September 2017 – Northumbria Sailing

‘In little vessels there is joy. In large vessels there is travail and perplexity’ – Ernest K Gann

Go Dutch in 2018

Planned for next Summer is a fantastic opportunity to sail a 1930’s Dutch flat bottomed boat. This boat, 15 metres long, offers a huge amount of space and 5, yes five, cabins for sleeping. Included will be 4 hours of tuition and bedding.

More details will emerge

My Holidays

I’m often asked ‘where do you sail to with your family?’ This year we tried something new to us – a narrow boat, on the Leeds & Liverpool canal near Skipton. A 47 foot boat Sweet Basil was hired for a few days from Snaygill Boats and successful it was. It takes a long time to go anywhere and I found it was a 6 hour stand/bridge operation taking a full day. What about the locks? We experienced the steepest staircase in England, the Bingley 5 Rise. It was my ‘duty’ to helm into the lock, cup of tea in hand, whilst wife performed assistant lock-keeper duties! As can be imagined, this was ‘commented’ on.

Exciting August Sail

Sean and family booked a private day onboard. The Med is their preferred sailing location and one of his requests was berthing practice.

Instead, what did he and the family get, another Windy Wallhead Sail in gale force!! We ventured no further than the Lower Harbour, off South Shields beach, and had some good practice in a high wind. At times, a wind speed of less than 30 knots felt like a lull. No berthing practice was possible but they all had a controlled sail in higher winds than they had experienced before. Maximum gust 51.7 knots and not even out to sea.

Space Invaders

This is how it looked on the chart plotter during the sail across the North Sea to Amsterdam. Lian, ringed, encountered a great deal of traffic, shown by the triangles, which had to be safely circumvented. Skipper Malcolm, in his typically modest fashion, reports; ‘heroic Yachtmaster masterfully negotiated a vast number of AIS targets in the form of huge tankers and cargo vessels to thwart their intent of sending little Lian to Davy Jones’ locker, calculating on the hoof with extraordinary numerical and navigational proficiency avoiding actions, thereby brilliantly and modestly bringing her to port in Scheveningen safely’.

Packed Amsterdam

Sixhaven marina is superbly placed just across the free ferry to the centre of Amsterdam. Malcolm, Andrew, Emma & Alan sailed there from Royal Quays, see Malcolm’s Space Invaders game below. I took over together with Alan (yes he went both ways), Orang and Mike. After window shopping and a meal in old Amsterdam we returned to the boat only to find others kept coming in, and in, and in.

I have never seen anything like it before where the pontoons were jammed, but it seemed to way of things there. In the morning there was an orderly opening up and off we went, for 121 straightforward miles to Lowestoft (my coding prevents me from going more than 60 miles from a safe haven). Then we were faced with a long ‘hop’ and potentially adverse tides around the north Norfolk coast. This with a bit of weather meant we stayed 3.5 days and set off for Scarborough. Off Flamborough Head we encountered an adverse tide as well as a strong NW wind which delayed us right at the end. Still we could celebrate £2 a pint in the Sam Smith’s pub, as can be seen. The following day saw us back in RQ on Saturday July 15th and on time!

Skye Circumnavigation

I had chartered Oceanlord, a 41 foot Westerly from Alba Sailing, a last minute substitution for a modern deck saloon which had been seriously damaged, and not reported, by previous charterers. I have to day the Alba were good about what was undoubtedly a loss for them offering Oceanlord at a discount. At first I had mixed feelings, and a sore head with the restricted headrooms. I had especially wanted to sail a deck saloon but, in the event, Oceanlord looked after us well.

From Tobermory, a superb place to visit, we lunched at Muck, then anchoring for the night at Canna. Too late for a mooring we adopted Old Man’s Anchor Watch since I had doubts about the weed and close proximity of others, one of which ‘serenaded’ us in with the bagpipes then anchored in front of us. Never heard of ‘Old Man’s Anchor Watch’? – instead of everyone doing a watch in succession we all went to our bunks and all, well nearly all, had to get up in the night for a pee, and would then check our position!

Then on to Dunvegan, under Skye bridge, down the ‘rapids’ afterwards and to Portree, where it was too windy to leave the mooring by dinghy. Tobermory as can be seen (Mike, myself, Tom, Brendan who slept in a corridor, Oran and John) returning to Dunstaffnage

Northumbria Sailing Adventures

These adventures are when we either charter a sailing yacht or take ‘Lian’ somewhere interesting and challenging. When weather and crew status permit we will do distances, often sailing through the night via the watch system. If this is not possible we will cruise looking for pleasant places to visit with good shoreside wining and dining facilities.

Trips in recent years have included the Orkneys, the Clyde, London Tower Bridge and a North Sea crossing.

We will endeavour to have you fully involved in the sailing of the boat and to consider your preferences. Alcohol will often be enjoyed when we are no longer underway. At the end of the trip you will have a log book filled and plenty of nautical adventures to tell.

2017 has seen a trip around Skye and one to Amsterdam.

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 £475 or £725 on tailored tuition. It’s possible to come for the Celestial Navigation only. The US Navy are teaching sailors celestial navigation again as a precaution against cyber attack. US Navy. Evenings/Saturday dates; September 27th, October 4, 11, 18th November 1, 15, 16, 22, 25, 29th December 6, 9, 13 & 20th

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 class; January 10, 17, 24 & 31st February 7, 21, 24 & 28th March 7, 10, 14, 21 & 28th

RYA DAY SKIPPER A popular starting point for many. Same Course for Sail or Power. Already half full, this is a Course where early booking is essential. Classes take place in a modern building in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne. Included is a half day visit to the School boat. Cost £425. Daytime Course 0930 – 1430: October 10, 17, 31st, November 7, 14, 21, 28th & December 5th. Evenings/Saturdays: October 2, 9, 14, 16, 30th November 6, 13, 20, 27th, December 2, 4 & 11th. (Only one place left on the evening class)

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 £625 (£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

TIDES In response to demand I’m offering this Course on tides, not RYA Tides, but real UK tides, especially on our North East Coast. Learn how to calculate tidal heights and streams. Join any of the four at £25 each or £90 for all four. Each session takes place 6 – 9pm at Heaton; Session 1 will be Day Skipper level with tides at standard ports. Session 2 will be advanced with secondary ports, Session 3 Tidal streams. Session 4 will go through examples and homework set from previous sessions. Also to be explored are the less common e.g tidal coefficients

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. (£375 weekends) Next Course; September 7, 8 & 11th (FULL)

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; 12th September

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 £595. April 2018 22 – 28th 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 £625 April 2018 22 – 28th ‘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. Course Review by Tim Edwards For a murky glimpse of a night sail try Night Sail

RYA START YACHTING A two day course for beginner groups, which can be the ‘start’ of greater things. You live onboard for two days and visit another marina, away from Royal Quays. Cost £230.

Late Season Sail

I don’t guarantee this sort of weather (November 2015) but we can try, and sailing will be during daylight. We will ideally sail to Amble, spend the evening at a pub and return the following day, with an early start. For experienced sailors. Cost £130 November 9+10th and 23+24th

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

Northumbria Sailing on Video

The school yacht is an 11 metre Hallberg Rassy, a quality boat well fitted down below providing comfortable accommodation, stable at sea. Have a look at her entering the river Tyne under sail. Lian at Tynemouth

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

How are your Futtocks?

Tim Fitzhigham is a guy who wanted to cross the English Channel in a bath tub and wrote a very amusing book about his adventures entitled ‘All at Sea’. I kid you not by revealing the bath tub was made by Thomas Crapper & Co. Over to Tim;

When I first phoned the Royal Navy to try and get them on board with the idea, there was a mistake at the switchboard and I got put through to a rear admiral. And that was the best result for me, because both my uncle and my great uncle were in the Navy and they told me If ever you’re talking to a member of Her Majesty’s Royal Navy, you always start the conversation with a question – How are your futtocks, old man?

So I get put through to the rear admiral and I say How are your futtocks, old man? and he replies At their furthest reach, dear boy.

When I asked my uncle about this, he said Yes, that was the correct nautical response. I said That’s fantastic, uncle, but what does it actually mean? and he said Well, that’s the thing, Tim. Nobody actually knows. It’s just this mad thing the Navy have done for 300 years.

I then finally got hold of someone sensible about the whole thing and it turns out what a futtock actually is is the ribs on an old-fashioned boat and, when you say, How are your futtocks? if they reply At their furthest reach then the boat is running at its absolute top capacity. You are, in effect, saying How’s your day going? and they’re saying Very well.’

Specialist Courses

8 x VHF Sets

Never before have I had so many and thanks to Oceanic Yachts for the loan of two. Still a maximum of 8 persons as I don’t think it’s right to have to share on this important Course. Full Day; 25th September

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. All Day; September 25th. Cost £110 plus £60 to RYA. Evenings; October 5+6th. 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 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 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. All Day; 20th October

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 £28 (includes instruments) 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, + £7 RYA Pack. Next session 11th October

Accident Alley

A section to draw attention to accidents and what we can learn from them

The collision between Whispa, a yacht, and Gas Monarch in fog.

Whispa, a 15m yacht, which can be seen berthed in Royal Quays, in 2007 set off in foggy conditions out of Lowestoft heading for home, the Tyne. Travelling south was Gas Monarch and they collided causing damage to Whispa, which was rescued and towed back to Lowestoft. No-one was injured. The ensuing MAIB Report concluded that both vessels were at fault and knowledge of radar was inadequate. Whispa’s skipper believed, in error, that a collision situation was unfolding and a combination of misinterpretation of the COLREGS and badly set radar equipment resulted in the collision with Gas Monarch, whose officer wasn’t keeping a proper watch. (Whispa’s skipper has been invited to comment)

Readers with a good memory will remember my article about myself setting out in fog from Sunderland for the Tyne. In that case I was fully aware of the dangers, had a good crew, radar, AIS and a chart plotter. In addition I know the COLREGS, particularly the tricky Rule 19 for the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. Whispa & Gas Monarch

The Signature disaster, the single most important yachting tragedy to hit the Tyne.

Two men perished in 1998 when they probably thought they were safe, as they were back between the Tyne pier ends.

They were unaware of their peril, thinking that, with a river the size of the Tyne, entry would be safe. In fact, entering the Tyne in a strong North Easterly wind is unsafe and Blyth, has the safest approach in the North East, should have been used. Lifejackets, even in those perilous conditions, were not considered essential to wear.

The consequences have been serious. A survivor (three were washed overboard and he was washed back in) was traumatised, court cases have taken place and financial losses suffered. All sailors should read and learn about this, especially as a skim read may lead you to miss the real cause of the disaster. A RNLI volunteer said to me that he went to his station, by the Fish Quay, as soon as he saw the Signature leaving the river. Signature and look up Safety Digests (Case 8)

Victims (all) at Sea

Marcelo on St Kilda

Marcelo has the sailing ‘bug’ and is learning fast. Since a June Day Trip he has put in the 5 day RYA Competent Crew course, the VHF certificate and now he’s participated in one of the great adventures, a sail to St Kilda. I sailed there in 1994 and would like to re-visit sometime.

‘It was tough sailing’ he says and then hops off to the pub there. In the autumn he’s in the theory class with a view to getting his practical ticket in the spring.

Chloe, a newcomer to sailing, enjoying the bow under easy conditions. Just as well we didn’t have the high winds of four days previously. Life at sea won’t always be like this, but we can live in hope.

Chris & Emma Holliday were successful on a trip out of Gibraltar where Chris got his Day Skipper Practical and Emma her Competent Crew. Future adventures beckon.

Chris & Heather Robson are off to North Biscay for a scout around ahead of Chris’ sailing trip in September. The area is well remembered by me as we bought Lian there in Port la Foret in December 2003. Lian was left there for the winter (crew was short then) and emerged the following March, myself and victim Cecil Jupp. At our very first port of call, Lorient, I was fined 150 euros for not yet having my SSR registration!

Emre Yilmaz has just bought a Bavaria 36 Wishful and seen here in Royal Quays. Emre has big plans for long distance sailing with his family and has made his start on RYA Courses.

Who should I bump into in Tobermory, and Dunstaffnage, but Ron Fraser of Gianna. Ron, together with his wife Susan, were also touring the area with the Hebrides in prospect. I’ll check up on the AIS, a very useful way of monitoring my boat’s progress when I’m not skippering.

August update from Ronnie; ‘Just a catch up Melvyn, we made it out to St Kilda with out any mishaps, even though we crossed the little Minch in a gale and made it to Lochboisdale, ready to make our way to St Kilda. It is a very special place and very scenic. Worth the effort.’

Ian & Jane Ainsworth continue their exploration of American Waterways and ‘smelling the flowers’ enroute. Follow their interesting Blog.Tales from the American Waterways

Defibrillator now Onboard

You see them popping up in all sorts of public places, and now I have one onboard. There may be a bit of self interest here but the chances of survival are much improved if the heart can be re-started, with this device for example.

When offshore sailing there is little help close at hand. Sailing round Skye this summer we heard the lifeboat being called out and saying it would take over an hour to get there. Nice sailing in remote places but a lot of self help is needed. Myself and skippers have been trained in the defibrillator’s use during our RYA First Aid Day.

Boat Delivery

Just bought a boat and wondering whether to have it delivered or trucked? You can contact us for a feasibility assessment and quotation for cost.

Yacht Skippering

There are times when you might feel that your ‘ticket’ and/or experience will not be adequate for a safe holiday. Last summer I had such a commission enabling a larger yacht to be chartered and to sail to more adventurous places. It worked and we all had a great time and look forward to repeating the experience exploring a more challenging area in 2017.

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

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Sail Safely the RYA Way