‘This is no democracy. However, I do like to hear any well thought out, reasonable suggestion. Once.’ – America’s Cup Skipper
TALL SHIPS AT BLYTH
A full boat set off from Royal Quays to inspect the Tall Ships at Blyth. Onboard was Polish Mario, see here, who was able to pronounce the name of the largest Dar Mlodziczy! The crew were even hailed in their native language.
Good for Sailing, Good for Blyth and an excellent atmosphere. My memory was tested though by waves from other vessels and salutations from victims. I did have a family preview the previous day, courtesy of mother-in-law’s Blue Badge, when crowds enjoyed the Bank Holiday sunshine.
I saw crew on another vessel out on the topmost yard adjusting the sail, bringing to mind my experience way back in 1986 manning the top yard of Malcolm Miller whilst entering Honfleur, a good old English tradition. Look at my photo hanging on there (ringed).The 1986 Tall Ships visit to Newcastle kickstarted my sailing ‘career’ and I wonder who else will find out the joys of sailing in the same way.
Sailor’s Evening 20th October
Make a note in your diary for 20th October at the Corner House, Heaton. A time to reflect on the season, spin some yarns and have a beer. Subjects to include; An Antarctic Adventure, Rowing around Britain and the Orkneys.
SUCCESS IN THE ORKNEYS
Last year I was considering another visit to the Orkneys. I had sailed there on two previous occasions, the first as crew for Don Gunton and the second as Skipper returning home from the West Coast via Cape Wrath. Last year’s experience with a charter boat made me wish for my own, complete with its luxuries.
In 2015 I had had engine problems resulting in a re-engine during the off season. With this trip in mind one thing led to another and several more works were undertaken including: a new mainsail, replacement heating unit, gas upgrading, a new wind indicator to list but a few.
The plan was to have four weeks away, sharing the skippering with Malcolm Young, to take advantage of the light evenings and to visit Fair Isle and the Shetlands if possible.
Victualling was a significant hurdle and we needed to be as self sufficient as possible for lumping heavy items around, without transport, wouldn’t be welcomed.
I had a good response from victims wanting an adventure and, finally, Malcolm set off with Mike, Karen, Ed and Bill on 19th June from Royal Quays. I waited anxiously watching their progress via the Marine Traffic web page which monitors vessels fitted with AIS.
Problems did emerge, mainly due to unfamiliarity with the boat, but progress was made via Eyemouth, Arbroath, Peterhead, Wick and into Kirkwall, capital of the Orkneys, a day early. A total of 314 miles with a daysail and mild weather.
I took over for week 2 with Kirkwall at it’s best on a lovely Saturday evening. The Orkneys are a challenge, not so much with the weather as waters are sheltered within the islands, but tides are severe, 6+ knots at times. My last experience in Eynhallow Sound, where I was stuck in the overalls, will remain with me for all time!
Thus old salt Cecil and newcomer David joined me, neither had experience of sailing up here. Firstly Eynhallow had to be faced enroute to Stromness. The following four knot tide hit the lower one knot, also favourable, and overalls were experienced at the narrows, but nothing like as severe as last time.
At Stromness we lost a day because of high winds and we sought out a Skara Brae trip with stunning scenery in this bay. Thence to Pierowall, Whitehall and back to Kirkwall. Fair Isle and beyond weren’t on, sadly, but I feel we ‘did’ the Orkneys properly. Fiddling with the chart plotter on our sail to Whitehall resulted in the screen freezing just when we were in a 5 knot tide! The tablets chart plotter was rapidly, and thankfully, sought out
115 miles on my week and then Malcolm moved quickly with experienced Jon, Steve and John off to Pierowall then Fair Isle (top image) extolling the facilities of the bird sanctuary. Easy conditions meant more motorsailing to Sumburgh in the Shetlands, Lerwick and Symbister the most northerly point before returning to Kirkwall via a windy Whitehall (40 knots). 260 miles on week 3. An interesting moving off berth was solved with ingenuity and unmarked boat.
Back to myself for the return home. A wet Wick, a smart Whitehills with a scary entrance. Jon, staying on for another week (!), Mike and Tom moved on to Peterhead. Here I had never eaten in a Wetherspoon’s before and all four of us had steaks and drinks for £47.50!
On to Stonehaven and a late decision to go overnight to Amble. Spotted entering by September Day Skipper victim Brendan, and then to Royal Quays with 274 miles.
In all, 963 miles in four weeks. Would I do it again??
Financially I made a small profit, which would have been turned into a loss had I paid myself skipper’s rates. On the other hand, it was a change of scenery and an opportunity for an adventure. I hope it gave some enjoyment too. Next year I fancy chartering a big boat, to explore the Hebrides and maybe even getting to St Kilda.
2017 for the Hebrides in a 46 foot yacht
Let me know of your interest in a sailing adventure next June. I am proposing chartering a large yacht just north of Oban and heading towards the Hebrides. If there’s enough interest I would charter for two weeks to give the chance of visiting the world heritage island of St Kilda. I could do a crew changeover at Stornoway after one week.
Sailing Master Class
Chief Instructor Trevor, who has over 45 years sail cruising and racing, will be doing a Master Class in September. Subjects to be covered will be Sail Trim, Poling out and use of the spinnaker/asymmetric (subject to conditions). This is not a session for the beginner but for those seeking to improve their racing or cruising skills. Cost £75. 0930 – 1700hrs on 16th September.
A Sailor’s Tale
‘Maybe you’re like me – a middle aged guy (or gal) who used to sail but then let it lapse “for a year or two”, due to work/redundancy/babies/children/elderly parents/other (*-delete as appropriate!) – always with the intention of returning soon! In my case, I’ve had all of these reasons/excuses and was horrified to find from my old sailing logbook that “a couple of years” was actually a couple of decades and that I was last on a yacht in the last century (1996). Whilst still vaguely familiar, my RYA Day Skipper evening class theory and practical handbook made me realise that I had now forgotten most of the essential details!
My last sailing holiday was bareboating as crew with old friends in the Med. with my (then) very new girlfriend, Paula. She wasn’t a sailor at all, but was persuaded to come on condition that she only had to learn how to put the fenders away in the morning, sunbathe on deck all day and place the fenders back out (with perfect clove hitches) at dusk. Easy peasy! Unfortunately it was Turkey in late September and, not only was the sun in short supply, the sea was to say the least – very choppy! It was a bit scary at times (even for me) and Paula made me promise that, if we ended up staying together, I would never make her go on another sailing holiday!
Fast forward 20 years. We’ve been married for 18 of them and now have two sporty, teenage but land-locked daughters (coming up to 18 and 16). Somebody suggested a flotilla holiday with a couple of other families. “Dad – you used to sail didn’t you?”. “Err. kind of”. Before I could say anything, the holiday had been booked and I was expected to take charge! I clearly needed to gain some modern competency and I quickly trawled the net. I now live many miles from the coast and most sailing schools seemed to be somewhere off the Solent or in North Wales. However, I stumbled across Northumbria Sailing with a view to a refresher of some kind. Suffice to say, a quick (and typically robust) exchange with Melvyn soon put me in my place. He, quite rightly, pointed out that I would be a liability on the waters and should not even consider taking my family out to sea. I would have forgotten most things and those things I could remember had probably either changed or been superseded by technology! Too true – my old RYA books didn’t even mention satellite navigation or GPS! Melvyn suggested, for starters, a day trip with him on Lian to see about “getting back into it”. It was advertised as a kind of “taster day”! If I was serious about getting up-to-speed, I would need plenty of self-study to bring me up-to–date on the theory. He recommended suitable books and that I sign up for his 5 day RYA Day Skipper Practical Course – with no guarantee of being “signed off” at the end, unless I made the grade.
Now, I like a challenge. Ideally, I would have re-attended theory classes, but I had no time for that. So, my rusty dividers were oiled, my 2B pencil sharpened and the dust blown off my old RYA Training Chart (about the only thing that seems not to have changed!). I scoured the internet for training videos and found several good sources. For example, “Westview Sailing School” has an iPhone app and shore based tutorials (some free on YouTube, others for a modest charge) that are great for learning/ revisiting course-to-steer, tidal heights, position fixes etc. Melvyn recommended the book “Pass Your Day Skipper” by David Fairhall and that has become very well-thumbed together with “Reeds Skipper’s Handbook”.
The day trip (with a lovely couple – Sarah – a lapsed sailor – and boyfriend Steve – (a recently passed Day Skipper) showed that Melvyn was right about the twenty years. I was rustier than an old fishing trawler! No! No! Locking turns on a cleat are now frowned upon. Anchor chain is now called “rode” and you need a different approach with these self-tailing winches. “Forget how you used to do it!” But where was slab reefing and why wasn’t I constantly being barked at “topping on/ kicking off”? I was exhausted by the end of the day but had regained the “bit between my teeth”. Train journeys and wet Sunday afternoons saw me revising my theory (tip: learn your lights and know your ColRegs!) as I prepared for the week’s practical.
I’ll leave it to others to review Melvyn’s Day Skipper Practical Course. Suffice to say, it was hugely memorable, highly recommended and a week that will stay with me forever! We were a multi-national group. All male (as it turned out). There was German sales engineer – Ralph, Chinese PhD student – Yuan, Northumbrian vet – Roger and a Yorkshireman (me). We all quickly became good friends and, needless to say, coming from God’s own county, I was the butt of most of Melvyn’s dry humour! Now, if you’re looking for something to “get you by” just to “get your ticket” then this week is NOT for you! I’ve read of other sailing schools that seemingly skimp a bit on the RYA syllabus to sign you off. Rest assured – Melvyn won’t do that! Instead, he offers an intensive, 5 days, 5 nights course where, from first thing in the morning until late into the evening (and sometimes even later!) he will be constantly switching between an extensive range of topics, including subjects that are not in the basic Day Skipper syllabus, but really useful to know! For example, we had a tour of the local dry dock area looking at yachts with different types of keel and propellers and methods of construction. Melvyn seemed to have a story and to know the history of each one! ‘Lian’ herself is a great yacht. You’ll get to know her well, from the tip of her mast (optional climb!) to the bottom of her bilge!
Melvyn takes pride in his yacht but isn’t precious about her. He recognises that she is a training vessel and may get into the odd scrape (she did!). He is always happy to answer questions including the ones you’ve never dared ask, for fear of sounding silly! You’ll be encouraged to try your hand at everything – from engine maintenance to galley food prep, from taking the helm to changing sails and from plotting a night sail to conversing with the Harbourmaster – all under the watchful, firm, but always kindly supervision of Melvyn. The course may seem expensive at first glance, but you get real value for money with Melvyn wanting to impart as much knowledge as he can, backed up by great homemade food, frequent mugs of tea and the odd pint ashore at the end of the day!
I passed my Day Skipper Practical and now feel confident in my ability to take my family on a relaxing (ish) summer holiday as well as to meet up again with the other guys later in the year. Of course, there is still much more to learn and I now want to take things further. It’s down to Melvyn’s knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for sailing that has made this possible, after that gap of twenty years.’
Tim Edwards
Ilkley, Yorkshire
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!
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. Evenings & Saturdays; January 11, 14, 18 & 25th, February 1, 8 & 15th, March 1, 8, 11, 15, & 22nd
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. Daytime course (0930-1430): October 11, 18th, November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29th, December 6th (only one place left). Evenings & Saturdays Course; January 9, 16, 21, 23, 30th, February 6, 11, 13th, March 6, 13, 20 & 27th (The autumn evening class is full)
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. Next Course; October 3rd (am), 4 & 7th (all day) & 10th (am)
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 Trips; 17th September (cost £70) and . October 19th day for diehards.
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. Cancellation & 1 space now available for September 25 – 30th 2017; April 23 – 28th & May 14 – 19th 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. (The caption shows the June victims enjoying fish & chips on the final day) Cost £595. Cancellation & 1 space now available for September 25 – 30th. 2017; April 23 – 28th & May 14 – 19th. ‘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
Out in the Midday Sun
It has only been since I began presenting RYA Courses that I have realised the Sun is never directly overhead here in Newcastle upon Tyne. Indeed anywhere above 23.5° North (Bahamas), or South (Namibia), will never have the Sun overhead. Between the Tropics, Cancer in the North and Capricorn in the South are the areas enjoying the overhead Sun (Not a good time to take sextant sights!)
The Sun is at it’s highest point at noon, local time, as it appears to move across the sky. At the Equator the Sun will be directly overhead once on 21st March on it’s way north and again on 21st September moving south. At 23.5°N on the Summer Solstice, 21st June, it reaches it’s furthest point before moving south.
At the Equator hours of day and night are always equal, elsewhere only at the Equinoxes.
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, 11 & 18th October. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA Also available One to One at £175 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. Next Course October 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.
Ocean Film Festival at Whitley Bay
7.30pm on Friday 16th September there will be an opportunity to see a collection of short films documenting the beauty and power of the ocean, and celebrate the divers, surfers, swimmers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray; who chase the crests of waves; and who marvel at the mysteries of the big blue.
Doors and bar opening an hour before. There will be lots of prizes and giveaways during the interval and there is also a group discount available for groups of 6 or more. http://www.oceanfilmfestival.co.uk/home
Victims (all) at Sea
Jonathan Colwell is working in Greece and thoroughly enjoying life as a skipper, as he should be with the hostess provided as part of a customer’s package.
Elsie & Ian Robinson have just purchased a new, clinker built, rowing boat. Ian reports; ‘We commissioned Elfie last year. Our own boat unique boat. All 14 feet 3″.
She has 2 rowing positions and 2 sets of oars made from Larch with oak seats and a rudder. She can also take an outboard. Built using traditional copper rivets and clinker planking by Students at Plockton High School. It’s the 7th boat the school has built. The design is based on a local Plockton design and we are told she can take waves up to 5ft.
She was officially launched in June and was piped into the water by the Director of the Plockton music academy who wrote a special tune just for Elfie.
We plan on using her on local rivers and at the coast on calm days.’
Frazer Ventners, on right, and crew have lifted the Taittinger trophy from under the noses of the southerners at Yarmouth on Frazer’s yacht Caveman. Three ch(b)eers for the Geordies. To all aspiring sailors – racing is excellent for improving your pure sailing skills. Try it at RNYC.
Ian & Jane Ainsworth are back in America and you can follow them on their blog Tales from the American Waterways.
Rob Langley sailed across the North Sea with victim Peter Fall on Pendragon, a Najad 37, and two others, on the left. Rob’s family will be joining them soon with son, and current victim, Richard Langley. Rob reports; ‘the Oslo fjord is 60 miles of sheltered waters, make a great cruising ground for Northumbria Sailing’
Beware of RIB’s in the Wrong Hands
Sudden manoeuvres at high speed can be dangerous when in the wrong hands. Remember Padstow? Two deaths and others seriously injured. Do not suddenly accelerate, turn or drive into a wave. Always wear the kill cord. Follow the link here for an article about a recent tragedy. RIB Tragedy
Late Availability
A new section highlighting late availability on Courses for reasons of cancellation or just untaken places. Due to a cancellation because of illness I now have a space on the 5 day September 25 – 30th for RYA Competent Crew or Day Skipper Practical
For more information contact me via my web page
Sail Safely