).
If you are contemplating your YM Examination you must see this in-depth report by Jonny Colwell on his experience in the autumn of 2015 YM Prep & Examination
Northumbria Sailing on YouTube
Have a look at my Theory Training Centre with this video. Training
Onboard the Hallberg Rassy training yacht, by courtesy of Mark Batey and the kind co-operation of victims Andrew and Clive. See me giving berthing advice in trying to avoid the electric supply post Mark Batey Day Training
RYA Competent Crew in the sun, by courtesy of Mark again Mark Batey Competent Crew
In a clip from 2013 you see the appreciation of Ladies on an RYA sponsored day at Royal Quays Ladies Day
Pieces of Eight – Knotty Problems Analysed
Fog on the Tyne
This is the fog we faced when coming back into the Tyne last month. We had Radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System) as well as the Chart Plotter, but we couldn’t see a thing with our own eyes.
The option chosen was to obtain certainty as to our position. We reported in to Tyne VTS and asked for traffic information, with the reply ‘none as far as we are aware!’
We aimed for the lighthouse on the end of Tynemouth’s North Pier with a lookout on the bow (I was at the helm away from this…….) Remarks such as ‘we’re going to hit it’ emanated until we almost did, but at least we had visual and knew where we were. Had we aimed for halfway between the pier ends we wouldn’t have been able to see either and be right in the middle of the traffic zone.
The fun wasn’t quite over as we were constantly sidestepping the RNLI RIB (on the plotter) going towards the Fish Quay. Eventually we had visual on the RIB too, turned down their offer of help, proceeded upstream and, all of a sudden, the whole lot cleared.
Specialist Courses include;
RYA BASIC SEA SURVIVAL. A must for all sailors and a very proactive time in the, warm, swimming pool. You will learn about general safety onboard as well as survival in the water. Last April we had a very enjoyable session at a school in Heaton and this will be repeated at some time in the future, according to demand Cost £125 or £110 if in a group or family. RYA Basic Sea Survival and a video Wet in the Pool
RYA VHF Still available in class or private tuition. Don’t be caught without a proper licence as you could be fined up to £5,000, plus 6 months inside, plus equipment confiscation – yes it’s very severe! At Northumbria Sailing you will receive tuition one per training set. As you will be assessed for practical skills as well as theoretical I think it’s advisable that you have every opportunity to familiarise yourself with the equipment. Next session, across two evenings from 6pm; 6 & 7th June. Also 3 & 4th August from 5.30pm Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £160 and online at £85 to include manual. Assessment £60 extra. Try these links. RYA Online VHF Radio and RYA Online VHF video
RYA RADAR Are you safe using your set? Can you properly identify a collision situation? If you have radar you are required to know how to use it properly and could be held responsible if an incident was to occur. Day or two evening courses. Cost £120, plus £9.75 to RYA.
CEVNI test for the Inland waterways endorsement to your ICC. Done online, cost £25
RYA Essential Navigation Online. Do this starter course on your own laptop. A good introduction to the theory part of sailing, with yacht or power boat. Cost £95 plus £27 to the RYA
RYA FIRST AID. All day for the RYA certificate, valid three years. Be prepared for a full day’s activity with lots of practical demonstrations and active participation – no going to sleep here with Simon!. Cost £75, £95 with Cat C drug endorsement. This is an infrequent Course and another session may not be available until the autumn.
Watersports for all Ages
At the Marine Activities Centre (Sunderland Marina at Roker) you can get involved in Open sessions on weekday evenings or Saturday mornings. Fun in or on the water in a safe environment, where the family can take part. Up to date, high quality, equipment provided. Only £7 for adults and £4.50 for U16. Book your place call 0191 514 4721 between 1230 and 1630, weekdays.
Victims (all) at Sea
Kevan Newbold is now sailing his newly acquired Hallberg Rassy in the Med; ‘Nice and sunny out in Greece…..just taking Destiny from Aegina near Athens up to Corfu.’
Notice his passarelle, bimini, solar panels and Med style berthing. Cheers!
Steve Leadbitter at home, opposite myself, in Royal Quays, is making progress with his new purchase, and becoming poorer and poorer!
Paul Kröner reports ‘I’m just back from a 14 days sailing trip on the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia.The Jeanneau Sunday Odyssey 409 was very easy to handle and could even be tacked single handed. The Simrad autopilot and plotter were also very handy (lots of information) – ait offered hands free sailing. so you could have a coffee/lunch, or trim the sails.
A fabulous experience, that gave me a lot more confidence in navigating, course plotting, handling the boat with lots of wind, 1.5 m high waves etc. etc.
All the harbours there worked with mooring lines and very often the harbourmaster was helpful in pulling up the lines for you and catching the mooring lines.’
Malcolm Wright’s Beneteau Swift is now at Royal Quays, in the care of engineer Tony to repair the damaged propeller (and maybe the shaft as well).
Jonathan Colwell is skippering in the Med and finding out the responsibilities – when he had to climb the mast to fix a jammed roller furling.
Jeremy Eliot, now a Yachtmaster™, reports; ‘I’m delighted to be able to tell you that I passed! The exam was last Thursday pm/ Friday morning in the Clyde and conditions were horrendous. For much of the time it was force 6 gusting 7 and we sailed with 3 reefs in the main. It lasted about 11 hours so we were all shattered when the examiner said lets go home at 2 in the morning. Thanks for the part you played in my success. (he’s shown on the right – before the rough stuff)
Paul & Marianne enjoyed penguins and the sights of the Antarctic. They also make me a bit jealous too!
Mario Ilewicz enjoying a coffee on the pontoon outside the Hub, by the Ouseburn and on the C2C, where he works in his own cycle repair business. Bikes can cost more than boats and, when he’s away, customers (I wonder what he calls them in Polish?) await his return, preferring not to deal with anyone else. The trials and tribulations of self employment!
RYA Man Overboard Day at Royal Quays
On Saturday 11th June I am discussing and demonstrating ways of recovering a casualty. This is RYA sponsored (subsidised) and places limited. Contact RQ on 272 8282 for a place. Don’t worry we already have a volunteer!
Make Note of a Diver’s Number
Should you be unfortunate to have a rope around your prop, then you will need a diver. You could try Colin, local to Royal Quays, on 07903 226202.
For more information contact me via my web page
Sail Safely the RYA Way 🙂